Monday has come and gone, and we're still having sweet, only slightly-sticky memories of this year's annual Capitol Hill Block Party. This year's was definitely the least hot or humid, making it pleasurable for those of us who aren't too into the sun (no offense to the lovers of the big yellow lava-lump in the sky). Saturday heated up as the musical apex of the fest rose, with Brooklyn's The Psychic Paramount awesome possum-saucing new fans on the Main Stage (and then again at a semi-secret show at unofficial CHBP venue The Comet on Sunday, with a whole bunch of fellow psyche freaks a-jambling).

Special little shows erupting here and there through the fenced-in Broadway neighborhood that surrounds The Stranger offices was a topic of much chatter as we walked between Neumos, the Vera Stage, et. al., to catch the already delightful scheduled line up Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Duff McKagan of Guns N'Roses immortality played a little bass for Walking Papers, a new thang he had swinging in the always-chuffed-and-stuffed bunker of the Cha Cha. There were a lot of other hidden thrills, but this is possibly my favorite Capitol Hill Block Party ever simply because there was so much sweetness going on officially, you couldn't not hear a great band just a few feet away from wherever you stood / swayed / jitterbugged / passed out in a tipple pool. I saw maybe one or two bands that didn't light my fire, but they were up-and-comers and may burn brightly later on when I catch 'em another time.

Now let's get to what was seen and supremely dug, by the EMP's photographer and Tea Cozies' Brady Harvey and myself, since Friday afternoon, July 20:

Father John Misty (Friday, 4 p.m., Main) craftily created a record worthy of an L.A. Wolf King earlier this year, but it was no warmed-over homage to SoCal succubi and champagne made by long-haired millionaires filling up your daddy's and mama's orange crated elpee collections. Josh Tillman perfected a musically appealing (and at times satirically astonishing) journey to the end of the weird scenes in one man's gold-dust mind. There was no reason to think this one-time drummer for the Fleet Foxes wouldn't blow everyone away by loosely, confidently, and joyfully singing the songs from this new persona's one platter oeuvre, but his personableness and professional surpassed expectations. I have never experienced such a warm, welcoming, wowing start to a festival. We were all into the music and J. was into us, his lanky frame curling its upper limbs into the air, pointing at the gods, tearing at the moon's face paint, calling out to friends like Joel Cuplin and Eric Fisher (of Constant Lovers), his band aces all the way. Hey, I could have left the festival then and been pleased as deadly nightshade. But the trip was just starting to ball.

Deadkill (Friday, 4:15 p.m., Neumos) somehow juggles being ferally fearsome with sometimes being really funny (lyrically), reminding me slightly of the late 90s rosetta stone of performance art punk, Raft of Dead Monkeys. But the humor is more reserved, and that is probably the only thing one can describe as reserved about the band, as they make sounds that smell like a Detroit muscle car factory spitting out speed flames. Lead singer Bryan Krieger has tattoos as if he's ready for some mixed Martial arts and a body to match it, and his boys don't slag watching his back in total panther-rock attack. Ecstatic. Great rawk, no holding back. OK, I'll stop "pa-rapping" now.

Crystal Stilts (Friday, 5:15 p.m., Neumos) was good, and made me appreciate them more by seeing them live. No, I am not a fan, but a casual admirer at least. (Put down your shoegaze; don't hit me with their I'm-so-high heels.) There is something about the Stilts' sound that is mesmerizing, but also an aspect that seems like it could be beefed up somehow. Live, it's a wonderful flow -- it moves me more seeing them grind their organs, lurched over stacked keyboards and singing like they're peeved poets at the bottom of an ennui well. Old man flashback: they kind of remind me of Polyrock from back in the very early 80s, being both fuzzily dissonant but also new wave streamlined, and not too concerned with direct listenership connection. 

