Music don't stop, thank god.
James Blake, Kaytranada, maybe even still Drake all got you nips-deep in your feelings, which are feeling some kinda way. Anyway, there's plenty to get lost in round your way, and maybe just outside it, too: Tacoma's still the future as far as I'm concerned (well, them and Portland). Blakk Soul reportedly packed out the New Frontier Lounge for his smooth brand of soul; Jarv Dee put me up on West Village Records' Ta7j, whose "My City" video is a nighttime dream; ILLFIGHTYOU/ Sandlot affiliates Peasant Boys just dropped their Ghost Town EP, all produced by (ha-ha) KReam Team.
Speaking of, rising Tacomans :30 and Shawn Parker back up that postponed all-ages Lil Uzi Vert/Playboi Carti bill at the Crocodile on Sunday, May 15, so there's that. But let me back up a sec.
Mackned's latest collaboration with the Flavr Blue, "G-Funk," lightly taps that 1995–96 sweet spot of synthy mobb shit you mighta got out the Young Black Brotha label, just with Ned's post-Based pimp toasting. In a rare low-key local show (21+, kids), the Thraxxfather plays Pioneer Square's Central Saloon for an intimate yet turnt soiree on Wednesday, May 11, presented by the Bad Dad collective (are they affiliated with the locally infamous "Spring Break" guy? I don't ask). Opening up is Tacoma duo Sleep Steady (consisting of Perry Porter—who you might recall from last year's Durag Diaries—and CDVSHZ, presumably pronounced like Hot Topic's favorite bassist) and Seattle rapper Wolftone.
If you lean away from the lean, and more toward the cerebral, though, you won't find a better show that night than Open Mike Eagle (at Barboza on May 11 with DoNormaal), one of the sharpest, most natural one-man bands you'll see on the indie circuit. No rapper out wields wit better without tripping over clown shoes.
Shout-out to the music collectives curating shows these days, as opposed to them being driven by promoters, bookers, and other such invertebrates. Fish Tank Friends is another such school, and their Certain Vibes is an all-ages monthly at the Crocodile Back Bar, this Thursday, May 12, featuring Dil Withers, one of the area's best purveyors of beats dusty and nod-inducing enough to put fentanyl outta business—and that's saying a lot, because we have quite a vibey lil scene of beatsmiths out here. For just starters, check the rest of the bill, who range wide: Sendai Mike (the producerial half of Sendai Era), Nice Nate (who last year made a whole suite of tunes in tribute to Charles Mingus), producer Jamie Blake (not to be confused with James Blake—but still pretty dope), Olympia/St. Paul-based Crockett King, and Tacoma's Mr.Shn.
Also this Thursday: Seward Park native, Queens resident Aaron Cohen, repping "Jewish kids on drugs, on 'Gram," hits up Barboza with languid-yet-purposeful flows, letting all know in his latest video that he's not "The One." To date, Cohen has stayed on a low-key circuit, keeping to his Inner City Kids crew back in NYC, but earlier this year he spun through France and Brussels with Smoke DZA. Show the kid some love, and save you some for home.
