Fresh off the presses from our inboxes comes this week's launch of GIVE -- 30 downloadable tracks from a variety of Seattle artists, who are donating their songs to benefit Arts Corps and local area foodbanks. The $7.00 (!) compilation, which was produced, curated, and funded by Caffe Vita, will be available online here. Physical compilations can be picked up at all Caffe Vita locations, Easy Street Records, Sonic Boom Records, University Book Store, The Crocodile, EMP, Neumo's, and Sorrento Hotel. The in-hand compilations will include a physical card with a redemption code for the download, and a prettied-up sleeve to make it a ready-to-give present.

Here's the full track listing -- nearly all of which are exclusive to the compilation:

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Here is a little free association test for you: When you hear the expression "competitive eating," what comes to mind?

If the answer wasn't a Mexican Elvis impersonator, well, you're probably not the only one, but it feels kind of appropriate, no?

Indie record label Light in the Attic is hosting their 3rd annual donut eating contest on Saturday, August 1st at 1p at Top Pot Doughnuts (5th Avenue location). This event is free to the public. There are a few fun and exciting changes this year for participants and cheerleaders alike, including the participation of four other record labels (Barsuk, Sub Pop, Suicide Squeeze, and Hardly Art).

The name of the game is doughnut eating, and apparently this will be a tag team-type affair. Volunteers from the audience will be selected at random and teamed up with one of the five label representatives to scoff down as many rings of fried deliciousness as possible.

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I'm particularly excited for Arthur & Yu (9a at Verite) and Throw Me the Statue (11a at Sonic Boom), and there are scads of other daytime shows too (Man Plus, Velella Velella, Cloud Cult, and more).

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But I know they usually wait till closer to the date to annouce the lucky local acts. So -- to that end, I propose a good ole fashioned imaginary rumor machine. Friends... Who have you heard is playing? Or who do you hope is playing?

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I have so many favorites for 2007 that narrowing the lists was tricky. Plus I'm preggo as a house and have NO memory at this point, so I'm sure I've inadvertently omitted some really great releases and songs. Forgive me and my wacked out hormones.

But that said, here are some Top of 2007 lists from me, to you. Feel free to leave comments both nasty and supportive. I likely deserve both for some of my erratic tastes.

The official results of the TIG Best NW Releases of 2007 Readers' Poll are coming VERY soon... stay tuned! In the meantime, some of my personal picks for a wonderful year in music past:

Favorite Releases of 2007:

1. Amy Winehouse Back to Black
2. Okkervil River The Stage Names
3. Tullycraft Every Scene Needs a Center
4. Beirut The Flying Cup Club
5. The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
6. Shake Some Action Shake Some Action
7. Math & Physics Club Baby I'm Yours
   
8. John Vanderslice Emerald City
9. The Cave Singers Invitation Songs
10. The Fratellis Costello Music

Favorite Northwest Releases of 2007:

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Finding it much too difficult to decide upon my favorite albums this year, I've decided to go for a "best of" list that puts much more emphasis on physical appearances. These aren't necessarily my favorite albums of 2007 (you can't judge a CD by its cover), but I think they all deserve some recognition for the art pieces that decorate them. After all, there have been some pretty hideous covers this year.

10. "Twilight and Ghost Stories" by Chris Schlarb. I chose this one for its cute colors, bold lines, and its overall dreamy feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In absolutely no numeric order -- I could never pick favorites with a list like this!

• Jens Lekman, Night Falls Over Kortedala
• Throw Me The Statue, Moonbeams
• Cave Singers, Invitation Songs
• Okkervil River, The Stage Names
• John Vanderslice, Emerald City
• Arthur & Yu, In Camera
• Low, Drums and Guns
• J. Tillman, Cancer and Delirium
• Night Canopy, Of Honey and Country
• Tiny Vipers, Hands Across The Void

 

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So, obviously, I had to make an autumn mix. To me, autumn songs are a distinct class -- they aren't as low and pensive as a winter song, but they're still quiet, and maybe just a little more hopeful.

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at The Gorge

A photo journey through Download Festival 2007, featuring Modest Mouse, the Thermals, Nada Surf, Arthur & Yu, and more.

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Tonight's show at Neumo's is a must see for post-rock/ambient fans, as headliner The Album Leaf will surely put on one beautiful show.

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