What's Up! Cover - August 2010. Artwork by Derek Vander Griend

We at What’s Up! thank James Hardesty, owner of the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern, for raffling off an amazingly cool bike this month with all proceeds going to the magazine! Check it out it’s the bike hanging in the bar. Thing looks like a sweet ride and James is cool enough to donate the proceeds to us. Raffle tickets go for $5 a pop or five for $20, and are available at both the Green Frog and the Wild Buffalo. There’s no denying, we could really use the cash to help print the magazine, so if you want to support What’s Up!, this is a fantastic way to do it. The raffle ends on August 12, so get moving on to the Green Frog. And enjoy some fine music and beer while you’re there!

I’d like to remind you all all the readers and fans of the magazine that supporting local music isn’t just about supporting local bands. It’s also about supporting the venues and the bands that are coming through town. We wrote a great story about Chris Riffle in the magazine and talked about him on Facebook, etc. Hell, he’s even an ex-local, but there was such a small audience at the show. Chris is absolutely amazing, an incredible songwriter and ya’ll missed out on him. To be fair, I missed the show as well (I had a family commitment), but I’m pretty sure there are enough of us out there out there to make an audience larger than four people. I know it’s the summer and it’s great outside, but seriously, when someone amazing comes to town, you’ve got to go see them! In the age of the internet, there’s absolutely no excuse for not seeing a good band especially when we tell you about them! The internet is amazing thing you can read about a band, either in our paper or in another paper, then look ‘em up that night to see what they’re about. Chris Riffle is just an example, though one example of many. Another show that James Hardesty was cool enough to book for us last winter was Zoe Muth, another beautiful and wonderful songwriter who had a very small audience.

This isn’t about a couple shows I booked this is happening all over town, though especially at the Green Frog. James Hardesty works his ass off to bring bands that you don’t necessarily know about, but should and especially would enjoy. A lot of great bands that music fans are missing out because you either won’t take the time to seek out a band you might not know about or you simply don’t care.

Either way, it’s not only disappointing, but puts these venues and bars behind, financially. You can’t talk about the sky falling in the local music scene, then not go see bands you might not know about. Supporting music isn’t just seeing your friend’s band, it’s actually giving a shit about bands you might not know about. I’m not saying you should go out to EVERY SINGLE SHOW, that’s obviously not realistic. But, you shouldn’t go outside of just seeing what you know, because the quality of music coming through this town might just be something you enjoy.

And, trust me, ya’ll should go out when you can! I saw over 1,000 sets by the time I was in my early 30 a lot of them bands I had never heard of and I’m thankful I did.

OK, those are my thoughts for now. Now on to the music, which is really the sexy part of this column…

COMINGS & GOINGS

Four Players are splitting up with banjo player Nathan moving to NY for grad school. No word on what the other members will be moving on to, but with Nathan gone, they decided Three Players didn’t have the same ring to it.

Handsome Rob of Love Lights fame has teamed up with Amy Gibson and Russel Jander for a new band called Handsome Rob and the Robbettes. Actually, in all seriousness, they’re called Bright Weapons and by the time you’ve read this, they’ll have had their first show at the Cabin Tavern. I was hoping they’d name themselves The Value Village Idiots, but no dice. Took guts to ask for a band name on Facebook.

Karl Freske, co-owner of Film is Truth, once had a great band called Drowsy, a really cool pop band. Well, the band has been “asleep” for the better part of a decade (you get it, right?), but Karl claims he’s working on a new album. No time line on when it’ll be released, but it made me happy just knowing Karl was working on something new.

Fountain Coffee and Bistro are starting to do some shows with the first one starring the Teas Seas Trio featuring ex-Shorecrest graduate Tyler Clarke on guitar, Kevin Chryst on drums and Aaron Harmonson on bass. The show is on August 10, check it out.

Candysound are heading back out on tour at the end of August heading down the West Coast and back for another good little tour. Dates are still being worked out, but ya’ll know how much I love it when a band hits the road.

The mighty Go Slowpoke will be back in town on Aug. 6, on home soil for the first time in a couple months. They’ve been all over the U.S. and should have some damn, damn good stories about their travels. Hopefully they’ll even write about it.

Former Bellingham queenpin, Farrah Halsey, will be heading back to town for an epic blowout weekend with her new band The Gams. Check out the band either on Friday, the 27th at the Green Frog, the next night at Jinx or Sunday for a mid-morning brunch show. Being a huge fan of Farrah’s, I’d suggest all three.

The Rooftops are heading out on a couple week jaunt this month roughly down the coast and back. They’ll be hitting all the hot spots, LA, Vegas, San Diego as well as a couple smaller places like Scottsdale and even Kennewick. I like the idea of the Rooftops playing in Kennewick ‘cuz some kid is gonna see them, have his or her mind totally blown and realize they should be playing music. Always love it when bands play small towns ‘cuz that’s where a lot of the kids are who will end up making awesome music.

Speaking of bands playing small towns (well, this time, a very small town) Cracker is playing at Graham’s Restaurant in Glacier on Aug.18. Yeah, THAT Cracker, the band David Lowery started after Camper Van Beethoven. The band that had the “Low” video that band is playing Graham’s in Glacier! If you haven’t been to Graham’s, it’s a cool little restaurant in Glacier, about 34 miles out on Mount Baker Highway. They do live music there a couple times a week (the Lumpkins just played), but nobody this big has ever graced the floor (not stage, there isn’t one). If you want to see Cracker in what would essentially feel like your living room, complete with a wood stove and beer, try to get tickets for this show. There’s no presale, so it’ll only be at the door. For more info, call Graham’s at 599-1964.

Former Bellinghamite (you like that?!) Kris Orlowski will be playing a fundraiser for Olivia from Ferndale on Aug. 12 at the Green Frog. Olivia suffers from a rare kidney disease and her family and friends are raising much-needed funds for her care. Please come to the show and show your support for this great little girl!

Sheana Sisselman has begun working on a local artists database, which will eventually be posted on our website. She’s working on making the database as inclusive as possible, so if you are an artist, please contact her at art1jinx@gmail.com

One of our favorite What’s Up! writers, Jenn Hartman, is splitting town at the end of the month. Apparently my “stay in Bellingham and make the scene here” blurb in the last issue didn’t have any impact and she’s moving off to Oakland (which, if you’ve gotta split to a big city, Oakland is great choice). So, her band, Council of Lions will be playing a few shows in August (still being worked out) and hopefully releasing a final recording before they officially call it a day. I’m really sad to see Jenn go, but this is the way it goes sometimes. Having been in town for 18 years, I’ve seen wave after wave of great people coming and going. Life in a college town.

RECORDS & RELEASES

The brutal boys of FFA are just about done with their most recent and most likely final CD, Conquerer. I’ve been told by the boys that it’ll be done in September and if they do a release show, it’ll most likely be the only show they do. The boys, it sounds like, will be putting an end to their brutal metal and moving on. That’s just effing crazy.

Vaughn Kreestoe have recently released a live CD and DVD for your entertainment pleasure. When they get them to me, I’ll tell you how they are I’ve seen clips of the DVD on YouTube, though and it was pretty amazing. Michael’s vocals are especially epic.

