Fresh Espresso - Bassalona - Friday @ Neumos

Of course there is a Seattle rap duo named Fresh Espresso. Why wouldn't the city that created Starbucks have a rap group that spits rhymes like some over-caffeinated beatnik from the future? After making a huge splash at Sasquatch, the hype surrounding this Friday's show at Neumos is almost at a boiling point. The the group newest album Bassalona has a little of everything. Heavy electronic beats, smokin' smooth jazz numbers from the 20's and uplifting rhymes perfect for the summer sun.



Tommy Simmons - Someway, Somehow - Friday @ Tractor

It took two years and more blood, sweat and tears than an ER room but local singer songwriter Tommy Simmons is finally set to release his debut album this Friday at the Tractor Tavern. Appropriately titled Someway, Somehow the album is full of soft acoustic undertones that would work well on any Jason Marz or John Mayer LP. Crystal clear vocals, flawless production, and string arrangements the likes of which haven't been heard since the Goo Goo Dolls song "Iris"  makes this album sound like a million bucks.



Nouela - Chants - Sunday @ Sunset Tavern

If you read our blog, you know we like us some Nouela.  The former frontwoman for People Eating People has the heart of Zola Jesus, the soul of Fiona Apple and the bad ass attitude of the band Polica.  Dark and passionate sounds with hypnotizing beats make this album a must have for any local music fan. It's literately "scary good". Do yourself a favor and follow the band's advice. Go to their In-Store performance at Sonic Boom and then "get completely hamboned, and show up to our official CD release show". Wise words indeed Noeula.



Shannon Stephens - Pull it Together - Friday @ Sunset Tavern

Shannon Stephens isn't the kind of singer-songwriter who just expresses herself with some lonely words and a few piano riffs. On her latest release, Pull It Together, Shannon shows a genuine knack for expansive song structure; guiding arrangements of guitars, banjos, and drums like some sonic Sherpa through the peaks and valleys of Americana blues-folk. It's no wonder she releases her music under Asthmatic Kitty Records, home to fellow new-wave folkie, Sufjan Stevens.