The LoFi Performance Gallery

Das Rut / SEAllective

If anyone ever made it to the Scarlet Tree back in the day when Das Rut was holding court on Thursday nights - they'd know that this is the coolest group of musicians around! Total improvisational funk/soul meltdown! You never know who is going to show up!

SEAllective

I keep getting texts telling me to check this event out, something about crazy funk and wicked talent...I think I'll have to go!

Last Night Was Off The Hook

I went to Lo-Fi to see SEAllective for myself. The 5/21 lineup were on break when I arrived. The first person to approach me was Thadd. "...we won't start till you're ready!". He says to me. That was damn cool!!! We all got caught up, as it's been ages since I've seen some of these guys. I chatted it up with the establishment as the fellas took to the stage.

SEAllective got right to work with Darrius Willrich breaking down some old school RnB. Brother was in a zone and appeared to get the ladies in the room off their feet and dancing. I sat next to Thaddeus Turner for most of the set. His since of rhythm and musical style is uniquely his own. He gets you all relaxed and then knocks you out with his solo assault. I am never offended!

Gary Smith, Donyea Goodman were there to hold it down. Brothers were tight but kept enough space for the percussionist and trumpet player to get theirs. Okay, okay!!! That's not all though. Gerald Turner was in the joint too, Gary handed over the bass to him while he took the guitar from Thaddeus and they kicked out their final number of the evening. Are you feeling this???

It's amazing to think of the collective years of musical experience these guys have. They're just doing their thing, and seemingly loving it. What makes this so off the hook for me is how they can create this chill vibe where everyone in the room is connected in harmony; then tear the roof off with that funky-soup infused unity. They're all freaks!

Complements to the owner of Lo-Fi for bookng these cats! That and the Lo-Fi special Sake Jello shots (picture on my blog).

I cant' wait to see the other line ups.

look for me blog about this event later today!

Thursday July 17th Review

There I was, slowly approaching the front door of The LoFi when I heard the trio of Josh (Rawlings), Evan (Flory-Barnes) and Jeremy (Jones) laying out a beautiful tone. The music hit me immediately. After that point, I was relaxed and ready to hear what was next.

Moments later, sax players, trombone players and even a word sayer put their own touch on the night. One sax player had a flurry of musical phrases that reminded me of Courtney Pine. The place was packed, with a crowd of enthusiastic listeners. People were friendly and social, it was the kind of party you hope to stumble onto. The Hang is a event you can proudly recommend to your friends.

It’s all about the hang.

‘Nuff said. Someone shared with me the secret of this “happening” that Josh, Evan, and Jeremy have created, and I must in turn pass along the favor. The Hang allows you to join with others to create something that you didn’t even know you wanted to create, but once it’s there in front of you, everyone’s supportive and adding to the mix. It’s how I imagine a 1950’s loft party, only you’re not hesitant to show up by yourself in jeans and a t-shirt. One night I walked in and ordered a whiskey, sat at the bar, and watched the trio jam. A trumpet player and a trombonist stood up from a couch and started to play a background riff. They broke into solos. People were laughing, dancing, thinking of solos in their heads. Then someone got up to rap. A woman in a leopard-print dress began to dance. A guy sang an impromptu version of “Besame Mucho”. A DJ started spinning in the back of the room. And, feeling transported to a place and time far from Seattle, I sang the blues.

If you don’t feel the vibe to collaborate musically, you’re still hanging. There are lots of couches and seats lining the walls; a bar with a view of it all and chill bartenders. There’s even a black & white photo booth if you feel the urge to document the night. Sit back, watch the video projected on the wall behind the music, listen, and just hang. The night is what you make it.