After 5 years at 701 E. Pike we are moving to a new location in Capitol Hill!
The new location will be 501 E. Pike St. formerly 'Baseline Fitness,' in the Dunn Motor Building, next to Tavolàta!
The New digs
The past year has been a challenge and it's fitting that we can say hello to a new space and welcome everyone back from a very long year.
In the new location we'll have more open space for everyone and some much needed room, not only for shopping comfort but also for safety.
Before
Upcoming mockup
When can you visit the new space?
Short answer May 1st.
We are currently hard at work moving and building out the new space.
the plan is for 701 E. Pike St. to be closed on April 28 -29th while we move and set up. There will be soft openings if things go smoothly.
We Thank all of you for supporting us and look forward to welcoming you to our new space!!!
Get to know the ladies from La Fonda in this interview! They are is a lyrically driven indie dream pop collective from Seattle, led by sisters and singer-songwriters Veronica and Valerie Topacio. We are thrilled that they will be playing at Standard Goods for September Art Walk! Their sound is nostalgic, nodding to the 90's and early 2000's, the era that the sisters grew up in. Learn more abelow and be sure to come by Thursday September 13th to hear them live!
Where did you come up with the name La Fonda?
There is a Jane Fonda Record hanging next to our practice space door at the Old Rainier Brewery that has been there ever since we moved in. "La Fonda" sort of slipped out of our tongue one day after one of our earlier band practices. In true millennial form, we looked up the word "Fonda" on Urban Dictionary and saw that it was defined as one who was "Down for Anything," so we were sold.
Who are some of your musical icons or influences?
This is always a tough question to answer because we are lucky to be consuming in an age of never-ending artistry and music... but to name a few: Stevie Nicks, Carol King, Amy Winehouse, Jenny Lewis/Rilo Kiley, Modest Mouse, No Doubt, Cranberries, Death Cab for Cutie, Alvvays... the list goes on and on...
Can you recall the age you were when you first realized creating music was something you loved doing?
Music has always been a very big part of our lives since as far back as we can remember. We were blessed with a household that encouraged singing at the top of our lungs, playing whatever instrument you could get our hands on, and song writing from a young age. It wasn't until four or five years ago when we realized that singing and writing songs was what we needed to be doing for our souls, so that is when we started taking creating music seriously and using it as a compass to guide and navigate the direction of our lives.
What era inspires you the most?
Nostalgia inspires us. We are drawn to the 90s & early 2000s, for this time encapsulates our childhood and lives in the fabric of our beings as we work to find our way amidst a digitalized society. We used to watch TRL religiously after school and obsess over movies like "10 things I hate about you" and "She's All That". We made our friends & cousins who came over to our house play our own version of MTV's "Say What? Karaoke" and make up dance routines to Ace of Base and TLC with us. We love entertaining and turning art into a song...made even better if space buns, chokers, fishnets, and knee highs are included.
When you write a new song, how do you get started?
It varies. Sometimes we work on things separately then come together, or we spend months and months jamming on a few ideas before it actually becomes anything at all. Other times songs reveal themselves in 5 minutes. We both religiously carry around journals everywhere we go and coming together in the living room is always a special place. We could spend hours just jamming sifting through notebook pages, going back and forth until we give each other "the look" of "hey...maybe this could be something."
Has La Fonda brought you closer as sisters? Do you ever butt heads?
We are closer than we have ever been. Music is the way we communicate and entangles and enriches our sisterhood. There is nothing more magical than sharing a dream with your sister, that person who knows your life better than sometimes we know our own selves. We feel extremely blessed to have La Fonda as a shared platform and vision...for our songs truly do light the way for us to heal and connect. The nice thing about working with family is when we butt heads (boy, do we ever) we get over things easily knowing that our intention is always in the best interest of each other.
Tell us the story behind your new single In The Summer?
