So here's a recent run through for those that are looking for new artist ideas:
- The Books — Actually, a pretty hard to describe band. They're minimalist in terms of what music they play on stage and it's augmented by obscure and really interesting audio and video clips. Their playing style seems pretty classically inspired. They're awesome and here's a clip of a favorite, We Bought the Flood.
- The Head & the Heart — They're exploding right now, so they probably need less of an intro. They had just been signed to Sub Pop shortly before the sold-out show and the rumor was that the $14 tickets were going for a pretty penny outside. One of the bands that just makes me happy to listen to and I was really glad to have seen them before they're too big for the club in Seattle.
- The Mountain Goats — This was a solo show from a recent Mr. Galore obsession. They put out a fantastic new album on Tuesday, March 29th. If they come back to Seattle as a full band, I will be going. Despite the solo performance, I was glad that a long-standing tradition of John Darnielle introducing himself as "We're the Mountain Goats" was on display. Here's more.
- Josh Ritter — An all-time favorite probably covered on this very blog before since this was pushing the 10th live performance taken in by the Galores.
- Damian Jurado — A local legend playing with band before a sellout. Seattle is great. I really like Arkansas from his latest.
- Drive-By Truckers — I have seen Patterson Hood before, but if you don't count that, I would say that this was my current choice for the band I most wanted to, but had never seen live. Incredibly versatile and loud with their dirty three guitar sound. Go-go Boots is their latest album and here's a favorite, Used to Be A Cop.
- Destroyer — Thanks to a co-worker's recommendation, my favorite discovery of 2011. Of course, they're not at all new — just new to me. Everyone asks if they're death metal and with a name like Destroyer, it's understandable. According to KEXP though, they're an "ironically titled theatrical post-disco revival ensemble." Speaking of which, here's their latest in studio there.
