City Arts Fest

Last year at City Arts Fest, I sat next to Drew Barrymore in the front row of the Belle & Sebastian concert. It wasn't 'cause of a press pass; I just snuck down there and no one ever told me to leave. Not sure why that's relevant this year, except that now I EXPECT to sit next to celebrities at every show. Who do I call about this? I have my intern looking through the phone book for someone as I type these words. Anyhow, this year brings more fun than you can shake an anti-fun stick at. There's been some derision about Shabazz Palaces' live show, but I submit that the Triple Door is their ideal venue. Such sophisticated-future sounds and beats will pair nicely with the swank darkness and an ice-cold martini or maybe 16 bottles of champagne. See you there on Friday night! Also, we've got the scrappy art pop of Robyn at the Paramount, the drunken poetry of the Hold Steady's Craig Finn at the Neptune (a venue you really should check out if you haven't yet), Stranger Genius shortlister Katie Kate's record release show at Neumos, Portlanders the Helio Sequence live under a laser show, the dark electro-rock configurations of Crystal Castles, Crypts, and Nightmare Fortress (all three together at Showbox Sodo Thursday night), and the brash punk rawk of Virgin Islands, who incited riotous glee last Saturday at Occupy Seattle. Plus, a million and a half other things!

Built to Spill

I caught up with Built to Spill (who also play City Arts) mastermind Doug Martsch, and we talked about his planned year off in Boise, during which he apparently helped start a community radio station, played a lot of fantasy basketball, and hung out with his Paris Hilton pet–type dogs! Excerpt:

So what can Seattle expect from this show? Are you going to do an improv jam of one song the entire time?

Uh, well, we'll see. [Awkward silence.] Probably not, though.

Unfortunately, the space in this paper formerly occupied by this interview was reoccupied for coverage of the Occupy movement. Read the rest of the interview on our portal to the Information Superhighway.

Loutallica

October 31 brings the train wreck/unholy union of Metallica and Lou Reed (actually called Lulu here). The latter famously told New York Magazine:

The version of the Lulu music I did with [Metallica] is awe-inspiring. It's maybe the best thing done by anyone, ever. It could create another planetary system. I'm not joking, and I'm not being egotistical.

Ha! Okay, then. I'm not joking, and I'm not being egotistical when I say Drew Barrymore would be lucky to have even one child with me! recommended

This story has been made funnier since its original publication.