This is one of those songs that we kept jamming on for months & months until it finally came together. It's about a love that has kept coming in and out of your life and then finally, you just have to let it go and be okay with what it was. There will always be that feeling of "what if" and it is okay to smile about that sometimes.
How many hours a day do you spend practicing?
Depends on the day - As a band we meet 2x/week and can practice for 3-4 hours. Individually, we practice as much as we possibly can. I think we are all pretty much thinking and dreaming about something music related 24/7.
Where do you see your career going in the future?
The more time and resources we pour into our dream of being full-time creatives and musicians, the more it seems to be becoming a reality. La Fonda is a big part of our future and ultimately, there is nothing we want more than to continue to tour and share our music with as many places and people that we possibly can.
Any exciting upcoming gigs?
None that we can announce...but we are excited to be caving up this fall and winter continuing work on recording & producing our debut Album. We are stoked!!!
We are so excited to have Guy Keltner joining us for our August Art Walk performance! Guy has recently moved back to Seattle from New York, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Standard Goods Art Walk! He is one member of the band Acid Tongue, and will be performing solo for us.
Stop by Thursday, August 9th for free music, art, and as always- beer!
Read on to learn more about Guy!
Tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from?
My family is all from Los Angeles, but my mom & dad moved us up to Seattle when I was a teenager. After high school, I stuck around, went to UW for Economics, spent most of my 20s here, and I just moved back after living in Brooklyn the past two years.
How and where did you become so musically talented?
I started really young. My folks had me on piano at five, and then I was given a guitar when I turned 10. I think the most important thing in my education was to write a lot of music, at a really young age. I started making my own songs at 11 or 12, so I'm almost two decades in and I still learn new things every day.
What is your favorite song to perform and why?
Right now I love closing with "Careless". We change it just enough every time we play it, so it's always a new experience. The crowd seems really into it every time, and I let my bandmates take it in whatever direction feels right on any given night.
Since you normally perform as part of your band, Acid Tongue, how will this performance be different for you?
I can play any song I want. I might do some old Fox and The Law songs (my band from a few years back), or I might play some covers. I might just goof off and do a medley of whatever feels good at the moment.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the music world and why?
Probably like a lot of artists, I have no biggest inspiration. I take from different things. Musically, Acid Tongue is heavily inspired by Jonathan Richman, Lou Reed, T Rex, and more contemporary stuff like Timber Timbre, Built to Spill and Charles Bradley. But I'm also taking stuff conceptually from Kurt Vonnegut, copping some of Anthony Bourdain's signature attitude, blending in influences from the beat poets.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
More stable financially, still making music I enjoy.
What is your song creation process like?
Depends on the song. Sometimes it starts lyrically, maybe its a melody, or maybe just a good idea for a riff.
What has been your biggest accomplishment as a musician thus far?
Touring Europe and the UK. Coming home and playing in-studio at KEXP. Then headlining my own festival (the Freakout). Last fall was great.
How do you distinguish yourself from other artists out there today?
I don't worry about the other artists. I stay true to who I am.
If you could collaborate with any musician or band past or present, who would you chose and why?
Sly Stone, before all of the drugs rotted his brain.
Do you have any exciting upcoming gigs?
August 10th, opening up for Built to Spill at South Lake Union Block Party. We're also touring England in September, and going to Mexico City in October.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Please attend this year's Freakout Festival! We'll be performing, alongside a ton of amazing bands (this year we have some killer headliners!): https://www.the-freakout.com
We are excited to have Brian Leahy as one of our two August Art walk featured artists! Brian and Katie's joint show, Northwest Kaleidoscope, will be featured at our Capitol Hill Art Walk on Thursday, August 9th. Stop by to check out their incredible work and enjoy free beer and music from Guy Keltner!
First, tell us a bit about yourself as an artist?
