Sonic Evolution

Sonic Evolution is a groundbreaking musical program that celebrates Seattle’s storied cultural and artistic tradition. Designed as a project of cross-pollination, it combines the past (Seattle legends from Jimi Hendrix to Quincy Jones to Nirvana) with the future  hit Seattle band Hey Marseilles); and the international (composers from around the globe), with the local (Seattle’s own Symphony). This program is part of Seattle Symphony Music Director Ludovic Morlot’s artistic mission to create music that crosses barriers, and over the past year the Seattle Symphony has commissioned pieces from local and nationally-known composers that celebrate Seattle’s musical icons.

 Sonic Evolution’s aim is to connect and collaborate with our community, not only through the subject matter of the music, but through the artists involved the presentation. In addition to the Symphony, a host of local performers not typically associated with classical music will appear on stage, including jazz ensemble The Cuong Vu Group. The project will continue through collaboration with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras, who will perform one of the newly commissioned works later this year. 

Easy Street Records

Easy Street Records set up shop in West Seattle in 1988, and has spent the past two decades establishing itself as a dedicated advocate for the local music community.  Over the years Easy Street has added a second location in Queen Anne,  a popular web resource, a Café and a Friday night After Jours series.

The Queen Anne store is also widely celebrated as an intimate and interactive music venue complete with a full size stage nestled behind a roll-up garage door—in true Seattle fashion.  Easy Street instores have featured a dynamic variety of impressive talent—from homegrown legends like Mudhoney and Pearl Jam to Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, Band of Horses, The Shins and many, many more. But the store is also committed to offering performance space and a platform for local artists to share their sound as well.  

Starbucks' Hot Java Cool Jazz

Since 1995, the Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz program has helped raise more than $200,000 for Seattle high schools’ music and jazz programs, helping to cover the costs of band competitions, equipment and travel, in the face of widespread budget cuts for arts education. “We want to help ensure that Seattle continues to be as known for our music scene as we are for our coffee,” says Starbucks regional VP Kris Engskov. Box office proceeds from the show benefit the music programs of the high schools participating in the event, which included Edmonds-Woodway, Garfield, Mountlake Terrace, Newport and Roosevelt this year.

Noise for the Needy

Noise for the Needy 2011 will take place June 7th-12th in venues throughout Seattle. Proceeds will benefit Real Change, a reader-supported social enterprise that combines quality news, fearless social justice advocacy and non-judgemental, low-barrier employment opportunities for Seattle’s low-income and homeless people. A variety of venues all over the city will host 21 shows over six days. Highlights include a dance party at Belltown’s Underground Events Center with Soft Metals, Ononos, and eight other bands, as well as an all-ages show at the Vera Project with Ramona Falls and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.

Since 2004, NFTN has helped raise more than $100,000 for local non-profit organizations. Past beneficiaries include Teen Feed, New Beginnings, Urban Rest Stop, and Parent Trust of Washington. NFTN showcases the best of Seattle’s local music from a variety of genres in venues all across Seattle, and regularly features regional and national acts. Past artists have included Talib Kweli, Two Gallants, The Black Angels, The Warlocks, Okkervil River, Sera Cahoone, CSS, Art Brut, Miike Snow, Album Leaf, Matt & Kim, Horsefeathers, Throw Me the Statue, The Constantines, The Handsome Family, and many more.

Hollow Earth Radio's The Sea-Port Beat

Local freeform outfit Hollow Earth Radio launched a new program this year, documenting the independent music legacy of the Pacific Northwest. The Sea-Port Beat series is a groundbreaking eight-part audio documentary that traces the little-known underground stories at the heart of our region’s music community—from the 1950's to the grunge wave to the post-Internet era. Featuring candid interviews local musicians as well as those who create the culture around the music –record label proprietors, hose venue operators, visual artists and more—Sea-Port streamed new episodes every Wednesday in March of this year. During evening rebroadcasts, Hollow Earth also opened its doors every week for in-person listening sessions. Funding for this project was made possible by a grant from Humanities of Washington. The Sea-Port Beat series is available for download in podcast form on the Hollow Earth Radio website.

Hard Rock Cafe Seattle – Local Music Brochure

Hard Rock Cafe Seattle as Rock Ambassador

As part of their ‘Rock Ambassador’ philosophy, Hard Rock Seattle embraces the City of Music spirit by providing visitors, as well as citizens, a brochure that introduces some of the city’s top live music venues. Additionally, visitors can book The Seattle Tour of Music at the cafe. Hosted by White Moustache Urban Adventure Company, the two-hour tour takes guests through the streets of Seattle to see where legends created the music that made our city famous. Featured musicians include Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Heart, Pearl Jam, Ray Charles, and more. At the end of the tour, guests will return to the Hard Rock Cafe Seattle and view memorabilia specific to the Seattle music scene. “We love that people who come to the Hard Rock Café will learn about Seattle’s history of music before going to see history in the making at our live-music venues,” said Mayor Mike McGinn.

