Rick's Picks: Charlie Musselwhite and Groove for Thought

This week's Rick's Picks of the Week is Square Peg Concerts and Western Arts Alliance presents Charlie Musselwhite and Groove for Thought on September 2 at 7:30 at The Triple Door.

The harmonica master, Charlie Musselwhite, was born in Mississippi, raised in Memphis and schooled on the South Side of Chicago where he began his musical career in the '60s. Since then he has been trailblazing the music scene with his deep country guitar work and melodic harmonica that is flawlessly rooted in blues. He's released over 30 albums and won numerous awards, including, most recently, two coveted Blues Music Awards from The Blues Foundation.

Accompanying Charlie Musselwhite is Seattle based Groove for Thought, a seven member band full of infectious grooves, stunning arrangements and electrifying solos blended into jazz infused R&B tunes.

See Square Peg Concerts and Western Arts Alliance presents Charlie Musselwhite and Groove for Thought on September 2 at 7:30 on the Mainstage!

Rick's Picks of the Week: Sean Hutchinson's STILL LIFE

Rick's Picks of the Week is Sean Hutchinson's STILL LIFE CD Release Concert on Wednesday, August 24th at 7:30, on the Mainstage at The Triple Door.

Sean Hutchinson's STILL LIFE blends acoustic with electronic ambience to create a sonic world where machine-like drum beats, melodic bass lines and piano textures develop singable melodies and improvisational displays. STILL LIFE encompasses influences by the giants of rock including the Beatles and Wilco, but also incorporates the great jazz trio units of Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal, yet somehow works in the emotional intensity and electronic edge of Radiohead.

The members involved in STILL LIFE all share the unique perspective of individually being both in-demand sidemen as well as bandleaders, and drawing form this experience, each player serves the collective sound, but does so in their own highly personalized way. All songs are originally composed by the band members, apart from a few choice covers by the likes of David Bowie, Radiohead and the Beatles.

Listen to Sean Hutchinson's STILL LIFE and attend the CD Release show August 24th at 7:30 on the Mainstage!

Rick's Picks of the Week: Richard Buckner and David Kilgour

Rick's Picks of the Week is An Evening With Richard Buckner & David Kilgour on Saturday August 20th, at 8 pm, at The Triple Door.

The husky-voiced, country-folk, singer/songwriter Richard Buckner, bases his sound in rootsy country traditions. Co-headlining with Buckner will be the "guitar god for guitar atheists", David Kilgour on the Mainstage for a laid back evening that can only be found when dusty rock guitar is organically interwoven to the rhythm of pop-country.

The two will be touring throughout the US in support of Kilgour's new album Left By Soft and together they will bring a peaceful vitality and energy to the stage that is surely to enchant.

See An Evening with Richard Buckner & David Kilgour live on August 20th at 8pm on The Mainstage.

Seattle Bands Support the Arts

Some of Seattle's favorite local bands will come together at Secret Heart: One Evening of Feist Songs, Turned Inside and Out, by Seattle Bands, a benefit show supporting the Fremont Abbey Arts Center on August 18th at 8pm on The Mainstage at The Triple Door.

Performances by Goldfinch, which Imaginary Victoria from Three Imaginary Girls says, "is a hell of a band.. there's nothing they haven't done on stage that isn't pure gold", plus the soothing, harmonious sound of Charity Thielen, the vocals, violin and percussion for The Head and The Heart, will revamp Feist's songs with their own uniquely heartfelt style.

The endearingly honeyed vocals of songwriter Hannah Williams from Youth Rescue Mission will bring an expansive and experimental sound to the stage, while Noah and Abby Gunderson, the unstoppable brother and sister duo, will bring a harmonious duality only found in sibling familiarity to a selection of Feist's songs. Lesli Wood from The Redwood Plan will bring her funky, vibrant, swingin' style to the indie pop sounds of Feist.

