What's Up! Magazine Cover - July 2011. Artwork by Jessica Lynch / Slow Loris

Oh my sexy friends, welcome to summer. Try to keep your clothes on while going to shows. Helps us all out.

Thanks to the kind folks at Glow as well as Polecat, Jenni Potts with IG88, Bloodshot with Raw Jawz, Keaton Collective and a special guest, What’s Up! will be having a benefit on Wednesday, July 27 which is really cool, ‘cuz we can use the cash. We run a pretty bare bones operations (to say the least) and when advertising crashes out, as it has this summer (and often does during the summer), it can be a bit of a problem. Thankfully, in a time of need, the community steps forward and helps us out ya’ll have in the past and we hope you do again. It’s going to be a big show, we’ll see ya there. And thank you in advance.

Also, as a side note, a lot of bands are releasing new recordings, and when I say a lot, I mean, “Good God I’ve never seen this happen in town.” So, a few of you have been asking if your recording will be reviewed. We are not ignoring them, there are just A LOT of new recordings out right now. We try and review every CD we get and if we don’t, it might have slipped through the cracks. We’ve decided to expand the review section from two to three pages to get more reviews out each month, but as of right now, we still have approximately 30 recordings that need to be reviewed. Some of them are fantastic too (Erin Corday, I’m looking in your direction), so hang tight. They’re coming.

COMINGS & GOINGS

A couple of lifelong Bellingham musicians will be moving out of town soon both of whom have greatly contributed to the music scene over the years and have been friends. First off, Daniel Anderson will be moving to Los Angeles in September into the swanky Brentwood area and paying less than he does in Bellingham. It always bums me out when folks leave town, but this move just kinda makes sense. (And Daniel swears he’s saving money and working at buying a house back up in Bellingham in a few years. We hold him to it.)

The other big name leaving town is Brad Lockhart, who graduated from Western with a design degree and, gasp, received a job with it. Unfortunately, it’s in Seattle. As of press time, I haven’t heard the official word on the future of the Baltic Cousins, but I’ve seen bands spread farther and continue, so I’ve gotta assume they’ll be rolling along. They’re a damn good band, so I hope so.

Jake Hemming of Big Sur (and big awesomeness) will also be moving to Seattle. I’m sorry to see all three of these guys go they’ve all contributed largely to the music scene in different ways. But, that’s the way this town goes (the life of a college town) a lot of people move away and right now the next wave of musicians who will rock our world is just getting started in some crappy band, playing crappy music with hints of something special. As they learn how to play, those hints will become what entertains us for a while.

Looks like Josh Holland made one hell of an impression on the Hyro da Hero folks because they want him back for additional tours. Jay Clark will be back on guitar, so Josh is going to play bass and it sounds like for a while. The next tour will hit the East Coast and then travelling the world from there. One month on, one month off schedule. The downside to Josh’s rock ‘n’ roll stardom? Zorbatron and Dog Shredder two of my favorite Bellingham bands are both on the backburner. Prior to their most recent show, Zorbatron said it’ll be the last one for “a while.” Hopefully Josh will rock local bands during the months he’s home.

The other day, I met one of the guys in Falling Upstairs, Ryan Wapnoski. He seemed like a nice guy, we started chatting about music a bit (briefly, since I was in line at the co-op). Turns out his band is absolutely amazing murder jazz is the genre they call themselves, but they’re obviously inspired by Jill Brazil (old school Bellingham band who played ridiculous music). Crazy, screwed up music something this town doesn’t have nearly enough of. What’s my point? Cool dude, cool band definitely the best part of this job. Ryan also plays in Pan Pan and has joined up with Strongbow Jerns and Matt Curtis to form Chambers. The new wave of the music scene.

Well, the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern is “on vacation,” right now. I like to call it a vacation, because I know right now owner James Hardesty is reading this saying, “vacation, this isn’t any f***ing vacation!” In all seriousness, Hardesty is hard at work fixing up the new location of the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern, which will be conveniently located next to the Ridge Winery at 1015 State Street (The Ridge, by the by, has been putting on some great shows). As of press time, there is no official word as to when James will reopen, but when he does, he will have a much cooler place (which is saying something, ‘cuz his old place was pretty cool), a bit bigger capacity, and a deck. It doesn’t overlook the bay or anything, but it’s outside and beer always tastes better outside (if the Shawshank Redemption taught me anything). Plus, if he can make the master plan work (we’re talkin’ “in the future,”) it’s going to be absolutely epic. But, for now, we’ll settle for awesome.

WhAAM and Make.Shift have found a new home and it’s Jinx! Watch for details about the transformation, which officially occurs on July 1, but in the mean time, Jinx will be hosting their final event on July 2, a formal prom. The evening includes music from Beach Boys II Men (cover band with some of your favorite pop musicians), a BBQ, circus performers, photos by Morgan Ellis, corsages by Aireekah Laudert and a repeat performance of Zach Zinn in his tent (which is a lot less creepy than it sounds). It’s going to be one hell of a night to say goodbye!

Just a couple months ago, Bellingham was a one screen indie theater kind of town. Then, the awesome new double screen theater opened up. Now, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Pickford Film Center, especially Michael Faulter, the old Pickford has been revamped and reopened as The Limelight. Better sight lines and more leg room who doesn’t love that!? The theater promises to have a looser format and are currently showing a bunch of old grindhouse films. Expect it to be home to more local film works like Trailer Wars. Support independent movies!

It appears Tender Situation, the Ween cover band and the Jebs, the loose Minutemen cover band, have combined forces to make Jeb’s Tender Situation a Mr. Bungle cover band. Actually, the two bands, which share the same members, have decided to just go by the Jebs and will now begin playing more originals. Pretty talented bunch of dudes, no reason not to write their own songs.

ON THE ROAD

I ran into Lucas Hicks at the Bellingham Farmers Market the other day and he mentioned, among other things, that the Gallus Brothers will be headed back to Alaska for nine days in August. Nine days in Alaska in August? Yep, that sounds damn cool. I known the past the boys have been hugely popular on their AK tours, so this time should be much of the same.

Speaking of tours… did Bowlcut have a rough one last month. You can read about the full escapades in this month’s Tales from the Road (page 34), but I’ll wet your whistle with these three little nuggets: flat tire outside of Portland (in the middle of the night), their van died in central California, and Casey “Queen of the kickass” Nolan had a LONG Greyhound ride home. Frankly, one of the worst tour stories I’ve heard but that’s part of why you do it for the experience. Even if they suck! Good job for sticking with it the best you can.

I haven’t heard the official scene, but I know Cat From Hue are in the middle of a tour right now and hitting some real bumps in the road.

So Adult are headed out on a 10-day tour at the end of the month with Jason Clackley and the Exquisites. The tour’s kick off will be at Jinx (same great name, new great owners) and the band is threatening to have a new split take with Jason for sale. The tape is kind of a way to buy some time while they finish their album (recorded by Jackson Long, whose day job is being the drum tech for Jason McGerr of Death Cab for Cutie). If you’ve checked out Pollstar lately, they’ve been on the road a lot, so it’s been tough for the band to finish the goods. I am told “soon” though.

BOOKED & HOOKED

Downtown Sounds will begin on July 6 with performances by the March Fourth Marching Band and Lucky Brown, and run every Wednesday on Bay Street. I could go into how awesome it’ll be, but you should just take my word for it and show up. Great shows every week, with a beer garden and stuff for the kids it’s pretty much got it all. Check out the full schedule at downtownbellingham.com/downtownsounds/.

ON THE RECORD

Dog Shredder will be releasing a new full length album in the summer or fall. Wish I had more concrete details than that (it will be called Doorbell Volume) but when it comes out, I imagine, it’ll be awesome. Not sure if you’ve all figured this out, but I really like this band.

Kit Nelson has begun working on her latest and greatest recording. She recorded something a while back, but didn’t end up releasing a lot (nearest I can tell). So, this will be her debut recording and since she has a sonically awesome voice and great talent, I assume it’ll be great. At this point, I’m just waiting…

Skagit County’s The Daffodils, which features members of Language Arts (for those of us over 35 who remember that band) will be recording a new album with Bruce Harvie out on Orcas Island. They’ll actually be in Olga, right down the road from Doe Bay, a place I like to call nirvana. Spent a couple days out there last month with the family it’s pure heaven. I couldn’t imagine a better place to record some good pop songs.

Envision have released a new album of brutal, sonic skull crushing music, or so I’ve been told. Mr. Awesome, Joe Olmstead, hasn’t gotten me the goods yet (hint, hint). He’s not in the band or anything, just my “connect.”

Torero’s debut is out and, as you expect, it’s heavy as hell and awesome. Check out their bandcamp page to hear the goods. (Actually, ya know, there’s a ton of great music on the bandcamp Bellingham tag, so, get on it! Listen!)

Before I sign off for this month, I want to mention a few things. First off, if you can find a recording by the band Medelicioius (Bellingham, circa 1993), grab it and love it. The drummer Johnny Catt from Fanny Alger, got me the goods and I fell in love with the band all over again. One of the best, that’s for sure. Second, on a totally different note, when the magazine started in 1998, bands didn’t tour very often, nor did they record a ton. Now things couldn’t be further from that time. Well done, Bellingham! Well done.

Happy birthday to our daughter Ruby, our 4th of July girl , and to our son Harrison, who shares a birthday with momma on the 26th.

Hugs and kisses, Brent

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

What's Up! Magazine Cover - June 2011. Artwork by Derek VanderGriend

Hey hey hey. Welcome to the June issue of le Beat – where we talk about how damn cool this town is.

Not a lot to report on the What’s Up! front this month, other than we REALLY need some more ads! So, ya know, get on that! Great rates, and ya know people are reading it, because you are! It’s as simple as that, really. If you’ve been on the fence about advertising, especially if you’re in a band, please get a hold of us (brent@whatsup-magazine.com). Just think about this if you’ve got a show, and it’s a three-band bill, each band can chip in $15 and publish an ad that will get more folks to your show. If you get another 10 people at the show because of the ad, then it’s paid for itself and you’re making money! It’s that easy! Boom goes the dynamite.

Annnnddddd to the music.

BIG NEWS

The big (and damn exciting) news this month centers on the likes of Josh Holland (of Dog Shredder fame), who has been added to the Hyro Da Hero tour, thanks to guitarist (and Bellingham ambassador) Daniel Anderson. Hyro’s other guitarist, Jay Clark (formerly of Pretty Girls Make Graves), was hospitalized while the band is out on a UK tour, leaving them in need of a guitarist with some HUGE shows coming up including the Download Festival in front of 45,000 people and dates opening for the WU-Tang Clan. So, this morning (it’s Monday the 30th), Josh boarded a plane headed to Scotland (a day after he found out he’d be heading out on tour) where he will meet up with the band, have a two-hour rehearsal and play a show in Manchester in front of more than 1,000 people at a sold out show. Knowing Josh, he’ll kill it there are few people in town as badass of a guitarist and person as he is, and I couldn’t be more excited for him and this opportunity.

I think a lot should also be said about Daniel Anderson bringing him on board they could have easily gone with an LA gunslinger, but Daniel showed the band Dog Shredder videos and convinced them to take a chance on a talented, but unknown guitarist, for possibly the biggest show of his life. There’s something to be said about that. Daniel has always talked about his love of Bellingham and the music scene and he showed his love by giving a local one hell of an opportunity.

Seriously, just think about Hyro’s two guitarists will be from the Bellingham music scene. Daniel and Josh will be opening up for the WU-Tang Clan, and playing the Download Festival on the same stage as Danzig (and on the same day as Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy and The Darkness). I don’t give a crap what indie high horse you’re riding, that is unbelievably amazing. Good luck guys!

It should be noted, that while Josh is about to have this crazy opportunity, going from a shitty van and shows in front of a 100 people to a plus bus and shows in front of a 1,000+, Daniel Anderson has been doing this after day for the last two weeks and most of the month prior (when not at home). Daniel kind of gets lost in this, but he’s a pro now a real working musician who is playing with musicians and bands that have toured all over the world.

Hyro also features Paul Hinojos, formerly of At the Drive In, Sparta and The Mars Volta. Seriously. The Hyro album he co-wrote also included members of the Blood Brothers and At the Drive Inn – two legendary bands that Daniel Anderson is now a peer with. Daniel is a perfect example of what can happen when you devote your life to music, take risks and give it your all. And, be sober. That’s kind of a big one don’t drown your goals and musical skills in booze and there’s a lot to be said about that.

RECORDS & RELEASES

Speaking of Daniel Anderson, while out on tour, he’s managed to record the debut full length of his solo project, Glowbug, called Mr. Plastic. Though it’s only been out a week as of press time, it’s already getting great reviews from websites and a great plug from KNDD out of Seattle. I’d give my opinion on the new record, but ya’ll already know my love for Mr. Anderson and his music, so it’d be a bit redundant. I’ll just say “I love it, think you will too.” Go check it out on bandcamp.

Livingston Seagull and Bowlcut are headed out on a short West Coast tour in early June (just as Western gets out). Both bands will have new merch to sell. Livingston will be sporting a brand new single, while Bowlcut will have their debut demo. Look for a Tales from the Road from Bowlcut in an upcoming issue of the mag, as well as reviews of both recordings. Have fun, boys and girls! (See Bowlcut in this issue’s Pin-Up.)

Citizen Escape has been under the radar lately, but they’ll be back this summer with a new drummer and a new EP followed by a full length in the fall. Check out their new drummer debut on June 11 at The Fairhaven.

David Ney will be releasing his latest full length this fall, titled Blackened, on lp and digital format (that’s “long player” not “leatherpants”). David has been working on the album for three years and, according to him, it will be one of his finest artistic achievements (it’s gonna be hard topping Pirates R Us, which was awesome). Look for further information as the summer progresses, including the legendary kickstarter link to help pay for the project.

Last month, Cat From Hue won the Underground Coffeehouse’s Battle of the Bands, and this month, the band will be celebrating the release of an EP (as opposed to an LP) called, appropriately enough, Cat From Hue. I hadn’t caught the band until the coffeehouse show and I was really blown away by the dynamics of the band thoughtful and interesting songwriting, great musicianship, cool vocals. They’re a young band that, if they really hit the road like they should, could be interesting to watch over the next few years.

The Sweet Dominiques have released a new album. This is another band that’s been flying under the radar in town, but hopefully will catch on more soon. They are really good pop band with skilled musicians and a cool sound. Catch them at the Longhorn Saloon in Bow (which is awesome) on June 3. If you feel like a good road trip, check it out.

Semi-local (and epically huge everywhere) Death Cab for Cutie have released Codes and Keys as well as the DVD Live at the Mt. Baker Theatre. I got a sneak listen to Codes and Keys, and feel the band has become really comfortable in the studio (not like they weren’t before) and use it to build and create. As for the DVD, I tried like hell to get an advanced copy, but haven’t gotten my hands on it yet so look for reviews of both the CD and DVD in the July issue. Ya know, Death Cab was the first release we ever reviewed in this magazine (it was the band’s debut tape). Wild to think we’re both humming along after 13 years (though one of us has traveled a bit more and made a lot more money than the other).

Snug Harbor’s album is officially out, so expect a bunch of shows from the band this summer. They put a lot into the album and it shows, it’s pro all the way. Now, hopefully Will Glazier will take the band on the road, which is what ya do when yer good and you’ve got a good recording to boot. Actually, I know I’ve said this a million times, but hear me out all bands should hit the road, even if for a short while. No good local band ever became great without being on the road.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Camarojuana will be reuniting for a one off show on July 1 at the Shakedown. I think Charley McCoy (also of Sharpie fame) likes to get out and rock every six months or so and thank God he’s got Jeff Mitchell alongside him. I love that dude. Well, love both of ‘em. Not sure if Ryan Roullard will be joining them on bass, but, frankly, I love him too. Love, love, love, love all love with Camarojuana.

Timothy DenAdel (aka, Timmy Sunshine) will be heading to Seattle at the end of the month, marking the end of his Bellingham residency. I’m pretty disappointed he’s splitting checked out the Royal Sea last month and was damn impressed with the band. I really dug the sound.

Make.Shift is getting ready to paint their van and they need your help! Please go to http://www.makeshiftproject.com/ to see how you can volunteer. Also, if you are a band that’s looking to head out on tour, click on the “apply to use the magic van” link and learn how you can use it. Seriously, the van is available for local bands to use for out of town shows that thing should be booked up every day of the week! At least every weekend! Go! What are you waiting for?

Brad Lockart, of Baltic Cousins fame, has also gained a reputation as one of the town’s premier show poster designers (a lost art in my estimations). In celebration of his graduation from Western, Brad will be hosting an art show at Jinx in June, featuring 50 or so of his favorite posters as well as some of his illustrations, sculptures and photography, with the opening on June 3. Slated to play at the opening are Moons and Goochers, Lonebird and a special Neutral Milk Hotel cover band featuring Brad and friends.

Finally, as many of you already know via Facebook, my beautiful wife and I are expecting our third child in early October. I’d like to thank everyone for the well wishes it’s much appreciated. Watch for baby pictures in the November issue!

Enjoy all the happenings this month, and we’ll see you in July.

Brent

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

What's Up! Magazine - April 2011. Artwork by Derek VanderGriend

Oh well hello, my friends. Welcome to another le beat, another month gone by, another issue of your favorite music magazine. It’s good to be here, thanks for picking us up.

Before we go into the full music mode, I just wanted to talk briefly about the issue date of the magazine. It’s been brought to my attention in the past that folks wonder when the issue is slated to come out, because it’s not always out on the first of the month. Well, frankly, we come out as close to the first as possible. We’re not your usual business with a decent budget and staff people. For those who don’t know, let me explain… We are working with a helluva small budget and small “staff” (and have been since we started 13 years ago), and if things come up that makes the timeline slide off the rails, then that’s how it goes. My wife and I not only run this magazine, we also operate two other free community publications serving Whatcom County (Grow Northwest and the Foothills Gazette) and raise our two awesome small children, who are with us in our home office, which is extremely rewarding (but also hilarious and chaotic at times, like just now as I write this my son was sitting next to me listening to some good LOCAL MUSIC, but then crawled under my office chair and hit the button that made it lower to the ground, and all of us laughed. “I am so funny,” he screamed!).

Like many small, independent businesses in our northwest corner, we are family-oriented, wear a lot of different hats, and work with a terribly small budget to keep our business operating. You do what you gotta do to keep going! And for anyone with kids, you know the winter months bring a lot of tummy bugs and a lot of germs, so in short what I am saying is that unfortunately, things sometimes don’t go as smoothly as we’d like when putting the paper together. The mag isn’t always out when we’d like, but it does always get out, and usually within a couple days of the first. Cool? Pick it up and enjoy. And, if anyone out there cares to complain or question any further, my wife says you can take it up with her. Good luck!

On another note, I’d like thank those who came to the What’s Up! 13th birthday party at the Cabin Tavern on March 28 and, most especially, Chris Gusta, Audra Robson and the Cabin folks for letting us have the party! A great crowd came out for a Monday night show and folks got to see one of my favorite bands, The Strange Boys, play a good Monday night set. Really dug seeing a show at the Cabin cool little venue with great folks.

OK, now to the goodness.

BOOKED & HOOKED

The Shakedown is in full swing and adding a cool element to the music scene. I’ve known The Shakedown owner Hollie Huthman for over 10 years and she’s been dreaming of a live music venue over much of that time. It’s a great, great joy to see her dream fulfilled Hollie is one of the best people you can come across in the music scene and her hard work will be a huge benefit to the music community. Congrats to Hollie for making her dream come true and doing what she loves in life! Marty Watson, who also owns part of the business, is another cool cat. The town is lucky to have these two working on such a fine establishment.

Speaking of new openings, the new Pickford Dreamspace makes its debut April 7! Unbelievable, it’s simply unbelievable! This theater will not only be amazing for the town’s movie fans, but it’ll open up a new venue for local movie makers. The awesomeness of this town just got turned up a couple notches. And with that, I’m proud to announce we have teamed up with the Pickford to promote music documentaries showing each month! This month, viewers can see Phil Ochs: There But For the Fortune on April 20 and The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town on April 29-May 1 (Springsteen circa ’76-’78). You can read about both films and the Pickford space on pages 14-15.

Minus the need for a constant all-ages venue (which WhAAM is working tirelessly to fix), the town has a great roster of venues covering different styles and levels of bands. And great folks own the venues too this is gonna be a good time for the music scene, my friends. Enjoy!

Book Fare Cafe, located on the second floor of Village Books in Fairhaven, will begin hosting live shows in May. The Cafe itself has a nice vibe, features local and organic fare, and is owned by great folks Charles and Christina Claassen. It’ll make a great atmosphere to see some live music. Hell, even if there isn’t live music, go check it out great food and fare there. Contact Karen Kunkel at kunkelk85@gmail.com.

The Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival will be back beginning May 5, running for three days. The lineup is still being worked out, but the in the mean time, you can help them by donating to their Kickstarter account. Turns out putting a festival on isn’t cheap and they could use some funds to make it happen. Look ‘em up at www.kickstarter.com. Seriously. This is important.

Yellingham’s line up was announced and it is, simply, amazing. The fest runs from April 15-17 and will be at different places throughout town (hence why I have to be vague about the scene). You can find details on Facebook, so check it out. The bands include Helms Alee (holy crap!), Baltic Cousins, Wildildlife, RVIVR, Karl Blau, Yr Heart Breaks and about 30 others (literally), all performing in spaces like basements and living rooms across town… all organized underground. I love it.

Serious Black have decided to reunite for a weekend love affair to celebrate the release of the album they recorded in 2009, but never released. Friday night, April 29, is a super secret all-ages show (check Facebook for details, I guess not so super secret any more) while Saturday is at the Shakedown with Tearamanapart and Traditions. There’s a rumor going around that Logan will perform the entire show wearing assless chaps.

Record Store Day is April 16 and like last year, Avalon will be hosting a free show outside their shop with Kasey Anderson, The Slacks, Tearamanapart, Swayze, Vaughn Kreestoe, The DTs, and Zorbatron (oh yeah!) as well as great record store day releases (many of which will be sold out by 11). So, if you love music, get to a record store, by some stuff, see some music, enjoy the day.

On April 15, Go Slowpoke will reunite with original members Handsome Rob Stauffer and Sexy Joel Myrene. Peter’s just always awesome, it being his project, so I don’t have a good nickname for him yet. Like it when these three play music together, good things happen.

ON THE ROAD

Sugar Sugar Sugar, Yogoman Burning Band and Dog Shredder recently went on separate trips down the West Coast and back. I love that idea the fine folks in the East Bay getting some Yogoman, then some Sugar Sugar Sugar, then getting some Dog Shredder a day or two later. Somebody with a drink in their hand going, “Wait, this band is from Bellingham too? WOW!”

Daniel Anderson is in Ireland as of right now, playing guitar with Hyro Da Hero and things are “blowin’ up.” They have some amazing tours lined up that will blow your mind when we can officially report them. He said the shows are insane and the crowd response is beyond anything he could have imagined. Stay tuned for more from Daniel, could be a wild ride in 2011.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Sadly, Marriage has called it a day with their final performance being the What’s Up! birthday party. Pretty disappointing as the band was quickly becoming loved in town. They had all the makings for a long-term love of mine with their weird, spacey, and interesting music.

The Half Bees are back in action after a long hiatus. Not sure why there was a hiatus, but they’re back in the fold, and that’s all that matters.

Bad Tenants (who know Simon Pegg making them one of the coolest bands I’ll ever know) have signed with Live Vision Management out of Vancouver and will be touring with Moka Only beginning in May. A couple weeks ago they played the Mission Impossible 4 wrap party I’m guessing these boys will be raising their profile in 2011… wow, that was an understatement.

RECORDS & RELEASES

Torero have finished their debut record and it’s been sent off to the masters. So, look for new goods from this godhead band very soon, hopefully within a month or so. Watch for a story in these very pages right about the same time. Sexy.

Also coming out with a new album is the Sweet Dominiques, which will be available in early April, according to the band. Titled Record Store Rumble, it features 17 songs of songwriting goodness. Watch for a release in the upcoming month.

The Bright Weapons released their latest, The Monster Baby EP, on bandcamp, (brightweapons.bandcamp.com) and it is good… VERY good. Of course, would you expect anything less from the infamous Handsome Rob Stauffer, Russell Jander and Amy Gibson? It’s like an awesome all star group! Oh yeah, the songs were recorded by Tim Brown and mixed by Chris Vita, making it five for five in badasses.

Last month we mentioned Death Cab for Cutie is releasing their latest album on May 31, Codes and Keys. They’ve added a little bit of love that locals will especially dig. Along with the album they are releasing a DVD called “Live from the Mt. Baker Theatre.” Guess the shows went so well it was worthy of releasing. You’ll have people from all over the world buying this DVD and seeing Bellingham. From what I understand, it’s not just the shows, but there are interviews with the band as they talk about their time here (where they got their start). Look for reviews of the DVD and new album in the May or June issues.

The Lonely Forest have released Arrows on Atlantic Records. Along with sharing a label with Death Cab, they’ll be sharing the stage when the boys join in on nine days of their upcoming tour. Unfortunately, the tour doesn’t take them to Bellingham this time around as they’ll be playing primarily on the East Coast along with dates in LA and San Francisco.

Polecat are releasing their debut album on April 8 at the American Museum of Radio. So, if you wanna, ya know, have a good time, you should go to the show. I can guarantee anyone going to the show will have an unbelievably good time. It’s the way of Polecat!

The Knowgooders, which features Bellingham’s own Andrew Frazier on turn tables, have released their last album. Featuring a couple of ex-pats, it’s more badass hip hop from the burgeoning local scene.

Candysound have been recording their latest EP, though there is no official release date as of yet. In the mean time, you can go to singer/guitarist Teo Crider’s bandcamp page where he’s put up almost 300 songs of his solo material. Clear the schedule, ‘cuz it’s Teo time.

Mount Vernon’s own $hit Machine (which features Faith from the Trucks) have released their debut CD. It hasn’t crossed county lines yet, but we hope to have our hands on a copy in time for a review either next month or the following.

Pirate Pirate Motorhome just got home from a nice tour (which you can read about in this issue’s Tales from the Road on page 34) and have just released their latest CD. The band’s been plugging away in town for a while and really starting to find their sound. Check ‘em out.

That’s about it for this month. As always, please follow us on Facebook where we do frequent posts of the day as well as preview shows with vids. Thank you to all who read and support our monthly music mag. Lots of great stuff this month, enjoy yourselves.

Hugs and kisses, Brent

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

10th Annual What's Up! Awards Show. Django Bohren, Brent Cole and Sharon Martin make funny faces

10th Annual What's Up! Awards Show. Dog Shredder wins the best Heavier Than Heaven Award

10th Annual What's Up! Awards Show. Hollie Huthman, Carey Ross and Sarah Jerns discussing awesomeness

10th Annual What's Up! Awards Show. Zach Zinn and Lupe Flores show some skin

10th Annual What's Up! Awards Show. Poops and Jordan Rain wrestle for the mic

10th Annual What's Up! Awards Show. Josh from Zorbatron

For the 10th annual What’s Up! Awards Show, the magazine pulled out all the stops enlisting some of the best bands in town for one hell of a fun night.

The show started off with the Dirty Bird Cabaret getting the audience inspired. They reminded me of what typical airbrushed-attractive would be like if someone ruffed it up and rubbed some dirt on it. These lovely ladies reminded me of what Madonna would have looked like if she’d have had her start in the Old West. Ripped fishnets, go-go boots, and fringed lingerie gave the crowd plenty to look at and get excited about.

The first performance of the night was the debut of Glowbug–Daniel Anderson’s (Idiot Pilot) electronic solo project. It was quite a sight to see, Anderson literally glowing in a string of white lights, insect wings and flanked on either side by an equally glowing back-up dancer. The mixing was skillfully done and will probably receive plenty of play at local house-parties. Anderson thrashed his way around the stage, jumping off monitors and tossing his microphone in wide swinging arcs. He was so vigorous in fact that at one point he unplugged his lights, and could barely keep himself still enough to let one of his dancers re-energize him.

Zorbatron were up next – their music would be the perfect thing to play really loud while you dance in your room by yourself after having a less than perfect day. It has the same peppy-rock quality of bands from the mid to late 90′s and went over incredibly well with the now much larger crowd. Zorbatron closed with well known song “Ambush.” The Dirty Birds re-appeared on stage and put the bush in the title with black curly wigs stuffed into the front of their camo-booty shorts. Looking like a kitsch Vietnam-themed stage act, they certainly added to Zorbatron’s final song.

Initiating a new Dirty Birds, Lupe Flores pulled a female audience member onto the stage to help unveil Zach Zinn’s sparkle bra and red bloomers. The award for Booty Shakin’ Music revealed even more skin as representative member of winner Yogoman Burning Band Jordan Rain mooned the audience.

The Baltic Cousins remind me of what would happen if you threw The Cave Singers into a blender with The Dropkick Murphys and added a Screamo lead singer. As with each of the bands on the line-up, just as they seemed to be hitting the sweet spot, their abbreviated set came to a close.

Next up were Keaton Collective, who are probably the most apt band name I’ve ever seen, they truly are just a collection of musicians. The hodgepodge of guitarists and percussionists working two full drum kits in unison began their set with an Americana feel, including a new track called “Hilltop Saloon.” Then almost seamlessly they progressed into a harder edged feel.

After another inspired routine by the Dirty Birds, The Productionists changed things up with their R & B/hip hop sound. Clint and crew showed why they have won the Best Rhyme and Beats three years running.

Ending the show were Polecat (winners of Best Highway Americana and Best Newby) who kicked the exhausted and lit crowd into a frenzy. While an unfortunate amount of people left, those that stayed got to soak in some of the best dancing music the town has to offer.

THE WINNERS

Best Silver Platter: Acorn Project – Generation Debt
Best Up Close and Personal: Keaton Collective
Best Heavier Than Heaven: Dog Shredder
Best Booty Shakin’ Music: Yogoman Burning Band
Best Twilight Zone Soundtrack: The All Nighters
Best Highway Americana: Polecat
Best Smash Your Head…: The Contra
Best Axes of Folk: Kristin Allen-Zito
Best Spinner: Yogoman
Best Rhyme and Beats: The Productionists
Best Newby: Polecat
Best Rock ‘N’ Roll Explosion: Sugar Sugar Sugar
Best Pop Will Rock Itself: Go Slowpoke
Best Skin in What’s Up!: Cara Alboucq
Best Video Killed the Radio Star: Bellingham State of Mind
What’s Up! Appreciation Award: Make.Shift
What’s Up! Lifetime Achievement Award: Carey Ross
What’s Up! Gunther Jose Frank Award: Michelle Schutte

Photos by Elliot Johnston, Matt Curtis, Paul Turpin and Brandon Fralic
For ALL of the photos, check out the awards show photo gallery!

What's Up! Cover - February 2011. Artwork by Jerry Fowls at Lucky Lady Tattoo

Well, well, well, good day my friends. I hope yer are all surviving the nasty virus going around town. We’re surviving here at the What’s Up! office/Cole family home, but that’s been about it. So, if you’ve been wondering where the hell the paper is over the first week of February that’s the word, bird. Our production guru, my wife Becca, came down with the virus that’s been knocking everyone out and it knocked her out. Which is pretty amazing soul sister never gets sick and this one took her out for a full week.

So, we’re sorry for the delay. Unfortunately, when you run a mom and pop organization and the mom part is very sick, and then everything grinds to a halt. Which, in the grand scheme of things is fine I just hate seeing my beautiful wife sick like that!

Anyhow stay healthy everyone.

I’d like to thank everyone who participated and came out to the What’s Up! Pre-Pre, Pre and “The” Awards shows. It was a great time had by all we showcased some of the best bands this town has to offer while all celebrating this amazing and vibrant music community. I’d like to thank Candysound and Biagio and the Argonauts for playing the Pre Pre Awards Show at the Underground Coffeehouse (titled Pre Pre because it’s the one before the Pre Awards Show), Dog Shredder, Lampost Revival, No-Fi Soul Rebellion and Acorn Project for playing the Pre Awards Show on campus as well Glowbug, Zorbatron, Baltic Cousins, Keaton Collective, The Productionists and Polecat for playing the Awards Show; Poops, DJ Postal and the Dirty Bird Cabaret for between set entertainment, Eli Ziebell and James Gillies for help with the trophies, Sam Eisen-Meyers and Megan Housekeeper for booking the shows on campus; Casey Nolan, Andrew Nickerson, Lupe Flores, Zach Zinn, Sarah Jerns, Jordan Rain, Carey Ross, and Josh Holland for presenting awards as well as Qt Kiwi for handing out the awards. Finally, I’d like to thank Brittany Smith and Hallie Anderson for running the show it was by far the smoothest and most stress free awards show we’ve ever done, Craig Jewel and the Wild Buffalo for letting us host the show there, my wife for guiding me through all the stress of putting the show together and Braden Peterson, for being a badass behind the bar (as well as the rest of the staff at the Wild Buffalo). Congrats to all the winners as well we had approximately 200 more legitimate votes this year over last and I’m continuously amazed at the support this town offers local musicians. Don’t believe me? Try to find a What’s Up!, an awards show, a local all ages venue (which we’ll talk about shortly) and bunch of great venues as well as house shows in any other town with less than 100,000 people in it! This is a special place and I’m damn honored I get to cover what all the great folks around here are doing.

As I just mentioned, Bellingham will soon have its own, legit, all ages venue! WhAAM and Make.Shift had a goal of $8,500 needing to be raised by Jan. 16 and they raised over $12,000! 150 people donated over $12,000 averaging to $80 per person. Again, I’m so, so very proud of this community and the support it’s shown the music scene. A legitimate all ages venue is KEY to the vitality of a music scene it opens up access to music for those under 21, it gets them excited about music! The new spot won’t just be a venue, though, as we talked about last month. There will be classes and a host of things bands can utilize to promote, tour or just get organized. It’ll be a hub for the local scene and it’ll be amazing. There are still a lot of things that are needed for the venue, so please check out www.makeshiftproject.com for more information. The battle isn’t over now that they’ve got some money please continue to help either through donations of money or supplies. Look for a potential spring opening.

So, yeah, that’s cool, right? I mean, seriously, a devoted all ages venue/hub is possibly the coolest thing to happen to the town this year… if this were a typical year. Instead, we get another shot of good news! The Shakedown, located at 1212 North State Street (old home of the Factory, Callaloo and Plan B) should be open sometime in March if all goes as planned. You can expect a 3B inspired vibe there, though without a retro feel to it it’ll be the medium size rock ‘n’ roll club the town needs. It won’t just be rock ‘n’ roll, obviously, but it’ll have a cool edgy vibe to it. I lay awake at nights thinking about the awesomeness of The Shakedown. You will love it.

3 six 0 Music will be opening their doors in February (that’s the plan, at least). The new music shop – which will feature primarily used gear with some new as well as music lessons – will be housed in the old Video Extreme building on Holly Street (kind of by the Lighthouse Mission).

To recap new all ages venue, new medium size club and a used gear shop all happening this spring. HOT DAMN!

Ok, now to the bands.

BELLINGHAM POWER

Last year, we were graced with Chris Otepka (The Heligoats) moving TO town (as opposed to the normal exodus of talented people moving out) and this year Louis Ledford has decided to make Bellingham home. Louis moved up from New Orleans and while I haven’t had a chance to find out exactly what prompted the move (I assume sexy sexy Robert Blake had something to do with his relocation), I’m thrilled he’s here. You might’ve caught Louis at the Subdued Stringband Jamboree the dude is a talented songwriter and musician and you can start catching him more often around town.

Speaking of The Heligoats, they’ve just released a new split 10″ with Sam Humans from Portland, which I assume will be amazing (but haven’t heard it yet). Chris also spent some time back east in December when NPR flew him out to do a Tiny Desk Concert for the web. That, my friends, is really, REALLY cool. Seriously, a local was flown to Washington D.C. to play on NPR. Stunning, absolutely stunning. The Heligoats also landed on NPR’s All Songs Considered top 10 for 2010 list. Congrats, Chris!

Daniel Anderson is about to head out on tour with Hyro Da Hero that’ll take him to the UK in March and April. Where’s that leave his latest project, Glowbug? Not playing enough live shows, I’ll tell you that much. Band was amazing at the awards show.

There was a time when people could say Bellingham was a fun town, but a dead end for musicians if you really wanted to do something on a more professional level. Louis, Chris and Daniel (and bands like Acorn Project who tour often) have proved that isn’t the case anymore.

GOOD TIMES

The Cabin Tavern continues to book some great bands, including the Mumlers on March 2 (this one courtesy of Zach Zinn and his new company Orgoner Productions). The band has a pretty weird, but mellow sound that really blows me away (hence why we’re sponsoring the show). The chance to see the band in such a cool intimate setting is gonna be amazing.

On March 28, we’ll be having our What’s Up! magazine 13th birthday party, also at the Cabin. Why a Monday night? ‘Cuz that’s when the Strange Boys can play! Out of Austin, these guys are one of my favorite, favorite bands they play a mid-60s garage rock reminiscent of the 13th Floor Elevators or early Rolling Stones.

Ex-pat Chris Riffle, one of the best voices you’ll ever hear, is making his way back to Bellingham once again playing the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern on Feb. 24. This will be the third time in under a year that Chris has been in the area and I suggest everyone that reads this paper should make it down to the show. In all the years of doing this magazine, Chris is one of my favorite songwriters with an incredible voice. Don’t miss this show! He lives in NY, so who knows when he’ll be back!

We had planned on running a story on the Mud Jugglers at the Bellingham Circus Guild this month, but with the delay, we couldn’t… which sucks the Circus Guild is doing some great events each month and we wanted to help shine a spotlight on ‘em. Please check out their website, BellinghamCircusGuild.com, for a full calendar.

Good to see the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern still alive. As it is with all clubs locally, if you don’t go to shows, don’t drink, they can’t survive. So, please, support these venues so Bellingham can remain amazing. Tons of great shows there this month.

Bellingham Nite Life is hosting a new electronic music night at the Fairhaven Pub on Feb. 17 and March 3 with DJ Lithium, Erin Bersch, Neural Net, and JGuyver, as well as rotating local DJs. Check it out if that’s yer scene!

The Shadies, which have taken over part time residency at the Cabin Tavern on Wednesday nights, are playin’ some old time country music. As of this writing, their last show included them playing at a table with no PA, which they dug a lot. Oh yeah, the band includes Andy Rick, Lucas Hicks, and Reeb Williams, plus guest musicians. Good times!

The 3rd annual Winter Commission will be held at the American Museum of Radio and Electricity on Feb. 26. This year’s theme is Storytelling and will include film, amazing music, 30 artists as well as tons of other artistic goodies. The folks who do the Winter Commission like Music for Moderns, have always blown me away; it’s an incredible way to highlight the creativity of the town.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Caulfield and his Magical Violin have changed their name to The Violins and will be releasing Before You Die. I REALLY like the new name less distracting than old the name and I really dig this band, so should you (at least I think you will too).

Mary Mary have changed their name to Marriage, I assume to avoid any conflict or confusion with the gospel band Mary Mary. It’s also a different band to an extent with the addition of Drew Fitchette and Peter Woiwood. New name, same awesomeness.

Idiot Pilot are on “indefinite hiatus,” which I think is code for “broken up” in 2011 speak. Singer Michael Harris is moving to NY in the beginning of February and Daniel Anderson is working on Glowbug, Ghost and the Grace as well as touring with Hyro Da Hero. The boys had a great run and I’m sorry to see it go, but it sounds like they’re both moving onto bigger and better things. Good luck, guys!

I’ve heard from a couple different folks that The Slacks are their new favorite local band, which is amazing, ‘cuz I think they’ve only played a couple shows. The trio features LP from the Holy Tailfeathers, Andy Piper from Sugar Sugar Sugar and Jonathan Sampson from Bar Tabac. That, my friends, is an all-star line up.

Bayside Recording is changing their name to Champion St. Sound Studios. I was going to make up an elaborate story as to why, but I’m pretty tapped at this point. Baltic Cousins, Pan Pan and Marriage have all either been in or are in the studio right now.

RECORDS & RELEASES

Beam Me Up! by the Yogoman Burning Band will be out on vinyl in late February or early March. According to Yogoman himself, they’ve been getting some great airplay on KUGS as well as on KHUM in Arcada CA, which is, ya know, damn cool.

Robert Blake is releasing his latest recording, A Short Series of Long Nights Remembered-The Belfast Sessions on Feb. 25 at the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern. The album was is a collection of Irish folk songs recorded with Irish musicians (in Ireland, I assume that’s how Robert rolls). Opening is Giants Causeway, who are an amazing band as well.

The Baltic Cousins are releasing their debut CD in February. Though they’ll probably have it in time for the Lucero show at the Wild Buffalo on Feb. 12, their CD release party is at the Contra House on Feb. 25 with Ship to Ship, Monogamy Party and Blood Orange Paradise. In other Baltic Cousins news, Rabia Magnusson has joined on keys she made her live debut at the awards show. I REALLY love this band and Rabia added a cool element to their sound. Watch for a story on ‘em in the March issue.

Well, I’m out of room, so I’ve gotta stop. Please have a happy and safe February and remember when we reconvene for the next issue, baseball will have started back up we’ll have survived another winter, spring is on the way. Watch for updates on our facebook page and online at www.whatsup-magazine.com.

Hugs and kisses.

-Brent Cole

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

What's Up! Magazine Cover - January 2011. Cover art by Bradley Lockhart

HAPPY NEW YEARS! GO HAWKS!

As per usual, we’ll start off with a little What’s Up! news, all of which is very cool. This month we’re celebrating our 150th issue – a hell of a mark for a monthly publication (we’re celebrating our 13th anniversary in March). When the mag started, I had no plans of doing 150 issues of What’s Up!, I just thought doing a magazine would be a lot of fun so I could talk about cool bands. Well, 150 issues later, it’s still unbelievably fun to do this magazine and I get to talk about tons of cool bands and artists. This music scene has gone through a lot of ups and downs over the last 150 issues, but for every step backward, it’s taken two or three steps forward. You can’t even begin to compare the current music community to what it used to be. Even with all the recent venue issues, this is an amazing, amazing town for local bands. In 1998, when the magazine started, there weren’t many bands that would stick around after graduating from college, so there was a really high turn over. These days, though, there’s still a high turn over, but a lot of bands do stick around just look at the What’s Up! Awards line up. The Productionists, Polecat, Keaton Collective, Zorbatron, Baltic Cousins, and Glowbug all bands that aren’t going anywhere. These are men and women who call Bellingham home and contribute mightily to the music community. Back in 1998, 1that just wasn’t the case. It’s been a wonderful transformation to witness and be part of. (For those folks who aren’t familiar with the magazine’s earlier years we didn’t start putting out 12 issues a year till the fourth year).

The other bit of news is… the 10th Annual What’s Up! Awards Show! It’s back! Again, this isn’t anything we expected to evolve the way it did it was a way to throw a party and give the music scene a pat on the back. After 10 years, it’s grown into a showcase for some of the best bands in town and a way to celebrate the music scene! This year, as was the case last year, things kick off on Friday, Jan. 28 at the Underground Coffeehouse with Biagio and the Argonauts and Candysound. Then, when that show ends, everyone heads up to the Viking Union where Lampost Revival, Dog Shredder, No Fi Soul Rebellion and Acorn Project will wow the all-ages crowd.

Then, the following night, it’s show time at the Wild Buffalo starting at 9 p.m.! Opening up the show will be Glowbug (Daniel Anderson will premier his latest project), followed by Zorbatron, Baltic Cousins, Keaton Collective, The Productionists and Polecat. Intermixed will be awards handed out by some of Bellingham’s best and brightest musicians (did I really just say that?), as well as dancing from The Dirty Bird Cabaret, music between sets by DJ Postal, Poops will again be our host, and The Belletrists will play to attendees as they walk through the door before the show even begins.

Every year I’m blown away by the Awards Show and this one will be no different. Oh yeah, it’s only $6. Seriously, SIX BUCKS!

Now to some music scene “stuff.”

RECORDS AND RELEASES

Bellingham’s king of the avant-garde, Bruce Hamilton, has started a new label named Spectropol Records. Its first release, duopoly, features Bruce in duets with 21 other musicians ranging from free improvisation to experimental remix to electroacoustc recomposition. If you like interesting music, read the review coming up next month or give it a listen now at http://spectropolrecords.bandcamp.com/releases. I REALLY love it, parts of it are beautifully unnerving.

Cora Glass put out a recording last summer that, regrettably, flew under the radar. Well, NO MORE! Under the moniker, Chestnut Collection, Cora released the Go Fourth EP, a cool blend of indie folk. In November, she released Said Conversation, a continuation of said indie folks. Or indie Americana whatever works you should check it out.

Snug Harbor have been putting in the time, hunkering down and rehearsing in anticipation of recording their new album this month. Look for it to hit the streets in March or so.

Pink Hotel Music, a collective featuring 11 local and regional bands including Candysound, Cat From Hue and Caulfield and his Magic Violin are working on a compilation that will hopefully be hitting the streets in the spring. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion 2011 isn’t going to be the year of the rabbit, but the year of the Teo.

It could also be the year of the Seagull Livingston Seagull. They’ve been hard at work on their latest (and greatest) which will be released within the next few months. I really dig these guys one of Bellingham’s up and coming bands.

Pirate Pirate Motorhome (not to be confused with Pirate Motorhome, the Swedish metal polka duo) are almost done with their latest (and greatest, thinking about really running that phrase into the ground) release and are planning a tour based around SxSW, which sounds a lot like a band that is playing SxSW. More details to foooolllllooooowwwwww.

Erin Corday’s new release has been pushed back to either February or March, due to technical difficulties at the printing plant. I’m not sure, but I believe a switch has been made with another go of it so, again, stay tuned!

The Endorphins have been in the studio, recording their follow up to their debut EP. A CD release will be at the Wild Buffalo on Feb. 25. Austin is very excited.

Caparza, which features members of Jo Dawn Baker, Our Fallen Heroes and countless other bands will FINALLY be releasing their debut EP next month. There’s a hint of rock and hint of roll and a butt load of having your face smashed in. Pretty sure guitarist Lance Vangraham is top three of Bellingham’s tattooed musicians. I like that!

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Audra, formerly of Rhombus (and of Cabin Tavern fame) is now playing bass with the Party Thighs, filling the spot left empty by Jenn Hartman’s departure. That makes 20 bands that Casey Nolan is in.

The mighty Drew Fitchette (Mary Mary, Rooftops) has joined up with Evan Bridges (ex-Pirates R Us) to open a new coffee shop downtown. Located kitty corner from the Depot Market, close to Boundary Bay, Onyx is a small coffee bar that specializes in “single origin drip” that’s made to order. They’ll be using only the best of the best coffee ranging from regional (Seattle) to international (Norway). They expect to move into coffee catering as well as a mobile coffee cart. They’re open 10-6, Wednesday through Saturday.

Another coffee shop is opening up as well, this one a couple doors down from the Wild Buffalo. The new location for Woods Coffee is at 1313 Bay Street and will feature not only coffee, but music as well. Although the music will be slow at first, they hope to have music six nights a week within six months. The big show this month is the CD release party for Jesse Morrow on Jan. 21.

Last month we described the wrong Casey Nolan band as being Downfall. It’s not her pop/punk band, rather her metal band. Still Casey Nolan, still awesome.

CONGRATULATIONS

It’s with incredible excitement that I get to announce the birth of Emmett Calvin Gilbert, aka “Little Poops.” Born on Dec. 28, Little Poops was said to have gotten the nurses singing karaoke within an hour of his birth. Congrats to Poops and Sarah, we here at the magazine couldn’t be more excited for you three!

Looking forward to seeing you all during the Awards Show weekend Jan. 28-29. Thanks for supporting What’s Up!, and enjoy all the happenings this month!

Brent Cole

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

Daniel Anderson. Photo by Sarah Jerns

This month I had the pleasure of chewing the fat with Daniel Anderson of Idiot Pilot, The Ghost and The Grace, and Glowbug. This accomplished, multi-talented artist offers his interesting perspectives on a number of topics. The interview was so much fun we couldn’t stop at just 11 questions

Boris Budd: Tell us a little about your background and give insights how you decided to be a musician.

Daniel Anderson: My parents had me taking piano lessons when I was about three years old. I think that they had read in the paper that studies were showing children who take music lessons at an early age become really good at math, which is probably true but it also seems like a fairly indirect way to go about math tutoring. At this point, I am thankful to be able to write a song rather than do calculus. I did piano for a really, really long time but eventually got bored with the compositions that I had to learn. Around twelve I started making alterations to the chords and rewriting the songs here and there and my piano teacher told me it was the equivalent of drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa, so I quit and started taking guitar. Formed my first band around two years later, had my first real bar show two years after that, and then signed to Warner Brothers Records when I was 18. I have always loved to create things and do big art projects. Originally, I wanted to do something with film as a career, but then music kind of happened and I was good at it.

BB: Talk about The Glowbugs EP and the impetus fro that material.

DA: Glowbug started as a personal challenge to make a three-song record; mixed, mastered, everything, in just three days. There is so much drama and self-doubt that musicians go through during the recording process and, for the most part, it’s unnecessary. I hate when I make a record it usually takes so long that I am sick of hearing the songs when I’m finished, I wanted to do something to combat that. It’s an idea for a band I’ve had for a long time, which would be to take the ambience of My Bloody Valentine or something like that and turn it into a dance song. A lot of the time dance music relies on the fact that it’s consumption is kinetic, it’s aiming to move you physically instead of emotionally, and I wanted to write songs that did both. When I think about dancing, in a club or wherever, it’s such a bizarre thing for people to go out and do. It’s just a bunch of human beings blasting themselves with soundwaves and letting their bodies convulse to it, which sounds so beautiful and primal in theory but in practice it can be kind of sad and weird. I like music that is honest with that kind of primal energy, like Jonsi who I saw recently in Vegas. Instead of jumping up and down because they were hearing a slamming kick drum, the crowd was so moved that they were jumping up and down and crying with joy. That’s what I like in dance music, personally.

BB: Did you find it challenging to take the Ghost and The Grace act live in regard to bringing in other players to round out the line-up and play the parts you had written and recorded?

DA: Yes, it was damn near impossible. I think that we did a good job for the few shows that we played, but I also think my vision for the bands live performance is something that might just not be possible without an actual budget. The group that it would take to pull off the first record would be massive, and the second record that I working on would be even bigger because I’ve added a woodwind section and a lot of electronics. Live, we make it work because the core group are some very, very talented local musicians, but it’s difficult because of the source materials complexity. Even so, I see the live band as a semi-rotating cast. Jenni Potts, for instance, is going to be joining the live group after our second record is released. At the end of the day, I look at this project as more of an “album” band than a “live” one, and I am okay with that because that was really the plan from the beginning and they are very fun records to make.

BB: What is going on with Idiot Pilot these days?

DA: We have a third album basically finished, but it is probably going to be in legal limbo for some time due to things I probably shouldn’t discuss here. I am sure it will eventually see the light of day, and it’s an interesting piece of work that I am very proud of, but I honestly couldn’t tell you when that is going to happen. However, since then we’ve worked on a whole boatload of songs that I would call “4th album material”. I actually counted them the other day and there are at least 16 demos and ideas floating around, but at the moment I am kind of just waiting for those to reach the next writing step.

BB: Describe your obsession with Tetris and the accolades received from this passion.

DA: I really love Tetris, it’s a great game, but most of all I just love playing my old Nintendo. I never even knew I was that good at Tetris until a few years ago when I started playing every night with some friends. At first I was winning, but then I started really, really winning; by several hundred thousand points sometimes. It was enough to make me go online and check out the official world record, and I suddenly realized that my scored weren’t that far off. Currently I have the 5th highest score ever recorded on NES Tetris, according to Twin Galaxies which is the video game provider for Guinness World Records. People might know them from the movie King Of Kong. There is a similar movie being shot right now called The Extasy of Order, about Tetris, which I have been filmed for and will most likely appear briefly in. I also went down to the Tetris World Championships in LA earlier this year, and placed 8th in the qualifiers.

BB: Out of your extensive discography, which project stands out most for you in terms being your favorite and why?

DA: The album I am most proud of is definitely Wolves by Idiot Pilot. It was the hardest to make but also a life changing experience, and the producer Ross Robinson is now one of my best friends on the entire planet. I love that guy. When I listen to that record back it sounds exactly like the time and place in which it was made, and in that way it’s perfect. I also think that the caliber of the people working on it, on a purely technical end, really shows in the finished product. The guy who mixed it also mixed Ten by Pearl Jam, and the guy who mastered it used to be in Boston, so needless to say it sounds pretty heavy, and then we had Chris from Dillinger Escape Plan and Travis Barker playing drums on it. Wolves is just this amalgamation of all these crazy things that were happening in our lives. It’s the kind of record that very few people will ever been in the position to make, even more so now that the record industry is collapsing.

BB: Give us the itinerary for your perfect day in Bellingham.

DA: I just moved from Fairhaven to downtown, so my perfect day has recently changed to be more centrally located, I think. I’d say it would be something like: Wake up at my apartment with my girlfriend, walk over to Avenue Bread or Wasabee for lunch, hit the studio for a while, meet up with some friends and go to one of the usual beautiful Bellingham spots. I have a fixation with driving around Sudden Valley or down Chuckanut, which is usually where I go to listen to new mixes or masters I am working on. The Fairhaven Boardwalk is cool, too, or the Sehome Arboretum, or the Alabama Hill bridge. I love horror movies and I have been trying to watch one every night, so I might end the evening by stopping at Film Is Truth for a movie and then Mallards for some ice cream to take home. I also try to run every day, but now it’s too cold for that.

BB: Rumor has it that you are involved in a “Top Secret” project. Can you divulge any info to your hometown music mag?

DA: I’ve been producing a record between a studio in Los Angeles and Bayside Recording here in Bellingham for most of the last year. It was only top secret because there was going to be a “Year Zero” style ARG that went along with it’s release, kind of like Nine Inch Nails did a few years back. An ARG is an Alternate Reality Game, like leaving songs on USB drives and giving fans the coordinates to find them, things like that. I don’t think the album is going to be released in that way anymore so it’s not exactly top secret, but right now we are trying to keep the actual music under wraps. I am really proud of it though, this is the first record that I’ve produced front to back where I wasn’t an actual member of the band. It’s going to be a beautiful album; I absolutely love it. However, right now the only actual information I can give is that there is a website at www.ancientlasers.com, and that my good buddy and live Idiot Pilot drummer, Christopher Newton, played drums on it. There’s going to be more coming very soon though, we just finished tracking the lead vocals in LA, yesterday.

BB: Give us a snapshot of what drives the introspective lyrics of the fabulous The Ghost and The Grace material.

DA: I like to write lyrics where everyday sentences turn into the metaphor, as opposed to every single word having a hidden meaning. I think that kind of word play is the fun part, seeing if you can take those sentences and phrases we all take for granted and dissect them and turn them around on themselves. I also think that a really important trait in good music is honesty and exposing yourself. It’s a really scary thing to do, to just say what you think and what you feel, but when you can do that in your lyrics that will resonate with people. On the new Ghost and the Grace record, which I am just now finishing up, I think I’ve taken that even farther than I ever thought I would, personally, and that feels really cool.

BB: What does the future hold for Daniel Anderson?

DA: I have a lot of projects going on right now and I love it, and I think that a few of the ones that have been cooking for a while are ready to step up next year. There will definitely be a new Ghost and the Grace record and more Glowbug material, and I’ve got a few things lined up for songwriting or producing that are really exciting but I can’t really mention them until they are more concrete. I have also been working with Mark and Cody from The Blood Brothers and Paul from At-The Drive-In on a hip hop record for Hyro Da Hero, who is an utterly phenomenal rapper. One of the songs we all co-wrote together already debuted on the BBC1 rock show over in the UK and is getting a great response, so it sounds like I will be spending a lot of time over there next year, and there are plans to do even more international touring including places that we never really got to hit with Idiot Pilot, which is very exciting. All of the guys involved in that record are not only incredible musicians, but some of the sweetest, coolest people I have ever met in my life. It’s a dream come true.

BB: What was the most unusual show you ever played in Bellingham?

DA: One of the very first Idiot Pilot shows was at this party out in the woods near Sunset. We just had the two of us and a computer at that point and there was no PA, so we had to bring the one that we used for rehearsals and wasn’t nearly big or loud enough. At that time, we didn’t really have to setup that we do now and so we would just play with the synths and programming together on one file. We were playing on this deck that was very wobbly, and every time someone would take a step that was too heavy it would shake the computer and stop it. It was so awkward because every time the crowd would get into it and start moving, the sound would die. It was horrifying.

BB: How did your guest slot on the Deftones record come about?

DA: Chino, the singer of the Deftones, was actually a really big fan of Idiot Pilot. He came to us and wanted to do a remix of the song “A Day In The Life Of A Poolshark” and that kind of started our relationship. The Deftones have been one of my favorite bands ever since I was a kid so it was really a dream come true, and that guy is just so nice and easy to get along with. We eventually did a US and UK tour with his other band, Team Sleep, which had Zach Hill from Hella and Rob from Pinback in it, too. We would cover the Deftones song Teenager all the time and when we did it for sound check one night Chino got really excited and asked us to record it with him for a Deftones record, so we found a studio at one our stops on tour and just went in for the day to track it. I love our version, but every time I hear it I can’t help noticing that the delay setting on my guitar pedal is slightly off, and it drives me absolutely crazy.

BB: What is your favorite aspect of the musical recording process?

DA: I really love everything about recording music, there is something incredible and fulfilling about every part of it; even editing drums, which I can say is probably my least favorite aspect. I think most of the action is in the writing process, because that’s where your ideas are free to just come out and present themselves. You don’t have to wait around to hear what something is going to sound like when it’s finished because all your job is, at that point, is to express yourself and be creative. On the other hand, there is nothing like finishing a final master and approving it, then listening to the track front to back without finding anything wrong.

BB: Is there a reason you sometimes choose to wear the same vest and white shirt as Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull?

DA: I wish I had some sort of amazing revelation that the two of us were related, but I think we probably just have the same taste in vests. I don’t know what that says about me when I have the same fashion sense as the dude from Jehtro Tull, but I’ll take it. Maybe that means that someday I can upset Metallica for best hard rock album by playing the flute.

What's Up Cover - December 2010. Artwork by Mandy Cramer

Oooooooh, striped socks. I love it. With candy canes even.

Hi everybody, how are ya’ll doing this fine fall? Enjoying the snow and the cold, I hope. Welcome to this edition of le Beat the Taylor Momsen of the music scene (yeah, wrap your mind around that one).

As per usual, a little housekeeping before I move on to what really matters you, the bands, and the fans.

First off, I’d like to thank everyone who came out for my 40th birthday party. It was, without a doubt, one of the best nights I’ve ever had. I knew the music would be unreal, but I was floored by the incredible kind gestures and words from many of you very cool and very touching. I was also floored by how amazing the vibe of the night was I don’t know if it was because we brought back Federation X and Sharpie and that brought out some old school folks who were REALLY excited to part with their kids for the night and see some rock. Or, if the energy of the night was great because it was such a great line up… or because it was a big birthday party and it’s hard not to have a good time at a drunken birthday party whatever it was, the night was special, not just for me but for many who came out. Reminded me of some shows I saw years ago and it was great to capture that feeling again.

Speaking of the bands, want to send a very special thank you to the great people on stage. Bill and Ben from Federation X flew over from NY to play the show, while Aaron Ball from Sharpie and Stell Newsome from Sugar Sugar Sugar had to travel up for practices just to play the show. It was an honor that people took time out of their lives, especially to reunite, just for the show. And of course, Mike Mitchell with the Holy Tailfeathers, which was incredibly cool. It was an epic night. Everyone played incredibly well, I was blown away by how good Sharpie and Federation X sounded better than I remember ‘em. And many thanks to the Wild Buffalo for hosting, thanks to Hollie Huthman, Matt Curtis and Paul Turpin for sharing their photos, thanks to Squirrel Girl for that epic stage dive, and to those who helped with equipment.

Finally, I’d like to thank my dear wife Becca and friend Carey Ross for organizing my “happy birthday” song and to Scott K Seitz for getting the whole bar to sing together… then showing his ass. Somehow it wouldn’t have been the same if Scott didn’t show his back parts.

The night was a great experience that’ll be etched in my brain for life. The music and the friends, just amazing. You’re all awesome.

OK, enough about that.

What’s Up! will be holding its 10th Annual Awards Show on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Wild Buffalo and it’s shaking out to be the best yet. Musical performances include Zorbatron, Keaton Collective, The Productionists, Polecat, and Baltic Cousins, along with the live show debut of Glowbug the latest project by Daniel Anderson (of Idiot Pilot fame). I’ve been told Glowbug will have an extra special set. There will also be music in the foray, with DJ Postal spinning between sets, dancing by the Dirty Bird Cabaret and the whole event will be hosted by Poops. That, my friends, is an unbelievable evening.

As if that wasn’t cool enough, we’ll be hosting a couple all-ages shows the day before. The “pre” Pre-Awards Show at the Underground Coffeehouse will have Candysound and Biagio Biondillilo, while the Pre-Awards Show will take place at the Viking Union, with performances by Dog Shredder, No-Fi Soul Rebellion, Acorn Project and Vaughn Kreestoe another fantastic line up.

As for ballots, voting will begin around Dec. 10. Check the website to cast your vote for categories. Remember, do not stuff the virtual ballot box! We will know when you do and we’ll toss em. So vote responsibly please.

We have some new things in store this year, including a category for Best Music Video. We’ve seen a lot, but we want to see more? Did your band make a video? Share it with us via e-mail by sending to editor@whatsup-magazine.com.

So, keep the Awards Show weekend open, we look forward to seeing ya, and it’s going to be a blast. We throw awesome parties, you should be there!

Now to the music.

The big, big, BIG news of the month is the new spot for WhAAM and Make.Shift. It’s over on Unity Street (by Griggs) and looks to be the absolutely perfect spot for the two organizations. They’ve been looking for eight months and have finally, finally found “their place.” But, they can’t open it without some serious donations the two groups are looking to raise at least $8,500 via kickstarter by Jan. 16. Ya know how you always see folks talking about “support your scene” or “support local music?” Supporting doesn’t just mean seeing your friend’s bands and having some drinks (which, on its own, is just fine), it also means ponying up when it’s time to do so and this is one of those times. Both WhAAM and Make.Shift are working hard to make the community a better place. I mean, seriously think about it, Bellingham with its own Vera Project (or 924 Gillman Street Project) a place for people of all ages to get into music. In my estimations, there are few greater causes in the music scene than this one. As of press time, they were nearing $1,000, but they need a bunch more. If everyone reading this paper gave a dollar, they’d have nearly three times enough money to open. SO, donate. Now. Please. Here’s the website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/makeshift/the-makeshift-music-project

Federation X are now a band again, though obviously limited by the constraints of geography. After having so much fun playing music for the big 40th birthday party, they’ve decided to rock again playing a series of dates in the Northeast with none other than Monotonix!!! Absolutely awesome. Fed X rocks our world and we wish them the best.

Corduroy called it a day a few months ago, but Tim Leighton has a new band happening with Jenni Potts which he describes as “really heavy.” Stay tuned.

Peter MacLean Woiwood (Go Slowpoke) and Drew Fitchette (ex-Rooftops) have joined Mary Mary making the band a five piece. I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I think Zach Zinn it a total badass in the music scene. If you wanna know more about good music, go into his record collection.

Caparza recorded their new 7″ recently, though there is no official word on the release as of press time. The band is also working on doing a split LP with Random Orbits out of Seattle as well as writing more and more material. Think 2011 will be a good year for the boys of Caparza.

PRND is a new band featuring Jason Sands (Frozen Cloak, ex-Reeks and the Wrecks) as well as Bradley Leckron. They play spacey electronic music a Jason Sands special. You can find them on Facebook where they’ve got two songs listed both recorded at Jinx.

“Squirrel Girl” has a new band feature an amazing line up Nick Duncan, Aaron Apple and Toby Reif (who, I’ve been told, is amazing on guitar). Expect shows to happen sooner than later and expect their sound to be poppy-punk rock. Oh yeah, they’re called Downfall and have already done a little recording.

The Cat From Hue have released a new single, “One by One,” on Pink Hotel Music a collective that features Ambulance, Candysound, The Cat From Hue, Caulfield & His Magical Violin, Great Waves, The Masques, Kids and Animals, The Ronz, SEACATS, Teo Crider and Us on Roofs bands from Seattle to Bellingham and in between. The collective should be watched over the next year I see an Elephant Six reincarnated vibe happening. (That’s not too much pressure, is it Teo?).

The mighty Half Bees have been recording their full length album, though there is no official word on when the funk soul brothers will be releasing their debut album. Butts are shakin’ in anticipation. Especially Austin’s.

The Knapp Brothers (check them out on page 15), just finished a video for Jenni Potts (which had been months in the making) and are already moving forward with a new Lumpkins video that was initially filmed in the recent snow storm. For some reason, I’ve got a bunch of naked jokes, but nothing seems appropriate.

Dog Shredder will be hitting the road at the end of March with Tacoma’s Lozen for a short tour down the West Coast. Hopefully soon the boys will be releasing their epic new recording… boys? What’s the word?

There’s rumor of a new project between Clint Westwood and Knucklehead an amazing MC in town. No word on if the project is even out of the planning stages, but it should be absolutely amazing if and when it happens.

James Hardesty has decided to keep the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern open for now. Watch for changes in the future that will hopefully make the bar more profitable or at least able to keep the doors open a little easier. During the month of December, he’ll have the mighty Robert Sarazin Blake and the Silver Shirts every Monday for shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. The Silver Shirts includes Jordan Rain on drums, Aaron Harmonson on bass, Jan Peters on piano and Mars Lindgren on horn. That, my friends, is an all star line up.

Plant Party have added two new players Lisa Feiertag on fiddle and Bobby Morgan on bass and will be heading into the studio in December to record their debut EP. Oh Adam Bates, you sly boots.

Acorn Project continue to make major waves on the national scene. They’re getting very positive reviews for Generation Debt all over the country and the album is currently ranked #1 on the Relix Magazine/Jambands.com national radio index chart ahead of a bunch of big names. AWESOME!

Scott Greene has just released a new EP, which is on store shelves as I type this. Looking forward to picking up my copy.

A special mention goes out to Sam Chue who contacted the magazine to let us know what he’s up to which is making pretty damn good songs. Don’t know much about the guy, but his songs on reverbnation fit into the singer/songwriter mold you should check him out.

Finally, before I close up shop this month, I’d like to again thank everyone for coming out to my birthday party, the kind words and the support of the magazine. Thank you’s don’t pay the bills here, but they are always greatly appreciated. And, let me tell you, they go a long way and we don’t forget when people are kind in their appreciation of the magazine, or even just being cool and letting us know what’s going on with their music.

