Jolie Holland headlined at the Crocodile Café last week, in support of her new album, Wine Dark Sea, which is a departure from the folk/alt-county style of her previous five records. Founding member of The Be Good Tanyas, Holland’s unique vocals were backed by a 4-member band. Austin-based Jess Williamson opened and was a good complement to Holland.
Jolie Holland
Jess Williamson
Singer-songwriter Katie Herzig hit Seattle’s Crocodile on April 12th. The Nashville-based Herzig has her own studio now, where she recorded 2014’s Walk Through Walls (the video for the title-track was filmed in Mexico). Nice! All photos by Dana Pleasant:
Katie Herzig
Lindsey Stirling fiddled and danced her way across the stage at the Paramount Theatre in support of her new album, Shatter Me. Originally scheduled for the Showbox SoDo, the show quickly sold out and was moved to the Paramount which also sold out. It was only 18 months ago that Lindsey played at the small Vera Project – her popularity has exploded since.
Lindsey Stirling
I had the pleasure of attending and photographing the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies show at Jazz Alley Thursday night. Yeah you guessed right, the “Zoot Suit Riot” guys. These guys are as fun as they were in the ’90s. I say still but they never really stopped touring and Thursday’s show demonstrated that.
Normally when a concert photographer shoots a show, the promoter limits us to 3 songs. It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard to my creative soul, because usually the best lighting and performance happens later in the show. For the Daddies, I limited myself to 3 songs because I didn’t want to miss the show, and for once, it felt good to go by the rules cause I really had a great time.
After my shoot, I walked back to my assigned seat, put my camera away, and ordered my well-crafted Manhattan. On stage the Cherry Poppin Daddies, lead by Steve Perry, thrilled the crowd with their fun yet very energetic Ska/Swing performance. These guys had me belly laughing because you could just tell they were having a great time, and it was apparent that it was infectious to the crowd as well. The music ricocheted back and forth as the band shouted out a word and the crowd shouted back in unison.
The Daddies played a combination of their old and new songs. Their new recording is nearing release – it’s called Please Return the Evening — the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Salute the Music of the Rat Pack. I listened to it when I got home. After pouring myself another bourbon a la Don Draper, I sat back with my feet up, listening to the soulful sound of Perry’s voice, taking me back to another era.
Photographer: John Rudolph
I got to take photos of two crush-worthy bands, Katie Kate and Pillar Point at Neumos recently. I would have gotten photos of Erik Blood as well but there was zero lighting for him. I think he wanted a moody and dark stage. Katie Kate just had her song “Rushmore” premiered on Interview Magazine‘s site – nice work – while Pillar Point tours all over the U.S., including dates with Of Montreal. Save room for Capitol Hill Block Party as well, where you’ll be able to catch both of these acts. And apologies to Katie Kate for not getting more photos of her set. Incredibly, my camera battery died.
Katie Kate
Pillar Point