David Ney, fresh off a mini-tour with the Lumpkins which you can read about in these fine pages, has released a book of his poetry. Aggravated Kitsch Disc Jockey F***mobile is now out and should be grabbed up. I know it’s corny, but David is a perfect example of what I love about Bellingham folks just doing stuff and being creative. Not doing stuff to “be something,” but doing art and creativity for the sake of art and creativity.

The mighty Rhombus have released their debut cassette. So, if you’ve got a cassette player, you should buy it. Eric Holl does and he loved it you can see his review in the review section. Oh yeah, if you don’t have a cassette player, you can also listen to it on the bandcamp page.

While I’m obviously a huge proponent of using local studios for recording, a few bands have opted to head south and record with ex-Bellinghamamster Jackson Long either at Two Sticks (the studio he works out which is owned by Jason McGerr) or at his place. So Adult, They Hibernate and the Love Lights have all been down recently (or are going early this month) as did a younger band called Traces who came down for a day.

The Fresh Pair have released their debut CD, aptly titled The Fresh Pair. They’re another band creating hip hop in Bellingham, which has been struggling a bit as of late. You can grab their disc off their bandcamp page and watch for a review in the next issue.

To bands either coming through or bands heading out, please always make sure to get some sleep and wear a seat belt. The singer of Early Graves, who played Jinx on July 31, died in a car crash on the morning of Aug. 2. The band was out on tour with Funeral Pyre when the driver of the van (carrying the two bands) fell asleep and crashed. Makh Daniels wasn’t wearing his seat belt. So, please, get some damn rest and wear a seat belt.

As many of you know, the music scene lost a friend on July 30. John Powers, owner of Chuckanut Ridge Winery passed away after battling a massive head injury he suffered almost two weeks prior. While folks who are more in the underground scene might not have known John, he was a good friend to local jazz musicians, giving them one of the few places to play and flourish in town. The community is extremely saddened, as we think of his girlfriend, children and all of those that knew and loved him.

As to what will happen with the winery that is still up in the air, from what I understand. More details to follow as they are released.

Have a safe, happy and hot August. Hugs and kisses, Brent.

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

Moandingers delivered an excellent heart-felt mellow acoustic set to start off a wonderful outdoor show at sunny Maritime Heritage Park as Ladyfest organizers served ice cream to an enthusiastic crowd. Guitar, accordion, ukulele were all utilized throughout set by Kayla Brogden and Elizabeth Talbot. The Moandingers’ old time folk feel was spiced up with Bill Lohse playing cello, both bowed and pizzicato style lent well to the Moandingers’ aesthetic.

NightraiN moved up the tempo with their brand of ass shaking rock. Imagine Bootsy Collins playing bass for the Stooges. Much of the crowd started up a dance floor to this bass heavy power group. NightraiN was able to liven the crowd belting out sexy raw lyrics that were reminiscent of The Gossip.

Council of Lions was next and kept the crowd pumped up with stellar guitar riffs that made heads bob and bodies sway. It’s always nice to see band members switch instruments, which Council of Lions’ drummer and bassist did.

The show was powered from the pedal project’s bike-generator provided by Makeshift. Kimya Dawson commented that she wanted all her shows to be powered this way, and she wanted to do a tour where she traveled on a train and just could setup at different train stops along the way with someone powering her from pedaling. Right at this moment a train whistle happened to sound which caused the audience to laugh. Dawson joked you don’t know how much I had to pay to make that happen. This was a magical moment that really exemplified how everything really seemed to come together that night thanks to the wonderful volunteers of Ladyfest.

Dawson played poignant a superb set with a whole range of emotions from starting off funny and whimsical, and then went into a somber, solemn, and mournful song about a transgender friend who died of cancer. She finally ended with an uplifting and sober song about understanding, as the sunset gave way to the night.

The rhythm section of Rhombu$ really gave a hard pounding punch. After breaking the low E bass string while tuning up at the start of the show, Rhombu$ wasn’t slowed down a bit as Meg Coultertron tuned down the rest of her strings to make her A the new E etc. The first songs were played on this makeshift bass until both NightraiN and Council of Lions lent their basses to Rhombu$. They were tight knit with strong energy and ruled with keyboardist Audra Robson freshly back from Europe. Most of the crowd sang along with the lyrics as a mosh-pit erupted from a stoked crowd. Cat Sieh has true charismatic stage presence, and is really able to connect with the crowd. Nicole Zapel gave a stunning operatic about a conspiracy theory that has aliens sending their deviants to Earth to spawn the human race. Rhombu$ had their set complimented by some excellent fire poi being spun behind them which added to their already fever pitched intensity.

Ladyfest Bellingham 2010

Ladyfest Bellingham

Ladyfest Bellingham

Ladyfest Bellingham

Ladyfest is a festival of music, art and ideas that aims to empower and celebrate female creativity. This will be the second annual community based Bellingham Ladyfest and is scheduled to take place June 17-20.

Recently, some of the coordinators have dealt with criticism due to misperceptions of the event as being separatist or even anti-male. “That’s the biggest problem we face,” said Katie Rismondo, member of the Ladyfest Bellingham planning committee. “[Ladyfest] is not about men at all, it’s about the women in our community. Some believe it’s about tearing them down somehow, but that’s not what we want to do.”

The festival is an inclusive, all-ages event that encourages women and people who identify as women to share their artistic pursuits in the hopes of partially negating their underrepresentation in the arts. Men are not discouraged from getting involved–but women are the festival’s priority, according to Amy Gibson, member of the Ladyfest Bellingham planning committee. “Ladyfest is not anti-male, Ladyfest is pro-female,” Gibson said.

The first ever Ladyfest began in 2000 when female music acts Sleater-Kinney, Cat Power, Sarah Dougher and Neko Case and author Teresa Carmody founded the event in Olympia, Wash. Since then, the festival has expanded and has been independently structured in urban areas around the world such as Amsterdam, Belgium, Chicago, Dublin, Madrid and Los Angeles.

Gibson believes Ladyfest has been an explosive, global phenomenon because it’s an inspiring, safe space for women to pursue their interests. Until working on Ladyfest, she did not consider herself the event-organizing type. By acting as a volunteer coordinator for Ladyfest, Gibson’s opinion of herself has evolved. “Now I can’t stop thinking about Ladyfest,” she said.

Ladyfest Bellingham became a local fixture after 8 to 10 women came together in 2008 via other outlets to converse about some serious concerns in the local music community, according to Jessyca Murphy, member of the Ladyfest Bellingham planning committee.

These women discussed the community’s deep need for heightened gender-issue consciousness and a means to empower artistic ladies in spite of sexism. Furthermore, the women wanted to drum up allies and a supportive network for several women in Bellingham’s music scene who were sexually assaulted.

“Ladyfest is one of the things that sort of spawned off those conversations,” Murphy said. “It’s a space for women to create and recharge their batteries.”

In addition, the all-female, performance art group “Post Post Fuck Fuck” emerged out of the issue-oriented discourse responsible for Ladyfest Bellingham, Murphy said. The noise outfit formed to promote women being rowdy and abrasive in the wake of the violence.

