British singer Lianne La Havas brought her Blood Tour to the Neptune Theatre for an evening of soulful music. Her four-member band and backup singer were the perfect complement to Lianne. I had the pleasure of seeing Lianne for the first time during her Is Your Love Big Enough? Tour in 2013 and was glad for her return to Seattle in support of her Blood album, released this summer. Lianne mentioned numerous times that she loved Seattle – and it was very clear that Seattle loved their Lianne. Keenan O’Meara opened and also appears on Lianne’s new album.
Neumos had “lovable curmudgeon” Sage Francis on its stage back in September. Francis was on his Going Through Hell Tour; he’ll wrap up that tour on November 15th in Madison, Wisconsin. The hip hop musician has his own label, Strange Famous Records, which also counts B. Dolan, among others, on its roster. Known for his rap ability and words, Francis is based in Providence, Rhode Island.
Artist:The 1975 Song/Video: “Love Me” Why You Want to Listen/Watch: The band looks and sounds gorgeous in the video, which is a great and sexy parody of stardom. I love the blue eye shadow, the hot tub, and the dancing. Also, it was directed by the wonderful Diane Martel, who was at the helm of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” Goldfrapp’s “Ride a White Horse,” and Ciara’s “Love Sex Magic” – among many others. Details: “Love Me” is the first single from the band’s second album, I Like It When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It, set for a February 2016 release.
The 1975
More details from singer Matthew Healy himself:
“With Love Me we wanted to capture the neon-hued enthralling acquisition of success and excess, the screaming momentum, the sexy daze. Everything is REDICULOUS! But, is it? The only art worth any investment is art that makes one feel personally addressed. A simple truth, or set of truths, that galvanises an awareness and passion within an individual and in doing so immerses the individual into a sense of shared experience and community founded upon that same personal connection or experience. Too many artists care what others think. We are for the ‘community’! A non-linear observation on everything that has been and what will become. A lack of understanding of the world we are living in. The post-ironic notion of the modern world. Selfie mythologizing. Creating how we consume. Fragments of culture. Not settling for what you’re given. WE’VE JUST COME TO REPRESENT A DECLINE IN THE STANDARDS OF WHAT WE ACCEPT.”
While going through the archives, I came across photographer Alex Crick‘s photos of Motion City Soundtrack. These are from very early this year, and I apologize the lovely photos did not reach light of day on Back Beat Seattle until now. Panic Stations, the new release from the Minneapolis, Minnesota band, was produced by John Agnello. Agnello has also worked with Andrew W.K. and Sonic Youth.
DIR EN GREY, a fantastic metal experimental band from Japan, visited Showbox at the Market on Monday evening. The group put on a tremendously entertaining and vigorous performance for some of the best fans I have ever seen. The audience had huge smiles and pumped fists during the entire show, and enjoyed songs such as “Merciless Cult, “OBSCURE,” and “UROKO.” While many of us may not have understood a word of most songs (most lyrics are in Japanese, and singer Kyo sure can howl), it was a performance to marvel at. Thank you, DIR EN GREY, for an awesome evening, and a fantastic new album in Arche. My only regret is that I couldn’t get photos of drummer Shinya.
