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Bumbershoot: Saturday, Day 1 @ Seattle Center, Seattle WA
Gossip – Music for Men
Civil Twilight Giveaway

Bumbershoot: Saturday, Day 1 @ Seattle Center, Seattle WA

Posted: 10 Sep 2009 10:00 AM PDT

Seattle was asking for it when they named the music and arts festival "Bumbershoot." I mean, it means umbrella, so it's almost inevitable that there will be at least one drop of rain at one point during the weekend.

Thankfully today, Saturday, it only rained for about 15 minutes. But even the rain could not stop the upbeat feel of Bumbershoot on this day.

Saturday's main stage lineup included Katy Perry, the All-American Rejects and Sheryl Crow, probably the three most popular artists of the festival. So naturally, the Seattle Center was loaded with everyone from tweeny boppers with their parents coming to see Katy Perry or the All-American Rejects to middle-aged moms there to see Sheryl Crow. Quite the wide spectrum for one day.

I only caught Katy Perry on the main stage, mainly because my sister wanted to see her, but surprisingly, I was much more entertained than I thought I would be. Perry rocked a one-piece with a butt tutu, even in the seemingly gloomy weather, and jumped around the stage just about as much as the huge crowd of teenage girls right in front. But what stood out most to me was how good her voice sounded today. I've only seen her sing live on MTV award shows and other such things, and her voice has always been a little off, not quite powerful enough to carry a huge venue, but today was totally different. Even with the jumping around the stage, Perry sang her ass off. At one point, Perry mentioned her music idols – Queen, and broke out into a fun cover of "Don't Stop Me Now." I'm pretty sure none of the 13-year-olds knew any words to the song, but it made me smile, and oddly enough, made me think of the scene at the end of "Shaun of the Dead" when Shaun and the other survivors smack a zombie into submission to the beat of the jukebox with pool cues. That song, in itself, was worth missing seeing Maria Bamford's kooky comedy stylings at Comedy Stage North at the exact same time.

After I left the main stage, my sister and I took a little hiatus before heading over to the Broad Street Stage to see Seattle electro dance-punk band Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. And I must say, it's pretty much the greatest band name I've heard in a very long time. My sister had never listened to any of their stuff, but it didn't matter. The five young Seattle natives and their ridiculously infectious songs turned the entire lawn into a dance party. Since they've only released one album, the crowd easily knew the words to all the songs – especially the short ditty "Sophisticated Side Ponytail," a minute-and-a-half cheer of constant – "do you like my ponytail? I do, I do! My sideways ponytail? It's true, it's true!" It's so eighties, yet not outdated in the slightest – with references to Shamu, tilt-a-whirls, the use of the word "bomb," and steel drums. The eighties have had their second coming – and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head are the leaders of that revolution. Another of their songs centered around sexy hair – "Beard Lust," which vocalist and various percussionist Shaun Libman declared the first song they ever wrote, right around the corner, while attending The Center School in their teens. Departing from the harmonies of the other songs, "Beard Lust" featured lots of rapping.

Shaun, Luke, David, Claire and Liam were by far the most at home at Bumbershoot, which carried into their performance – causing the entire crowd to dance like maniacs. From any other band – "Iceage Babeland" and "Confections" would cause people to stand with their mouths ajar with confusion, but the campyness of the songs fit perfectly with the youthful vibe of Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. I loved it. And to top it all off, during their final song, Shaun busted out a wine bottle filled with glitter to pour all over the crowd. The whole set was so much glittery deliciousness that it made you forget that you haven't eaten in 10 hours.

Hey, who needs food when you've got a sweaty dance party to enjoy?

Speaking of food – apparently everyone during Matt & Kim's set was starving, since the crowd kept throwing tortillas up on stage.

"I don't know who told you guys, but tacos are my favorite food. So this is perfect," keyboardist Matt said in some fashion or another. "Really, all sandwiches."

So naturally, someone threw a wrapped sandwich up on stage by the time they were finished.

There is only one word to describe Matt & Kim – well, an adjective and a noun – relentlessly happy. I assure you, if you ever see them play, you will never see another band smile more. Kim didn't stop grinning, I don't think once. Someone was always making her laugh as she ferociously beat on her small drum kit while her husband Matt rocked out on his keyboard as if he were playing a double-necked axe. Their joy was contagious, even with just the two of them alone in the middle of the Broad Street Stage. And one could not find a more humble band. Numerous times, Matt spouted off thank you and "you guys rock" and other terms of gratitude that I can't seem to remember. About halfway through their set – that's when the rain slowly started. As the rain reached a pour, Matt started the opening riffs of one of their biggest hits "Daylight" to give the weather a little hint of what was yet to come. Five minutes later, they did the same thing again, and lo and behold, the rain stopped. The power of Matt & Kim's music and the crowd's equal enthusiasm stopped Seattle rain. Now that takes some strength.

