Bumbershoot Prep Part 5 - Kore Ionz

From what I'm able to gather, Kore Ionz will be the only reggae band performing this year at Bumbershoot. Personally, I enjoy sitting in the grass, feeling the warmth of the sun, breathing clean fresh air, and chilling to the island sounds so I was hoping to see a fuller reggae line-up, with possibly the likes of Slightly Stoopid with Don Carlos or Rebelution.

Local Seattle boys, Kore Ionz, offer up a fairly clean, unblemished and unvarnished form of reggae. They stay fairly true to the genre although the Pacific island influence is quite prominent, which makes sense considering leader and singer-songwriter, Daniel Pak, hails from Hawaii.

It's hard to imagine a reaggae band from Seattle, better know as the rainy city or birthplace of grunge, but believe me, this young group of talented artists really delivers.

Enjoy the band performing Save Me live in the studio at Seattle's KEXP

Bumbershoot Prep 4 - Trombone Shorty

My next featured artist, Troy Andrews, better know as Trombone Shorty, is an amazing young trombonist who feels as comfortable jamming with the likes of U2 and Lenny Kravitz as he does performing with his unique blend of jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop and rap with own band, Orleans Avenue. Andrews describes his music as "SupaFunkRock". Guitar super-star Jeff Beck has taken quite a fondness for Trombone Shorty and they have played together at several festivals this year. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to experience the rare guest appearance by Mr. Beck? I will certainly keep my eyes peeled and ears alert.

Here's a clip of Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue performing Something Beautiful.

Bumbershoot Prep 3 - Witchburn

I've discovered scheduling problem number one. It will prove difficult to pull myself away from the Caleb Klauder Country Band to enjoy the heavy metal riffs of Witchburn but somehow I must manage the logistics. The two acts perform within 15 minutes of each other. Although I've been a metal fan for years, I only recently discovered Witchburn, a high volume Seattle based group of heavy rockers, fronted by Jamie Nova, the former lead singer for the world renowned all female AC/DC tribute band, Hells Belles. The band describe themselves as "heavy, down-tuned, southern fried, whiskey soaked sabbra cadabra." I like that!

Before hearing Witchburn, I expected a mosh between Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC but what reached my ears was a revitalized, old school Ozzie and Black Sabbath sound but cleverly embellished by the soaring, chilling pipes of Jamie Nova. Few other voices are better suited to metal than Jamie's. She finds no problem hitting the piercing highs and you can feel the punch from deep down in her gut. This babe rocks!

Although the guitar solos lack the virtuostic flair of Yngwie or Eddie, the riffs are solid, catchy, and fresh. They stick in your head but there's none of the pop familiarity.

Enjoy the following clip of the band performing Stand Up and Be Counted.

Bumbershoot Prep Part 2

I've experienced considerable pleasure exposing myself to the various genres and artists that will be performing this year at Bumbershoot in Seattle. The next act I'd like to feature is the Caleb Klauder Country Band. Caleb stretches himself thin simultaneously working as the mandolinist for the Appalachian style bluegrass infused Foghorn Stringband and the zydeco flavored Cajun Country Revival, as well as serving as the front man for his own band, the Caleb Klauder Country Band. Caleb offers the time honored traditional country sound very reminiscent of Hank Williams or the Louvin Brothers presented with a very fresh and relevant vigor, quite a departure from the reformulated 1970's country rock that serves as the basis for today's modern country. There's a real purist sensibility created featuring mandolin, pedal steel, fiddle, guitar, and the incomparable sound of the upright bass. I close my eyes and envision my grandparents huddled around the radio on Saturday evening or a smoke filled, beer smelling honky-tonk with sawdust on the wooden floors where an occasional fight interupts the celebratious dancing as would be the case when you mix drinking and romance.

You may catch the Caleb Klauder Country Band, Saturday September 3rd, on the Bumbershoot Starbucks stage by the beer garden. If you miss this show you may find Caleb and his band performing all over the Pacific Northwest Labor Day weekend. He will be performing Thursday at Kruger's farm On Sauvie's Island near Portland, Friday at the Spare Room Lounge in Portland, Saturday at Bumbershoot, And Sunday at the Edison in Edison, Washington.

Listen to the YouTube link below of The Caleb Klauder Country Band performing New Shoes.

Bumbershoot Prep Part 1

Attempting a level of wisdom that I failed to possess when I attended this incredible music and arts festival in 2009, this weekend I decided to familiarize myself a bit more with the typically avant garde musical line-up. Bumbershoot features a vast array of talented musicians from practically every genre including country, rock, alternative, pop, rap/hip-hop, electronic dance, blues, R&B, world, classical, and reggae. So I must admit that I'm certainly not acquainted with many of the acts that will be performing Labor Day weekend.

So like any devoted music lover, I spent a considerable amount of time on iTunes this weekend and either browsed or downloaded music from over 120 different performers. So prior to departing for the rainy city, I'll attempt to feature as many musicians as possible. With readers this month in 18 different countries, perhaps this blog may help these acts gain exposure that they may not have had otherwise.

Today I'd like to feature Ray LaMontagne, an extremely talented singer/songwriter who is perhaps a little more well known than many of the other musicians performing this year. Ray's Grammy winning raspy vocals and captivating story telling speak for themselves. I've enjoyed listening to Ray while sitting poolside this afternoon. I would describe this music as New England flavored, country tinged, folk music much in the same vein as The Band, who began as Dylan's backup and later evolved into a world renowned act and one of the greatest influences on 1970's style country/blues rock.


Here is a YouTube video of Ray LaMontagne performing the gold album acheiving "Trouble", a video that speaks a million words.