What we've got going on in town tonight and tomorrow night is nothing short of a one-two punch, SXSW 2010 style. Two of the acts I liked enough to venture out and brave the endless lines for in Austin are both coming through town: Good Old War at El Corazon tonight, and First Aid Kit at the Vera Project tomorrow.

Both shows are guaranteed to raise a smile, both are all-ages, and both have such a wide appeal that you practically can't miss. First Aid Kit, my personal favorite of the two, showcases two talented singer-songwriter gals who sing sweet, contrasting harmonies full of smart lyrics -- think of them as older cousins of Smoosh, with a little more string-based hippie-parenting influence and a bit of a darker take on things.

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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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{Photo: Hot Avocados}

I am a latecomer to the mesmerizing travelogues and swirling epiphanies of Hey Marseilles' musical majesties. Wayfarers to the bone, lead singer and guitar player Matthew Bishop, along with players Nick Ward, Samuel Anderson, Philip Kobernik, Jacob Anderson, Patrick Bannon, and Colin Richey crafted their DIY release To Trunks & Travels out of accordions, violas, cellos, trumpets, "and so forth" before getting the hell out of Seattle and touring like they're no good for shore.

Now that Onto Entertainment will be giving the astonishingly assured Martin Feveyear mixed-and-mastered debut a rightful reissue in late June for the rest of the world, the band also unveils its vinyl version on Friday, May 21 for an all ages show at the Vera Project (with Sea Fever opening), and a regular booze-available following night at the Tractor (with The Head and the Heart opening).

 

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Last night, I found myself at the Vera Project to check out Dolorean. The show was awesome and had a good mix of EP and LP material.

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Whether you're debating what to do tonight, out of town on March 5th, not going to SXSW, or just need to get your indie.stringed.goodness fix -- you're in luck. Hey Marseilles will be headlining an all-ages show tonight at the Vera Project. Come on down and get your swoon on with Seattle's favorite seven-piece!

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Only a few more hours and the weekend will officially be upon us (that is, unless you started it last night... is so, my hat is off to you!).

There are so many good shows to thrust us to and fro. Tonight, the Fruit Bats will be at the Vera Project with Sonny Smith and Tu Fawning while another TIG recommended show, Drew Grow and the Pasters Wives will be at the Comet.  And then there's Steve Earle at the Moore (zow!).  Here's the full list of tonight's choices:

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at The Vera Project

Nana Grizol played The Vera Project on Tuesday, Jan. 19th along with Max Levine Ensemble, iji and A Million Years Ago. If you didn't already know about this show... see here, here, here, here, and here.

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I am fairly certain that imaginary keenan and I have created an airtight case to get yourself to the Vera Project on Tuesday {1/19} to see Nana Grizol {exhibits one, two, three, four}, but here are a couple more reasons to get you and your posse there:

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{Nana Grizol photo by Jon Manning}

Update! Looks like we found another pair of tickets! Folks who've already entered are still eligible! Details after the jump!

There are some bands that we could go on for hours about how much we love. Athens, GA's Nana Grizol are no exception. I've personally taken to describing them as a combination of the Thermals and the Weakerthans with a horn section, but that barely even scratches the surface of their sometimes 8-infinity piece band awesomeness (complete with floppy hair-ed jumping up and down). Their songs are so heartwrenchingly beautiful and meaningful, complete with lyrics that make you rethink your entire attitude towards life (ex: "Cynicism isn't wisdom/it's just a lazy way to say that you've been burned" from their new album Ruth).

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at The Vera Project

While Seattle Thermals shows in the past few years have been an ever intensifying, sometimes dangerous, almost orgy-like melding of bodies dancing and screaming along in a completely packed and joyful room, Seattle once again proved its often icy disposition and the half empty crowd stood quietly tapping their feet and nodding along, occasionally mouthing along the lyrics with little emotion. Was it too cold outside to dance? Were people tired since it was Sunday? I guess it made me feel a bit nostalgic, as years ago, my friends and I used to be the only ones up front dancing our asses off at Thermals shows. The one clear benefit of this, was the ability to stand up front without fear of being crushed to death or accidentally punched in the eye. Still, I missed the chaos, and it looked like the band did as well.

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