Director of the Office of Film+Music and Special Events, Kate Becker shared her experience at the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival.

It is somewhat hard to believe that a little more than a week ago, I was leaving Reykjavík after a fabulous five days of music and fascinating meetings with Iceland’s music industry leaders. I got invited there unexpectedly. In April 2016, 28 music industry leaders from the Nordic countries came to Seattle for four days This Nordic Music Export industry group was comprised of music industry leaders from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. While here, they visited Sub Pop, attended KEXP’s Grand Opening, hosted panels and the interviews with local industry experts and attended a very special show in the space at the very top of the Smith Tower, compliments of musician Kris Orlowski. The Office of Film + Music had the distinct pleasure of hosting these folks. We talked at great length about Seattle’s creative economy and City of Music ™ strategy. One of the people who is most intrigued was Siggtrygurr Baldursson (aka ‘Siggi’). Not only was Siggi the drummer in the Sugarcubes, but he is also the director of Iceland Music Export.

Months after their visit, Siggi got back in touch to invite me to come on a hosted trip to Reykjavík during the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival. The goal of my participation was to be on a panel talking about Seattle’s music economy, and participate in a roundtable with Mayor Eggertsson and the Reykjavik City Council. Of course, I said yes.

On November 4, 2016, I was honored to be a panelist on a Music Cities panel that included Bengi Unsal (Southbank Centre Director, London), Scott Fetters (2112 Director, Chicago), and Tim Renner (Berlin Minister of Culture), moderated by Bjork Blondal, Reykjavik City Council President. A robust conversation ensued with many people from international cities interested in growing their music strategies and economies.

L to R: Kate Becker, Bengi Ungal, Tim Renner, Scott Fetters and Bjorn Blondal

Other highlights of the trip included a lunch with Mayor Eggertsson and the Reykjavik City Council. Seattle is Reykjavik’s only American Sister City, and so I was delighted to take Mayor Eggertsson a Louie Gong Eighth Generation blanket with warm wishes from Seattle. I was also taken to meet President Johannesson and First Lady Eliza Reid at their home, which was an extraordinary event. All of this was going on during Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavik’s big music festival.

I was very proud to see Seattle represented on several stages at Iceland Airwaves. Notable Seattle acts, both of which were in large, full venues with international crowds were The Sonics and Digable Planets (not a Seattle band, but Ishmael Butler is Seattle-based now, and Tendai Maraire and Thaddeus Turner from Seattle performed with Digable Planets). City of Music™ hometown pride!

I flew back in time for Election Night in Seattle, but was so very honored to be hosted by the City of Reykjavik and represent our great city at an international music conference and festival.

Seattle has always been a city known for music, especially when it comes to alternative rock genres such as grunge, metal, punk, and garage. Lately though, Seattle has been increasingly known for its hip hop scene.

Until recently, Seattle hip hop has been largely associated with Sir Mix-A-Lot’s success in the ’80s and early ’90s. Now we have a mainstream giant in Macklemore gathering Grammy awards such as Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Music Video. While Macklemore’s success is bringing Seattle more exposure, here are three artists to help you discover more of Seattle’s hip hop talent.

Mackned and SneakGuapo of THRAXXHOUSE

Hailing from West Seattle, SneakGuapo and Mackned are part of the rapidly rising group THRAXXHOUSE. With 40 diverse artists and members, the THRAXXHOUSE collective not only features rappers, producers, and singers, but includes fashion designers, artists, videographers, and even skateboarders. This diverse roster has allowed the group to connect with a wide range of people and develop a cult following across the country. Their mix of hip hop, goth, and punk creates a unique sound – once the music starts you know it is a THRAXXHOUSE production playing in your headphones.

Mackned is the co-founder of THRAXXHOUSE and the lead producer, while SneakGuapo is one of several affiliated rappers. These two have been frequently putting out free singles, EPs, and albums while going on tour to play for their West Coast fan base. Mackned’s 2015 album “Female” was a success in Seattle’s hip hop scene and his 2016 album “Celebrity Etiquette” is now on Soundcloud along with his new single “G funk” produced by The Flavr Blue that he dropped last Friday. “SneakGuapo’s “Glasshouse” EP and “Konica” EP both made waves throughout the local hip hop scene building his rep even more. SneakGuapo is expected to drop another project in early May. THRAXXHOUSE has already sold out numerous shows including one at The Crocodile back in November. You can find more of their music on their Sound Cloud pages: Mackned, SneakGuapo. Connect with them directly on Twitter: @Nedsworld, @SneakGuapo, @THRAXXHOUSE.

