amazingly nutty & brilliantly unconventional

Don't let Holli's fairy-esque-jaunt allude you, she's a ball of fire. It only takes a few minutes to notice this gal has a keen sense of imagination and is not afraid to show it.

With a reduce-reuse-recycle mentality, Holli never buys a new canvas- she prefers to paint over works bought second hand. More often than not, she doesn't use brushes or your typical artist tools, instead she is known to use old socks, twigs, and her "chubby fingers" to paint. We sat down with Holli Pappan to take a glimpse into her amazingly nutty and brilliantly unconventional mind.

The Triple Door: Where do you find inspiration for your art?
Holli Pappan: I am inspired mostly by the sunsets, my time in the woods, and the fear of alien attacks.

TD: If you could have a drink with any visual artist, living or dead, who would it be?
HP: I would combo up with Dali- because he was so wack, Van Gogh so I could tell him it's gonna be okay, and Pollock because the man was a wicked drunk and I'm sure we could get down.

TD: Who is your favorite artist?
HP: My favorite artists are Van Gogh, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess), and Bob Ross.. high as a kite Bob Ross.

TD: What is your favorite historical artistic movement?
HP: I find the most interesting and artistic movement to be when cinema went from silent to audible, or
"talkies" as they were referred to. Chaplin refused to when everybody else jumped right on the bandwagon. Chaplin's silent films are still heavily sought after today, it's awesome!

TD: What are some of your other artistic outlets?
HP: I take turns with my artistic outlets, I have gone from painter to stand up comedian, and vica versa for years. I am a bit of a lyrical gangster... word.

TD: Do you listen to music while you create? If so, who do you listen to? 
HP: I am a stupid fan of the mix tape, I listen to it all. Big fan of the oldies while painting, not so much The Cure. Listening to The Cure while painting would be like playing Russian Roulette with a teenage waifs sadness.. I keep it light and happy.

TD: Describe Seattle's art scene in three words:
HP: Seattle's art scene in one word is flooded. In two words, very flooded, in three words... I LOVE IT.

TD: What is your favorite color?
HP: Everything teal/turquoise/aqua.... and rusty orange forever!

Holli Pappan will be presenting a series of paintings inspired by the seasons. To accurately capture the visual brilliance of nature, each piece was created while physically immersed in the elements of the corresponding season: spring, summer, fall and winter.   

"I paint as unconventional as I live, and it's the simplicity in my life that allows me to paint so freely," says Holli. "I respect the classic approach to painting, drawing, and all things fine.. but I prefer to go caveman on my works."

See Holli Pappan's work on the Musicquarium walls at The Triple Door for the month of August. Join us for First Thursday on August 2nd for extended happy hour for 4-7pm.

A lil' Q&A ~ Sarah Jarosz

Sarah Jarosz' supple vocals and old-timey ballads are the kind that make you feel like your sitting on your front porch steps, on a hot summer day, with a cool breeze kissing your face as you eat a jar of honey, they're THAT sweet. We interrupted Sarah's Western Tour with a lil' Q&A....

The Triple Door: Name the number one song on your iTunes' "25 Most Played" playlist?
Sarah Jarosz: Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan

TD: What is your biggest musical guilty pleasure?
SJ: Listening to N'Sync as a kid...

TD: When you're not playing music, what are you doing?
SJ: Cooking, hanging out with dogs any chance I get, reading, going for walks, watching movies

TD: What was the first song you ever played/sang?
SJ: I think the first documented song was "You're a Grand Old Flag" when I was 2...

TD: If you could play with any musician, living or dead, who would it be?
SJ: It's so hard to choose just one! I feel so fortunate because I've already had the chance to play with a ton of my heroes, but I have to say it would be amazing to play with Paul Simon or Johann Sebastian Bach.

TD: What was the best concert you ever attended?
SJ: I've seen so many amazing concerts... It's too hard to pick just one! There are a lot of memorable Telluride and RockyGrass sets that stand out in my mind as being incredibly epic.