“It came out of people needing to scream and having the confidence to do so,” Murphy said.”

After last year’s Ladyfest, Gibson said she believes local female bands such as Femme Uke, Party Thighs and Glad Judy were inspired to officially form bands. Murphy and Rismondo are members of Party Thighs.

Ladyfest Bellingham 2010 will include visual art pieces, films, performance projects, skill share workshops, and academic and nonacademic papers. The coordinators have also ensured that novice submissions do not get turned away. “We really like beginning art,” Rismondo said. “We are not about to judge it based on ability. We include whatever we have room for.”

The Ladyfest Bellingham team has also extended an open invite to transfolks, queers, grandmas, gender nonconformists and allies, according to their website.

The planning committee has been meeting at least once a week for the last five or six months to craft the four-day event. The coordinators obtained funding through various means such as bake sales, concerts, poetry readings, a 2009 compilation release, merchandise sales, shared resources and a few donations.

The festival will commence at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 17 with a potluck dinner and a concert, which will include performances by Cumulus, Mega Bog, Jaen Black and perhaps even Kimya Dawson, Gibson said. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 18-20, the festival will start in the mornings with breakfast events that begin at 11 a.m. each day.

At the breakfast events on June 18 and 19, participants can view music performances and gallery exhibitions and take part in workshops, Glass said. The breakfast location on June 18 will be announced in the near future and breakfast on June 19 will take place at the Hoot House. Breakfast on June 20 will be held at the Opium Den and it will feature an open mic set-up for anyone who wants to share their talents with the group.

In the afternoons on June 18-20, more workshops, presentations and film showings will transpire. In particular– at 1 p.m. on June 19 at Caf Bloom, there will be a film screening and the following day at 1 p.m. there will be a musical performance.

Additionally, at 6 p.m. on June 18 at Maritime Heritage Park, Ladyfest Bellingham will host the bands Rhombus, Milk Party, Night Rain, Council of Lions and the Moandiggers.

But that’s not all in terms of bands performing at Ladyfest so far. At 10 p.m. on June 18 at the Cabin Tavern, Party Thighs, Romanteek, Mini Rex and Redwood Plan will perform followed by Elissa ball, TacocaT and Margy Pepper at 10 p.m. on June 19 at the Cabin Tavern, Glass said. At 6 p.m. on June 20 at the Honeymoon, there will be a Ladyfest debriefing so participants can offer constructive criticism and reflect on the weekend’s topics. The festival will conclude at 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 20 with an erotic show at the Jinx Art Space.

The planning committee is still in the process of confirming performances, locations and other specifics that will be made available in the near future on the festival’s Web site, Gibson said.

For more information about Ladyfest Bellingham, including upcoming schedule information, visit Ladyfestbham.org.

The sheer range of work on display at the more than 20 venues that participated in March’s Downtown Art Walk would have been impressive enough, but there was a special manic energy to last month’s offerings. In case you missed it, here are a few highlights:

Digs (200 W. Holly St.): Although Digs is a home decor store, it feels more like a museum for artifacts from the distant future (or Norway.) This means that Digs shows are always worth attending, because even if you don’t enjoy the art, you’ll probably fall in love with a pencil from 3015. However, their March show, “Fragmented Memories,” did not disappoint. Painter Kei Omotaka, who works in acrylics and oils, constructed an unusually cohesive show themed around the limits of memory and vision.

Her paintings, large-scale portraits which catch their subjects in the midst of activity, embrace a realism that dissolves, here and there, into pixelation. This pixelation serves a number of purposes sometimes, it suggests frenetic movement on the part of its subjects, such as the sculptor at her potter’s wheel in “A Summer’s Day.” In this case, the spinning clay serves as the hub from which the pixel patterns radiate, which conveys both the speed at which the clay is turning and the pinpoint concentration that the potter is focusing on her work. In other paintings, such as “At the Dinner Table,” the pixelation creeps more quietly into the frame, dissolving it in stray edges and corners, so that it is not immediately noticeable. The subjects in these quieter paintings are caught in momentary repose the pause before they eat, or stand up, or speak.

Jinx Art Space (306 Flora St.): Jinx was still featuring last month’s Red and Pink show, a group art show riffing on Valentine’s Day themes; however, this was not problematic, as that show was awesome, including everything from late ’70s-style penciled nudes to jarred hearts carved from beets. Furthermore, music by Zack Zinn, Frozen Cloak, and Gunslingers was featured. According to reliable sources (i.e., onlookers that I interrogated), this was one of the more interesting “musical concerts” to happen in Bellingham in recent memory. Zack Zinn made warm but eerie soundscapes, Frozen Cloak played music as heavy as an actual cloak logged down with frozen water crystals must feel, and Gunslingers were loud, manic, and French.

The Amadeus Project (1209 Cornwall Ave): Music of a very different sort was featured at The Amadeus Project, a music school/gallery where both students and professionals were improvising sonic accompaniments to paintings by Yvette Neumann. For whatever reason, access to free classical music is hard to come by in downtown Bellingham. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of piano tonal work with Neumann’s quiet pastorals, which tend to haze into abstraction. Neumann layers acrylics and pastels in order to achieve compelling textures, at once hard-edged and soothing an affect remarkably similar to that of the staccato sprays that uncurled from the grand piano, each note as firm and distinct as needles on a pine branch but clustered to achieve a soft, blooming whole.

Bay Street Village (301 W. Holly St.): Bay Street Village is home to the Blue Horse Gallery, Studio UFO, and Works on Canvas Studio & Gallery, as well as a plethora of smaller galleries, artist’s studios, and businesses. On March 5, all three floors of Bay Street Village were densely packed with artwork, artists, and onlookers. Those artists who didn’t have spaces of their own were exhibiting in the hallways and stray alcoves. The overall effect was baroque, to say the least like falling through a wormhole into some kind of Farscape Art Narnia.

Blue Horse Gallery presented “4 Women 4 Seasons,” an exhibition of landscape works by Valerie Collymore, Ruthie V, Lisa McShane, and Mary Froderberg. Work by Didy Lutz and other artists was also on display. I really enjoyed “4 Women 4 Seasons.” You can tell a mature painter by the way that he or she handles light. Even in some of the show’s more abstract pieces, you knew exactly where the light was coming from, and it had a distinctly Northwest feel you could almost guess what time of day it was. Ruthie V’s acrylic studies of local landscapes, such as Edison slough, had a looseness and freedom that was deceptive, as these qualities are extremely difficult to achieve without skill and study. Froderberg’s oils were bright, fluid and playful, especially the autumn-themed paintings, with their striking foliage, still pools, and expectant houses (you could tell that somebody was about to come home.) I also enjoyed Collymore’s summery pastorals, wherein the trees were treated as carefully as human subjects, and McShane’s winding paths and mountainous vistas, which had an ominous, shadowy quality that somehow recalled both Giorgio de Chirico and C.S. Lewis.

