I am so into O. Children right now that I had to put up two of their videos, “Dead Disco Dancer” and “Ruins”. The other week I interviewed the band’s singer, Tobias O’Kandi (to be posted here soon). The British band’s self-titled debut LP is kind of goth and totally great.
O. Children – photo by Owen Richards
You’ll get a chance to see Brooklyn’s the Drums at Neumos on October 4th – until then here’s “Down by the Water”:
the Drums
By Ellie Mansfield
Photos and translation by Anthony Guerra Jepson
BOMBA ESTEREO has a kind of sound that can never be duplicated! They have an eclectic style that never stops. Many songs they place under their own genre they call “cumbia psicodelica” (psychedelic cumbia). As a live band BOMBA ESTEREO is a mix of cumbia, electronica, reggatone, champeta (from the Carribean coast) with a bit of rock ‘n’ roll on drums. This is is an intense mix of Afro-Columbian Funky Psychedelic Jam that will blow your mind! On vocals Liliana Saumet has a passionate voice and is fully invested in the live performance! Her voice flows over the audience in a blanket of audacious but soothing melody that pumps them up. Her ’80s sense of style is funky and interesting. In true Columbian style BOMBA ESTEREO played two more songs after the stage manager told them “no.” Their last song “Fuego,” was full of classic BOMBA ESTEREO energy and excitement. You will never be disappointed if you come out to see BOMBA ESTEREO live!
En Bomba Estereo hay un tipo de musica que no se puede duplicar! Tienen un estilo eclectico que no deja de bombear. Muchas de sus musicas las ponen bajo el genero llamado de “cumbia sicodelica”. Como una banda en vivo BOMBA ESTEREO es una mezcla de la cumbia, electronica, reggaeton, la champeta de nuestra costa Caribena con un pocoton de rocanrol en la bateria. Son una mescla intensa de un jam afro colombiano electro funky sicodelico que les va a volar la cabeza! En los vocales Liliana Saumet tiene una voz apasionada y esta invirtiendo su talento en la performance en vivo, que tambien se nota madurada desde su ultima visita a Seattle. Su voz fluie sobre la audiencia cubriendo la gente con un sonido audacioso pero tranquilizante con un dub-styley reggaetronico.
Su senso de estilo medio ochentero es funky y interesante. En el estilo verdaderamente Colombiano, BOMBA ESTEREO tocaron dos musicas mas despues que el director del encenario les dijo que “no”. Su ultima musica “Fuego”, lleno de energia y agito clasico de BOMBA ESTEREO. No te decepcionado quando los vea en vivo. Pues ojala regresaran a Seattle con su buena energia. Y buena nota.
photos by anthony guerra jepson
We’ve got photos coming in by Kirk Stauffer from Saturday’s Bumbershoot shows. Here are some of Stauffer’s shots of the Submarines, Bob Schneider and Parlour Steps. By the way, Schneider is coming Seattle’s way again with a date at the Tractor on October 13th.
the Submarines
Bob Schneider
Parlour Steps
On Monday two of the best Seattle acts you’ll find, Lisa Dank and THEESatisfaction played the EMP Sky Church. I’m just going to categorize these performers’ music as accessible. THEESatisfaction, made up of Stasia Irons and Cat Harris-White, were joined onstage by DJ Chocolate Chunk for the entire magnificent set and OC Notes for “Icing”. Irons and Harris-White have such great voices and delivery, and their words are always moving. Highlights for me were “Bush,” “Lincoln,” “Reagan,” a slowed down/jazzier “Bisexual” and “Sexy Girlfriend”. Lisa Dank put on an ebullient and engaging act complete with costume changes, glamorous backup dancers, the White Widows (Dank’s two female backup dancers/singers), a violin, drums and DJ Skiddle. “COOKIES!,” her cover of Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack,” “On the Radio,” “Ride,” and “Social Networking” and others all sounded brilliant. Lisa Dank and THEESatisfaction should be hitting it big.
Lisa Dank
THEESatisfaction – all photos by Dagmar
Photos by Amy Elyse
Review by Ellie Mansfield
A very shocking bunch of sounds combine in John Mayer‘s current tour: rock ‘n’ soul meet a delightful funkadelic jazzy sound. Even Mayer’s older radio hits are vibrant and alive with his current choice of sounds. He is most certainly not overproduced! His sound is genuine, and his illuminating voice will cover you like hot fudge if you let it. He has clearly evolved and enhanced into a completely different style since he won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards.
Keith Urban
John Mayer
Keith Urban is pretty nice looking up-close. He writes the majority of his own songs, and plays the guitar well. He clearly has respect and admiration for his bandmates, as he made a point to highlight each one of their talents. There was far less country twang than expected from his music, and little bit of rock ‘n’ roll with Urban’s soulful rolling voice was an unexpected surprise. I do wish Urban had smiled more during his set to let the audience know that he really appreciated their presence, but he is a great live performer overall.
Keith Urban
John Mayer