What Does Genius Sound Like?

Comments

I nominate Truckasaurus

on May 19, 2010 at 10:49 AM

Daniel G Harmann and the Trouble Starts

Cappelletti on May 19, 2010 at 11:08 AM

Karl Blau. 15 years of being the NW's prime architect of lo-fi dub-folk-electro-jazz-grunge, and still innovating. Post-genre before post-genre was cool. His adventurous influence is felt widely, yet he's doing his best work RIGHT NOW.

Kevin Erickson on May 19, 2010 at 11:55 AM

Thee satisfaction does it right.

killerB on May 19, 2010 at 12:00 PM

I nominate Steven Severin. This city's scene wouldn't be as awesome as it is without him. He gave breaks to many DJs and bands back in the day that have gone on to shape Seattle music scene from top to bottom.

J-Justice on May 19, 2010 at 12:27 PM

The Whore Moans! They are fantastic. They bring together some heavy, soul shaking music, with some incredibly intelligent lyrics. One of the best live shows you can catch in this city.

The Stranger is a Stranger to Seattle on May 19, 2010 at 12:51 PM

I love Shabazz Palaces, but it seems silly to give $5,000 to a guy who has a Grammy already and rides in Jag.

Thee Satisfaction seems the most likely to warrant the award. They are fresh, fun and breaking down barriers and stereotypes. For my money, that's genius.

Jeff on May 19, 2010 at 12:59 PM

Alan Bishop, from the sun city girls should be nominated way before Thee Satisfaction, his Subliminal Frequencies label is amazing

on May 19, 2010 at 1:33 PM

Fresh Espresso.

on May 19, 2010 at 1:36 PM

Jherek Bischoff...Hands Down. Just give it to him now. Everyone else is also well deserving-what a flattering round of picks!

chaosmassive on May 19, 2010 at 1:37 PM

@8 is unregistered and therefore hidden, so I'll reiterate. The Sublime Frequencies label is indeed an invaluable local treasure and should be on the list for sure.

I'm so glad there's finally going to be a Genius award for music! There are so many worthy contenders...

translinguistic other on May 19, 2010 at 2:55 PM

I say Portable Shrines... damn near the only shows worth going to from start to finish and THE only shows that provide a full experience. p.s. imagine what they'd do with the money... Escalator Fest would be unbelievable... and that is something Seattle needs.

on May 19, 2010 at 2:57 PM

The Lights. They have been putting out dirty/sexy/innovative rock and roll for years, they respect each other and represent what a true musical collaborative should look like, and they continue to build a huge local fan base, even with no major label support. Tell me what other band has done that. They deserve some recognition.

lightsfan on May 19, 2010 at 4:00 PM

Karl Blau

Kenneth on May 19, 2010 at 4:36 PM

Pearl Jam, just for the lyric, "when sumthin's cooold, I'm gonna put a little blanket on it". That's like the E=MC2 of music, and I bet Stone good get a pretty decent hair cut, or a new pair of shoes with $5k.

on May 19, 2010 at 5:08 PM

What Sean has done with Decibel is pretty incredible and deserves consideration

Sextronica on May 19, 2010 at 5:42 PM

Alan Bishop
Sublime Frequencies
or
Randal Dunn

ryjan on May 19, 2010 at 5:45 PM

I second Karl Blau, or even better, queen shmooquan.

Bittersweet on May 19, 2010 at 5:53 PM

Or how about a venue that could use some support, like Black Lodge or The Josephine?

Bittersweet on May 19, 2010 at 6:03 PM

scraps fo' sho'

dminus11 on May 19, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Lars Finberg should absolutely be represented in this. As one of the original members of the A-Frames, he then went on to create and front The Intelligence, but as the sole songwriter who also plays ALL of the instruments on the albums himself, he's recorded some of the most brilliant, infectious, catchy, weird and memorable punk/pop in this city over the course of the last 10 years. Also fronts best new band in Seattle, PUBERTY.

on May 19, 2010 at 7:58 PM

Well, since you brought it up . . . Jherek Bischoff. Not only has he been a member of such groups as The Dead Science and the Degenerate Art Ensemble, he has also produced, recorded and played with Xiu Xiu, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Carla Bozulich, Jason Webley and Paranthetical Girls. And now he is focusing on orchestral instrumental music with his most recent project featuring the likes of David Byrne and Caetano Veloso. A 30 piece orchestra performed his works at Town Hall last September and and a 20 piece group did the same at City Hall just a couple months ago. Definitely some serious geniusness!!

thegumbos on May 19, 2010 at 8:02 PM

Is this is a joke? The music in this town sucks balls!!

on May 19, 2010 at 8:28 PM

DECIBEL FESTIVAL!!!!