The featured show at Works on Canvas Studio & Gallery was “Third Person Plural: Variations in Abstract Painting.” Chris Shreve, Sharon Kingston, and Kay D. Little presented three very different takes on abstract art. I was especially struck by Shreve’s acrylic work, which had an eerie cleanliness. Little’s acrylics were also very, very clean, but with a more graphic quality. In contrast, Kingston’s oils looked soft and textural.

One of my favorites of the smaller studios, Ashcan Alley Art featured charcoal and ink drawings by Christine Feltman. After a night of viewing large, bright and aggressive works, Feltman’s small, intimate drawings came as something of a relief. The pieces mostly featured human figures, often in recline. I also enjoyed the watercolor and ink nudes at Francie Allen’s studio, which were saucy and luxurious.

The Ground Floor (1105 N. State St.): The Ground Floor is primarily a space for the healing arts; however, they occasionally house musical events as well. The featured show at the Ground Floor was “Living OUT Loud in Color: Contemporary Queer Women’s Art Show,” and it was followed the next evening by a concert featuring Council of Lions, Sev and the Sins, Rhombus, Femme Uke, Chelsey Weber-Smith, and Cora Glass. This kind of multi-media female artists’ showcase used to be a rarity in Bellingham, and it’s exciting that such events are becoming more commonplace. Much of the featured artwork was by students, and it was great to see such eclectic groups collaborating to present an entire weekend of new and fresh works.

Excellent shows were also in evidence at The Paperdoll, the Waterfront Artists Studio Collective, Honey Salon, and Allied Arts. All in all, Bellingham’s Downtown Art Walk is more alive than ever, even in the depths of March.

–Marie Biondolillo

(This review was edited for length. Read the complete review at whatsup-magazine.com.)

March 2010 Cover

Well, it’s never dull in little Bellingham, is it?

Before I get to the best and the worst of this month, I’d like to proudly announce that it’s our 12th birthday! What’s Up! has turned 12 one more year and we’ll be a teenager. We’re ready to rock. As I’ve stated many, many times, we didn’t start the magazine with any type of business plan or long range ideas my friends and I just wanted to be able to talk about the great bands playing in town and those coming through town. It was as simple as that. Never in a million years could I have imagined working on the magazine 12 years later.

Before we dive head first into all the music news you can use (hmmmm), I’d like to clarify something and apologize for something else.

First the clarification. People have often asked what we consider a “local band.” For our magazine’s coverage, a local band is one in which the members reside in the area, or at least have one band member living here. So, in short, you are a local band as long as one member lives here. With that, bands such as Death Cab for Cuties, Hell’s Belles and Black Breath are all considered local bands. But, once ya’ll are out of town, then that’s it no more le Beat love or CD reviews. Of course, if you are coming through town, that’s a different story but if you are gone, you are gone and if one of you is here, then you’re are here.

And with that, Hell’s Belles is our pin up this month. So cool.

Next, I’d like to apologize for something that was written in the Leatherhorn article that was published last month. The line “people make music, men make movements” offended some who took it that we thought women don’t make movements. Of course women make movements! In hindsight, we can see how it could be construed as such. When we originally read the article, we didn’t take it that way. We apologize if we offended anyone.

We’d also like to apologize to Julia Clifford, who is working with Bob Ridgley on the “Faces of Change” documentary. We misspelled her last name. Sorry Julia!

We’ve been threatening to do weekly le beat updates and there is a better than average chance it’ll happen this month. Check the website early in the week to see if it happens. Also, we’ll be bringing back the compilation this month it’s free and there will be a ton of local music! Check it out. Look for more shirts from us in the upcoming month as well we’ll update Facebook when they officially hit the streets.

We’re also adding bands to the band database, so if you’d like to be included, e-mail Hallie Anderson at hallie@whatsup-magazine.com. She’s getting it all dialed in!

Finally, in related news, my wife Becca and I will be launching another publication this spring called Grow Northwest. The first issue will be out in May, and it will focus on local food, farms, DIY projects, healthy and sustainable living, cooking and much more all in the Northwest. We’ll be serving Whatcom, Skagit, and Island counties, and beyond. Will be good, good stuff! Our website at GrowNorthwest.com is in the works, and we have our Facebook fan page up for those interested in becoming a fan and following our progress.

As most of you already know, the Nightlight has shut its doors. I’m not going to get into behind the scenes details, but they were shut down due to unpaid taxes. A lot of blame is going to go around, but I feel for the people who have lost their jobs folks who worked their asses off to bring great bands to town. Hunter Motto worked tirelessly to bring incredible, incredible bands to Bellingham he’s now out of work and shouldn’t be. He should know his work is appreciated. I know there are a few groups already vying for the Nightlight space and if one of those groups doesn’t work out, I wouldn’t be surprised if another venue actually opens up. Hunter, Gavin the bar manager, Aaron Roeder, Flann and many of the other folks who worked there are now out of a job, so if you see ‘em, go buy ‘em a drink or a sandwich, and give ‘em a hug.

Now is usually the time when all the panic sets in: “Oh no! The music scene is crumbling!” or “The Bellingham music scene is falling apart.” Calm down, friends, all is going to be OK. The scene does this and unfortunately, this has happened more often lately than we’d like but things always bounce back. The scene ALWAYS bounces back. And, for some of you, it doesn’t matter, ‘cuz you’ll be moving out of town in a couple years anyhow. That’s always my favorite people freaking out about the music scene, then a year out of college, they’ve moved to either Seattle or Portland. Those who’ve been here awhile, like I have, know that these things happen but live music and the love of local music is alive and well in town. The venues come and go, but not the love of local music.

For all of those who believe the music scene is going downhill… Currently, we have several places offering music, a few of them being full-time music venues: Plan B, Wild Buffalo and Acoustic Tavern. In March of 2005, there were three operating full-time: the 3B Tavern and the Nightlight, as well as the Wild Buffalo, which was at the time geared more towards an older crowd. In March of 2000, there were two full-time venues: the 3B Tavern and Papa John’s Pub. Even with the Nightlight closing, it’s better than it usually is in town. We have folks working very hard to make this a great town the owners of these local clubs, as well as establishments like Boundary Bay, the Cabin Tavern, Temple Bar, Jinx, WhAAM, Honeymoon and many others. If you think the town’s live music scene is going downhill, you’re just plain not paying attention. Venues come and go. But what’s always here? What’s Up! Magazine! And, as long as we’re here, as long as we’re surviving, things can’t be too bad, right? So stop panicking folks, because when one door closes another one usually opens. Now onto the music.

BOOKED & HOOKED

On Saturday, March 6, Candysound will be in the finals of Sound Off!, down at EMP. According to Teo, it’s the biggest venue the band has ever played by far. I’m guessing if they play anything like they did in the semi-finals, they’ll kill it. You can find some of their semi-finals set on YouTube and it’s pretty amazing. Candysound just gets better and better – good going boys. Good luck!

The Wild Buffalo will be hosting a benefit on March 7 with Austin Jenkes and Seattle band Bekker for a benefit to support cancer research. Midlake will be up at the Plan B, but be sure to pop down for some good music at the Wild Buffalo as well.

