Preview:SXSW 25Music Festival 3/10-3/15 in Austin, Texas Rock/Indie/Punk – Part 1 ~Dagmar
We’ve made our way to the rock/indie/punk music! Exciting to see such a broad and excellent group variety of rock and countries, including Taiwan’s Amazing Show, and two acts from Wales: HIMALAYAS and the Fiends. Enjoy part 1 of rock and roll at SXSW 2025.
The Darts US brought their patented brand of Farfisa drenched, high energy garage/trash fun to Ballard last week for a crowd-pleasing night of very entertaining rock & roll. Bandleader and Head Dart Nicole Laurenne had a few new faces in her band but they didn’t miss a lick or an iota of the uplifting, goodtime vibe that fans have learned to expect from previous Darts visits to the PNW. It was especially exciting to see Lindsay Scarey, of Seattle’s much loved 38 Coffin, holding down the low end on bass guitar this time through. Lindsay fits seamlessly into the Darts tribe with her strong groove and animated presence.
The gals drew material primarily from their two most recent releases, 2023’s ‘Snake Oil’ and last year’s ‘Boomerang’ (both released on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label), with a sprinkling of unreleased tunes that will be on an album slated to drop later this year. The new material sounded tight and it got this fan primed for the Darts’ next long player. Nicole and her crew are an exciting and vital live act, as evidenced by their growing following in the PNW. Every Darts show I’ve attended has drawn a larger crowd than the previous visit and I would expect that trend to continue.
It’s worth noting that Nicole has a second very active musical project, Black Viiolet, in which she indulges her fondness for jazz and cabaret style vocals. Think Eartha Kitt meets Thievery Corporation and you’re headed in the right direction.
Nashville-based Moody Joody – fronted by Kaitie Forbes and Kayla Hall – opened at the Showbox SoDo. The band is supporting Phoenix throughout their coast-to-coast Victory Lap Tour. The nine-song set drew from their recently released debut EP, Dream Girl, with producer Andrew Pacheco and drummer Brodie Glaza providing excellent accompaniment.
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends Play REM at the Neptune Theatre – 2/21/25 Show Review & Photos by Mike Mitchell
REM’s Fables of the Reconstruction received a spirited benediction from Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy and ‘Friends’ in front of a large and enthusiastic audience at the Neptune Theatre on Seattle Friday night. The all-star friends in question on this particular evening included drummer Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats, Bob Mould), John Stirratt (Wilco) on bass, Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering) on second guitar and Vijat Tellis Nayak handling keyboards. Lead guitar and lovely harmony vocals came courtesy of bandleader Jason Narducy (Superchunk, Bob Mould) and standing in for enigmatic REM singer Michael Stipe was Oscar nominated actor Michael Shannon.
The band played Fables of the Reconstruction start to finish before concluding the first set with a cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale.” They returned for a second set, during which they played a good portion of Reckoning, a selection of well-chosen REM deep cuts, and a handful of covers (Wire, Pylon, Aerosmith).
One wouldn’t be technically mistaken to label this crew an ‘REM cover band’ but, if that is indeed what this talented group is, they’re a cover band with unimpeachable credentials, as REM band members Mike Mills, Peter Buck, Bill Berry have all performed with this ensemble and Michael Stipe has taken the stage during one of their performances to express his appreciation for their ongoing homage to the band’s spirit and catalog. In keeping with past participation on this project by REM members, guitarist Peter Buck (now a resident of Portland), joined the band Friday for the lion’s share of the second set. It was a thrill to hear these memorable and vital songs played live again, by a group of players worthy of the material and a core member of the original band along for the ride.
Narducy and Shannon have toured behind other REM albums in the past and mentioned during Friday’s show that they hope to present Lifes Rich Pageant next year. Judging by the enthusiastic response to this year’s tour and Friday’s show specifically, there will be an appreciative audience for another trip to the REM well from this stellar group of musicians.
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends Play REM – Photos by Mike Mitchell