Keen on May 19, 2010 at 9:14 PM

Agree with "thegumbos" above. We saw Jherek Bischoff perform recently and the beauty of his avant-garde orchestral music brought me to tears. He probably is a musical genius. If you haven't seen him yet....go.

Woody/Scout on May 19, 2010 at 9:16 PM

I nominate Camille Bloom. . .She's incredible, her voice is pure, and she stands for so much. The whole package!

Lost in Spokane on May 20, 2010 at 6:54 AM

Are you kidding me? Jherek Bischoff is the musical mastermind behind some of the most innovative and creative music to emerge out of Seattle in the late 90s. Listeners have only to listen to his work with the Dips to understand this.

on May 20, 2010 at 7:43 AM

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head.

Joe Szilagyi on May 20, 2010 at 10:10 AM

USE

charlie5 on May 20, 2010 at 10:19 AM

Holly Figueroa O'Reilly. She is back to writing and making music after a serious illness left her unable to sing or play at all for a year or so. Just give a listen to 2007's "Gifts & Burdens" to see why this is a very good thing indeed.

kitsapien on May 20, 2010 at 10:36 AM

How about Evan Flory-Barnes?

buginthegrass on May 20, 2010 at 10:43 AM

The Spits. (Done, like that. "Competition" over. End of Story)

Apologies to all this Jeremy Bischoff or whatever, but the Dead Science is one of the worst bands I've ever heard. Like fingernails on a chalkboard. And I'm sorry to say, BUT THAT GUY SUCKS.

The Spits.

on May 20, 2010 at 10:58 AM

There are lots of people mentioned here that deserve to be Geuniuses, but here's another suggestion: Paul Rucker.

czh on May 20, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Didn't Eric Blood produce at least two of those bands? Shabazz Palaces and TheeSatisfaction? His debut solo album is pretty amazing and doesn't sound like anything from Seattle.

on May 20, 2010 at 11:02 AM

I will throw in the name Alex Guy. She's played viola/violin with loads of different people (Jherek, Jason Webley, Laura Viers, and on and on) and her newest record just came out on Eleven Records a couple months back.

I'd like to see the grant go to someone who is doing a lot, but isn't necessarily a top-tier name that everyone instantly recognizes (Shabazz Palaces, Jherek Bischoff, etc). That way someone who otherwise wouldn't could come to the attention of many folks.

on May 20, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Sean Horton / Decibel Festival deserves this.

Brian Geoghagan on May 20, 2010 at 11:19 AM

Jared Mills, from ManPlus and Noddy. Duh.

He writes amazing music that is poppy and dancy and fun, with some of the saddest lyrics ever. While most artists that I have met with the ability to be very prolific tend to be lacking in the quality, that has never been the case for Jared.

He is a total music genius, and the ManPlus are awesome fucking possum.

michaelp on May 20, 2010 at 11:34 AM

I like Tiny Vipers.

ssemekim on May 20, 2010 at 11:34 AM

Drag Strip Riot
Murdock
The Diablotones
Hard Money Saints

kerfuffle on May 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM

John Roderick - reclusiveness, poor hygiene, public snarkiness and not releasing anything for years are all classic genius moves

on May 20, 2010 at 11:48 AM

don't insult lars by putting him on this list.