Doomtree (Friday, 5:15 p.m., Main), on the other hand, which I walked out to from CS, roared and bounced and spun soul music and gave crazy good advice about living and exploded like a firecracker party on a hot asphalt island. You could not help but be pulled in by their thick-groove, big-hearted, Minneapolis funk and flow. Nothing ambivalent about this hip-hop, it's rooted in a head scene but it's sheer body rocking beauty. Dessa's deeply adored for a reason, and I found more than one to feel the whole way about Doomtree this day. How'd I arrive at this jam so late? People were loving this, really loving it.

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Is it mid-July already? Holy shit. That means that the Capitol Hill Block Party is here, and there are a couple of things that will be crucial to keep in mind as you head out this weekend to inundate yourself with sun, buddy hangs, and set after set of live music.

One, if the weather stays in our favor {right now Saturday and Sunday are looking like 74 and clear!} you'll need plenty of sunscreen -- for full coverage of your fair PNW skin, folks, it's best to put it on before you leave the house. (Wait, who let my mom in here? Ahem.) Two, if you're knocking back tons of a few drinks over the course of the day, don't forget to hydrate properly. Water = your BFF. Three, for some reason, the ATMs that are loaded up in the "festival grounds" seem to all run out of money at the same time -- so make sure you pick up cash before you head in. And four, try as you might, you can't catch every band on every stage, and that's why you should take our picks with you to make sure you don't miss the best of the fest:

Must-see #1: Lemolo {8:30pm, Vera Stage // Saturday, also at 3:30pm on the Barboza Stage for KEXP}

We can't get enough of Lemolo, and we've waxed on and on about their live shows, their video, and most recently their full-length album, The Kaleidoscope. With two back-to-back sold out shows for the album's release a few weeks ago, most of Seattle has caught the buzz about what makes this duo great -- but if you haven't yet, make sure to get yourself in front of the Vera Stage for their 8:30pm set on Saturday for a slice of their one-of-a-kind shreddy indie dreamscape bliss. Lemolo will also be playing on the Barboza stage at 3:30pm as part of KEXP's Block Party setup, similar to the secret lounge at Bumbershoot. Two shots to catch them = no excuses!

Must-see #2: Father John Misty {4pm, Main Stage // Friday}

Another performer we'd be surprised to see missing from your non-negotiable list is Father John Misty, a brilliant incarnation of everything you didn't know you needed in your new favorite band. It's a part rock, part thrust, part hip-swinging croon that manages to embody a well-read version of a great high (but maintains enough edge to keep you guessing). As if being a killer percussionist, a tremendous vocalist, and an all-around genius aren't enough, Josh Tillman is insanely hilarious -- for those of you who didn't catch it the first time around the tubes, this interview is nothing short of brilliant:

Fuck you, Joe!

Must-see #3: Alicia Amiri {as herself at 5:45pm, Cha Cha Stage // Friday, as Nightmare Fortress at 2pm, Neumos Stage // Saturday}

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{Buster Blue plays CHBP on Sunday, 7/24 at 3:45pm on the Cha Cha Stage}

Reno Nevada's Buster Blue take the chocolate-and-peanut-butter combo that is anachronism and indie pop (ala the Decemberists) and drive it in an interesting, exciting, and surprisingly rocking direction. With loud, urgent, shouting elements of Modest Mouse, swirling instrumentation like that of Sunset Rubdown and Menomena, and lyrics that sound like they were written 'round an Old West-era campfire, these mostly beardy wonders bring an element of theatre to their sound that is innovative and stirring.

An example of their exquisite, evocative lyricism comes from the song "Bluebirds and Honeybees:" The honeybees leave kisses buzzing round the soul / Take the world’s poisons down the rabbit hole. But perhaps one of their finest qualities is that every member of the group contributes something entirely unique to each song, and that facets of each personality shine through to create a cohesion -- where it seems there should perhaps be none. As their bio says, "Buster Blue’s musical educations range from one member being drum major of the high school band to another being a screamer in a hardcore group. Their diverse backgrounds and upbringings help give color to their music, as well as make it difficult to pigeonhole them to a genre."

