Seriously, people. How can you not love the Young Evils? On top of playing great shows and just generally being awesome, they've been building up some great press lately -- even moreso than usual -- like the recent recommendation in Paste magazine as an upcoming Seattle band to watch, for example. The band is making good on that bet with the release of their newest track, "Darker Blue Bayou," which is off of their forthcoming EP Foreign Spells -- and while we haven't gotten our hands on the whole EP yet, we're pretty damn sure that we're in for something good. Perhaps even a contender for our best-of lists for 2012.

Even way back in November, the new material was sounding brilliant -- and to prove it, here's a snippet we typed up after the show they played that blew us away at the Rendezvous, (coincidentally enough, with a nod to the newly released track):

While we're still in hearts for everything we know and love off of Enchanted Chapel, we've got to say -- this performance, and particularly the newer songs we heard in the set, made us giddy with joy to hear what's next so far as studio efforts go from the Young Evils camp. With a solid lineup finally in place, we're able to really hear the beginning stages of the evolution of this band, as they go from playing together to playing as a cohesive unit. Perhaps they've felt solid for a long time, as they well should -- but whatever's going on with this next crop of songs we're hearing is really starting to translate off the stage and out into the crowd for a tangible, can't-deny kind of shift. We're particularly swooning over -- if the set list was in order -- a ditty called "Darker Blue Bayou," a track that was so good that the people behind us in the crowd were trying to discern what mega-band wrote it and how great the Young Evils were for choosing to cover it.

You don't have to take our word for it -- you can catch that heady new-music buzz for yourself, and do some good while you're doin' it: The Young Evils will be playing at the Crocodile this Friday {tomorrow!} with The Redwood Plan, and Land of Pines {holy lineup, Batman!} as part of the 2012 series of Noise for the Needy shows. These fundraiser shows have been going on around town since June 1st, and on top of the Young Evils show, there's still plenty left to catch. The NFTN gigs are going on through this Sunday, and you can catch up on what's left of the calendar the official site here.

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{John Vanderslice at the Tractor, Noise for the Needy 2010}

It's that time of year again, where the fine folks over at Noise for the Needy get together a slew of stellar shows to benefit a local non-profit. This year the funds are being raised for Real Change, and suffice it to say, there's bands out there to suit every taste -- the Fucking Eagles, Mal de Mer, the Builders and the Butchers, Drew Grow, Goldfinch, Fresh Espresso -- scroll down for more! The list quite literally goes on and on.

Rather than wax poetic about the details, we'll just give you the quick & dirty lineup with links to venues and tickets so you can go and get your charity on. And away we go!

:: June 7th ::

Detroit Cobras, Girl in a Coma, The Fucking Eagles
Neumos / 8p / 21+ / $13 adv {tickets}

:: June 8th ::

Brendan Perry (Dead can Dance), Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins)
Neumos / 8p / 21+ / $22 adv {tickets}

NFTN Preview Party w/ DJ Toast
The Bus Stop / 8p / 21+ / FREE {info}

Karaoke for the Needy
The Crescent  / 9p / FREE {info}

:: June 9th ::

The Golden Blondes, Mal De Mer, Soft Hills, Ivory in Ice World, Surrealized
Comet Tavern / 7:30p / 21+ / $8 {tickets}

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Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside are playing tonight at Chop Suey, and you don't want to miss it. Seriously. Here's why:

A. First off, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside rules.

Really. I've raved about them before, but in case you missed it: these talented folks are the by-product of listening to all the right records. They've got a basic fifties-era guitar sensibility, with modern, dark (but not too dark) lyrical content -- more alt.indie.thinker than alt.indie.brooder -- and a voice that's been filtered through a Gramophone. Think of it this way: If Buddy Holly and Amy Winehouse were cousins, and existed in a time warp, and had a younger half-related sibling, it would be the sound of SF&TSO. Only better.

B. One-two punch: it's a benefit for Noise for the Needy.

In fact, it's kicking off all the amazing NFTN shows, which run through Sunday at various venues about town. Your hard-earned, well-spent eight dollars will be put to good use, as all the proceeds from this year's NFTN are benefitting the fine folks over at Teen Feed.

C. Furthermore, it's at Chop Suey.

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{photo credit: the lovely Laura Musselman, courtesy of our imaginary flickr pool}

Now that we're all done with Sasquatch, it's time to set our sights on the next raddest lineup to hit the west coast: it's Noise for the Needy, 2010 edition. There's close to seventy-five bands and djs playing a baker's dozen of venues next weekend, when NFTN takes over every corner of Seattle from June 9th (Thursday) through the 13th (Sunday). Among the notables in big font this year are John Vanderslice, Visqueen, Horse Feathers, Delta Spirit, the Maldives, The Album Leaf, Animals at Night, The Portland Cello Project, and The Redwood Plan -- along with enough supporting acts to make your head spin. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets, or you can just buy a la carte at each show / venue -- although there's some sweet all-access wristband deals being offered if you want to rock it like that.

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As I was picking out my favorite shots from this past year, it quickly became apparent that I couldn't just leave it at ten.  I've posted my top picks below (in no particular order), but you can check out the rest here.

Huge thanks to the TIG crew, especially Chris and Keenan, for giving me the opportunity to share these amazing moments with all you lovely people! And thanks to all my fellow photographers, both in Seattle and elsewhere, for giving me inspiration every day. Hope you all have a safe, prosperous, and Happy New Year! Here's to an even bigger and better 2010!

2009-09-05: Hotels @ Bumbershoot - EMP | SFM's Sky Church

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at Chop Suey

The lineup at Chop Suey on Saturday night was uneven. It started strong with Grant Olsen’s project away from Arthur and Yu. The country twang of his songs was subsumed by The Moondoggies harmonies ringing out behind Olsen’s slow, almost spoken, singing. The songs were tight and the bass hooks kept even their simplest songs interesting. This didn’t sound like a side project.

Next, Black Whales played a derivative set accompanied by an epilepsy-inducing light show. Song by song, Black Whales delivered tunes that wore their influences on their sleeve. The extra toms and cymbals next to the full drum set seemed superfluous, as the main drummer was the best part. The band seemed to flounder for a distinct sound, something that would make a listener say, “hey, isn’t this Black Whales?” Rather than ask if it’s The Stones.

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