Seattle Growth Podcast

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S4 Ep. 8: Evolution of Seattle Musical Theater Apr 10, 2018

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Did you you that nine of the seventeen new musicals produced in Executive Producer David Armstrong’s tenure at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre went from this Seattle stage to Broadway and that two of them won the Tony award for Best Musical? As the fourth season of Seattle Growth Podcast examines the past, present, and future of the Seattle music scene, the city’s vibrant musical theater scene merits attention. David Armstrong, who has served as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director for 5th Avenue Theatre for almost two decades describes how the city is getting national recognition for musical theater. Armstrong shares how the city is both producing and drawing in top flight musical theater talent. Armstrong also gives unique insight into how the city’s growth is affecting the business of the storied theater. Two of the talented actors who were drawn to be a part of Seattle’s musical theater community open up about their transition to the city. Porscha Shaw, who was named by KUOW as one of the Seattle artists you should know about, tells the story of how she has begun her ride to prominence. Andre Brown shares what is happening in Seattle that facilitates the creation of art across various mediums. Both give further insight into the soul of the Seattle music scene. This episode gives an inside look at a musical theater community that serves as a key aspect of Seattle’s vibrant art and culture.

S4 Ep. 7: The Influx of Musicians to Seattle Apr 03, 2018

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Believe it or not, there are musicians among the staggering number of people moving to Seattle during the boom time. Though last week’s episode profiled some of the musicians lost in the boom, there are people around the country eager to take their place within the community. This episode gives insight from three singer-songwriters who were drawn by Seattle’s legendary music scene in hopes of advancing their careers. You will hear from Tekla Waterfield. She moved to Seattle in 2010 and is soon launching her second album, which is produced by noted Seattle guitarist Jeff Fielder. She describes what drew her to the city and how she has found a way to make a living as a full-time musician. You will also hear from Dustin Vance, who recently moved here from a small town in Indiana and whose band Fond Farewell has an upcoming gig at the High Dive on May 16th. He describes the emotions of starting anew in Seattle and attempting to integrate into the music scene. You will also hear from Jeremiah Mothersell, who was drawn by both Seattle’s music scene and it’s tech scene. He gives insight into the options that are available to newcomers to this thriving economy. The episode gives further perspective on the health of the Seattle music scene through the experiences of those drawn to be a part of it.

S4 Ep. 6: Growth and the Musicians Seattle Is Losing Mar 27, 2018

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Today’s episode gives rare insight into the economics and emotional journey associated with becoming a professional musician in Seattle. With money and people moving into the city, this episode focuses on some of the musicians the city stands to lose as the economics of a recording artist change. You will hear the voice of a musician who has moved away from the city, two musicians who anticipate moving soon, and a musician whose successful band has gone on hiatus. The episode gives further perspective on the soul of Seattle’s music scene and how the community is evolving as the city transforms. In this episode are: Naomi Wachira, who was once named Seattle’s best folk singer by Seattle Weekly. Matt Bishop, who explains why his popular band Hey Marseilles recently went on hiatus. Kate Voss who was named Best Jazz Act of 2017 by Seattle Weekly and NW Jazz Vocalist of the Year by Earshot. Jason Goessl who performs in several bands including Sundae and Mr. Goessl with his wife Kate Voss. The episode also features the songs Makes My Heart Sway by Sundae and Mr. Goessl and Beautifully Human by Naomi Wachira. In this episode, you will learn how these artists attracted their followings, how they made a living, and how the booming economy affects the paychecks of local performing artists.

S4 Ep.5: Is Growth Crushing the Soul of Seattle Music Mar 20, 2018

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Is there a cultural transformation underway in Seattle? Has the music scene that grabbed the nation’s attention during the 1990s grunge era maintained its identity? Three voices in today’s Seattle music scene share their perspective on the culture of Seattle music and how it is changing in recent years. The episode features: Austin Santiago, owner of BuildStrong Music Group, which has been curating concerts and music culture in Cascadia since 2005 and Vice President at Do206, a website dedicated to highlighting live events in the area. Lydia Ramsey, an Americana singer-songwriter and talent buyer at the Seattle music venue Triple Door. Celene Ramadan, a Seattle musician who has performed as Leeni, Prom Queen, and Snax the Bunny. The voices give insight into the current identity and trajectory of Seattle’s music scene. For comparison, the episode also includes quotes from previous guests including legendary Seattle radio personality Marco Collins, former Grammy executive Ben London, and platinum selling band member Jason Finn. This episode gives unique insight into the process of becoming a musician in Seattle. It provides a window into the evolving culture of the city that spans beyond music and it gives you a chance to meet some of the talented artists in Seattle. Featuring the song Show Me The Stars by Lydia Ramsey and the song Vengeance (Will Be Mine) by Prom Queen.

