posts by Adam McKinney
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTs As the winter months descend on the world, the cold and darkness is met with a combination of reverie and revelry. Nights get quieter, and the solitude is countered with companionship and sacred celebration. A singular holiday celebration is the annual singing of Handel’s Messiah, an oratorio from the …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Man Forever represents something of a music nerd’s platonic ideal. Led by John Colpitts (aka Kid Millions), the vocalist, drummer, and creative backbone of New York noise-rock titans heavyweights Oneida, Man Forever takes artistic ambition and makes a game of how far it can be stretched with complex syncopation …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Emerald City Music has recently started its second season. Just about everything about ECM’s shows strays from the highfalutin norm of the classical set. They feature more relaxed environments and more contemporary compositions, thereby aiding in bringing a new audience to classical music. One of their upcoming shows is …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Olympia’s Fall Arts Walk is chock-full of entertainment, with acts filling every available space. Adding to that vibrant environment are street performers who fill the open air with music, thereby crafting an ambience of creative life. Olympia Waldorf School, founded in 1985, is a nonprofit, independent school on acres …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Some musicians have managed to Zelig themselves throughout the history of rock, placing themselves alongside legends at such perfectly opportune times that it’s astonishing to consider. One person who’s justifiably ubiquitous in rock is Dave Mason. Starting with his work in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Traffic, …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Performing as one person with one acoustic guitar, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. That archetype provides just about the simplest and most direct way to express oneself in music, so there’s naturally a lot of competition. A compelling lyrical output and dynamic performance style …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS As the dog days of summer descend on the Pacific Northwest, eyes look to a time when layers and long sleeves will return and it’s even more enticing to venture outside; and in any city worth its salt, there ought to be venues that feature consistent bookings showcasing a …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS “I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t play guitar.” — Vince Brown Olympians may well recognize Vince Brown as a guitarist who has thoroughly knitted himself into the fabric of the Pacific Northwest’s jazz scene. As a founding member of western-swing outfit Red Brown and the Tune …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS It’s a dream, for many, to have their presence keenly felt in their community. Whether this be through the simple act of offering a friendly face, lending a hand in civic projects or providing beauty through the arts, leaving a positive impression is an admirable goal for anyone to …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS It’s not uncommon for certain members of musical genres to become cliquey, forbidding outside entrance from other genres. Of them all, country in particular has enjoyed its embrace of tradition, shunning any meddling from the greater musical world. This stereotype is certainly not without its exceptions, though, and country’s …