As much fun as it is for me to write about all the great music in this area, I always wonder if I’m connecting readers with what they’re really looking for. So this week, I’m switching it up a bit.
I took to social media to ask folks what sorts of local music they are trying to find, and I’ve done my best to answer those questions. (I’ve also sprinkled in a few requests from fellow CDN writers.)
Marty Sandoval: “I’ve been to Menace Tuesday blues many times, but I’d love to find more options.”
Badd Dogg Blues Society is a good bet here. For more acoustic blues, try Delta Promenade. For high-energy blues/rock keep an eye out for Chris Eger.
If you’re not attached to the 12-bar format, Miles Harris is a serious guitar shredder with a thorough foundation in the blues (even when he’s playing in other styles with his band The Deep Cuts).
CDN assistant editor Audra Anderson wanted shoegaze and female punk.
For shoegaze, I can’t recommend CERAS enough — they’re probably my favorite band in town right now. For female punk, I’m going to once again suggest everyone check out the new album by LipStitch.
Michelle Heimerl: “I’d love to see more local bands; I just don’t really know who I might enjoy. My top bands are ’90s indie rock like Pavement, Sonic Youth, Dandy Warhols, The Pixies, Belle and Sebastia, et cetera.”
There’s a lot less of this style than there used to be. Not a perfect fit for what you are describing, but Cat Valley do a great job blending melody, dissonance and anger in a way that ought to scratch that ’90s indie rock itch.
Lonnie Minter: “I’ve yet to find an actual Bellingham band to follow, but I did become huge fans of both Acid Tongue and King Youngblood at last year’s Acid Ball Psych Music fest.”
For high-energy garage rock with just a hint of guitar heroics, Sour Fuzz might be a band for you to check out.
u/tinpotpan on Reddit wants to discover local stoner rock/metal groups.
Yes! The clear answer here is Dryland. Start with their album “Weekend in the Swamp,” from last year, then make sure to check them out live.
John Guevara asked for classical guitar.
This is a tricky one. I’m not as plugged into the classical music scene. I know local guitar hero Jacob Seyer has a background in classical but mostly performs original steel-string instrumentals now. The Bellingham Festival of Music is bringing Pablo Sanz-Villegas to town on July 21, and that might be your best bet.
Adam Resnick: “Americana: Wilco, Son Volt, Old 97s, et cetera.”
The closest parallel here is probably North Country Highway. On the slightly folksier side, you might also really like Nobody’s Peach or Cape Flattery.
u/JustBellinghamThings on Reddit was wondering about “throwback hip-hop.”
I wouldn’t go so far as to call it “throwback” but the new compilation on Black Noise Records, “Sudden Valley Drive,” has some sweet classic vibes on a few of the songs, and makes a great intro to some of what’s going on in our local hip-hop scene.
Mychelle Gallegos: “Tool, Sublime, Pink Floyd — did I mention Tool?”
If you’re a Tool fan looking for twisty, unpredictable hard rock or metal with virtuoso playing and a surprising amount of melody, I would suggest Triacs.
Isaac Stone Simonelli (CDN investigative and enterprise reporter) mentioned Blink-182 and the Mountain Goats.
Believe it or not, I’m going to combine those two requests into one. Cat Positive are a pop-punk/emo band whose singer loves the Mountain Goats.
Megan Cooper: “Bluegrass! I love most all music but I’d love to check out a local bluegrass band.”
Two great ways to get started here would be the first Friday of every month at Stones Throw, hosted by a rotating cast of the former members of the High Mountain String Band, or the jam at Honey Moon on the last Thursday of each month. A few other groups to keep an eye out for would be Yankee Drivers, Prozac Mountain Boys, Broken Bow Stringband or Queen’s Bluegrass.
Hey, this was fun! Apologies to anyone whose questions I didn’t get to, I’ll do my best to reach out and get to you. If you have other suggestions or questions please feel free to contact me. I always love to hear from other music fans.
Jesse Stanton's music column, The Beat Goes On, and his compilation list of live music events in Whatcom County appear weekly. Reach him at jsbhammusic@gmail.com; @JSBhamMusic. Check with individual venues to make sure events are still taking place as scheduled.