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{Photo borrowed from Mash Hall Facebook Page}

Sprouting from the THC-soaked cyber-seeds of Seattle entropysploitation rap band Mash Hall/They Live!, Don’t Talk To The Cops is the new electronic-resistance enhanced marriage of rhyming fire and beats taut like wires. I spoke with emzee and emissary Gatsby (Larry Mizell, Jr.) about his further work with his B-Boy collaborator, and what we’ll have no minds capable to wind inside the machine they unleash on Saturday, 6:45 p.m., in the love dungeon of the Cha Cha.

And: Mash Hall is playing again too, and Lar defines below the differences in the natures of both of these collaborations and prior joints. Mash Hall is playing Sunday, 11:30 p.m., on the Neumos Stage. Since that night’s later line up also includes Grynch, Mad Rad, Metal Chocolates, Darwin, and aBeat Connection DJ set, it’s the Closing Party NO ONE should miss.

TIG: Who is in Don't Talk To The Cops and what is your group's mission, sir?

Gatsby: DtttC is BlesOne and Emecks. I am the DJ/hypeman. The mission far as I can tell is to make shit you can dance to. Bles is a lifelong bboy and Emecks is a choreographer/hiphop dancer so they wanted to kinda cater to that. Not that's it's fuckin' rave music or anything.

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Yuni in Taxco is like a snowcone: light, refreshing, and -- if it's really good -- can transport you to another place. If Los Lobos and Dick Dale were thrown in a blender with a the psychaedelica of someone like The Apples in Stereo, you might get these guys (be sure to add an umbrella, and serve up ready to dance).

It would appear there's no more ideal place to see them than a summer music festival -- something about them screams summertime! Their warm, carefree, sound compliment lyrics that tend toward the mutable beautifully, and the twists and turns from pop to ballad make for an exceptional musical landscape. They're a little trippy, a little spacey, and perhaps their island-style warmth will bring a little sunshine to our drab Seattle summer, if only in spirit.

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{Kurt Vile is going to be playing the Capitol Hill Block Party on Friday, July 22, starting at 5pm on the Main Stage.}

Kurt Vile has an occasionally insouciant vocal presence, yet a luscious guitar tone. "Baby's Arms," the new single, is as much a raspberry blown at the world as a lustful kiss splattered on the cheek of his sweetheart. "I get sick of just about everyone / so I hide in my baby's arms." That's how this timelessly rebellious dichotomy is presented on his new, fourth full length Smoke Ring For My Halo.

Vile only kind of means being mean. He likes to sing about "a whole lot of dirt" (a mocking, baiting masterwork called "Runner Ups"), yet was raised in a genteel bluegrass, Jesus-loving household. According to rumor, he tried to bring the banjo of his youth back on this album, but maybe those got left in the outtakes (next time?).

 

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It is clearly no secret that I love The Posies. But honestly, guys - if you have never seen them play live (which seems impossible if you've lived in Seattle for more than a year), you should head out to the Capitol Hill Block Party on Sunday to see them take the  main stage at 3:30pm. These guys are the real deal - an awesomely rockin' local band that's more than earned the term LEGENDS. They consistently put on a good show, and they will (excuse the cliche term) rock your frickin' socks off. For reals!

Go go go go go go GO.

{Photo submitted to our Sparkly Indie-Pop Photos Flickr Pool by Mr. Jason Tang}

 

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Campfire OK photo by Jason Tang

Campfire OK seemed to come out of nowhere with an incredibly well played and passionate debut earlier this winter, Strange Like We Are. Its title track and others have been spun quite a bit on KEXP, the band has been given lots of attention by bloggers (most notably NPR, which did a feature on their excellent music and the meaning of the first album's intriguingly anthemic title track).