The fact that we were on a huge lawn didn't make any difference in the intimacy of the performance. Afterward, I felt like I could walk up to Matt or Kim and start up a conversation with them. They made the crowd feel like we were all friends, which Kim took even further when she jumped onto the lawn to crowd surf with the rest of us. I haven't had that much fun at a show since…well, 3 hours earlier when I saw Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, but that's a testament to how Bumbershoot, along with other festivals, work. They bring people together to have fun and enjoy music that they love.

I got all of that out of one day at Bumbershoot, and I still have two days left. Goodness, I'm excited for what's to come.

Bumbershoot: website

Written by: Abby Williamson

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Gossip – Music for Men

Posted: 10 Sep 2009 09:00 AM PDT

A couple years ago, Gossip song “Standing In the Way of Control” showed up in a television advertisement for the sexy UK teen drama “Skins,” virtually assuring their appeal in Britain. But the Portland-based band’s profile in the U.S. since releasing their debut EP in 1999 has been less decidedly less dramatic and it’s as if Gossip has something to prove to America with this new record. Music for Men should demonstrate once and for all to their detractors that they’re a force to be reckoned with. Preferably on the dance floor.

When I saw Gossip performing their new single “Heavy Cross” on BBC One’s “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” the first week of June, it was clear Beth Ditto has presence. Just like Janis Joplin had presence. And I love the song, with Ditto’s commanding voice moving expansively along the melody, while the dancey guitar and drums go at each other in the background.

Gossip – “Heavy Cross”

Music for Men begins with “Dimestore Diamond,” the pounding drums and Ditto’s confident vocals setting the stage for a powerful set of songs. Other standouts: “Long Love Distance”, borrowing the line “how much longer will you be my baby” from Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”; “For Keeps,” with Ditto’s almost desperately-cried chorus; and “Love and Let Love,” with its sexy bass groove. Possible hullabaloo alert: “Men in Love” might cause some right-winger to shudder, but Ditto has never been one to shy from controversy, least of all the subject of homosexuality.

Going back to the Janis Joplin / Beth Ditto comparison: there are people who adored Joplin’s yelping vocal delivery, and there were those who didn’t care for it. Similarly, I can see that some people will appreciate Ditto’s singing style, and there will be others who will find her voice, at times shouty, grating on the nerves. Have a listen and decide for yourself. Or better yet, catch the band as they tour North America all through October before heading on a European tour.

Music for Men was released in the UK on June 22, but will drop in the U.S. on October 6.

Tracklisting:
01. Dimestore Diamond
02. Heavy Cross
03. 8th Wonder
04. Love Long Distance
05. Pop Goes the World
06. Vertical Rhythm
07. Men in Love
08. For Keeps
09. 2012
10. Love and Let Love
11. Four Letter Word
12. Spare Me from the Mold

Tour dates
Oct 07 – 9:30 Club / Washington DC
Oct 08 – TLA / Philadelphia
Oct 09 – Terminal 5 / New York City
Oct 11 – Paradise / Boston
Oct 13 – La Sala Rossa / Montreal
Oct 15 – Majestic Theater / Detroit
Oct 16 – Metro / Chicago
Oct 17 – Orpheum / Madison
Oct 19 – Bluebird / Denver
Oct 20 – Urban Lounge / Salt Lake City
Oct 23 – Showbox / Seattle
Oct 24 – Wonder Ballroom / Portland
Oct 25 – Regency Ballroom / San Francisco
Oct 26 – Henry Fonda Theater / Los Angeles
Oct 29 – Emo’s / Austin
Oct 30 – Vino’s / Little Rock

Gossip: website | myspace | Live in Liverpool review

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Civil Twilight Giveaway

Posted: 10 Sep 2009 07:00 AM PDT

Alternative rockers Civil Twilight’s debut self-titled album was digitally released earlier this summer to critical acclaim. Be one of the first to own the hard disc copy by participating in our contest.

We’ll keep the contest simple. To enter: Simply tell us where Civil Twilight is originally from before Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 p.m. CDT and we’ll pick a winner from the correct answers. You must live in the U.S. to enter.

Check out their video for “Soldier” here:

Civil Twilight is available now on Wind-up Records.

Tour dates:
Sept. 18 – Stubb’s / Austin
Sept. 19 – Prophet Bar / Dallas
Sept. 20 – Juanita’s / Little Rock
Sept. 25 – DC 9 / Washington DC
Sept. 27 – M Room / Philadelphia
Oct. 2 – Schubas / Chicago
Oct. 9 – St Francis Fall / Greenville, SC
Oct. 16 – The Rack N’ Roll Cafe / Stamford, Ct.