Kevin and Spencer, both of Quaaluude County Country Band are making their country return, playing every Tuesday starting March 16 at the Plan B. Starting to feel like home again on State Street.

Cabin Tavern is slowly turning into the town’s smaller version of the 3B. And, if you know me, you know that makes me giddy inside. Check out this month’s calendar for all their shows at least one a weekend but a couple have two.

One of my very, very favorite artists, Michael Costello, has two shows happening this month. The first, at Tivoloi, is The Dylan Suite, which will run March through June. The collection was inspired by photographs of Bob Dylan’s hands taken in the 1960′s. Opening reception is on Monday, March 8 from 6-9 p.m. The second, at Casa Que Pasa, is Irish Music and Mythology, which will also run March through June. Michael is a world-class artist, check out the works!

Whatcom Community College’s art club is having a student art show on March 5 and 6 in room Syre 107-108 on campus. The event is being held by the Whatcom Art Awareness Community check it out!

COMINGS & GOINGS

Mike Preuss of the Growers left town several months ago and, frankly, I wasn’t sure we were gonna see the ole boy again. Well, Mike took off to California and recorded an album, using only solar powered gear in his van just him, his thoughts and some cool instruments. The album, Big Sur, is pretty remarkable very interesting, yet strong. He’ll be officially back in April and have his CD release party at the Wild Buffalo. Look for a story next month.

Steve Leslie, the man behind the voice of Chuckanut Drive has decided to go it alone, leaving the band to form his own solo project, Steve Leslie and the Crooked Mile. The sound will be similar to Chuckanut Drive, though more of a focus on Leslie. He’s already started playing, check out his show this month at the Acoustic Tavern on March 13. The big news, though, is Leslie and crew will be playing the Birds on a Wire folk festival at Pullman this summer. Other notable acts include Justin Townes Earle, Damien Jurado, Joe Pug, and Rocky Votolato.

Idiot Pilot is heading to SxSW, glad those guys are getting things moving again. (Kristin Allen-Zito and Pan Pan are on the standby list.) Would be cool if there was a nice representation of local folks at “south by,” which is what the hipsters like to call it.

One of my very, very favorite bands, Femme Uke, is heading out on tour this month. It’s kind of like a spring break of awesomeness. Their tour kick off is at the Cabin Tavern on March 17 with Council of Lions, Cumulus and Team Val. You’ll be able to find out all the good times in the next issue’s Tales From the Road.

(Speaking of Tales we’ll be having two Tales From the Road the next couple of months because so many folks are out on tour. It’s amazing and makes me very, very happy.)

There are a few new bands in the works who we’ve gotta mention. The first is Rhombus, who has already gained a nice following. The band features Cat Sieh, Audra Robson, Meg Coulter, Nicole Zapel and Tyson Mink and has a pretty wild live show.

Other bands of note include: Locker Beef, which includes Chris Mak and Brannden Francisco of 10 Killing Hands. (Chris just got an internship at KEXP.) Celebra includes Andrew Nickerson and Tim Tucker of Crossfox, and My Dad Bruce features Julian Friedman and Chris Willis from Somebody Cares along with the help of Kevin Kreestoe and Michael Harris. There’s also rumors of an all male Riot Grrrrl cover band watch for that.

Michael Harris has been officially added to the mighty Vaughn Kreestoe line up and with that, the band is about to release a live DVD that was filmed by Nate Ward of AnchorLight Productions. I’ve seen clips and it’s amazing Michael’s vocals add an extraordinary element to the music.

Rock Box Studios, a practice space for bands, is in its final stages and will hopefully be up and running in the next couple of months. For more information, check ‘em out on Facebook they’re looking for bands to fill out the space!

RECORDS & RELEASES

Acorn Project is in the studio working on a new disc that will hopefully be hitting the streets this fall. Will Glazier from Snug Harbor lent a hand on some tracks and came out of the studio blown away by the band’s recording, claiming they’ll win the best album this year. That’s saying something.

Black Breath’s new album, out on Southern Lord, will be officially released on March 30. Me, being a hipster industry ass, got an advanced copy and it is EPIC. Totally brutal (in a good way) and by far the best they’ve ever sounded. Simply amazing.

No-Fi Soul Rebellion have started giving some of their music away for free get it while the gettins’ good at http://nofisoulrebellion.bandcamp.com.

I wish I had the new Sugar album and was listening to it right now. Hope they’re having fun on the road!

Sisturn Moth has been in the studio, laying doing preliminary tracks for their latest recording. It’ll be the first with Henry Miller on drums (me being a fan of Henry’s, I’m stoked).

After a slower 2009, Double Crown Records is gearing up for a busy 2010. Sean, the owner and a long time local, is especially excited about adding the Barwires to the label’s roster they’re out of Sweden and a personal favorite of Sean’s. Watch for a potential Bellingham date this summer. Plus new releases from the label.

If you are in a local band, send a disc to KUGS, so they can play it on the radio. Sam Parker has a locals’ show, Around the Corner, which airs Wednesdays from 8-10 p.m. You can send discs to: 700 Viking Union MS 9106, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 9225.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This month, we’ve added a few new advertisers we’re really excited about: Bandito’s Burritos, who are now open late for your hunger needs; Noisy Neighbors, a music shop in Lynden where my buddy Eli Zeibell got his first guitar with great service from Henry of Sisturn Moth; The Wailin’ Jennys, who’ve got a show next month at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon; Black Drop, who we are thrilled to have back in and are now employee-owned and have new hours; and Boots, a great organic skin care and cosmetic company. I’ve gotta make a special plug for Boots, who sent us a great box of goodies along as well as taking out advertising. They have a great line and are supporting the local scene by supporting us you can find their products at Target.

Well, that’s about it this month. Thanks SO MUCH for all the support the last 12 years, here’s to 12 more! Many thanks to all of the contributing writers and photographers, and to the great advertisers who help keep this beast going. Without your advertising support, we would not be able to publish! And, of course, thanks to my wife Becca whose guiding hand made the magazine into what it is today. She doesn’t like to take any of the credit, but she deserves a huge amount. Without her, I’d hate to think of what this paper would look like. We’ve come a long way in 12 years. See you next issue!

–Brent Cole

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

Sugar Sugar Sugar brought their infectious music and spirit to the stage.

The What’s Up! Awards weekend started out at the Underground Coffeehouse, kicked off by the Bellingham Free Choir and Council of Lions. I got to the show a little late and found the BFC singing there were around eight members along with the audience singing along. The band had the lyrics for the songs projected up the screen so everyone could participate if they wanted. It was pretty cool, really, ‘cuz folks really got into singing and being part of the band. Alex from Cumulus was the leader, singing through a small megaphone and orchestrating the music.

Next up was Council of Lions who had a surprisingly large crowd for the Underground Coffeehouse. Most everyone was standing up, right in front of the stage to absorb everything that is the Council. The band played a great set of PJ Harvey-esque sounds, but more raw and inspired and got the already interactive audience dancing and having a good time.