My love for the mountains, wild places, flora and fauna goes as far back as I can remember. I took an art class most years in school, but it wasn't until I was living in Colorado after college that I had this 'epiphany' where I was like, waiitttt a second...I can draw whatever I want, not just what's assigned in class! (Still lives of fruit in a bowl, I'm lookin' at you! jk ;). I started experimenting with markers and soon after, acrylic paint.
The natural world was instinctively my first subject, and it remains my most common subject to this day. I find our relationship as humans with nature and the planet to be a mix of fascination, inspiration, and at times, concern. We've accomplished so much as a species. We've also altered our environment a lot to get here, and we are starting to learn the impact of our actions. Some of my works are inspired by what we've lost, like wild open space, or more than 10 minutes of uninterrupted silence before a plane passes by overhead. Some works are me dreaming up potential futures, like the painting "Crowded Haunts", where nothing remains but cityscapes, and the ghosts of trees loom overhead. Others are inspired by the idea that maybe the planet will recover after we've gone (example: the trees growing over buildings in "Victory Day").
It can sound kinda 'doom and gloom' when I explain it like that, haha. But I think that change happens in degrees. Someone 300 years in the future from now will not really truly know what the planet used to be like, in the same way that I really have no idea what the place felt like 300 years ago. (I like to imagine it was pretty great, but then again I don't have to worry about dying from a tooth ache, or something seemingly small like that). So maybe they won't be very depressed about the missing rainforests, or miss the silence, because they never experienced it. In that sense, I like to think of my art as more of a record of a place and time. A time that was a crossroads for humanity and nature. We're living in the beginning of the Anthropocene - the period in Earth's history where human activity was the dominant influence on the environment and climate.
In the last year I've started messing around with digital illustration in Photoshop. Recently I've been feeling a little guilty about the fact that I'm making art about the environment, but using trees for the paper, markers that aren't really recyclable, resources to ship prints, etc. Markers remain my favorite medium, other than that. I like not having to remix colors, plus they're portable and they still provide a level of blendability and vibrancy like paint does.
Where are you from? How did you end up in Seattle?
I grew up on the coast of Massachusetts and went to college in New Hampshire. My friend was finishing up college in Colorado when I graduated and he invited me to visit. I didn't leave. I lived in Boulder, Colorado for about 5 1/2 years before deciding to make the move to Seattle. I had visited the city and the coast a few times and instantly fell for the Olympic Peninsula. The music scene here was also a big factor for me. It's great in Colorado, too, but a little more my style here. Plus, the big city offers lots of chances for networking, tons of great venues for shows, etc.
What types of pieces will you be showing at Art Walk?
I will be showing a mix of originals and prints. The majority were created with marker on paper, and some are acrylic paint on wood.
Your pieces are so vibrant and striking! Where do you get the inspiration for this style?
Thanks! I definitely love messing around with many colors in one work, or picking a set of colors at the beginning and using just those together. The vibrancy might be mostly a side effect of the mediums. Markers especially – I feel like the colors tend to 'pop' off the page due to the bright white paper showing through.
What do you hope to convey to viewers through your art?
If my art makes someone feel something – anything – I'm happy. I've discovered that what one piece means to me personally might not be what someone else got out of it.
I like to think that some of the more overtly environmental pieces like "Crowded Haunts" might prompt the viewer to think about humanity's impact and what we're leaving for our ancestors. But if you just like the colors and the vibe of it, that's great too! I will be the first to admit that some of my works I drew mostly just because I hoped the colors and shapes might look cool, haha.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Andrew Hem, Cryptk, Faith XLVII, Sainer, Brendan Monroe AKA Brendan the Blob and Onur are some of my favorite muralists. Pascal Campion is one of my favorite illustrators working in digital. Sarah Joncas – love her painting style. The thought-provoking cartoonist/scientist behind XKCD. Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin & Hobbes.
You are an overall very creative individual! Have you always been this way?
As far back as I can remember, makin' stuff has always been fun for me, and an escape from stressful situations or boredom. Legos were my jam back in the day! I still love them.
If you could describe your art in three words, what would they be?
