SSG Music
Monday was a day of rest and recovery after the exhilarating mayhem of the Capitol Hill Block Party (CHBP), but the Seattle music scene never wants to take too long of a hiatus from its faithful listeners. No rest for the weary–local band and CHBP main stage performers Fences take the spotlight again at the Ballard Sonic Boom Records. To keep your ears sharp with local sound, show up before 6pm this evening and soak up some melancholic pop melodies in a more intimate setting.
City Arts
City Arts Magazine asked 42 bloggers, publicists, bookers, directors and label owners to determine Seattle’s best musical discoveries in 2010. The article includes the poll results and the rationale behind them, as well as a transparent breakdown of who voted for whom. SXSW-bound sensations The Head and the Heart topped the big list, which also included Campfire OK, My Goodness, Ravenna Woods, Beat Connection, Absolute Monarchs, Curtains for You, Fences, The Young Evils and Shabazz Palaces. Congratulations to all the bands who were recognized, and also the Seattle music community for rallying around these new local acts. Hit the link above to see the list in all of its splendor, and take a peek at the ballots while you’re at it to see individual rankings.
SPIN
To tame the musical beast that is SXSW 2011, SPIN Magazine has culled the Fest’s 2,000 count performance lineup to select this year’s “can’t miss” acts—and two rising Seattle stars have made the list! The Head and the Heart and Fences are featured amongst the SPIN editors’ 35 top picks for the week-long Austin event. Of The Head and the Heart SPIN says, “This folk-rock outfit have been called the Emerald City’s Next Big Thing — and these five twentysomethings [….] are well on their way to fulfilling that prophecy. In under a year, they went from collaborating at an open-mic night at a Seattle coffee shop to releasing their self-titled debut.” SPIN also outlines the appeal of homegrown crooner Chris Mansfield—aka Fences: “The tattoo-covered singer-songwriter [….]sings with breathy earnestness, as if he was born to coo sad acoustic songs of relationships gone awry.” Check out the full article via the link above!
SxSeattle
The Seattle Party is back and bigger than ever for the 2011 SXSW Music Conference! On Friday, March 18, the SxSeattle committee presents an official all-day party packed with 16 amazing Seattle acts: MC Tilson, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Fences, The Young Evils, Wild Orchid Children, The Globes, Black Whales, Campfire OK, MC Larry Mizell, Jr., Redwood Plan, Tea Cozies, Super Secret Surprise, Ravenna Woods, The Physics, Grieves w/Budo, D. Black, State of the Artist, Fatal Lucciauno and Sol. To learn more about SxSeattle or to RSVP, visit the above link. You can also become a fan of SxSeattle on Facebook or take the party to Twitter @SxSeattle.
SPIN
Congrats to Fences aka Seattle songster Christopher Mansfield! His self-titled debut has made SPIN Magazine’s list of the “Ten Best Albums You Might’ve Missed” in 2010. An offshoot of the magazine’s annual compilation of the year’s best songs and albums, this list focuses on albums that have shimmered brightly outside of the spotlight. Quoting Sara Quin (of Tegan and Sara), who signed on to produce Fences’ album SPIN explains : “Everything [….]Chris writes, melodically and lyrically, has that rare balance of patience and urgency that [we] love in honest, haunting pop songs.” To read the article or view the entire list, follow the link.
NPR
Fences, led by songwriter Christopher Mansfield, is known for its brevity as well as its melancholic melodies. The band has garnered lots of positive attention in the Seattle area, and now NPR is taking note; Fences’ song “My Girl the Horse” is NPR’s song of the day today. Writes NPR, “the song begins with a slow fade straight into the familiar guitar strums that form the bedrock of the song. A sparse piano melody wanders in, too — an optimistic tune offering hope that Mansfield’s characters might just ‘make it down this hill alive.’ Still, the rest of the words, few as they may be, convey more defeat than triumph. (‘Every day, we fuss and fight,’ he sings.)” To listen to the track and read more about Fences, follow the link.
Columbia City Theater
Looking to catch some live music in your finest, spookiest Halloween get-up this weekend? Head over to Columbia City Theater tonight, tomorrow and Sunday for a chance to show off your digs and receive discounted tickets. A costume earns you a discount for any of the weekend’s shows, which are featuring Seattle bands like Mash Hall and Butts (Friday), Hey Marseilles and Fences (Saturday) as well as Baby Gramps and Bad Things (Sunday). Shows are at 9 pm on Friday and Saturday, 7 pm on Sunday. So put the finishing touches on your Lady Gaga garb, grab a costumed friend and head over to Columbia City Theater.
City Arts Magazine
Check out the new mini-doc following Chris Mansfield of Fences as he prepares for and performs at Bumbershoot 2010. Sponsored by EMP|SFM, the video includes him performing ‘Girls With Accents’ solo and reflecting on his influences, his writing and his relationship with Seattle.
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Sound on the Sound
Evidently, Doe Bay was incredible this year. The Head and the Heart, The Maldives and tons of other local acts brought their A game to the beautiful event. If you missed the weekend festival (or just want to re-live it in all its glory), Sound on the Sound has been creating ten Doe Bay Take Away Sessions for your viewing pleasure. So far, they are available for Fences, The Head and the Heart, Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives and The Maldives. Follow the link above to check them out, and keep an eye out for the upcoming sessions.
Seattle Times
Though Grassroots features non-Seattle actors Jason Biggs, Cedric the Entertainer, Joel David Moore, Cobie Smulders, Tom Arnold and Emily Bergl, the film is truly a Seattle piece. With most of the crew, from Director of Photography down, being Seattle-based, the story about Grant Cogswell (former Stranger writer who ran for City Council) and shooting taking place in Capitol Hill, Seattle Center, King County Courthouse and Queen Anne, Grassroots truly embraces Seattle. The soundtrack even features contemporary local bands like Fences and Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band. Says director Stephen Gyllenhaal, “Toward the end, there’s a whole chorus shout to Seattle. … It’s a love story to Seattle.” To read the full article, follow the link.