Young Junne

Another artist on the rise in the Seattle hip hop scene is Young Junne. Originally from Pittsburgh, Young Junne moved to Seattle at an early age because he was in and out of juvenile detention centers and wanted to get out of that lifestyle. Once he got to Seattle he began to pursue his passion and work toward becoming a hip hop artist. Young Junne is an inspirational artist who talks about the struggles he has gone through throughout his life. His most popular song, “Visionary Part I,” tells the story about growing up in the struggle, working two jobs while trying to make it in the music industry. The “Visionary Part I” video showcases the city of Pittsburgh which is where he originally experienced this struggle and learned so much from this experience. Since “Visionary Part I” he has released “Visionary Part II” that features King Leez and Lorine Chia. For a short period of time Young Junne was working closely with Master P and No Limit Records, one of the top hip hop labels in the late ’90s with multiple gold and platinum releases. But in the end Young Junne didn’t see eye to eye with the label. He is now pursuing his career as an independent artist. Check out Young Junne’s most recent song “The Goat” produced by MetroBoomin on YouTube and follow him on Twitter @Youngjunne.

 

 

Our monthly happy hour is on the move. Thanks to Jerry Everard and company for hosting more than 50 Film + Music + Interactive Happy Hours and professional development sessions over 4 and a half years at Spitfire in Belltown.

 

With the 42nd Seattle International Film Festival just around the corner (May 19-June 12, 2016) and SIFF’s Director of Festival Programming, Beth Barrett, as this month’s featured presenter, what better venue to hold our April 27 Happy Hour than SIFF Film Center?

 

Beth, who has been with SIFF since 2003, will share her expertise to help filmmakers and filmgoers alike maximize their film festival experience at SIFF 2016 and elsewhere. She will explain how emerging technologies and innovative storytelling methods are changing the film industry.  If you’re a filmmaker, you’ll learn what it takes to get your project seen on the festival circuit, both in the U.S. and abroad. And – BONUS! – Beth will announce the local film lineup for the 2016 SIFF Northwest Connections program.

 

Here’s what you need to know about the April 27 Happy Hour:

 

• When
  • 5-7 PM (same as usual)
  • Presentation begins at 6:30 in the cinema
• Where
  • SIFF Film Center is located in Seattle Center’s Northwest Rooms, near KEXP’s new home and the Vera Project on the north side of Key Arena
  • Closest cross streets are Warren Ave & Republican St
• Drinks
  • Beer, wine, cider, coffee, tea, and soft drinks will be available for purchase – no cocktails or mixed drinks. Proceeds benefit SIFF.
• Food
  • Complimentary popcorn (with real butter!) courtesy of SIFF
  • Concessions including boxed candy, Theo chocolates, and mixed nuts will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit SIFF.
  • Outside food is welcome in the Film Center for this event. Plenty of options nearby: Seattle Center Armory food court, Metropolitan Market, and neighboring restaurants.
• Transportation
  • Metro Bus Routes: 1, 2, 8, 13, 29, 32, 994, D Line >> Plan your trip
  • Seattle Center Monorail runs between Westlake Center and Seattle Center station, adjacent to the Space Needle and EMP
• Parking
  • The nearest Seattle Center parking garage is located on 3rd Ave N between Mercer and Roy St. Additional private lots and street parking are also available.

 

RSVP for April 27, and stay tuned to find out where we’ll be for the May 25 FMI Happy Hour.

 

We are happy to announce the two newest additions to the Office of Film + Music + Special Events team: Slade Burgess and Taylor Scaggs! Slade is the Office’s new Film Permit Specialist, handling the intake and expediting process of film permits. Taylor will be keeping us sane and organized as our Administrative Specialist, moving us forward at every turn. The addition of Slade and Taylor will strengthen our office’s continuing work to make Seattle an even better place for the creative industries to thrive. Come meet them both at the Film + Music + Interactive Happy Hour on March 30 at the Spitfire.

Washington Filmworks announced that the bill to increase and extend Washington’s Motion Picture Competitiveness Program did not move forward for a vote, effectively killing the legislation during this budget session.  With robust incentive programs in Oregon and Vancouver BC, the Office of Film + Music supported the legislation to extend and grow the Washington State film incentive program as the best tool for building and supporting a robust film industry in Washington.

“It is extremely disappointing the film competitiveness legislation did not move forward during this session,” says Office of Film + Music Director Kate Becker.  “The campaign and efforts to extend and grow the program during this legislative session were focused, strong, and well executed.  I want to thank the hundreds of local cast, crew, and industry professionals who took time out of their schedules to support the legislation.

Washington’s film incentive program is funded into 2017.  The Office of Film + Music is looking forward to coordinating incentivized film productions that will be filming in Seattle this and next year, and is committed to supporting future legislation to grow the program.

The Triple Door was lively during The Film School’s Oscar party gala. Always love The Film School Gala. And Leo and Brie!

Amy Lillard, Washington Filmworks Executive Director, actor Tom Skerritt and Office of Film + Music Director Kate Becker.