I entered the studio at about 9:35pm, meeting up with Stuarto, who has the time slot before mine. A quick interview about 15 minutes before my show, another few songs, and I was up. It was requested that I attempt a transition, and as indie music is my theme, and world music is his, I figured I’d kick things off with an oldie, but goodie: “The Gulag Orkestar” by Beirut.

The problem with so-called best-of lists, is that they are really just a collection of items organized based on experience and time, in that there will be plenty of albums heard the following year and beyond that will hold just as much weight as these we dub as “Best.” So, as of right now, at this particular time in the tail end of 2010 and the first moments of 2011, these albums are the best. There’s no question about it; it will change. My next list (which …

There are a few reasons I rarely go to shows, and to be honest it’s a shame. First and foremost is the time of day. I’m usually in bed by 10:30PM, which isn’t conducive to witnessing live music. Second is the awkward moments prior to showtime — inevitably, I am that guy standing in the corner against the wall pretending to be absorbed in texting or Facebooking or Tweeting because, despite arriving 45 minutes after doors, the first band is still nowhere near starting. And I …

I know, I’ve owed this one to you, my readers, for a few months now. The plan originally was to concoct a sort of mid-year recap of the first half, dictating a slew of wonderful albums that may or may not come to find a spot on the inevitable end-of-year list. A hint at what may come. But that didn’t happen. I added a few hobbies to my seemingly never ending list of things that eat away at my time (see above photo) and it fell …

The show is just one week away, so you have no excuse: go mark your calendar! Hey Marseilles has been dubbed one of the Northwest’s “bands to watch” by many, myself included. Thus, I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering when these guys will head to Bellingham. They are on the cusp of releasing their debut LP, To Travels & Trunks, slated for a late June drop date. To celebrate the arrival of the album on vinyl, the Seattle band will play two shows in …

Has it really been two years since I was last at SXSW? Time sure does fly! The festival is back and likely crazier and more sponsored than ever. And I’m only slightly jealous of all the fun thousands of people will have as they descend upon Austin. I had some good times at SXSW ’07 and ’08, from working with the folks at The Current from Minneapolis to witnessing the joint Hootenanny production at Lovejoy’s sponsored by Three Imaginary Girls and Magic Marker Records (above photo …