Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Gives Big Bang at Summer Meltdown, Darrington WA, By Trevor Lee Ridge

The air is permeated by the sounds of delicious jam bands, filling the valley with soulful guitars, tight hypnotic grooves, and the occasional scream of ecstasy at the top of some festival goer’s lungs. Nighttime arrives with myriad lasers, smoke machines, and possibly the happiest family of festival goers in all of Washington. While Summer …

Jesca Hoop – Hospital – Artist to Peform at PDX’s Alberta Rose Theatre 8/16, Seattle’s Empty Sea Studios 8/17 and Eugene’s Sam Bounds Garage 8/18

Jesca Hoop has been compared to Kate Bush, Björk, and Fiona Apple. She has also previously toured with KCRW’s Nic Harcourt, Elbow’s Guy Garvey, and most recently the Punch Brothers. Last month she released her third album The House That Jack Built, and 8/16 she will be in Portland, OR @ The Alberta Rose Theatre, …

The Monkees, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Each Have Take on Mike Nesmith’s “Mary, Mary,” By Pat Thomas

At Western Recorders in Hollywood on July 25, 1966, The Monkees recorded Mike Nesmith’s song “Mary, Mary” – meanwhile at nearly the same time, at Chess Studios on 2120 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, the Paul Butterfield band with Mike Bloomfield was recording it as well. I’ve always loved it when doped up, kick ass …

The Rocket Magazine Anniversary Bash Gets Some Lip Service, By Johnny Renton

Hello, dear readers. August 5 proved to be another hectic day for Mr. Renton. Sunday began by covering the Seafair Cup races at Lake Washington, including another mindblowing aerial display by the Blue Angels. Nighttime found yours truly catching, simultaneously, JESSE SYKES at Gainesbourg and KASEY CHAMBERS at The Triple Door. In between, Mr. Renton …