on May 20, 2010 at 11:50 AM

Shabazz Palaces yep yep yep

on May 20, 2010 at 11:52 AM

I nominate John Ramberg of The Tripwires. He's the full trifecta of rock-n-roll genius: guitarist,singer and songwriter extraordinaire. A true Seattle musical genius with more than 20 years cranking it out in the local music scene. He brought his Cheap Trick influenced guitar prowess to Gary Heffern's Cunninghams when he was still in high school and Motley Crüe gloves. Formed his own band Stumpy Joe with his pals Mark, Christian and Scott, they put out an album on Poplama that showed us he could write some damn fine rock songs (check out "Proverbial Straw" a Dylan-does-garage-rock-classic). After those boys broke up came 10 years of The Model Rockets with Grant, Boyd, Graham, Scott and Mike. They put out 4 albums of pure pop-rock genius during their career (check out "Ditched at the Grand Illusion", "Talk of the Cul de Sac", "Rusty Roller-coaster" and the mini-rock-opera "Pilot County Suite", these guys traveled to Spain a few times to extremely enthusiastic crowds that put us Seattlite shoe-gazers to shame. They also once played a note-for-note impromptu Beatles cover set at the EMP Sky Church for a VIP audience that I know for a fact they couldn't of had much time to practice for, if a set of covers could be called genius, that night applied. After a stint with Neko Case during the "Virginian" record and tour, he formed The Tripwires, with Mark Pickerel and the Sangster brothers. So far they've come up with two albums of Nick Lowe / Equals style Pub Rock, a must for any fans of tight songwriting and danceable pop songs, see them live now. When John's not playing with The Tripwires he might be on stage with the Minus 5 taking it up a notch with a high energy covers like "Betty Lou" when Scott McCaughey needs a break. Not to be limited to music, Mr. Ramberg is an excellent visual artist and graphic designer, with a masters hand in the look of the record covers his bands have needed over the years. I've met a few musical geniuses, Mr. McCaughey, Kurt Bloch, Mark Hoyt, Jeff Taylor, Eric Richards, The Purdins to name a few, and yes, as his brother I may be biased, but John Ramberg is my pick for The Strangers music genius award.

Peter Ramberg on May 20, 2010 at 12:20 PM

@37
I totally concur with the Man Plus and Noddy suggestion! The guy has written hundreds of songs since I first saw him play at the Beacon Hill Pub and just tosses out these nuggets of gold. I haven't played a show with him in years, but he continues to pump out the catchiest stuff you've ever heard. I was always in awe of how easy it is for him. He is the best songwriter, a nice, funny guy and a genius for sure.

qwerty on May 20, 2010 at 12:40 PM

As a once skeptical, now avid supporter of the Decibel Festival I can attest to Sean's remarkable drive as director and genius as a curator, DJ and composer. Though it's still a fairly underground phenomenon in the NW, Decibel has quietly become one of the most respected music festivals and production companies in the world. I know this because friends and acquaintances of mine from all over the world travel to Seattle every September to experience Decibel. The fact that they continue to expand the audience and international talent every year, as a grass roots organization with little funding, is pretty astounding. Based on their preliminary line up, I would venture to say that the 2010 festival will be Horton's most praised edition to date.

Jim.Bradley on May 20, 2010 at 12:44 PM

C'mon, never mind the oh-so-temporary pop phenoms, what about:

Keyboardist, composer and teacher/mentor Wayne Horvitz -- king of the downtown NYC jazz scene before he moved here and has continued his great experimental and collaborative genius projects...!

broo on May 20, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.
Sublime Frequencies.

on May 20, 2010 at 12:53 PM

I agree on that John Ramberg idea...the man is such a gem, such a Seattle treasure of pure pop genius. Year after year he just keeps coming back with more great songs, great bands, and fantastic energy. That being said, you could say that about all of the Tripwires!! The Sangster Brothers are their own institution...as is Mark Pickerel.
Side tangent - there should be a separate category just to honor Mark Pickerel's hair.

scharrera on May 20, 2010 at 1:01 PM

Gotta jump on the Sublime Frequencies bandwagon. Super cool, deserving of money, medals, a trophy, etc.

Erin J. on May 20, 2010 at 1:07 PM

Hollow Earth Radio - For Magma Fest, for being great people, for supporting a wide ranging bunch of music and musicians, for being persistent and regularly full of humor and zest for life.

Or Bill Horist. I don't need to elaborate on how much prestige and general musical goodwill Bill spreads around. He is also a deserving musician. He tours endlessly, releases new music constantly and really ought to be a role model for anyone trying to their own (solo) thing.

Aphonia on May 20, 2010 at 1:08 PM

Gotta jump on the Sublime Frequencies bandwagon. Super cool, deserving of money, medals, a trophy, etc.

Erin J. on May 20, 2010 at 1:09 PM

What Does Genius Sound Like?
Mike Dumovich
Eyvind Kang

Trigger Happy on May 20, 2010 at 1:15 PM

Evan Flory-Barnes and Sublime Frequencies are both great suggestions. I also want to add Specs One to the list, who is long overdue for some serious recognition.

