Photos: Sound Off! 2013 Semifinals #3 @ EMP

EMP Sound Off! 2013 held the Sound Off! Semifinals #3 on Saturday, February 23rd. And the winner was . . . As It Starts!, a Seattle sextet who lists the Fray and Death Cab for Cutie as influences. Bellingham’s Vervex got the Wild Card spot, while Gig Harbor’s Eye for Eye and another Bellingham act, Soccer Mom, went home. But you know what? As corny as this sounds, it’s really awesome just to participate in this competition, so all should be proud. The Finals will be held on Saturday, March 2nd with the Fame Riot, SHEBEAR, As It Starts and Dave B. (who apparently won the final Wild Card spot). All photos by Simon Krane:

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As It Starts

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I for Eye

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Soccer Mom

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Vervex

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Atmosphere @ Sound Off! 2013

Photos: Nicole Atkins @ Showbox at the Market

She’s one of my favorite performers – and I’ve had the pleasure to cover her numerous times – Nicole Atkins. I recall seeing Nicole for the first time in November 2007 when she opened for The Pipettes at the original Crocodile Café. Last week she opened for EELS at the Showbox at the Market. Watch for her third full-length studio album later this year.

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Nicole Atkins

Photos: Pony Time @ the Black Lodge

The excellent duo known as Pony Time celebrated the release of their album, Go Find Your Own on Friday evening at the Black Lodge. Get this album – it’s really good! Pony Time’s next show is on March 5th at Chop Suey. It’s the kick off their tour, which takes them all the way to SXSW, with Stickers. All photos by Rod Tipton:

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Pony Time

Show Review & Photos: A Silent Film, Royal Teeth & Gold Fields @ the Crocodile

A Silent Film, Royal Teeth & Gold Fields @ the Crocodile, 2/24
Show Review & Photos by Heather Fitzpatrick

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A Silent Film

Australia, Oxford, and New Orleans came to Seattle this past Sunday, in the form of three bands gaining recognition . . . Fast! Royal Teeth, hailing from New Orleans doesn’t even have an EP out yet! Their first single, “Wild,” can be downloaded here FREE; they anticipate their full-length to be available later this spring. They have a similar sound to Youngblood Hawke, with plenty of extra snare drum beats, female background vocals, and high energy on stage and off. They were “discovered” by CNN via twitter, and showcased last year during Austin’s SXSW festival .

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Royal Teeth

Taking the middle slot was Australian band Gold Fields. Their first EP, Gold Sun was released February 26th in the U.S. and Canada, with a wider distribution set for March 8th. With minimal light during their set, it was periodically heightened by timed strobes set off by drum beats. Picked as one of MTV’s Artists to Watch in 2013, they will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live Wednesday night, February 27.

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Gold Fields

A Silent Film headlined the night. Previous tours saw them share the stage with bands such as Blue October, Civil Twilight, One Republic, the Smashing Pumpkins and more. Sunday marked their third stop in Seattle in under three years, and I have seen all three. Their set list consisted of songs off their first EP, as well as their latest release, Sand and Snow. Their catalog is full of pop rock energetic songs that a crowd could definitely dance to, and dance they did. On stage lead singer, Robert Stevenson, who goes from serenading the crowd at the front of the stage to belting out vocals at the keyboard – along with playing the guitar periodically – mentioned many times throughout the show that Seattle continues to be a favorite stop for the band. I’m sure they will return again soon, and you should make it a point to see them.

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A Silent Film

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Photos: Coheed and Cambria, Between the Buried and Me & Russian Circles @ Showbox SoDo

On Tuesday, February 19th, Showbox SoDo had New York’s Coheed and Cambria as headliners. Coheed and Cambria’s latest releases are the ambitious – and awesome – 2 part albums, The Afterman: Ascension and The Afterman: Descension. If you don’t know, singer/guitarist Claudio Sanchez writes science fiction, and his stories provided the plot for the two albums. Coheed and Cambria is touring the world as you read this – possibly near you. Between the Buried and Me and Russian Circles held down opening duties. All photos by Josh Daniels:

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Coheed and Cambria

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Between the Buried and Me

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Russian Circles

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Coheed and Cambria

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