With the Underground Coffeehouse show over, it was time to head upstairs to the Viking Union for the main course of the night. There was a line at the door, which would prove to be a large portion of the evening’s audience. Sugar Sugar Sugar opened up and proved they are Bellingham’s sexiest band. It’s not just that the band looks sexy, but they play sexy a sexified rock ‘n’ roll that pulls from the 60s, 70s and better part of the 80s.

Next up was Rooftops, who are simply an amazing band. To call them math rock would be to only tell part of the story they’re beautiful and dynamic with some of the sweetest sounds around. Tonight’s show was typical Rooftops fantastic.

Yogoman Burning Band was third throwing the indie crowd for a little loop. But, as they played, the audience got more and more into Yogoman and their groove.

Idiot Pilot closed out the show and proved why their one of the best, if not THE, best band in town. Louder than I’ve ever heard them before the band went through their the “greatest hits,” songs the crowd knew by heart. Near the end of the show, lead singer Michael Harris jumped on the speakers, thrilling the crowd but terrifying the staff as two securities guys grabbed hold of the speakers to make sure they and Michael didn’t fall down.

It was a great night for all ages in Bellingham.

Photos by Hollie Huthman, Paul Turpin, and Paul Israel.

RHOMBUS will perform during the Girls' Music Workshop

RHOMBUS will perform during the Girls' Music Workshop

Whaam (Whatcom All-Ages Music) is hosting a Girls Music Workshop on Feb. 13, for females of all ages to learn, discover and play music, according to organizers Katie Rismondo and Jenn Hartman.

The idea behind the workshop is for girls to understand what’s involved in making music, and that it’s actually much easier than many girls realize. “So many girls think that making music and being in bands is much harder than it actually is,” Katie said. “We hope that this event will show girls what’s actually involved in making music that they can do it and it’s worth the effort.”

Jenn added, “We want this to be an opportunity for girls who are interested in playing music and being in bands to meet other like-minded folks, share ideas, maybe form bands and ask questions of women who have been doing this.”

According to Jenn it doesn’t matter the age – there are always less girls playing music than boys, making it more difficult for girls to meet other girls who play music. Both women cite their past experiences as a motivation for the workshop Jenn played guitar in her bedroom, alone, while Katie never felt good enough to play with other people, much less be in front of an audience. “Showing the things you create to other people can be intimidating for anyone,” she said.

While the duo hope to provide information and understanding, they are also looking to encourage girls to play music. “It takes a lot of encouragement and positive peer pressure to get over these barriers. Learning to play music (and learning to do anything, for that matter) is a messy process,” said Katie.

“We want to give girls a space to be messy and to discover, to make things that aren’t perfect- to have fun! We want things to be better for the next generation of girls and for ladies, women, and girls of all ages,” Jenn added.

The organizers also hope to help girls learn more about looking at and buying equipment how to avoid and deal with the typical stereotypes. “When we walk into music stories, we encounter dudes who try to sell us pink guitars,” said Jenn.

“If we go up to those same guys and ask them, ‘so, what does this knob do?,’ that would just confirm stereotypes about girl musicians. We want to make a space where girls can ask those questions without being self-conscious,” Katie added.

The event kicks off at 3 p.m. when participants will hang out and get to know each other, followed by a question and answer session with a panel of local female musicians and women involved with the music scene. “They’ll be there to share their experiences and create a dialogue about how to get involved with music,” stated Katie.

There will also be a resource list of female music instructors in Whatcom County, as well as a workshop on what to expect when you play a show, including stage set-up, microphones, amplifiers and sound engineers. At 8 p.m. Thimble vs. Needle, Party Thighs, RHOMBUS and Chamber Maids will begin the show portion of the workshop.

This isn’t the first time Jenn and Katie have been involved with local women and music both were on the planning committee for the first Ladyfest Bellingham. “The creative female energy around us was a huge catalyst,” Katie says of last year’s Ladyfest. “Once we started playing music, we realized how easy it was to play music and how much fun it is and everything else just kind of fell into place. Both of us feel like being in bands has been the best decision we have made in a long time.”

Jenn chimed in, “We really want other girls to discover that joy too and not feel intimidated.”

According to Jenn and Katie, they’re seeing an explosion in girls making music locally. “Oh my god, there are so many good bands it’s AWESOME! There are ladies who have been making music for a while who are trying new things, there are gals who have never played instruments before who are learning them,” Jenn said. She noted Femme Uke, Hoot Hoot, Cumulus, Rhombus, Party Thighs, Cora Anne Glass, Council of Lions, Chelsey Weber-Smith, Allison Vincler, Golden Hair, Chamber Maids as just some of the bands making music in town.

For Jenn and Katie, they have a simple hope for the workshop. “We want to help them (girls) get to the business of making music sooner than we were able to – because it took both of us years and years to get over our hang-ups.”

The free Girls’ Music Workshop takes place on Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. at the Old Foundry. Female bands perform at 8 p.m. for $5 per ticket. All ages welcome. The day-long event encourages girls to make and learn about music an effort to get girls involved with music who might not, under normal circumstances and through typical avenues, play music. You don’t have to play music or be in a band to attend!

January 2010 Cover by Bradley Lockhart

"Painted Backs" by Shelly Browder for "supporting artistry through community"

Well hello, there, boys and girls. Happy New Year! How are you this year? I’ve gotta say, aside from the birth of my darling Ruby, 2009 was a challenging one. So we’re looking forward to a new year and welcome 2010.

And to start the year off we launched a new look to What’s Up! Magazine. Not many folks know this, but my initial idea for the magazine (during its conception) was to publish in a tabloid format. At the time, though, it didn’t work out, so we went with something different. Almost 12 years later, I’m very, very excited to have the new look, it’s what it was supposed to be in the first place.

We are not doing a massive overhaul of the mag’s feel we love the magazine, just needed to implement it into a tabloid feel. This change is more affordable for us (which helps keep us in business!) and allows us to publish more content! This issue, for example, we added the feature “Off Beat,” which looks at a news story that may be of interest to music lovers, as well as “What We’re Listening to,” a rundown of some of the great music (from all over the globe) that local folks are listening to.

With this issue, we had some things pop up after the holidays that kept us from being able to include everything we’d have liked to (or allow us to get out on time – we apologize for the delay). But stay tuned over the next few months, as we’ll be adding and expanding our music content, including more columns and special features, diversifying and providing you with lots more local goodies to read. I would tell ya about them, but then it wouldn’t be a surprise.

In other What’s Up! news, it’s that time again! The 9th Annual What’s Up! Awards Show is being held on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Wild Buffalo and will feature Femme Uke, Pan Pan, Dog Shredder, Acorn Project and the All Nighters along with sets by the Dirty Bird Cabaret. Poops will again MC the night, while DJ Postal will be spinning at the breaks. Plus, all the glorious awards, which will be amazing. there are some incredible surprises this year. Cost is five bucks. FIVE BUCKS! Ya know, I really can’t believe the show is in its ninth year blows my mind.

And don’t forget, on the night before the awards show we’re going to host the 2nd Annual Pre-Awards Show at the Viking Union and Underground Coffeehouse. Things will kick off at the UCH with Council of Lions and Bellingham Free Choir, then followed at the Viking Union by Rooftops, Sugar Sugar Sugar, Yogoman Burning Band and Idiot Pilot. The UCH show will be free, however the Viking Union show will cost $7 for general admission and $6 for students with a WWU ID.

