Category Archives: Community

Ball of Wax 42 Songs: Ju. – El Sentido de la Vida

Madrid’s Ju. (pronounced, I assume, like the English word ‘who,’ but I could be mistaken) is the newest international addition to the Ball of Wax coterie, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have them. The band first came to … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 41 Songs: Unai Azkune – Coming Home

Spanish songwriter Unai Azkune returns to Ball of Wax with “Coming Home,” a stark, sublime folk mediation not unlike “Bálsamo de Tigre,” which appeared on Volume 34. Featuring only voice, acoustic guitar and some delay, “Coming Home” is spooky and timeless; the … Continue reading

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Wesafari Returns for One Night

Long-time readers and listeners probably know that Wesafari was one of my favorite bands – and were some of my favorite people – in Seattle for the first decade-plus of this century. Somehow it’s been over four years since they … Continue reading

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10 years, 40 musicians, One CD: Ball of Wax Turns Ten!

Ball of Wax Volume 40/10th anniversary celebration weekend: Saturday, June 20, Conor Byrne Pub 5140 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle The Great Um, Sam Russell and the Screen Soul Explosion, Eggshells, Virgin of the Birds, Screens, and special guests Doors 9pm … Continue reading

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The Edinburgh Waxers: Storm the Palace

I’m still reeling from the experience of watching 40 random musicians from Seattle come together in draw-from-a-hat collections to become bands and produce music. Levi Fuller demonstrated, in 24 hours, that the only thing keeping Seattle from being a massive … Continue reading

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Album Review: Meursault – The Organ Grinder’s Monkey

Meursault – The Organ Grinder’s Monkey (Song, By Toad Records, 2014) Back in January, Scottish band Meursault did a Kickstarter to raise money for travel to the USA for SXSW and a two week tour of the East Coast. Despite a goal … Continue reading

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Album Review: The Crush – Future Blimps

The Crush – Future Blimps (self-released, 2014) Power pop trio the Crush first appeared on the Seattle scene sometime in 2013. They had the energy, enthusiasm, Kinks covers and cool guitars (Rickenbacker 360 and Danelectro Longhorn bass!!!) to quickly gain … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 34: November 30th at Conor Byrne

Ball of Wax Volume 34 Release Show Day Laborers & Petty Intellectuals, Levi Fuller & the Library, GreenhornBluehorn, Colin J Nelson, Virgin of the Birds, Whole Halves Saturday, November 30, 8:30pm Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Ave NW 21+ / … Continue reading

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Friendship Commanders Cover the Ramones for a Good Cause

Our friends Friendship Commanders (you might remember their tune “Bad to See You” from BoW 33) have released a spooky new single just in time for Halloween, presenting their rendition of everyone’s favorite Ramones song from an ’80s horror movie … Continue reading

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Marc Laurick’s Thesis on Album-oriented Rock: tourbillons

Marc Laurick – tourbillons (2013, self-released) Marc Laurick is part of the rhythm section for a growing number of Seattle-based musicians– something like a contemporary Leland Sklar of The Section. I can’t think of how many songwriters he’s sat in … Continue reading

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