Tonight In Music: Koko and the Sweetmeats, M. Bison, and more
Posted by Lindsey ScullyM. Bison, Heatwarmer, Gems @ Crocodile| 5/25 | 8pm | $7 Get Tickets | 21+
Photo via M. Bison’s Myspace
M. Bison is the reason you use to camp out at ticket vendors back in the day. The idea of going to a show where your mind is being blown away by talent is what would keep you warm while you sleep in the tent on the cement sidewalk. M. Bison is going to blow your mind with talent tonight, and possibly keep you warm. Between the video game pop sounds of Samurai Showdown to the slower Follow Me to the Lake, you get an eclectic mix of styles from M. Bison. A little synth mixed with piano, pop and rock help distinguish M. Bison’s unique sound while all flowing together quite nicely. –Lindsey Scully
Heatwarmer has a blissful style to them. Their vibe varies on each track but for a majority of them the listener feels like they just popped a mouthful of Skittles right after scratching off a winning Lotto ticket. Yeah, they make you feel that good. Sugary-sweet vocals paired with keys, synth, and now horns; what else could you ask for? The circus-like twang on We Got The Beat is a tad reminiscent of Ludo’s Love Me Dead.
Gems has a unique setup; two drummers and two keyboardists. Most would think that this is overkill but, in fact, Gems finds the balance between the four artists. They walk the delicate line between drumbeats and cymbals to keys and organs all while giving each instrument and artists their due and not over-working one or the other. Varying between a R&B smooth silky track like Tron to a church organ-esque single like Sapphire; Gems has definitely found their sound.
Koko and the Sweetmeats,Solvents, The Synthony @ Tractor Tavern| 5/25 | 9pm | $6 Get Tickets | 21+
Photo via Koko and the Sweetmeats Myspace
Garret Van der Spek came all the way from South Africa to settle on down in Seattle and make some pretty amazing music for you. Him and Laura Van der Spek have notably been compared to The White Stripes for the simple formula of male guitarist/vocals with a female drummer plus the whole on-stage-love thing. Koko and the Sweetmeats are so much more then that though. The group really has talent and a terrific bluesy folk swagger that just lends itself to you. So go do yourself a favor and grab your special someone, take them out for a bite to eat (maybe even some ice cream if you are feeling extravagant) then head on over to the Tractor and just enjoy being in the moment with them and Koko and the Sweetmeats.
The Synthony is a local sextet that has a futuristic vintage dream-like sound to them. Where Endless Summer XX is a bit ragtime and vaudeville, A Romantic gets all Chris-Isaak type of amorous on you.
Solvents have received great reviews on their album Forgive Yr Blood from various press including here a SSG. They have a quaint sound that is a bit rock, indie folk, and americana. They typify what an independent artist means. Not only did they self-release Forgive Yr Blood but they just successfully funded their Kickstarter project four days ago to press vinyl versions of their album.
