 Every Twang! Every Tap!
No Way! Caleb from The Red Room in Kennewick is totally the drummer in Karli Fairbanks band! Small world, let me tell ya! This was our first time at the new Blvd, and Matt and I both liked it. There is still a lot of exposed brick like there was in the old one and it is still and all ages venue, which Spokane needs to have. Another thing that is unique about the new Blvd is that the stage is boxed in by speakers and sits lower then them, its like the artists play in a pit. I thought that was funky in a good way.
This was my second time seeing Karli play and once again she did an enlightening performance. Glowing on stage with her full band (including a pedal steel) the sound was hypnotic and relaxing pulling me to sway my feet to the beat. Karli has elegant vocals that never sound a tone off, the whole set was very musically alluring. I also don't think anyone could of found a better person to open up for Betsy Olson and Sera Cahoone. Karli's brother Zac and her friends were there to watch her play, I love how much her family supports each other. I think that is great that they respect music that much. For having the full band and all of their gear crammed on stage it sounded great, there wasn't a single hiccup. Karli Fairbanks is by far Spokane's Neko Case and puts on a great show, I recommend when you get a chance to see her live.
 Betsy Olson took the stage next with her guitars and vocals and Sera Cahoone on drums. It was a treat to see the headliner play two sets back to back and to see that not only can she sing and play the guitar but the drums too. After the first two songs a girl in the audience yells "You guys are awesome!" Betsy responds with "thanks but we still have time to blow it." By the end of the set she didn't blow it, it was fantastic. As Matt said "She's a badass." Her sound was rockin' with traces of the blues and a little bit of honky tonk towards the end. She knew how to play a guitar, that's for sure. Betsy had a lot of passion in her music and was also still able to break it down with a ballad. Matt said “She has the attitude of Sleater-Kinney and the White Stripes. Betsy Olson is in the studio and she had a demo CD available but said she will come back once her new album is done. I think that the Booze Fighters should play with her, the two would compliment each other nicely and would make for a cool show. Sera and Betsy ended her set with a little Honky Tonk number called "So Lonely," and I am excited to see her when she comes back! With a new album at that!
Sera Cahoone was the last band to play for the night. She had a full group of gentlemen with her including instruments like a banjo and pedal steel. I understand that the banjo and pedal steel are normally only used in two genres of music but I wish you got to hear them more because they are such cool instruments. Nothing sounded off during Sera's set. You could hear every twang from the banjo and every tap on the drum set. Like Karli with a full band on the stage and everyone snuggled in there, I am surprised it sounded that good. Kudo's to the Sound Guy at the Blvd, too.
 Sera is an Indie Sub Pop Country Queen from Seattle. Her music is very placid and peaceful. There wasn't a single part of her set that I didn't like. Sera even managed to add in a harmonica, she is a woman of many talents. Betsy joined Sera on stage for a song and I like that the two work together with their music. They complimented each other great as they did when Betsy was singing and Sera was on drums. Sera Cahoone has an album out and if you like any type of indie country music you will love this girl. She is very simplistic but manages to make beautiful music that anyone can listen to and enjoy - no matter what your musical preferences are. All together it was a night of powerful female musicians from Spokane and Seattle. The three went together perfectly and it was a great show - I am kind of bummed I didn't wear my cowboy boots though... next time for sure!
Check out more photos from the show HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