Gurldoggie on May 20, 2010 at 1:28 PM

Josh Ottum! Total pop genius.

chocolatecoveredheelsgood on May 20, 2010 at 1:48 PM

lee blackwell of the night beats. and/or portable shrines collective

on May 20, 2010 at 2:06 PM

please don't give it to anyone that's already on a solid label, or is already getting tons of props and hype. basically don't give it to anyone simply on the merit of the music they make. give it to an organization or person that's doing great things for the music community, but is otherwise struggling financially.

kdiddy on May 20, 2010 at 2:24 PM

I'll throw my vote for Sean Horton OR Randy Jones of Orac Records. That guy is doing some next-level shit with music technology that should make you cream your pants.

NaFun on May 20, 2010 at 2:24 PM

Karl Blau, no doubt about it. Great call @3!

Josh Bomb on May 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM

And what about Amy Denio?

Gurldoggie on May 20, 2010 at 2:43 PM

I nominate this crazy motha luvin band called Malicious Discharge.

myspace.com/maliciousdischarge,

if only because when i saw them, they played the Star Trek Next Generation theme and the Battle Toads theme from Battle Maniacs. And theres already enough hip, indie, hopscotching, gibbard glory around this town already.

Knic Barnes on May 20, 2010 at 3:07 PM

daniel g harmann (and the trouble starts) for sure. he's underrated & has been doing it better than most for years.

ben stevenson on May 20, 2010 at 3:08 PM

Man oh man, there are so many great options in this city; I do not envy whoever has to come up with this decision.

To clarify @35's comment, Alex Guy's project is called Led to Sea and it is, indeed, incredible and gorgeous stuff.

Levislade on May 20, 2010 at 3:58 PM

OK, what the hell, just to make your job harder, here are some nominations off the top of my head:

Corespondents
Diminished Men
Mike Dumovich
Brad Dunn
Heatwarmer
Bill Horist
Eyvind Kang
Thousands
Wesafari

Levislade on May 20, 2010 at 4:06 PM

sublime frequency!

tiflin on May 20, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Alan Bishop
Amy Denio
Steve Peters
Steve Fisk
Christopher DeLaurenti
Cuong Vu

on May 20, 2010 at 5:48 PM

SEAN HORTON! Nobody in this town in the last 8 years has done more, sweated more, put up more of his personal finances and sacrificed more than he has to put this town not just on the map, but at the forefront of electronic music. He is the most passionate and devoted person I have ever met. It would be unjust and an insult to give this award to anyone else.

KOS on May 20, 2010 at 6:12 PM

Easy: Harmann.

MarissaThielen on May 20, 2010 at 7:36 PM

For sure Sublime Frequencies. No other label has challenged and changed the preceptions of how international music has an affect on the modern music scene. Alan Bishop and Hisham Mayet deserve a goddam nobel music prize much less a stranger genius award.

on May 20, 2010 at 8:11 PM

People arguing against giving the award to a signed/"known" band... Didn't Sherman Alexie win a Genius some time ago? (And in any event, it's The Stranger, so let's check our expectations a moment anyway.)

In any event, it's clear that the recipients will be either:

a.) Shabazz Places
b.) Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
c.) Tacocat or
d.) Mad Rad.

Nick on May 20, 2010 at 8:18 PM

I have to second the Eric Blood nomination. Genius and diversity

on May 20, 2010 at 9:28 PM

You're all just slightly missing the mark...
The FIRST Stranger Music Genius award goes to...
Posthumously: Howard Bulson.
If you don't know, better ask somebody.

on May 20, 2010 at 11:13 PM

Inaugural Stranger Genius Award for Music? This one is easy! Mr. Kurt Bloch!

poseur on May 20, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Sadly, based on precedent, @72 is probably the closest to the mark.

Jeff on May 20, 2010 at 11:40 PM

THEESATISFACTION!!!!!!!!!!

Spy Cream on May 20, 2010 at 11:59 PM

THEESATISFACTION!!!!

