Dreams are commonly thought to run like absurd little movies that play out in our heads as we sleep. But a popular theory says that dreams are more like snapshots, and our brain attaches narratives to these frozen moments, weaving a story so their significance can be understood, or at least pondered.
Though they do tell stories, the songs on certain albums are also like snapshots--still images that come to life when animated by lyrics and music. When it comes to memorable, dreamlike snapshots of local talent, Up Records has, over 10 years, assembled the works--one hundred releases, to be exact--of a most picturesque lot of musicians and singers. And with the forthcoming album from Brent Arnold and the Spheres, the tally rises to an impressive one hundred and one.
Up label founder Chris Takino had respected, excellent taste in music, which is why he was able to take his tiny endeavor (envisioned while he worked at Sub Pop in the early '90s) and make it into one of the most jaw-dropping, prosperous labels in local history--at one point even overshadowing the label where he learned about the business. Because of his friendliness and genuine love of music, bands like Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, Quasi, and the Black Heart Procession--all who sell out venues these days--found it a privilege to be associated with Up.
When Takino passed away from leukemia in 2000, a lot of people assumed the label would close. His partner Pete Ritchey, however, made Takino a promise to continue to release new albums on the label, but only from artists who were already on the roster. Because of the specifics of the deal, the five-day, two-club celebration of Up Records' strong contribution to music--which coincides with what would have been Takino's 36th birthday on February 25--offers an incredibly varied, wide-ranging congregation of bands, offshoots, and even reunions, with all artists donating their proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America.
Each bill offers surprises: Brent Arnold, whose strings can be heard on the albums of so many bands that came out on Up, plays with Built to Spill for their Monday night show. The Black Heart Procession will be performing on Takino's actual birthday in the space were he saw them play several years ago (when Chop Suey was the Breakroom). Takino had every intention of signing the darkly romantic band to his label, but when that didn't come to fruition, he still got to handpick and release three of the band's songs in 1999.
Some bands have changed their lineups since the Up days and are showing either a new face or a return to the old for these anniversary shows. Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock says that contrary to rumor, their Thursday, February 26, performance will not feature former drummer Jeremiah Green (although Brock did say that Green will return to the fold in the near future). On the same bill, Caustic Resin, a band whose sound ranges anywhere from heavy metal to soft space rock, will feature founding member Tom Romich, who will also showcase his solo project Tommy Dirtweed. That Showbox event is already sold out, but the club has foregone its house list and will be auctioning off tickets on eBay. At Tuesday's Built to Spill show at Chop Suey, former 764-HERO frontman John Atkins will also perform, and he says we can expect some of his new acoustic material. "Because of the history with the label, I'm working on a song from one of the first bands to record for Up, Hush Harbor," he adds, "as well as some 764-HERO songs."
A super-rare set by Violent Green, whose multi-textured blend of emotional vocals, triphop, and impassioned bass could be heard on three Up discs, will happen next week, on Friday, February 27, with Duster. Speaking from his home base of San Jose, Duster singer Dove Amber tells me his band is finishing a new record to add to their achingly sporadic catalog. In my opinion, they're one of the main reasons (no disrespect to headliners Quasi intended) to by all means go to this show--Duster's hazy blanket of distortion and wooly dreaminess produce a comfortable sound you won't be able to live without, making for a perfect and fitting tribute to Takino's vivid, enduring dream.
