Making her second stop in Seattle this year, singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan headlined at Barboza. She and her signature green were on the road in support of the recently released James, her second EP. LA-based Molly Kate Kester opened.
Video: Elle Exxe’s “Catapult”
Band: Elle Exxe
Video: “Catapult”
Why You Want To Watch: Scottish singer-songwriter Elle Exxe made her very own video! The electronic/pop musician doesn’t always appear as she does in this video; the 2D look is meant to stop judging by appearances alone:
“Too often people define and judge one another based on basic outlines – what clothes someone wears, who they’re friends with, what colour their skin is etc. Those judgements become beliefs – creating the same kind of instinct that tells you when something is flat or has depth. I wanted to mess with people’s minds in video format by creating a 2D illusion with high-contrast black and white makeup and clothing.”
Elle Exxe’s excellent debut album, Love Fuelled Hate, is out now.
Elle Exxe
Elle @ SXSW 2017 – photo by Kirk Stauffer
Photos: Toro y Moi & the Mattson 2 @ the Neptune
Toro y Moi & the Mattson 2 @ the Neptune, 11/7/16
Photos by Casey Brevig
Memory Lane Series, part 22
Toro y Moi
Details: So, this is pretty amazing: Toro y Moi (real name Chazwick Bradley Bundick) has a date named after him in Berkeley, California. As of 2017, June 21st is Chazwick Bradley Bundick Day! That’s an honor. Toro y Moi also put out a record, Boo Boo, in 2017, making it a big year for him. He’s already made two videos, “Pavement” and “Windows,” from the album with photographer Kristie Muller, but hasn’t announced any tour dates. As an opening band, Toro y Moi chose duo the Mattson2, with whom he made 2017’s album Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2.
Toro y Moi
The Mattson 2
Photos: Tori Amos @ Paramount Theatre
Singer-songwriter Tori Amos played a solo set on two pianos at the Paramount Theatre over the Thanksgiving weekend. Seattle’s stop was near the tail end of her 24-city North American tour in support of her recently released 15th studio album, Native Invader. English indie band Scars On 45 opened.
Talk & Photos: Hillary Clinton @ the Paramount
Talk: Hillary Clinton @ the Paramount, 12/11/17
~Dagmar
Hillary Clinton – photo by Dagmar
Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, United States Senator, and Secretary of State, visited Seattle on Monday evening, December 11th. Clinton’s currently on a national tour to discuss her latest book, What Happened, and to discuss whatever she feels like talking about on any given evening. Topics on Monday ranged from the current political climate to resilience, and was moderated by writer Anne Lamott.
The audience, primarily women, was delighted to hear Clinton speak. Several generations of women joined together as Clinton described how women can move forward and become more involved in politics. As a speaker, Clinton was warm and engaging, discussing how difficult it can be for women to gain acceptance as leaders as opposed to being in support roles exclusively. Interestingly, she shared that one of her biggest disappointments from her 2016 election defeat was not being able to work with Germany’s Angela Merkel. She also graciously commented on her interactions with people who come to her book signings, mentioning one woman in Denver, who earlier that day had told Clinton of her fears about where the country is heading. Clinton’s advice is to remain vigilant of unchecked power, and keep working for women’s rights, reminding us of this picture of men who are making decisions on women’s health care.
Another of the many areas Clinton moved her crowd with (and yes, the venue was sold-out) was her description of her mother’s childhood. Abandoned by relatives twice, her mother became a maid at the age of fourteen, getting all her work done before high school because she wanted to learn. Clinton one time asked her how she was able to have such a positive attitude about life. Her mother’s answer? The “small acts of kindness” people showed to her when she was a poor child, such as a teacher bringing extra lunch food by mistake, and sharing it with her. Clinton’s firm belief that we are all in this together (even naming her new organization Onward Together) comes from the biblical ethos of Don’t Get Wary Doing Good. Being able to listen Clinton talk without external noise or interpretations of her was excellent.
Anne Lamott
Hillary Clinton
Anne Lamott
Hillary Clinton – all photos by Dagmar
Below are two brief videos I took for the dialogue, rather than my trusty iPhone video capability.
Hillary Clinton & Anne Lamott discuss weird reporting about Clinton:
Hillary Clinton discusses women worldwide, resilience, and her mother: