Old and news...

The first piece I ever wrote for the now defunct Seattle Sound Magazine (City Arts is its newest incarnation) was a small feature on a hip-hop legend here in Seattle, Samuel Stephens. He passed away unexpectedly back in 2007, to the shock of his family and the hip-hop community. I thought it was just a print feature, but stumbled across it online the other day. The longtime supporter and producer of local music was also part owner of the Ezell's Fried Chicken franchise. The story is here: Seattle Hip-hop Pioneer Passes.

On a related City Arts note, I have a small review in the latest (April) issue. At an original word count of 150, it's whittled down to a mere 75, and the result is sloppy and out of context. Rats. Such is writing (and hasty editors) sometimes. The review as I intended it to look is here for you now.

Speak
Self-titled
(Origin Records)

Seattle free jazz quintet Speak hasn't been around a while – the group just formed in 2008 – but that hasn't kept them from attracting attention. They're the newest signers to local jazz label Origins and have lined up gigs from clubs in New York to jazz festivals in Europe. Their six track debut of original compositions is a 45 minute progressive jazz art piece. Cuong Vu – whose smooth, improvisational trumpet work has appeared alongside Pat Methany, David Bowie and Cibo Matto – brings a seasoned finesse to the recording, offset by technical skills brought forth by four younger members. Album highlights include: “Polypockets,” a syncopated frenzy of manic sax, precision percussion and heavy handed keys; “Pure Hatred,” a jarring shudder of schismatic, flowing jazz; and “Litany Split,” featuring Vu's feather light trumpet. It's studied, moody music. Speak has arrived with something to say.

SXSW, Bill Murray & Me

South by Southwest was a whirlwind. Here's me stretching with Bill "Ghost-bustin' Ass" Murray as a group of us waited for our delayed flights out of Austin. We ran into him stretching his legs over a trash/recycling receptacle and pretty much tagged teamed the poor guy for some photos. He looked dead hungover, but was gracious in the moment and chatted with us about the festival and where we were headed from Austin. As it happens, he made quite a few rounds at SXSW this year. Here's a video of the famous actor tending bar at the Shangri-La: Bartendin' Bill Murray.

That's Lizeth Santos in the second photo. She's the wife of Rafter Roberts, and one-woman cocktail drum kit playing extraordinaire, Smile Now Cry Later. She gave me her EP, and Rafter gave me a few records, including his new one. I ended up reviewing it (quite favorably!) for San Diego CityBeat. Great indie dance pop. Here's the review: Rafter: Animal Feelings.

I ended up doing a house swap this year. My new friend Sara stayed at my place in Seattle, and I had her nice house in north Austin all to myself to write and re-write. Which is pretty much what I did for the good part of the day, and when I was through, I went into the city to see all the music and meet up with friends.

I had a single assignment due each day: one artist interview. I had my pick of hundreds of artists, but chose the following four, a diverse bunch. You can read them - and my SXSW wrap up - here:

Basia Bulat: Interview, SXSW
Imaad Wasif: Interview, SXSW
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson: Interview, SXSW
Blue Scholars: Interview, SXSW
Overheard at SXSW: A Week's Worth of Random Quotes

Shortly after my interview with Imaad Wasif, the apple I gave him during our interview turned up in LA Weekly (along with a snarky comment about my tape recorder). You can read the blog post here: Imaad and The Apple.

Oh, my goodness. The random places and people and things that converge in Austin in March. It's just bananas. More for you soon!