Andrew the Great

If you've read this blog, like, at all, you know that I like my music independent and my voices fresh and exciting. It's possible I've just found the perfect combination.


Andrew Vait is an up-and-coming Seattle-based musician who writes amazing, heartfelt, somewhat grandiose indie-pop songs that are informed as much by modern indie stalwarts (check for hints of Modest Mouse, DCfC, The Decemberists, in varying degrees) as by the demigods of 70's singer-songwriters (think Cat Stevens and Gordon Lightfoot, among others). He is a perfect voice for a generation applying the lessons of the past to the possibilities of the present--the evidence is right there in the song "Missing Teeth": over a mid-tempo beat and a catchy synth melody, he croons with the gravity of someone at least twice his age ("...we made a little bed /.../and slept on what we never said).

Gigging for his album, The Pros and Cons of Drowning, Andrew has been making the rounds throughout the PNW. He hasn't told me this specifically, but I am pretty sure he would play anywhere. Seriously, become his fan on Facebook: there are Happy Hour shows, house shows, proper club shows...you name it. Keep an eye out soon for the full band's (Andrew Vait and The Eternal Fair) album, coming soon to an independent record store (...ahem!) near you.

This guy just loves to play. And play he will.

We are so lucky to be able to bring him to Renton...check him out this coming Friday (10/22 @ 6pm) for an intimate solo performance at your favorite DTR record store. Yes, the only one. Whatever. Always have to point that out, don't you?

As always--our shows are FREE, for ALL AGES, and SUPER RAD.

Can't wait to see you.

ROAR, -TRx

An Open Letter to Music

Dear Music,

Hi. I've been listening for a while. Long-time fan. Seriously. Not to gush, or anything, but I was always the one who was off listening to you while other kids were doing stuff outside, or playing video games. I wouldn't expect you to remember. It's OK. I just wanted to write to you to explain how you've helped shape me, and thank you for all the times you made my life a little more tolerable.

So, I was recently reading somewhere that you're like, 9000 years old...? That is amazing. I mean, you don't seem a day over 6000. You've aged really well. You're always finding new ways to evolve and change to fit whatever time you're in. I mean, that's really cool. A lot of us (humans, I mean) get all stuck with what we liked at a certain time in our lives, and never really learn the skills of adaptation to what is new. I know I'm still stuck on a lot of the stuff I used to like as a kid... I really admire that you can stay so vital.

Somewhere early on, I knew that my obsession with you would last a very long time.

I mean, I've seen you change a lot over the years, and I've done a lot of research about how you were before I was around. I am continually amazed that you can always be such an inspiration for people when it feels like they are losing reasons to keep trying. Just one of your many skills, I suppose. I remember this one time: I was having the week from hell--I mean, it was bad. It was like, you name it and it was going wrong, and I didn't have anyone around that I could really talk to about it...and there may have been a girl involved. I bet you hear this kind of stuff a lot, huh? Anyway, I won't bore you with the details, but I decided early on that I was going to have to lean on you a little bit to get through that. And the whole time, you were there, like a champion, to commiserate with me when I needed it and to lift me up when I was too far down. Likewise, I have soundtracks made of you that have accompanied all the best times in my life--you know: all those times when I was sitting behind glass, watching cars pass by in a state of utter contentment; or those first meetings with people I knew would be important to me, even though I didn't know how or why I knew that at the time--it was like you already knew, and you were trying to clue me in without saying too much.

I mean, you're perfect. You're amazing. I don't know how you do it. I know a lot of your fans are too cool to say these things. I know that I might not be so cool. I am OK with that this time. I think it is important that you know we aren't taking you for granted.

Anyway, I'll wrap this up by saying that the real reason I'm writing is that I have started falling in love with you even more recently. I mean there has always been love, of course. But lately, it's as though I am hearing you with new ears. You have somehow rejuvenated me--made me start to remember that there are things that can make me happy. I feel like you are teaching me lessons all over again, the way you did when I was just a kid, wearing flannel and trying desperately not to fit in. I hope I'm not making you uncomfortable by telling you all this. Like I said before, I just think you need to know.

So, y'know, just keep doing what you're doing. It's been a great run so far. And thanks again for everything. I'll be here, listening. We all will.

Respectfully,

nich