The gorgeous Canadian musician Lights was one of this year’s stars at Bumbershoot. Synth or electropop are just a few musical descriptions you could give to her sound – we’ll just call it awesome. Great photos of Lights’ appearance from photographer Kirk Stauffer are here for you to peek at. Also? She loves cats.
Rufus Wainwright @ Benaroya Hall, 10/1
Show Review & Photos by Dagmar
Rufus Wainwright returned to Seattle’s Benaroya Hall on Monday evening for a mesmerizing and moving show. Wainwright, who appeared at Benaroya Hall in November 2009, was here to share songs from his beautiful catalog, including his latest release, the excellent Out Of The Game.
Rufus Wainwright @ Benaroya Hall, Home of the Seattle Symphony
I love Wainwright’s voice. It’s uncommonly heartrending. So, being able to hear his voice in such a venue as Benaroya Hall, where classical music is played – Seattle Symphony plays there – was just splendid. Wainwright’s lyrics are always impressive, and they carried as well in the atmosphere. The venue filled up with Wainwright fans that hung on every note and sound. I saw Wainwright in 2010 at the Paramount, and am so thrilled I got to cover another of his shows!
The set list was strong, including “Martha,” which he prefaced by saying, the “song is about my darling sister, Martha,” “America” – dedicated to Mitt Romney, whom Wainwright encouraged to “keep up the good work,” – “Who Are You New York?,” “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” “Want,” and “Out Of The Game” title-track of the new album. He also performed “Respectable Dive” (“I had my honeymoon at Big Sur, it’s appropriate to do a country song,”) “Poses,” “Montauk,” “Sanssouci” and a gorgeous cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Rufus Wainwright @ Benaroya Hall, Home of the Seattle Symphony
Wainwright became a parent in 2011 and married his partner in 2012. These new roles appear to have even strengthened his performance and artistic gifts. He worked with producer Mark Ronson on Out of the Game, and the new material is, dare I say this, more accessible to the mainstream. That is not a bad thing. In Wainwright’s case it shows he can create all kinds of perfect music, and keep fans guessing – and keep them attached to his great intrigue.
Rufus Wainwright @ Benaroya Hall, Home of the Seattle Symphony
Colbie Caillat and Gaven DeGraw were on a co-headlining tour over the summer and made a recent stop at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. Colbie is working on her fourth album, Christmas in the Sand, due for release on October 23.
Train, Mat Kearney & Andy Grammer @ the Puyallup Fair, 9/23
Show Review & Photos by Heather Fitzpatrick
Well, it’s time to retire the “DO The Puyallup” song again, as this year’s run of The Puyallup Fair has come to a close. Fairgoers had many things to enjoy this year, which of course included all things fried, scones, rides, the rodeo and having their chance to see as many of the As Seen on TV items demonstrated as they could take in. They also had the opportunity to see some great musical acts perform on the Grandstand Stage. The last night of the fair was no exception, with Andy Grammer, Mat Kearney and Train playing to over 7,000 fans.
Train
Andy Grammer, a singer-songwriter from LA opened the show and had fans in awe of his catchy melodies. Fans were captivated with his onstage presence, and were even able to get a closer look when he walked from the stage into the grandstand, giving high fives and hugs to many fans along the way. In June 2011 he released his self-titled debut CD, which debuted at # 1 on the Billboard New Artist Chart. In August 2012, he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform his latest single “Miss Me.”
Andy Grammer
Mat Kearney, born and raised in Eugene Oregon, released his first CD, Nothing Left To Lose in 2006. His latest, Young Love, was released in August 2011. That same year he headlined an extensive US your. Throughout the years, he has also toured with Owl City, Keane, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Mutemath and others. Needless to say, Mat is no stranger to the stage. He has also appeared on Ellen, The Tonight Show with Leno, The David Letterman Show, and Conan to name a few. His songs have also been heard in over 20 television series.
Mat Kearney
Train first stepped onto the music scene in 1994. They released four CDs prior to taking a hiatus from 2006-2009, at which time they spent some much-needed time with family and friends. This time also gave lead singer, Pat Monahan an opportunity to take on a solo music project. In 2009, they returned to the studio and released their fifth album, Save Me, San Francisco containing their highest rated single “Hey, Soul Sister.” In April 2012 they released their sixth studio album, California 37 – which coincidently is the name of their current US tour wrapping up September 30th in Phoenix.
Train
Mat Kearney
Andy Grammer
I was fortunate to be part of an intentionally small audience to see Laura Marling perform in the intimate Columbia City Theater. It was just Laura and her guitars at a stop during her Working Holiday Solo Tour that will continue throughout the US until the end of October.
Laura Marling