Spy Cream on May 21, 2010 at 12:02 AM

Two words: Sean Decibel. Decibel is a colossal festival which demostrates astounding talent from Sean. Go DECIBEL!!!

drniki on May 21, 2010 at 12:30 AM

I'll settle for nothing less than an Alan Bishop postage stamp.

levide on May 21, 2010 at 2:52 AM

if we were voting based solely on promo pic .. i would have to go with the question mark.

on May 21, 2010 at 9:40 AM

Without question, Sean Horton. Not only is he responsible for what could be the most internationally recognized and respected festival in the NW, he keeps Seattle's EDM community interesting by producing solid events month after month. Decibel is much more than just a festival.

Alex P on May 21, 2010 at 11:31 AM

Many musical geniuses out there but I doubt anyone has had as much of an influence and magic touch on this area of the world's music scene as much a KARL BLAU has. He has worked with so many different people in Seattle, affecting the way they will approach music forever. Mind blowing by himself, incredible as a producer, this kind of recognition for KARL BLAU is long overdue.

Geneviève Castrée on May 21, 2010 at 11:31 AM

Definitely Alan Bishop of Sublime Frequencies

on May 21, 2010 at 11:54 AM

Sean Horton ~ Decibel

on May 21, 2010 at 12:26 PM

fuck, dude. that's so fucking difficult!!

Karl Blau, Shabazz Palaces, AND Jherek Bischoff. Because Seattle has too many musical geniusus. I wish I were picking female or trans-identified folks, but Laura Veirs ran away :(

novabird on May 21, 2010 at 3:15 PM

Jherek Bischoff, without a doubt! He is an incredible musician, songwriter, recording engineer, producer - not to mention he can play any instrument he picks up! He's truly gifted and definitely a musical genius, with or without the official title.

pnw30 on May 21, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Erik Blood. Producer, singer, songwriter, poet, one-man choir, master of spare dialogue and shifting points of view, traverser of genres, player of many instruments, considerer of God, love, promiscuity, disease, obsessions, betrayals. LISTEN the The Way We Live -- this guy's debut album. It's a flat-out masterpiece that will only grow in importance with time. (Plus, I swear I see a little white-robed Jesus figure waving to me from the window on the album's cover. Oh -- and is that a little blood I see splashed on Jesus' robe? How sweet!)

keithballard on May 21, 2010 at 5:26 PM

Everyone who's been nominated is really great, but what Sean Horton does for the electronic music scene, both for Seattle and for the entire genre, is really something else. The way he gives back to the community is absolutely spectacular.

DECIBEL FESTIVAL a la SEAN HORTON pretty please.

Amalala on May 21, 2010 at 6:13 PM

Amalala on May 21, 2010 at 6:14 PM

Decibel Festival. What Sean Horton has done for the electronic music scene in Seattle for the last seven years stands as an inspiration to anyone involved in the scene regardless of genre.

DosPassos on May 21, 2010 at 6:29 PM

Amalala on May 21, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Sean Horton should be recognized for his dedication, passion, and drive to put Seattle on the world map for electronica!

Jodi S. on May 21, 2010 at 7:09 PM

Even though he doesen't live here anymore...Nabil Ayers says me.

on May 21, 2010 at 10:46 PM

Portable Shrines ~ Brilliant!

debdonna on May 22, 2010 at 8:37 AM

Sean of Decibel Festival!

mnlrs on May 22, 2010 at 9:23 AM

Sean Horton FTW

Just Some Dick on May 22, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Fuck yeah Jared from ManPlus! He helped my old band write some songs for our album and he works magic effortlessly. Underrated genius. Shockingly talented songwriter with a great sense of humor and amazing voice.

on May 22, 2010 at 10:15 AM

Karl Blau!

on May 22, 2010 at 6:36 PM

100

I believe that Sadistik fit the criteria. Check out his video for "Searching for Some Beautiful" to see Seattle's best hidden gem of the music scene.

on May 22, 2010 at 7:10 PM

101

THEE SATISFACTION are brilliant makers of sound love

mustafaCELERY on May 22, 2010 at 9:22 PM

102

For music:
Paul Rucker, cellist
Chris DeLaurenti, composer
Randy Hansen, insane Hendrix tribute artist
Richard Peterson, savant

For scene support:
Don Yates, Music Director of KEXP/KCMU
Doug Haire, Sonarchy Radio
Sean Horton, Decibel Director
Jonna McCurry, security at the Showbox

on May 23, 2010 at 5:54 AM

103

Sean Horton of DECIBAL!!!

on May 23, 2010 at 8:22 AM

What Does Genius Sound Like?

The Stranger Genius Awards Recognize Music—at Last

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