S4 Ep. 4: Seattle's Emerging Hip Hop Artists Draze & Dave B Mar 13, 2018

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Draze, who has opened for Snoop Dogg and had his music appear on hit shows such as Empire, shares how Seattle’s transformation has affected his music and him personally. You will also hear from Dave B, who collaborated with Macklemore on the hit song Corner Store, performed in front of a sold-out Key Arena, was seen on national tv performing on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, and headlined his own sold-out show at Seattle’s Neptune Theater. Today’s episode gives you a rare inside look at the journey a Seattle hip-hop artist takes in the ride to prominence. The two guests also put to words the range of emotions many people are feeling as the city of Seattle undergoes a rapid transformation. Featuring the songs "The Hood Ain't the Same" by Draze and "Sweetest Thing" by Dave B.

S4 Ep. 3: Seattle's History: Hendrix, Hip-Hop, and More Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

This episode continues the season's brief look at Seattle’s rich musical history. Janie Hendrix (CEO of Experience Hendrix) shares how the city’s growth has affected her efforts to honor the legacy of Seattle-born rock and roll legend Jimi Hendrix. You will learn more about the continued impact Jimi Hendrix has on Seattle today. The episode also features an interview with inaugural Seattle Music Commissioner DeVon Manier. Manier is cofounder of Sportn’ Life Music Group and works with Seattle artists such as the Black Tones and Future Shock . He shares stories from his time developing hip-hop artists at the turn of the century and what drove him to participate in the Seattle Music Commission. The interviews listeners a glimpse into Seattle’s musical past and provides insight into what the future holds for our growing city. With appearances by Marco Collins, Jason Finn, Ben London, Draze, and Dave B. Also contains the song Woman in Black by The Blacktones.

S4 Ep. 2: Seattle’s Sound: Grunge and the 90s Feb 27, 2018

Show notes

The fourth season of Seattle Growth Podcast brings together diverse perspectives from established and emerging artists, music lovers and music industry leaders to paint a picture of the past, present, and future of Seattle’s iconic music scene. This second episode of the season continues last week’s focus on Seattle’s music community during the 1990s. Whereas Seattle had produced many notable musical artists in prior years, the sounds from the 1990s were distinctly recognized across the globe as emanating from this city. The episode features singer-songwriter Ben London who began his Seattle music career while the Seattle sound, grunge, was exploding nationally. London went on to serve on the development team for the Experience Music Project (now known as MoPOP), to serve as an executive at the Grammys, and to serve as the inaugural chair of the Seattle Music Commission. You will hear what it was like to be “a footnote of flannel” during the Seattle grunge era and to do “all the things that other bands did, except...not sell millions of records.” The episode also features Marco Collins, an influential radio DJ during the early 1990s who record executives from around the world turned to for insight into who would be the next big thing in music.The subject of his own documentary “The Glamour and the Squalor” opens up about what it was like to rub shoulders with Seattle’s rock stars, to help catapult bands to national prominence, and to have the whole world watching what was coming out of Seattle. These two voices help paint a picture of a unique time in Seattle’s music history and provide insight into the city’s future.

S4 Ep.1: Seattle Music's Past, Present, and Future Pt. 1 Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

Seattle Growth Podcast brings its spotlight to the music community in our growing city. The story begins in this first episode of season 4 with a look at the 1990s, an almost universally recognized era of Seattle sound. Today’s episode features two-time Grammy nominee, the drummer for the Presidents of the United States of America, Jason Finn. What was it like to be a Seattle musician in this era where one could be catapulted from playing Seattle’s Romper Room to selling millions of records? What was happening in Seattle that enabled local bands to take the national leap? You’ll hear Jason Finn’s perspective on these questions and more. You’ll also hear the fan perspective from Daryl Ducharme, a music lover who worked at Guitar Center during the decade. The interviews will paint a vivid picture of a unique moment in Seattle’s history that will also give insight into our future. With musical intros performed by Draze, Naomi Wachira, and Porscha Shaw.

Season Preview and Dave B Jan 19, 2018

Show notes

A preview of Season 4 with an interview with emerging Seattle hip-hop artist Dave B. Professor Jeff Shulman has been interviewing a set of established and emerging artists, music lovers, and music industry leaders and will soon share their stories with you. The episode also includes brief clips from the talented voices of Lydia Ramsey (http://www.lydiaramseymusic.com/), Prom Queen (http://promqueenmusic.com), and Kate Voss (http://www.katevoss.com/).

Special: Music Arena Wars And Seattle Center Part 2 Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

The arena wars are not over as two groups vie to reshape Seattle’s music scene, Seattle Center, and the future of winter professional sports in Seattle. In this special episode, find out why 33 members of Seattle’s music community weighed in on the arena debate to support one of the two proposals. You will hear from Jason Finn, drummer for the platinum-selling, grammy-nominated band Presidents of the United States. You will hear from David Meinert, whose Onto Entertainment manages the platinum selling musicians, The Lumineers. Today’s episode gives you a better understanding about how Seattle’s music scene can be shaped by the arena proposals.

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