One big show announcement I have to mention first: Canadian heavy metal band Anvil will be at the Shakedown on Thursday, July 14. If you haven’t seen the documentary about them I can’t recommend it enough for music fans.
Even if you don’t care at all about their music (to be fully honest, it’s not really my thing) it’s a moving portrait of friendship and dedication, following two guys who almost made it big and refuse to give up. It makes me oddly happy to know that they’re still out there, touring and chasing their dreams.
Picks of the week
The Blue Room has three nights of great rock shows in a row, starting on Thursday, April 7. The new venue has been doing a great job of mixing up genres a bit, so each show gives you an assortment of styles.
Tea Seas Trio are back at Twin Sisters on Thursday with their signature instrumental blend, incorporating everything from jazz to surf to boogaloo.
The Shakedown has a great local metal lineup on Friday, April 8. If you like that sort of music and haven’t checked out the new album by Swamp Lantern, give that a listen before the show.
Cascadia Groove will bring their jazzy funk covers and originals to pack the dance floor at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center on Saturday, April 9. If you’re looking for something mellower, the Anissa Quartet at Skylark’s would be a great choice for jazz.
On Saturday afternoon at Farmstrong Brewing in Mount Vernon, Baby Cakes gets in on this weekend’s action with a free, all-ages outdoor show as part of Skagit Cider Fest.
It’s a relatively quiet week at the Wild Buffalo, but they do have an electronic music night on Saturday they are calling “Wobble Night,” which gives you some idea of the types of sounds you might expect: lots of wobbly bass.
Fiddle and smallpipe fans will want to head to the Littlefield Celtic Center on Sunday, April 10 for the traditional Scottish sounds of Cantrip. The acoustic trio also uses guitar and bouzouki, and sings strong harmonies.
Live Music Calendar
Wednesday, April 6
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
Thursday, April 7
Blue Room: 8 p.m., Apology Wars, The Stilvettas, Marble (rock)
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Jazz Jam
Shakedown: 9 p.m., The Veer Union, 2Shadows, guests (hard rock)
Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Twin Sisters: 6 p.m., Tea Seas Trio (jazz/ funk/ rock)
WWU PAC: 7:30 p.m., WWU Percussion Ensemble
Friday, April 8
Aslan: 8 p.m., Synergy Trio
Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Chris Eger (blues/ rock)
Blue Room: 8 p.m., Rae Du Soleil, Madrona, Madam Monarch (rock)
Big Rock Woolley Market: 7 p.m., Odd Mood Jam Band
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Bare Feet
Fireside: 7 p.m., Carr Parker
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Mama Doll
Shakedown: 9 p.m., Melancholia, Vacuum, Swamp Lantern (metal)
Skylark’s: 7 p.m., Raveis Kole (folk)
Vault: 7 p.m., Louis Ledford (folk)
Saturday, April 9
Beach at Birch Bay: 4 p.m., Antishock (rock covers)
Blue Room: 8 p.m., Triacs, Bennycamps and the Bastards, Iggy Poop (rock)
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Sandy Rowe
Boundary: 1 p.m., Steve Webb (folk)
Brown Lantern: 9 p.m., Lion of Judah Band (reggae)
Farmstrong: 5 p.m., Baby Cakes (R&B/ pop covers)
Firehouse: 6:30 p.m., Cascadia Groove (funk/ soul/ jazz)
Fireside: 3:30 p.m., Singers’ Saturday
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Louis Ledford (folk)
Mount Baker Theatre: 7:30 p.m., TAKE3 (pop/ classical)
Skylark’s: 7 p.m., Anissa Quartet (jazz)
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Ecstasy of Eden, OOC, Frubbles, Shark Boy (electronic)
Sunday, April 10
Culture Cafe: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Kulshan: 5 p.m., The Harris Twins
Littlefield Celtic Center: 7 p.m., Cantrip (traditional Scottish)
Shakedown: 8 p.m., Pound, Wet Temple, Akrasia (rock)
Monday, April 11
Firehouse: 3:30 p.m., Dry Martini
Kulshan: 6 p.m., Lynn Street Ramble (acoustic rock)
Tuesday, April 12
Aslan: 8 p.m., Jazz Night
Beach at Birch Bay: 6:30 p.m., Open Mic
Jesse Stanton’s music column, The Beat Goes On, runs Wednesdays. Email: jsbhammusic@gmail.com or Twitter: @JSBhamMusic
