How do you cleanse your musical palate, feed it something fresh and stimulating, free of cheep gimmick, empty flash, genre tunnel-vision? Ball of Wax, of course! Yes, good answer. Allow me to introduce another favorite of mine, The Singer Songwriter Showcase at The Copper Gate in Ballard.
The showcase takes place one Sunday a month (currently the fourth) in a very small, intimate velvet cave of sorts, called The Pussy Room (I assume the proprietors are as fond of cats as they are copper, and gates), accessed from inside the bar. The night consists of around four songwriters. Each hand-picks a few songs. Each plays, backed only by Steve Norman on pedal-steel guitar and Kubby Casual (also the evening’s host) on drums. Even if she or he has a band in real life. As players, Steve and Kubby have impeccable taste, and live only to serve The Song, drawing it out with spare ambiance and frame.
So you get the essence of each writer’s songs and style, in a small but satisfying portion.
The series just celebrated its one-year anniversary last month. If you will forgive me a brief name-drop extravaganza of past participants: Caitlin Sherman and Jason Goessl (of Slow Skate), Casey Ruff (Ballard legend, and also a founder of the series), Caleb Bue, Rachel Mae, Kimo Muraki, Caleb and Walter, and of course too many others to drop.
If you don’t like songs, and people who sing them, you should probably stay away. Otherwise, I can hardly imagine a more pleasant way to spend one Sunday evening a month. The next one is this Sunday, 26 Feb, 8pm. Oh also, there is never a cover.
And songwriters: This is a pretty cool way to explore a handful of songs in a unique light. Good for airing out songs that do not get out much, or a fresh angle on those played a lot. And those spectators who venture into the Pussy Room are there for the music, so it’s a rewarding experience all round. I can attest to that; I played one of these way back in April (you know, full disclosure and all that). Check out the info page for details and booking email.