Nothing can really fill the hole in my heart left by the absence of Friday Mile, but Fort Union comes close.

Two Friday Mile bandmates, Jace Krause and Jake Rohr, have come together once again to create some beautiful songs, traveling back-and-forth from Portland (where the relocated Krause runs an amazing food truck called Fried Egg I’m in Love) to Seattle (where Rohr still lives and works, at Columbia City Theater) to record an album full of them, on—wait for it—pretty-pretty BLUE vinyl. And they’re officially releasing it on Friday, July 27 with a show at the Tractor Tavern.

Jace & Jake are both good musicians AND good guys. So I have to recommend that you head down to the Tractor and show them some support! They deserve it; trust me. Take a listen to “Border Song” below for a sampling of their debut release:

{Fort Union Album Release Show with Cataldo and Widower | Friday, July 27, 9:30pm | Tractor Tavern | $8 online, or at the door | tix also available at Sonic Boom Records}

Tasseomancy: Ulalume
I shouldn't even like this. But I do. Twin sisters Sari and Romy Lightman infuse their folky music with a dreamy, Julee Cruise-esque feel and beautiful vocals. Basically, listening to Ulalume feels like you're in a fuzzy, drug-induced haze. Napping might seem like a good idea too -- until you realize the tunes will probably fuel crazy Gothic-fairy-tale-tinged nightmares.

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I have finally caught up with SIFF madness and found three musical selections in the TIG stacks that are worthy of a shout-out.

Hermetic Delight: Universe Like Thousands of Red Alternatives
This band hails from Strasborg, France, so it was a pretty exciting package to open (we ♥ INTL mail, you guys!). Anyway, despite a totally mistranslated PR sheet, I snapped this up because hello. THAT IS A RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME BAND NAME.

Hermetic Delight specializes in throaty vocal whisperings that ramble all over swaying beats, keyboards, and sexy, sexy, sexiness. So, you know, very French. I can't really make out half of what lead singer Zey K. is saying, but it's damn compelling anyway.

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I’ve been a fan of Jonathan Coulton ever since my own Jonathan put “Skullcrusher Mountain” on a mix CD for me. And, Hooray! He's coming to The Showbox June 22!!!

Moving between fun, poppy tunes and folkier ballards, Coulton's lyrics inject a sense of (nerdy) humor into every song. His live shows are full of adorable stage presence punctuated by witty commentary, making him beloved by legions of fans. (I’m not kidding about the legions, you guys. He’s like the official singer/songwriter for everybody who goes to Comic Con.) Check out "Skullcrusher Mountain" above, and listen to more of his songs for free here, plus get some downloads for only $1 a pop! Further proof that he is super awesome. Ticket buying is recommend NOW, because this will be sold out soon.

“I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you
But I get the feeling that you don't like it
What's with all the screaming?
You like monkeys, you like ponies
Maybe you don't like monsters so much
Maybe I used too many monkeys
Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?”

{Jonathan Coulton | Showbox at the Market | 6/22 | Doors at 8pm | 21+ | $28.50 adv, $30 day of} 

Sometimes, my dear Imaginary friends, you come across something so unique and completely awesome that you have to share it right away - which is the case with this Bobtail Yearlings thing that ended up in my hands. 

I say "thing" because I've never seen anything quite like it. Singer/songwriter Bennett Lin put together a comic book accompanied by a folk rock album, and it's all about British biophysicist Rosalind Franklin, who apparently set some groundwork in motion for more science-y people to discover DNA's double helical structure.

Wait. WHAT?

I know, you guys. I know. You can find a sampling of the comic here, with the promise of a full-length to be released this summer -- and also awesome: you can download all the songs on the Bobtail Yearlings site for FREE (but donations strongly encouraged -- by ME). I seriously envision all you imaginaries with little ones using this as a means to teach your kids about an awesome female biophysicist, because the music is super fun and has great lyrics.

I suggest y'all check it out immediately -- and if you have a chance, read Bennet's story on the last page of the mini-comic. It's pretty amazing, and totally makes me want to ask him out for a cup of coffee.

And if you want to check it out LIVE - Bobtail Yearlings is playing their tribute at the Rat and Raven on May 16. $5 gets you in the door! 

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It's not like I needed another crush on a female singer/songwriter, but Abi Grace's heartfelt folky tunes and pretty pretty voice sucked me in almost immediately. This Seattle songstress blogs, drinks coffee obsessively, and talks earnestly about the origin of her songs to the camera. She's even giving away her music for FREE during March to celebrate her 25th birthday - follow her on Twitter or "like" her FB page for details.

So anyway, she's playing The Back Room at Piecora's on Thursday, March 17 (Yes, that's St. Patrick's Day - so uh, wear some green). I'm anxious to see her live, because this girl definitely has magic in her. You should come too!

Abi Grace
The Back Room @Piecora's
1401 E Madison St
3/17, 8pm
$5 | All Ages | bar w/ID

{photo borrowed from Abi's FB page}

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A sophisticated collection of songs that harken back to days of yore.

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Lavender Diamond could fall under the “indie easy-listening” label alongside Joanna Newsome and Dean and Britta with its focus on lush harmonies and mellow instrumentation and production.

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