The weekend kicked off early with a spectacular, layered performance by Feist at the Moore Theater this past Thursday night. Taking the stage after a perfect warm up set of equal parts smartypants literary comedy and ivory-tickling brilliance by Chilly Gonzales, Leslie Feist and her accomplices proved worthy of every last penny of her ticket price. The show combined elements of well-worn comfort food-esque "classic" Feist songs, an almost... dare we say, modern new-age vibeyness, which alternately clashed and blended with an homage to one element of the guts of full-frontal big-room performance: a sometimes kaleidoscopic, sometimes trippy-traily lipstick camera-run backdrop of the band behind the band a la Jefferson Airplane. While it was a lot to unpack at times, for the most part the pieces of the show fused together beautifuly, mostly due to the backbone of Feist's unashamed full-lunged vocals -- which would have been worth all those pennies without a solitary stitch of the performance-fanfare that accompanied her.

Chilly Gonzales:

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{The Sandman screens as part of Seattle's True Independent Film Festival at The Jewelbox Theater (at the Rendezvous) on Tuesday 6/7 at 4pm}

Bright, beautiful, romantic, and incredibly bizarre The Sandman is a must see film. It would easily be one of my top films of SIFF 2011, except for the fact that it's playing at STIFF instead. The only reason that's really disappointing is it means a single screening at a somewhat inconvenient time for those on a 9-5 schedule. But it's worth the extra effort, and if you miss it, be sure to put a note down somewhere to catchup on this German language gem out of Switzerland.

Benno is an ultra-uptight neat freak who works in a stamp shop. When he's not ripping off the gullible he obsesses about his weight each morning, provides brutally critical feedback to friends about their life's work and gives untold grief to a young woman who works in the coffee shop below his apartment.  All in all a real mensch - or perhaps not. Then out of nowhere he develops and unusual affliction. He begins to leak sand. And not just regular sand, but magical instantaneous sleep inducing sand. Which similarly to normal sand tastes horrible in pasta.

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One final reminder about the big indie-pop extravaganza TONIGHT at the Rendezvous! The evening has morphed into a mini-popfest featuring the finest soft-core indie-pop flow:

- Monnone Alone is the moniker for Mark Monnone's post-Lucksmiths project that, as you expect, charms with Aussie DIY magnetism.

- The Special Places will bring on the sweetheart pop that drips with honey and a subtle touch of vinegar to keep things interesting.

- Math & Physics Club will show off their mastery of a super secret recipe of B&S / Lucksmiths-style pop.

- The Smittens from Vermont will round off night with their simplistically coy lolli-pop.

Note that there aren't any advance ticket sales, it's all first-come, first-served to secure your spot in the cozy Jewelbox Theater and doors are at 9:30pm {more info and rad poster artwork here}.

Here's a video sampler of what the night will hold:

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The final (sniffle) week of SIFF approaching portends the beginning of another annual Seattle film tradition, STIFF.  This Friday {6/3} the Seattle True Independent Film Festival opens it's doors to go mano-a-mano with their more established counterpart SIFF.  Yeah, yeah - I get that there's a tradition of counterprogrammed fests, more voices are good, yada yada yada.

When the Charlie Brown style adult voices end all I'll I've heard is that I'm gonna have to make some choices (i.e. miss some films) because the two events overlap. But that doesn't mean one should stick their head in the sand and ignore the extra bounty. STIFF is here and worth paying attention to. Focusing more on english language independent that on international fare, it's different enough to make some sense (see, I can be nice).  Plus it's hard for me to be too critical about MORE film choices. So in the spirit of hey it's here, all-access passes are only $50 (and include more films all year) parties are included and all venues serve alcohol - let's peruse the schedule together ...

 

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I received Olympia band, Desolation Wilderness’ debut album White Light Strobing about a month ago and since then it has not left my 3 disc CD player. Other albums have come and gone but White Light Strobing seems to stay. This is why I couldn’t be more excited to recommend their show tonight, Thursday June 4th at the Jewel Box Theater in Belltown. 

Desolation Wilderness makes pretty music, it feels light and airy and makes you want to chill out or drive around some scenic back roads listening to it. Signed by K Records, Desolation Wilderness recorded their album in the famed Dub Narcotic Studio and have been touring since last fall. They make dreamy poppy slow drawn music that might very well be accessible to anyone and everyone. The band uses guitars, drums, glockenspiels, vibraphones, synthesizers and other instruments. 

It should make for an interesting show or at least a laid back night out with some fabulous live music. If your not already going to Jens Lekman, do yourself a favor and check out Desolation Wilderness. Show starts at 10pm, Bill Horist and Mood Organ open the show.         
 

It's going to be... oh, hell - it'll be awesome.

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"It's a present for those who stumble upon it."

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at Rendevous Jewelbox

The Real Tuesday Weld played their cabaret-style pop, or what Coates calls “antique beat” – think the Gershwins with an iBook.

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Don't miss Shane Tutmarc PLAYING SOLO tonight at the Rendevous' Jewel Box Theatre.

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at Rendevous Jewelbox

I clearly cannot accept technology advancements because, once again, I was wrong.

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