Out to Lunch Concert Series

The Metropolitan Improvement District and Downtown Seattle Association are partnering again to curate the 2011 Out to Lunch Concert Series this summer. The program consists of free concerts on Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 1:30 throughout the months of June-September. The performances will take place at various open-air locations around the city including the Bank of America Plaza, Federal Courthouse, Harbor Steps, Park Place, Occidental Square, Two Union Square, Waterfront Park and Westlake Park.

This is a great chance to check out some of Seattle's most amazing musical talent under the summer sun. Catch rousing performances by artists such as The Moondoggies, Hey Marseilles, Choklate, The Maldives, Kris Orlowski and the Passenger String Quartet, Show Brazil, The Dusty 45's and Seattle's favorite funk band Wheedle's Groove! Take a nice, long lunch break and enjoy the positive vibrations with the Out to Lunch Concert Series.

Decibel Festival

Decibel Festival

Founded in 2003, the Decibel Festival and Decibel Productions have been Seattle's main purveyor of leading-edge electronic music performance, visual art, new media and technology-based arts education (e.g. the dB Conference). The five day, dozen venue annual Decibel Festival, has become one of the largest of its kind in North America, while receiving critical acclaim globally. The festival has been largely responsible for helping re-brand electronic music as high art and a performance based audio/visual media. The goal is to educate as well as entertain audiences through technologically advanced music and visual art of all kinds.

A major centerpiece of the festival is a free music education/conference that is open to public which benefits a wide range of students, artists and fans wanting to learn more. Decibel Festival supports a largely Seattle-based program, which benefits and is marketed to local artists. It also brings massive international exposure and tourism into the city through the festival’s expanding world audience, which benefits Seattle area business owners and spurs economic development.

Pike Place Market Buskers Festival

The Pike Place Market Performers Guild (PMPG) has been in operation since 2001 and is a group of street performers (buskers) who liaison with the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA) about market business when it affects the busking community. The PMPG produces an annual busker's festival that celebrates street performers and the art of busking.

The busking program at the Pike Place Market provides a unique opportunity for performers to follow their own paths with little to no resistance. The performers show up when they want, play what they want, and for as long as they want. It is a great way for audiences to see original acts and meet people with raw talent like you won't see in any other venue. The market buskers provide entertainment 365 days out of the year and help to provide the spice and flavor that the Market has come to be known for. The guild provides an avenue of support for those performers, and the Pike Place Market Buskers Festival is an opportunity to celebrate and educate audiences.

Rotary Club's Music 4 Life Program

The creative concept for Rotary Music4Life™ was born in the fall of 2007 and is an ongoing program. The immediate goal is clear: put musical instruments in good playing condition into the hands of children and youth wishing to use them now. Procure the instruction, supplies and support (like instrument maintenance) to strengthen the elementary instrumental music program and ensure strong music programs throughout Seattle Public Schools. We are acquiring musical instruments, supplies and other resources from members of Rotary clubs in the city of Seattle and from other citizens who understand the value of music in a child’s life. We work with instrument manufacturers, rental agencies, wholesalers, retailers, and others around the world who have access to serviceable musical instruments. Anyone who loves music and believes in music education for all children can join the effort!

KEXP's Audioasis Program

In its committment supporting and advancing Seattle music, KEXP (90.3FM Seattle and KEXP.ORG) broadcasts "Audioasis" the first Saturday of every month (6:00-9:00 pm) from the Sunset in Seattle. This community-centric program is followed by a music showcase featuring live performances from breakthrough Pacific Northwest bands. All door proceeds benefit a different local charity each month. The program is designed to raise money for local organizations, while boosting awareness of their mission and the impact they have on the community. Additionally, this initiative helps to create meaningful connections between KEXP listeners and their community. During a month-long campaign, KEXP features the chosen organization through website promotion, on-air messages and produces a live interview with organization representatives.

Sonic Boom Records

Sonic Boom Records has been a pillar in the Seattle music community since 1997. Its stores have always been friendly and lively social hubs. Sonic Boom carries all genres of music and prides itself on a deep local catalog both in the store and online. For the past 10 years the store has also served as a vibrant concert venue, hosting live-instore performances from the likes of local favorites Death Cab for Cutie, Damien Jurado, The Maldives, and the Blue Scholars to big name acts like New Pornographers, M.I.A. Jimmy Eat World, Superchunk, Vampire Weekend and so many more.