May 23, 2012

Music

Underage

U-District Alley Art Party

by Jackson Hathorn

ALLEY ART PARTY: DAY LABORERS AND PETTY INTELLECTUALS, CHILDREN OF KIDS, CORESPONDENTS, UW JAZZ BAND

During the five years I called the U-District home, there probably wasn't a single alleyway I spent more time in than the one on 42nd Street and the Ave. On one corner is Magus Books, a place I visited so often that I convinced myself to stop my English studies across the street at UW and pursue my own independent literature education. Next door is Cafe Allegro, where during my last few quarters as an undergrad, I could be seen banging my head against my laptop in an attempt to write a history thesis. This Thursday, a few days after the neighborhood's official summer-coming-out-party street fair, and before the Memorial Day weekend festi-madness of Sasquatch!, Folklife, and Rainfest, a group of UW students is putting on a multimedia alley art party at this hallowed parcel of land. As an array of student artwork is on display, two local folk bands I'm particularly keen on will soundtrack the night's revelry. Day Laborers and Petty Intellectuals' name aptly reflects the tension within their music. There's the spit-shine polished instrumentation, coupled with hyperliterate pastoral storytelling lyrics, that together equally recalls both the Avett Brothers and the Mountain Goats. Children of Kids, meanwhile, tread in some more far-off folkie waters—if folktronica weren't a genre tag that makes me want to vomit, I'd certainly use it for them. Instead, think of them as a hypnotic and largely acoustic trio that fall into the scrappier realm of the Arts & Crafts/Broken Social Scene consortium. Other performers include spazzy instrumental group Corespondents and a UW student jazz band. I also feel compelled to mention that if you're looking to bring some over-21-year-old friends, they will undoubtedly be excited by the $1 PBRs being served up by fellow alley establishment MOD Pizza. In the alley between University Way and 15th Ave off 42nd St, 6–9 pm, free.

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