Colorful. Detailed. Semi-realistic.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
Any bird that soars around mountain peaks, riding the thermals. A raven maybe, or an eagle or hawk.
Do you have any exciting upcoming art projects or shows?
I recently started experimenting with making videos for my music, and I've been (slowly) learning how to animate drawings. I'm currently working on recording an EP with my art as the cover, and a few videos to accompany it!
Check out Brian's Instagram and Youtube!
To buy pieces and prints, check out Brian's online store!
We are excited to have Katie George back as one of our two August Art walk featured artists! Katie and Brian's joint show, Northwest Kaleidoscope, will be featured at our Capitol Hill Art Walk on Thursday, August 9th. Stop by to check out their incredible work and enjoy free beer and music from Guy Keltner!
We are so excited to have you back! Any updates since the last time you joined us for art walk?
I’m so glad to be back! And yes, I’ll be presenting a very different collection that I am so excited about. Compared to my previous work, my newer pieces are all about color combinations, patterns, brushed fringe and 3D elements and they really break the barriers of standard macramé. What I love about each piece is that they have all turned out differently than the original image in my head because I get so inspired, mid-process, that I’ll take the idea in a new and better direction. I very much design each piece on the fly. I’ve also been experimenting with macramé/floral combos, which is a ton of fun.
Where do you find inspiration for making your art?
I mostly find inspiration around the city since Seattle is such a creative and thriving place. I like to go on long walks and will generally look out for interesting colors palettes or patterns throughout my meandering. Sometimes I draft out patterns on grid paper. Sometimes I even just sit on the floor with all of my spools of string and let ideas come out of that.
What is your creating space like?
Currently, a bit of a mess. I live in less than 400 sq. feet so it’s kinda shoved into a corner of the apartment. I create everything on a garment rack and have my string somewhat arranged below that. Luckily I can see the TV from my space so that I can binge on Friends in the process.
What are some of your favorite artists?
My background is in film/video so my favorite artists are usually filmmakers. Wes Anderson is certainly number one. I think his use of color is extraordinary and he is very inspiring in the way he composes a scene. I think that macramé needs a lot of compositional thought put into it too. I also really love Tim Burton’s style and the way he adds elements of whimsy to generally dark palettes.
Do you have any exciting upcoming projects?
I actually just finished a huge wedding altarpiece for one of my best friends. This was the first time making a piece like this and I really enjoyed the change of style it provided. I love the way it turned out and am definitely available for any future wedding backdrop commissions.
You are still fairly new to Seattle, how do you like it? Any favorite spots?
I am loving the city and was so happy when summer finally came around! Well, Standard Goods, of course. I also find myself hovering around General Porpoise and Frankie and Jo’s deciding if I want a doughnut or vegan ice cream…sometimes it’s both!
If you were a food, what would you be?
Probably a doughnut. They like to make people happy and they are full of possibilities and potential. I also just really like doughnuts too.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I don’t have a specific artist in mind but it would be amazing to collaborate with someone in woodworking or ceramics because there are so many opportunities to combine those mediums with macramé.
Check out Katie's Instagram @katiegeorgemacrame, and Portfolio!
Shop Katie's online store here!
Join us next Thursday, July 12th for Capitol Hill Art Walk. We will be hosting musical guest Aleron along with our artist Kyra Anderson.
Aleron Kelley is a poet, producer and MC known as Alterations. The Alterations project is a culmination of a experimental audio collage and hip hop instrumentals accompanied by poetic lyricism and ambient textures. This project spans an array of emotions from love to heartache sprinkled with cunning word play. Alterations has not released an official full length project and doesn't share much music online so everything you hear is exclusive and will be about as raw as it gets.
Read on to learn more about Aleron and his music.
How would you describe your musicality?
Passionate lyrical delivery and stage presence with inventive instrumentals
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the music world and why?
