[Updated June 23, 2010]

Readers,

I understand that I have been less than diligent in updating the blog recently. Fear not, I’m back in Los Angeles and have a new playlist posted on the Streampad at the bottom of each page.

This weekend, I took a trip north to Seattle – tons of good music, friends, and art. It’s an amazing place, and I highly suggest making a trip at some point. In five days, I saw five bands perform: Sarah Blasko, Ben Fuller, LoCash Cowboys, The Heavy (twice!) and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. Amazing performances from all, particularly The Heavy.

This week’s playlist is all about Seattle. But don’t get me wrong — I’m not going to simply cop out with seven Nirvana tracks. However, I am including a song from Eddie Vedder’s solo soundtrack, Into the Wild. Vedder is close friends with Sean Penn, and when it came to score the film, Penn (who directed the film) turned to Vedder for the tunes. If you happen to get the Sundance channel, there is a fantastic episode of Iconoclasts with those two friends. Really cool stuff.

Also included in the list is army-enlisted Seattle native Joshua Morrison. He was also featured on a television program that featured Seattle artists on the rise. What really separates Morrison is the fact that he writes a good number of his songs while either in the line of duty or shortly thereafter while on leave. A very thoughtful record, and the track “Montlake” is a clear acoustic longing for home.

A year ago, I ventured with a few friends to the Seattle Folklife Festival, a hippie gathering of artists, buskers, and other odds-and-ends from the city of granola and rain. I was quite impressed with the down-home trio called Polka Dot Dot Dot, and am still a fan of their record Love Letters to New Zealand. I’m not quite sure what they are up to these days, but they are quite a treat, should you find yourself with the opportunity to see them.

In Ink Please is Jerik Hendrickson and Vanessa Palmer. They’re transplants to the Seattle scene, but seem to fit right in. I honestly wish I could find out more about this duo, but they continue to be elusive. They have shared the stage with Blitzen Trapper and other now-big names… but they seem to have faded away. Check out “Morse or Less,” see what you think.

Of course, what would I be without Band of Horses. They have blown up in the past two years, with major releases and generous press coverage. I have included the track “The End’s Not Near,” worth a listen.

And of course, the pranksters themselves — Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens. In April 2006, Pitchfork erroneously announced that Thomas and Stevens were having a baby together, but were forced to print a retraction. Denison Whitmer and Thomas later admitted it was an April Fools’ prank. I have included a song from each, including a recording of “Chicago,” live from The Triple Door. If you have not yet visited The Triple Door, you must. It is such an amazing venue, be sure to add it to your list of places to visit upon booking your ticket to the Northwest.