They are set to play Sunday, July 24 at the Block Party, at Neumos (21+), between 4:15 and 4:45 p.m. I email-spoke with the mysterious frontman and primary songwriter for Campfire OK, and we got all happily tangled together in the cyber-vines. He straightened out the bacon wrapped around the enigmas of their line-ups, college campus banning, and the meaning behind that darned catchy tune again. Imagine how much fun it will be when I get to chat with him in person at CHBP 2011!

TIG: As a noted "Capitol Hill band" is it a particular thrill to be playing the Block Party this year? Or is it more like just back porch fun for you at this point?

Mychal: We are all very excited, and feel honored to play the Block Party. Even though I live on Capitol Hill it definitely does not feel like back porch fun. It is one of those things that, when you first book the show, you are happy about it. Then as time passes, and you see how large of a number of people go to it, read about it, and research the bands playing, you feel more and more grateful. We are super pumped to be doing it.

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{photo: April Brimer}

Virgin Islands is one of Seattle’s best live rawk and roil bands, souped up on speed-ball breakneck paces and reeling through the gears left behind from The Cops. Fronted by Michael Jaworski (vocals and guitars), and tuned in by two-lane blacktop hard by Aaron Ball (drums and percussion), Charles Keller (bass and vocals), and Christopher Meyer (guitars and vocals), they’re bringing dapper mayhem to the Vera Stage during the Capitol Hill Block Party (2011!) on Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. sharp.

I spoke with Mikey about the festival, the band’s recent full length debut, and love for Cap Hill!

 

TIG / Chris Estey: Is it a particular thrill to be playing the Block Party? What is it that's more special about playing the CHBP than a usual show in the area?

MIKE: It is thrilling to play the Block Party! It really does feel more special than a regular show in the area. In my opinion, the Block Party is the coolest and most grass-roots festival in our area and it's an honor to perform for it. It takes place in an extremely cool and vibrant neighborhood and it caters to such a great cross-section of humanity. It's just a great street party with awesome bands and we're honored to be a part of it! Not to mention, Jason Lajunesse and crew book artists that truly represent the diverse music scene in Seattle and some of the best national touring acts around. I think you'd be hard pressed to find another music festival that does it so well, especially in a block party setting.

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Undoubtedly, like us, you're all stoked about the coming onslaught of summer festivals -- and with the Capitol Hill Block Party right around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to hip you to what we can't wait to see from the rest of the fests. Sasquatch! is already under our belts, and that means Doe Bay, Bumbershoot, Austin City Limits, FYF Fest, Musicfest Northwest, CMJ, and Iceland Airwaves are all comin' round the mountain.

Well, hot damn. This is a lot of music to take in, and we sure are equal parts stoked and grateful to be living it up in the grand ol' Pacific Northwest (and beyond). Let's get right down to it, in chronological order:

Doe Bay

The where and when: Orcas Island, August 11th - 14th {SOLD OUT}
Feels like: hippie goodness in a gorgeous setting, without the hippie bullshit. May contain campfire sing-a-longs, but only the good kind.

There's something to be said for a festival that sells out before the lineup is announced, yet still manages to stay true to it's oh-so-grassy roots -- and Doe Bay is that festival. For almost four full days on picturesque Orcas Island (that's here in Washington for you out-of-area readers), lucky attendees will be taking in the likes of The Head and the Heart, John Vanderslice, Damien Jurado, Cobirds Unite, Pickwick, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside, Frank Fairfield, Lemolo, Matt Bishop, and a dozen more. Camping encouraged, pants optional.

A point of note: if you didn't get tickets for DBF, you can mosey on out to Seattle Center for the Seattle Tattoo Expo. The buzz of the guns, the art openings, a weekend full of music at venues around town and a taste of this vibrant community are just a few of the things you can expect. And at only $15 / day, it's a super-affordable way to get your ink on. Information and advance ticketing on the Expo website here.

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