Over the two nights, you’ve got 11 of the best bands in town, all playing music for your listening pleasure. Come check it out, should be a hell of a weekend! Thanks to everyone involved and supporting the show.

We’d like to welcome aboard the contributions of photographer Matthew Curtis. He’s begun taking photos for the magazine, including this month’s Pan Pan and Jessica Lohafer are courtesy of Matt.

Finally, before we get to the music, we have one last bit of news… What’s Up! is again working to update the local band database. Yeah, I know I’ve said this before, but this time around we have someone specifically working on it. And this someone is not just an overworked dad (me) trying to fit in the time. So, if yer in a band, send over your information (band name, members, contacts, etc.) to editor@whatsup-magazine or send us a message via MySpace or Facebook.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

The big news, of course, is the opening of the Plan B Saloon in the old Factory space. Opened up by Bucketz and crew, they kicked things off with epic show on New Year’s Eve with the Cheeps, Sugar Sugar Sugar, The All Nighters and Boss Rhino. They are working hard to get the month booked up, and one thing that is for sure (if early reports are accurate) is that Wednesday evening open mic is damn good. You can look for the club to be similar to the Rogue, but better, because it’ll also mix some of the Factory vibe (R.I.P). I expect this to be an incredible addition to the local music scene. Go and down and support them. We wish you the best you guys!

Speaking of the Cheeps, they are a band again. As Lupe from Sugar Sugar Sugar said to me, “thank f@#!ng God.” Agreed.

Chris Gusta (aka Deer Seeking Headlight) has teamed up with Bill Anker from the Whiskey Wailers as well as Jess Manley and AJ formerly of Octagon Control to make Scum Eating. They played their first show in early December and will hopefully be playing live more in the upcoming months. And hopefully changing their name, because Scum Eating freaks me out.

I’ve really been digging Dylan Morrison lately. He’s another guy that’s been a bit under the radar, but is very cool. Good folky stuff, check him out if you’ve got the chance. He left town for awhile, but is back in the fold.

Queen Amena are either on a long hiatus or have called it a day. I got the impression it was just a long hiatus, but ya never know with these things.

Another band that’s flying under the radar a bit is Hoot Hoot, featuring Alex Niedzialkowski from Cumulus as well as Sonja Prins and Cora Glass. They haven’t played a whole bunch, but I really love the couple songs on their MySpace site.

GOOD TIMES

Micah Knapp, one of the many badass movie guys in town, has a couple projects in the works. First off is a little movie called Fantastic Stan Goes to Hell, which includes none other than David Stray Ney playing the devil (don’t say anything), as well as a cool documentary on the Cliff House, which he’s been working on for a couple of years. There’s also rumors of a video for Jenni Potts. Gotta love a busy movie man.

I rarely, rarely ever talk about shows happening in Seattle, but there’s a fantastic band playing on Jan. 24 called White Denim. They’re from Austin and one of the best bands I’ve heard in the last decade. They’ve got nothing to do with Bellingham (other than we hope they’ll swing through our neck of the woods on their next tour), but thought I should give ya’ll a heads up anyhow.

RECORDS AND RELEASES

Four Players are releasing their debut CD, Four Score, with a pair of CD release shows on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Cap’s with guests Go Slowpoke, and also on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. at Everyday Music. The band includes members of the Roaming Moanies as well as Shea from the Sweaty Sweaters. Very cool music from a band that’s floated under the radar a bit.

Months ago, I mentioned in le Beat how much I love the Holy Tailfeathers. Well, the four-piece have finally released their debut CD (which I’ve had a version of for a while) and I’m ready for the town to fall in love with it as well. I’ve heard from more people that think they are, by far, the most underappreciated band in town, and I couldn’t agree more. They are absolutely fantastic, an incredible band with a fantastic vocalist in Leatherpants. It’s time you all discovered them.

The boys in Caparza have a new demo out and some shows coming up, so check ‘em out. Lance and the boys like to rock… err… RAWK (wow, I went old school on that one).

The Low Country Thieves have finished up their latest, The Nickajack EP. The bands been working on the album off and on for six months, so they’re excited it’s finally all wrapped up. You can buy the disc at CD Baby or at one of their local shows.

Vantage have just returned from a sweet little tour down to San Diego and back up to Bellingham, hitting some good hot spots in between. You can read more about how it went in this month’s Tales From the Road (page 33). This month, they’ll be at Two Sticks, the studio owned by Jason McGerr of Death Cab for Cutie fame (who, incidentally, has moved back to town) recording with Jackson Long. Looking forward to hearing the boys after they’ve been Jacksoned.

Another band at Two Sticks is the Love Lights, who are taking their first real break from playing live shows while they record their new album. No idea on when the disc will be released, but they’ll also be Jacksoned, so we’re sure it’ll sound good.

The Lumpkins, one of Bellingham’s gifts to country music, is just about done with their debut recording, Another Wasted Day. I’ve been told by head Lumpkin, David Stray Ney, that the band is incredibly excited how the recordings turned out. Initially the disc will be released on digital format only, then followed by 12″ vinyl. Good stuff. Also look for a story on them in the February issue of What’s Up!

Even though he’s got an album just out, Daniel Anderson is already working again on the new Ghost and the Grace CD… while he’s also working on the new Idiot Pilot CD. Both of which, from what he’s said to me, are above and beyond anything he’s ever done. Resident genius? Possibly. Hell, I’d give it a damn, damn good chance.

Yogoman Burning Band are working on a February tour, with details to be out soon. Jordan has also been down in Killion Sound in LA working on finishing up the new album. Fantastic.

Baltic Cousins have recently been in the studio, recording with John Brooks from Brunette Sweat. You can look for a story on the band next month in this very magazine. Ya know why? ‘Cuz they are GOOOOOOOOODDDD.

ON THE ROAD

Hitting the road in the spring is Sugar Sugar Sugar, who are playing a huge tour across much of the country. Obviously, ya know how much I absolutely love this band, they are the real deal and incredibly special. I’m looking forward to them spreading the Sugar gospel all over the U.S.!

Looks like Candysound will be hitting the road again this spring, down to California and back. No word on exact dates, but any time these guys hit the road, good things happen. They also recently went into the studio, though no official word from the band as to what happened with those recordings.

SHOWS

A couple of local bands are playing this year’s Sound Off! 2010 at the EMP Skychurch on Feb. 13. Candysound along with Pan Pan and Cozy Kitchen will be playing this huge show. Good luck!

On Jan. 21, Boogie Universal will make their triumphant return with a show at the Wild Buffalo. The Official Pre-Party and Fundraiser will include sets by Michael Manahan and Rob Noble as well as special guests. The show is a precursor to the big event, which will happen on Feb. 27 at the Majestic Hall and include Super Geek League, March Fourth Marching Band and over 100 performers. This will be one of the most incredible shows this town has ever scene!

