posts by Adam McKinney
By Adam McKinney Legend has it – and legends have everything – that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at a Mississippi crossroad at midnight. In exchange for his soul, the devil granted him the ability of a master guitarist. Regardless of whether this event actually took place, what we know from the …
By Adam McKinney Olympia has never been short on entertainment options; the city’s embrace of the arts and wide varieties of creative expression ensures there’s something interesting to do and see just about every night. The sheer volume of options borders on overwhelming. It’s helpful, then, to know of one place, in particular, that always …
By Adam McKinney One of Olympia’s most consistent deliverers of fascinating movies and enriching, live events is Olympia Film Society, housed in the historic Capitol Theater. While not all of OFS’ fall events have been announced, more than a few attention-worthy screenings are already on the docket. “We’re having the 30th anniversary of All Freakin’ …
By Adam McKinney As fall approaches, we see also the arrival of Emerald City Music’s third season, which runs through May of 2019. Continuing the company’s mission of staging classical and chamber-music performances that appeal to both aficionados and newcomers to the genres, ECM programmed a season brimming with bold and approachable shows. In keeping …
By ADAM McKINNEY En Canto, a seven-piece, Brazilian-dance band, is infused with an undercurrent of unbridled joy. This is a band that creates music solely for the purpose of making audiences happy, getting people out on the dance floor and leaving them with a dizzy afterglow. Breaking with tradition in the Brazilian music world, En …
by Adam McKinney If you saw a band list a collection of absurdly disparate influences, including System of a Down, Tower of Power, Modest Mouse, James Brown, and many others, wouldn’t you be inclined to think that the band probably sounds like a mess? Idaho-based outfit Lounge on Fire does just that, and perhaps the …
By ADAM McKINNEY If there’s any wonder why cover bands have played a consistent part in nightlife scenes over the years, one needn’t look any further than the 1960s and ’70s. The sheer wealth of outstanding music to come out of those decades is truly staggering, which explains why it’s that era so often mined …
By ADAM McKINNEY There’s an ongoing movement around the world to foster positivity, community support and creative outlets for young people. Locally, the Bridge Music Project works with at-risk youth, teaching them to combat the difficulties of life through the expression of songwriting. The organization started the Bridge Summer Concert Series, now entering its fourth …
By ADAM McKINNEY As a unit, the Michelle Taylor Band rides atop an effortless wave of cool, exploiting pose and attitude for all they’re worth. Taylor cites soul and blues powerhouses Beth Hart and Susan Tedeschi as touchstones. Their influence is clear: Like those artists, Taylor exudes a constant sense of a firm hand, leading …
By ADAM McKINNEY Comprising a murderers’ row of blues veterans, the five-piece ensemble Joe Blue and the Roof Shakers brings a wild energy to performances. It’s busted out stone-cold classics since 2006, imbuing favorites like “La Grange,” “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” and “Pride and Joy” with a raucous, lived-in strut. Harmonica, horns, dirty guitars, …