We are not a rich publication, we are not backed by any big money like other publications out here, but we are rich in passion for the local scene and appreciate all the good folks out here. We have all kinds of amazing talent and people in our northwest corner, and no matter what genre you fuflill, you all love what you do (or at least should!) and feel it is important. But please remember that what is most important is maintaining good communication and respect for one another. It’s frustrating when people have to deal with certain, arrogant musicians who feel they are owed. Don’t be an ass, get off your high horse, and take it from someone who knows. Enjoy it, have a good time, work hard.

Thank you to the many local and independent businesses who proudly advertise in What’s Up! We cannot print without you and appreciate every single one of you.

We wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and an extremely awesome new year. I’m feeling good, are you?! See you in January.

Brent

editor@whatsup-magazine.com

Remember those microphones you used to speak into when you were a kid that transformed your voice into something that resembled a muffled robot echo? You know, as if you were belting from the depths of someone’s basement? Awful Scary, Yes, Very takes me to that place, but without the grainy musical equipment that Playskool once provided me with during my youth.

Cheaply made, plastic children’s toys aside, Daniel Anderson of Idiot Pilot and The Ghost and the Grace, showcases his producing and mixing talents on this impressive solo, three-track album under the name Glowbug, where he can be credited with all the writing, recording, and mixing himself. The artistically gifted, local maestro of ambient, electrofunk doesn’t disappoint beginning with the title track “I Want, I Want, I Want,” as he moves you from the basement to the dance floor, with what I envision aliens would be swaying to at a new-wave themed, high school prom in some far away galaxy, where Peter Gabriel would headline.

Ultimately, it sounds as if Anderson takes the name Glowbug from the smoldering sunsets that only fall can produce; an eerie, palely lit ambience than can be heard on all three tracks of this album. Or perhaps he is referring to the elusive quality of fireflies that use their magical luminescence to attract a mate. However, whether it’s a planetary prom, a meditative state or the jewel-toned panorama of the fall twilight, the album, in all its complicated electronic sophistication, is simply lovely.

Self Released. For more visit glowbug.bandcamp.com/album/awful-scary-yes-very

What's Up! November 2010 Cover. Artwork by Zach Wise.

Hi peanut, how are you today? I like your shoes.

Happy November, my friends, I hope yer all doing well. As per usual, I’d like to address a couple things before we move into the rock ‘n’ roll portion of le beat (aka, the awesome portion).

First off, as I’ve tried to tell every single one of you I’m turning 40 this month and having a huge party on Nov. 13 at the Wild Buffalo. As of press time, the line up is Dog Shredder, The Holy Tailfeathers (this might be a half set with the Cheeps playing the other half), Sharpie (holy crap this is epic), Sugar Sugar Sugar (with the infamous and amazing Stell Newsome filling in on guitar) and Federation X (Ben and Bill coming in from NY). If you asked me to name my six of my favorite Bellingham bands of all time, this would pretty much be it. I’m hearing of friends from years gone by coming up including people I haven’t seen in years, so I couldn’t be more excited. Which is cool, ‘cuz I’m turning 40. FORTY. I won’t even begin to tell ya’ll how that’s screwing with me. And don’t tell me 40 is the new 30, that’s what you tell people who are turning 40 so they feel better about getting older. That being said, come on down to the party and help me welcome the big 40 should be a pretty wild one. Show starts at 9 p.m. and is only $5… so, I’d get there early as well.

I keep forgetting to mention a new feature on our website called Meet the Advertisers. It’s a way to bring people who support us, our advertisers, to our website as well. We love our advertisers we wouldn’t exist without them. So, check ‘em out online and in the paper go frequent their establishments. These are the businesses that care about the magazine and local music, art, theater and community.

Ok, now to music. Where I will say “awesome” as much as possible.

COMINGS & GOINGS

This is a crucial, crucial month for the Green Frog Acoustic Tavern if the place doesn’t get an infusion of cash and soon, the doors will be shut. By the time this edition of What’s Up! comes out, the Green Frog benefit at the Wild Buffalo on Nov. 2 will be hours away so if you happen to read this and you’ve got time get down there! If not, you need to get to the Green Frog and enjoy some drinks and throw some tips on the counter. There are other fundraising options in the works, but more than anything, owner James Hardesty needs you to go in and buy a drink and enjoy some music. The Green Frog is an unbelievably cool venue, a great asset in our community. I feel at home there and if you haven’t checked it out before, do so ASAP.

Speaking of the Green Frog, owner Colleen Milton of Black Market Boutique is organizing the First Annual Bellingham Tweed Ride on Nov. 14. Details are still being worked out as of press time, but everyone is meeting at Maritime Heritage Park, dressed in their “most dapper finery,” and riding through Bellingham’s historic neighborhoods, eventually ending up at the Green Frog for some Sunday afternoon refreshments. It’s a genius idea. If you’d like more details, contact the store at 756-9440.

As for local bands, the Sweaty Sweaters have begun playing again, which is pretty damn cool. Feel like it’s been a couple years since the band was going full speed, so I hope this is good sign that they’ll pick up where they left off.

Bo and Sean from So Adult are now also in the Vancouver band Devotion, who are “awesome.” They just played some shows with Black Breath, so you get the gist of what they’re about. That makes over a 100 bands that Bo is in.

Bobby Savage has moved back to town, so look for more shows from the mighty FFA. Still no official word on when the disc will be out could be next month, could be early 2011, either way it’ll be out soon.

Acorn Project are out on tour promoting Generation Debt. The boys really took it up a notch with their latest release (how about that for an “awesome” clich ) and the tour is going very well. You wanna know how to be a bad that people outside of Bellingham give a shit about, do what Acorn Project does. Even if yer a punk and aren’t into the music, these guys could put on a clinic on how to run a band.

One of our very favorite advertisers, Carnelian Agency, is opening a new storefront at the Jinx Art Space (306 Flora Street, Suite B). They’ll be sharing their space with Mellis Photography and Custom Framing. You’ll now be able get your CD/DVD duplication and printing jobs at a store, not their house. Very, very cool.

Another print company on the move is Bison Bookbinding and Letterpress, who will be moving two doors down from Cap’s. I drove by today and they were working frantically, so it should be ready very, very soon.

Two great companies both making good moves. Awesome.

Bloom will be moving to State St. soon. Details still have to be worked out, so look for more details next month.

Also, look for a BIG surprise from WhAAM and Make.Shift next month… at least I hope it’s next month. I’m privy to info that can only say this is wonderful news.

Artist extraordinaire Sheana Sisselman will be showing her work up from her Motor Oil series at the Old World Deli. The reception is on Nov. 5 from 7-10 p.m. I’m a huge, huge fan of Sheana’s work, so swing in there during the evening’s Art Walk.

Last but not least, Kevin Robinson (formerly of Merch HOT fame and percussionist for Levi Ware) is hosting a Raise the Woof benefit for the Humane Society on Nov. 21 at the Wild Buffalo. Levi, Vaughn Kreestoe and Josh Clausen (of Flowmotion fame) will all perform, and there will be some good goodies raffled off.

RECORDS & RELEASES

Burn Up have been in the studio with Mr. No-Fi, Mark Heimer where they’ve recorded and are now mixing an eight-song demo. No official word on the release, but the unofficial word from Burn Up fans is that they are “awesome.”

I received a “burly” update from Daniel Anderson the other day, which was full of good news. First off, he recorded a three-song EP called Awful Scary, under the name Glowbug (see review section for more details). According to Daniel, it started out as a three songs in three days kind of project, but it has been so well received, he’s potentially going to make it an actual project.

The Ghost and the Grace record is nearly finished. I’ve heard a couple, including “Rat King” which features Johnny Whitney from the Blood Brothers and Jaguar Love, and they are pretty f***in’ amazing. Ok, so, that’s pretty cool, right? Maybe even, “awesome,” but that’s not it from sir Daniel. He’s been working with Hyro Da Hero, a “pretty phenomenal rapper” from Houston by way of LA and “the band” has just finished up their new record. Who is “the band?” It consists of Cody and Mark from the Blood Brothers and Paul from At the Drive-In and Mars Volta. Wow.

Back in the day, Bellingham was home to a lovely folk singer, Erin Corday. Just as the magazine was getting going, she stopped playing I assumed she had moved out of town. NOPE! Erin is back and ready to rock, folk rock. Her new CD will officially be out in early 2011, but a bunch of folks grabbed a copy of her CD in August at her local CD release. We’re looking forward to our copy, think you will too!

Vaughn Kreestoe is, finally, releasing their debut CD on Nov. 5 at the Wild Buffalo. Opening up are the Growers this should be a big, big ol’ show for the boys! Looking forward to hearing the disc!

Kristin Allen-Zito’s new album The Atlas is breathtaking (“awesome” just doesn’t do it justice). Paul Turpin did a fantastic job recording Kristin the sound adds a depth that’s just staggering. The album is beautiful, dark, sweet and simply outstanding. It’ll be out on Nov. 16. Go get it!

Last month, I wrote, a lot, about Dwight Clark being missing. A few days after the mag came out, sadly, his body was found near the old GP site. It was a tragic and horribly sad ending to a life that was cut short way too early. Dwight was in town for a week, but he’d become family to Bellingham we all wanted him to be found safely and brought home to his mom. Our deepest sympathies go out to Dwight’s friends and family.

I don’t know if it’s the age we live in, but we all seem to be able to move onto the next thing very quickly and disturbingly, very easily. Dwight’s death should be a reminder to all of us how fragile life really is, and to appreciate your time here and be good to others.

That’s about it for this month. As always, I had a lot more to write, but am plum out of space. Watch Facebook for semi-daily updates.

Have a happy November. See you next issue. 40 here I come!

Brent Cole

editor@whatsup-magazine.com