The Winter Commission is getting organized for another event in the second week of February. Honestly, I don’t know much more than that but the news of another Winter Commission is really exciting.

Finally, as many of you know, a terrible tragedy stemming from domestic violence took place in the Kendall area. If you are in a domestic violence situation, please seek help. There are many, many different organizations that are out there to help including Womencare Shelter and Domestic Violence Services (734-3438) and Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services (715-1563). For help with alcohol abuse, seek out your local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous for resources and help. Sadly, since 2003, I have known someone who has passed because of a situation stemming from alcohol or drugs. I’m not trying to end the column on a somber note, I just want to urge you to stay safe. Life, no matter how painful it may sometimes get, is absolutely worth living. If you need help, please seek it out, tell someone you love.

Thanks for all of your support in 2009, and we wish you a happy, healthy 2010 full of good times. See you next issue.

-Brent Cole
editor@whatsup-magazine.com

December 2009 Cover by “Mighty” Mitch Vega

Aaaah, December, my favorite month of the year. It’s cold as hell outside, we all get to celebrate the holidays and vote on the What’s Up! Awards nothing but good stuff.

As always, we’ll touch on a little What’s Up! before the music scene goods. The big news of the month is the What’s Up! awards ballots are ready to go! Visit our online ballot and vote for your favorite album, live band, new band as well as 11 other categories. (Remember, we can tell if you are ballot stuffing.) It’s a new system this year, and many thanks go to Django, owner of Seatthole and Merch Bot, who created the site and has been extremely patient with this process. He’s a great asset to the community and I’m just damn glad he’s on my side. Check him out for your shirts and stickers needs and if you want to give a damn good Christmas gift, go to Merch Bot!

This year, there will be not one, but two pre-awards shows, both on Friday, Jan. 29 the first at the Underground Coffeehouse with Council of Lions and the Bellingham Free Choir followed by a huge show at the Viking Union. Four of the best local bands… who, you might ask? Well… that’d ruin the surprise! Keep checking to the What’s Up! website, facebook and myspace pages for the big announcement.

Then, the next night, Saturday, Jan. 30, we’ll hold the 9th Annual What’s Up! Awards Show at the Wild Buffalo. Performing bands include Femme Uke, Pan Pan, The All Nighters, Dog Shredder, Acorn Project, GNS and the Reparations, The Dirty Bird Cabaret, DJ Postal and more! And once again, the night will be hosted by the beautiful and infinitely sexy Poops. It’s looking like the night will be the biggest and most extravagant awards show to date. Get there early, because things will be wild right from the get go gotta trust me on this one.

As if that wasn’t enough, the poster for the 9th Annual What’s Up! Awards Show will be created by Nat Damm, drummer of Akimbo and designer extraordinaire, who has done posters for bands such as Death Cab For Cutie and KISS, and events like Missoula’s TotalFest, just to name two. Nat has been gracious enough to lend his talents to What’s Up! It will be epic.

While we look forward to bringing you the Award Show weekend, it’s not the only big news for the magazine. Next month, we’re going to make a major, major format change one that has been in the works for awhile, something we are unbelievably excited about. What’s Up! Magazine will move away from the smaller format to what’s known as a “tabloid” format, like The Stranger, for example, and Seattle’s old music publication The Rocket. There are several reasons we’ve decided to make this format change. First and foremost, it’s a style of publication that I love and have flirted with doing for many years (since the mag’s inception, really), and will make it possible for us to include more content. We’ll bring you all the current music content and more, as well as other entertainment features. This move also makes more economic sense in the long run. It’s kinda of a win-win-win situation. Look for the new issue to hit the stands the first week of January, as well as new shirts and stickers.

Finally, What’s Up! has teamed up with Black Market Boutique for a cool series we’re calling Supporting Artistry Through Community. Each month, we’ll publish a piece of original art from a local artist in an effort to showcase some of the incredible talent in town. For more information, check out page 35 for guidelines and submissions. We look forward to seeing what ya’ll create!

COMINGS AND GOINGS

The Rogue, a venue that has been the breeding ground for the local music scene for several years, will no longer be putting on live music. Due to changes to laws about sprinkler systems in establishments, Rogue decided to stop the music because the cost to fix or replace the system was far more than the bar could endure. The owner of the Rogue, Steve Duthie, has been a great asset to the music scene and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. The booker and soundman, Bucketz, also deserves an unbelievable amount of credit for his devotion to the music scene.

And now for some good news. Bucketz, along with four partners, will be opening the Plan B Saloon at the old Factory space on State Street. There are still several hoops they need to jump through before everything is official, but look for a potential opening in early 2010.

Doug Krebs, an old friend of mine and others, has made his way back to town after stops in Cincinnati, Portland and New Orleans. Doug was the old sound guy at the 3B, had a great studio and played in the Lago Volunteers (along with Eli from Black Breath). He’s back in town, doing some mastering, filling in at the Nightlight and playing music again this time in a new band called Antenna Eleven with members of the Sugar High Mustangs.

While it’s great Doug is back in town, a couple long time Bellingham residents are moving on. DJ Velveteen and Paul Chandler will be moving to the Bay Area. We’ll miss you guys you’ve been incredible contributors to the scene.

The Cheeps are a band again! One of the most epic bands to ever reside in Bellingham were so inspired by their Halloween show that they’ve decided to reform. That’s the good news. Bad news is half the band still lives in Leavenworth so don’t expect a ton of shows.

A band to watch in 2010 is Four Players, which features Shea from Sweaty Sweaters and Karate Kitchen. He’s joined by John Everett Allis, Karen Kunkel and Nathan Oglseby in what they call “freaky folk opera.” I just call it damn, damn good.

RECORDS AND RELEASES

Candysound has just released a new EP. Singer Teo Crider (in my estimations) is one of the coolest singers in the scene right now. Something about his vocals just blows me away.

The Love Lights will be recording with Jackson Long at Two Sticks in January. It’ll be the first badass studio time for the band, so expect the quality to jump from an already amazing level. No word on when the new album will be out, but hopefully they’ll get it to me, and the last one. (Rob… I’m looking in your direction).

Sexy Sexy Robert Blake is back in town this month playing a weekly Monday night gig at the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern. Ya know how much I respect Robert and I’m not going to lie I’m glad he’s in town instead of being out on the road. The quality of music in this town goes up a notch when he’s playing live in town.

WELL WISHES

Once again, I’d like to plug Carnelian Agency, a huge supporter of the magazine and a great resource for this town. Their posters are top notch and the best prices around (they are the only place we go to for posters including those for the benefits last month) and they’re the best deal you’ll find for short run CDs. Their services are affordable, and it’s easy to work with this good, local company. So, bands, do the best thing for you and a cool company, go through Carnelian. All you have to do is e-mail them your poster and they’ll turn it around that day! For more info, e-mail Teri Cruzan at tericruzan@carnelianagency.com.

Congrats to Steeb Russell and Libby Chenault on the arrival of beautiful little Franklin Sparrow, who entered the world on Dec. 2 at 3:20 a.m. We’re so happy for you guys. Can’t wait to meet you little man!

Happy holidays!

–Brent