In addition to covering Feist, each signer will perform one of their original songs. A portion of the proceeds for Secret Heart: One Evening of Feist songs, Turned Inside and Out, by Seattle Bands will support the Fremont Abbey Arts Center's youth arts programs and scholarships. Fremont Abbey Arts Center is a non-profit community venue that welcomes people of all ages and income to experience the arts through new collaborations and social development.

Follow link to buy tickets to Secret Heart: One Evening of Feist Songs, Turned Inside and Out, by Seattle Bands

Rick's Picks: Jimmie Vaughan & Tilt-A-Whirl featuring Lou Ann Barton

Rick's Pick of the Week is the retro cool, Jimmie Vaughan & Tilt-A-Whirl featuring Lou Ann Barton on August 11th, at 7:30 on The Mainstage at The Triple Door.

Jimmie Vaughan is far more than just one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the world of blues music. As Guitar Player magazine notes, “He is a virtual deity--a living legend.” Vaughan has provided a vital link between contemporary music and its proud heritage of blues guitarists, including his brother, the legendary, Stevie Ray Vaughan. His musical ethos and personal style have had an impact on contemporary culture, from spearheading the current blues revival with The Fabulous Thunderbirds to his longtime, innate fashion sense of slicked-back hair and sharp vintage threads (now seen throughout the pages of contemporary fashion journals) to becoming a premier designer of classic custom cars. But for Jimmie Vaughan, none of it is part of a crusade or a career plan. It's just his natural way of living his life and pursuing the interests that have captivated Vaughan since his youth.

After all the accomplishments and admiration he has earned, Jimmie Vaughan is modest when it comes to his life and work. "I'm just trying to have fun like everyone else," he concludes. "I've been playing since I was 13. I play everyday. I've never stopped. I can't imagine that I could exist without it."

Accompanying Vaughan is Texas native Lou Ann Barton, whose fierce voice belts out the roadhouse blues like no other. See Jimmie Vaughan & Tilt-A-Whirl featuring Lou Ann Barton Thursday, August 11th, at 7:30 on The Mainstage.

Tags-for-Tix: Colin Hay 9/15

Finally, the sun is consistently showing it's face and Seattleites are bustling around the Emerald City trying tasty eats, listening to lively music and exploring the Puget Sound's natural elements, all the while, photographing their adventures. The Triple Door wants to contribute to your shenanigans and give you some free stuff while we're at it!

We have selected a few upcoming shows to be a part of our new Tags-for-Tix contest. In order to win, take a picture of yourself, and your friends, at the following places, post it on your Facebook wall and tag The Triple Door. The first person to visit all three places, and tag the The Triple Door, will win a pair of tickets to Colin Hay on 9/15! Game ends 9/14 at 12:00pm.

Colin Hay's Tag-for-Tix places:

1) Pike Place Pig

2) Gum Wall

3) Wild Ginger downtown Seattle (outside or inside)

Silliness, wackiness, mockery and all-things-bizarre are encouraged. Thanks for playing and keep checking in with us for other upcoming Tag-for-Tix shows!

See Colin Hay September 15th and 16th at 7:30 on The Mainstage!

New Happy Hour Menu

The Triple Door would like to present a new, shaken and served, Happy Hour menu splashed with speciality cocktails, frothy draft beer and select wine varietals, and garnished with tasty satays and small bites. Happy Hour is available in the Musicquarium 4pm-6pm everyday and 9pm-12am Sunday-Thursday.

Click on image to enlarge

Rick's Picks: Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers

Rick's Picks of the week is the sultry chanteuse, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers on Wednesday, August 3rd, at 7:30, on The Mainstage.

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers draw influences from Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington to bring aesthetic pleasure, in the form of sensuous Blues and swingin' Jazz sounds, to their eager audience. The 7-piece band evokes danceable rhythm while Lavay's big, bluesy voice and charismatic stage presence captures the crowd.

For this not-to-miss show, The Triple Door will open a up a dance floor, in front of the stage, for those who have on their dancin' shoes. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.