TD: If you could perform in any city in the world, where would you?
SJ: Right now in my life, I'd have to say Paris or Rome

TD: What inspires you to play music?
SJ: Listening to, and playing with, great musicians... poetry, art, and nature

TD: What hidden talents do you have?
SJ: I can hula hoop really well

TD: Who is your musician crush?
SJ: George Harrison




Catch Sarah Jarosz and the Shook Twins on July 30 at 7:30 on the Mainstage. Purchase tickets here>>

Burlesco DiVino: Wine in Rome

The Triple Door's Summer of Riesling Burlesco DiVino: Wine in Rome show will take the audience on a wine-soaked adventure through two eras. The first, a harvest celebration that calls forth the God of Wine himself in the time of the Roman Empire, and the second, the story of an intrepid reporter determined to photograph a reclusive diva in Rome during the swingin' Sixties.  

Inspired by the great costume epics, Quo Vadis and Satvricon, as well as mid-century visions of Rome, this show mixes classical and jazz music with the traditional music of ancient Rome and Italian go-go rock. Costumed by the illustrious music of Daniel Hellman, arcane priestesses, paparazzi, Vespa-girls, fire dancers, and fashionistas all take their turn in the spotlight. This "party through time" mixes belly dance, go-go, and ballet with comedy, song, striptease, and glamour for an orgy that lasts 2,000 years!

Featuring burlesque superstars Lily Verlaine, Inga Ingenue, The Luminous Pariah, Paris Original, Trojan Original, and Jasper McCann, with rising starlets Laurel Bordeaux, Tory Tiara, Holly Pop, Persephone Illyri, and the fusion belly-dance trio Tribella, the show will leave you punch-drunk in delight! Burlesco DiVino: Wine in Rome is the intoxicating theatrical burlesque mélange that you've come to expect from Verliane, McCann, and company.

There are five chances to become intoxicated in ecdysiastic pageantry at the Summer of Riesling Burlesco DiVino: Wine in Rome show on Wednesday, August 8 at 8:00 p.m. (17+), Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 p.m. (17+) and 10:30 p.m. (21+) and Friday, August 10 at 8:00 p.m. (17+) and 10:30 p.m. (21+). Ticket prices range from $25-$35 and can be purchased here>>

A lil' Q&A ~ JR Cadillac

Over 40 years ago, 5 local Washington musicians gathered in Ned Neltner's basement for a jam session that would quickly spawn into Jr Cadillac. The Triple Door jumped on the opportunity to interview the man whose basement was the key to unlocking 42 years of rock 'n roll.  

The Triple Door: You've been playing music for over 40 years, how has the music scene changed for you?
Ned Neltner: For Jr. Cadillac, the music scene changed when we started playing taverns hereabouts. Previously, there had been no live rock 'n roll in the bars. We started that monster.

TD: Name your biggest guilty pleasure, musically?
NN: I am a huge ELO, Jeff Lynne fan.

TD: What was the first song you ever played/sang?
NN: First song was "Ready Teddy" at the Franklin Jr. High "Blue and White Revue" in Yakima back in the dim unlit past.

TD: If you could play with any musician, living or dead, who would it be?
NN:  Well, since he is an idol of mine, Ray Charles... but he is so intimidating it might not be that much fun.

TD: What was the best concert you ever attended?
NN: We opened for Fleetwood Mac in Anchorage right when the "new" band with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham released, "Fleetwood Mac". I heard that album first time at sound check and again that night. Unreal good band.

TD: Sounds surreal. Where and when was your most memorable show? What makes it so memorable?
NN: There have been literally thousands.. so that's hard to say. We had a great time opening for the Beach Boys and The Kinks at Memorial Stadium... backing Chuck Berry 15 times was an experience, believe me!

TD: What's your most embarrassing on stage experience?
NN: Oh maybe peeing my pants...

TD: When you're not playing music, what are you doing?
NN: I live in Mexico in a little beach town called Barra de Navidad. The ocean is always swimmable, I ride my bike a lot, garden, and I have a home recording studio where I have made 13 albums.

TD:  What an inspiring environment, what else inspires you to play music?
NN: I just always have. As a babe, I sang with my mom playing piano. I can't stop!

TD: What hidden talents do you have?

NN: You'll have to ask my gal that one.

**Pictured left to right: Jeffrey Beals (baritone sax). Steve Flynn (piano, organ, vocals), Ned Neltner (guitar, lead vocals), Les Clinkingbeard (tenor sax), Don King (bass, vocals), Brian "Tito" Steiner (percussion), George Rudiger (drums)

                   

See the guys behind Jr. Cadillac on August 18, at 8pm, on the Mainstage. Tickets here>>