 ASB Card Night!
I don’t have my high school I.D. so I was pretty bummed when I saw the sign at the Empyrean saying $7 or $5 with H.S. ID. Good idea though, heck even the movie theaters don’t give a discount for high school students anymore. Henry and Vaughn (Sorry I misspelled your name before) took the stage first. Quietly wrapping up the audience with deep lyrics, Henry Nordstrom and Vaughn smoothly worked their guitars.
I have seen Henry a few times lately and I was excited to hear that he would have a full album out in the Spring! His current EP is great so keep your eyes out for the full length! Lately during Henry’s last song he has been using this odd instrument that makes this eerie body shaking sound. I finally asked him what “it” was and at first he called it Black Magic but then went to tell me it is a Theremin. It’s peculiar that the Theremin creates are eerie sound for a song about the devil when Henry called the Theremin Black Magic because he played it once when it wasn’t plugged in and it worked. I don’t know but that was enough to give me the chills. Mission accomplished on the song it sounds lovely in a dark way. Catch Henry Nordstrom and his friend Vaughn Wood when you can, Henry has a way words and they both are sharp musicians.
 All three guys of The Inferno Ukulele Trio were on stage next. With a drummer, bass player, and a ukulele player/singer it was a new type of fun. A twist on a three piece, never seen a set like it. By the end of their set the thing that stood out to me most was how the singer/ukulele player was putting his all into the songs. Just singing at the top of his lungs and play the little strings so hard I thought the ukulele was going to burst into flames. I also like how they did a cover by Simon and Garfunkel but they added a verses and chorus into it, I thought that was creative. My favorite song by them was the song that went “…this is a song for me, it’s mine…” because of the way it was performed it was loud and enjoyable. I wouldn’t mind catching these kids again. When you look at all the cool show flyers on the windows of the Empyrean, look for their name!
I was excited to see See Me River, ha I said see twice. I didn’t know this going into the show but, we were in for a treat that night. I say we as in the intimate audience that watched them. For starters See Me River was a four piece for the evening, it wounded great. Kerry said normally we would have someone who tells jokes in between. I didn’t mind it.
 Their keyboard was stuck on a certain setting but on the plus side when it was played so loud – it added a unique flair! We also got to hear a new song, which truly is like receiving a free ice cream cone. It’s funny before the show I introduced myself to Kerry and Aaron and I asked Kerry who influenced him because gothic/country is so unique. He told me he wasn’t sure how they got into the goth category but that he liked it. So it’s been in mind since the show, and I think I get the goth feel because of his vocals and a little bit of the lyrics. But they sound like a really cool country-ish band musically. I love it; it’s an oddly fantastic sound that will stick with you for a while. Makes my feet tap too.
I guess things were running behind and they were only allowed to play one more song without any banter (lame), but what I saw was what I imagined and wanted (even though 3 of the kids were missing). Check out See Me River and if you have a record player – check them out on vinyl. They’re worth the trip to Seattle.
 Last but not least the few kids that stuck around through the crazy thunder storm we had moved their chairs up to the stage to watch Allen Stone. I was thinking in my mind okay these have to be his friends and a moment later he says “…pretty sure I know everybody here so I’m not going to bullshit.” Then the kid next to me yells “for once.” It was cool that his friends support him. When I talked to him before his set he was the nicest kid with biggest smile on his face. Happy is good. Allen Stone, it’s him and his acoustic guitar.
His set won us over with songs like “Shelter” and “Figure It Out.” He has a relaxed feel to his music and his set. I could defiantly see myself putting this in on a Sunday afternoon or when I am at the beach. He was excited to announce that his full album, which he hasn’t named, will be out in September and that we wont have to get off our computers because it will be available on iTunes. With sweet vocals to match his personality and suave guitar playing skills it was a great way to end the night. Hopefully he will be back and I am sure when he does he will have more friends with him
Check out more photos from the show HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
