Singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke had a July headlining show at the Triple Door. The multi-talented artist, also a playwright and actress (she wrote and starred in her own play/musical, My Mother Has 4 Noses), has been a solo artist since 1994. We’re seeing more musicals in her future!
All photos by Dana Pleasant:
Jonatha Brooke
Welcome back, Peaches! The brilliant electronic rapper just released, Rub, her first album since 2009’s I Feel Cream, and it’s what you’d want from Peaches: positively sexy songs with blush-worthy lyrics. With Rub, Peaches maintains her unique presence in music, always bringing in intriguing guest artists, such as Iggy Pop and Joan Jett on her albums, plus now Kim Gordon on track one of Rub, “Close-Up.” She also had writer Camille Paglia take photos for Rub.
Peaches will always put on a great show full of raunchy glee. She’s able to make whatever she does appear spontaneous, and though some may be, she does actually have to choreograph all that rad stage action. And hi “Vaginoplasty,” you are an absolute classic. Thanks Peaches!
Peaches – photo by Daria Marchik
Peaches’ show on Wednesday at the Showbox is all ages (woah!).
The Tractor Tavern in Ballard was a perfect venue for duo HoneyHoney to perform this summer. Benjamin Jaffe and Suzanne Santo comprise the LA-based alt-folk combo, one that uses Santo’s triple talent of singing and violin/banjo playing along with Jaffe’s cool vocals and guitar playing. They’re an all-around class act.
Photos by Tino Tran:
HoneyHoney
I first noticed Battles when the British show Torchwood, an excellent Doctor Who spin off, featured their song “Atlas.” The song was paired with character Owen Harper (played by the wonderful Burn Gorman) freaking out in, I think, a drug-induced state. At first the song really bothered me, but as I kept hearing it other places, I began to like it. Ever since then I have been interested in Battles. They also became quite the Bumbershoot Festival’s legends after they performed a deservedly still raved about set.
Making strange, yet divine music seems to be what Battles is all about. At times alarming, at other times mellow, Battles create a huge sound. Anticipation builds throughout their songs. That they had Gary Numan on album two, Gloss Drop‘s “My Machine,” means so much, and they’ve got supreme drummer John Stanier of Helmet and Tomahawk in the band (very cool). The third album, La Di Da Di, has real greatness to it, especially in “Summer Simmer” and “Dot Com.”
I bet there will be some pretty rad lighting to go along with the music on Wednesday at the Neptune. It’s all ages, and they’re joined by Buke and Gase. For more details & tickets head over here.
Battles – photo by Grant Cornett
Indie singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens brought his tour emphasizing Carrie & Lowell, his 2015 release, to the Paramount. Carrie & Lowell, whose songs pay tribute to his late mother, Carrie, is his first album in five years! Stevens performed two sold-out shows in Seattle, proving he is always an in demand artist. Photographer Dana Pleasant covered the second date for Back Beat Seattle on June 11th.
Sufjan Stevens