Probably Digable Planets and The Blue Scholars . My dad played Digable Planets for me as a kid and it was the first exposure to hip hop. As I got older and more involved in the local scene I started going to Blue Scholars shows and really dug Sabzis production and decided to start making beats. Oh, and MF DOOM.
Do you have any exciting upcoming gigs/performances? What are they?
I kinda play shows as they come around but don't have any specific plans on playing next. Although my brother has a little group called Apt_E which throws techno parties around town and I'd like to open up for one of those sometime soon. Follow Apt_E on Instagram.
What is your biggest goal as a musician?
To make people feel an array of emotions and get a peak into my head and see my vision.
What's your favorite part of being in Seattle?
I’m Seattle born and raised and have traveled a bit but always come back to Seattle with a fond sense of home. I love the seasons. I wish the summers were longer.
If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?
Empathetic, explorer, deep-thinker.
What do you wish to convey to the audience through your music?
I would like to convey a feeling that just because things end it doesn't mean that its over. Stories can still be told and I hope that the stories I'm telling resonate with the people listening. Also to just vibe out to some cool beats.
Anything else you'd like people to know?
It takes me a really long time to write music these days and I haven't made beats in ages. I'm kinda experimenting with performance at this point, but doing things like this inspire me to get back to work. So thanks for the opportunity and expect more dopeness coming soon.
For more info about Aleron and his music, check out his Website.
See more details about our event next Thursday, July 12th at Standard Goods.
We can't wait to see you all there!
We are so excited to have Kyra Anderson again with us this year for our July 2018 Art Walk! We will be hosting her work along with local musician, Alterations on Thursday July 12th.
Kyra Anderson is a local Seattle artist with a love for detail and design. The pieces in this show are inspired by the texture and form of animals, as well as the nature surrounding them surrounding them. The intricate patterns in fur, scales, and leaves are a huge influence because their natural design is elegant and effortless. Because animals are so colorful both literally and in personality, the pieces are as well - designed to bring some brightness to a space. Pieces are done in acrylic and india ink. Kyra hopes to make the viewer smile at a goody critter or stop and uncover the details in a painting.
We love broadcasting the talent of local artists here at Standard Goods. Stop by to take a look and enjoy some free beer and music!
Can you tell us a little about the pieces in this show?
My pieces in this show are inspired by animals and the intricate textures you can find on and around them. Because animals can so easily be regal and dignified, or silly and goofy, there’s a huge range of expression to draw from. From a young age, I felt a strong love for animals, and was obsessed with drawing birds and horses as a kid. With this show, I’m picking up where I left off, incorporating both literal animals, and textures inspired by them.
How would describe your own unique style?
I would describe my style as being focused on lines and shapes. I also put a lot of attention into details- the more detail I can pack into a piece, the better.
Where and how did you foster such a passion and talent for painting?
My initial interest in art was fostered by growing up in a creative family. We were always supported in expressing ourselves, and spent a lot of time out in nature. Growing up in a small town in Alaska, I loved to use watercolors and carve traditional masks. This interest was carried into high school, where I took it more seriously and practiced whenever I found the time. Moving to Seattle has also ignited passion for me, because I get to witness and be inspired by the amazing artists in this community.
How did you end up in Seattle?
I ended up in Seattle after I kept wanting to visit as often as possible. I loved the energy and opportunities Seattle offered, and still do. While moving to a larger city was daunting at first, I’ve been able to find a comfortable community here on Capitol Hill.
What artists have been the most inspirational for you?
My favorite stack of books as a kid were on famous great artists, reading about their lives pushed me to pursue art. The ones that stood out to me were Georgia O Keeffe, Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, because they all had distinct styles that I admired. The other artists in my family have also greatly inspired me over the years.
How does your art reflect your personal life?
I’m always trying new things in my life, and I feel that reflects in my art. I love exploring and trying new things. Likewise, I enjoy testing new mediums and styles in my visual art. I’m also fond of design, and feel I put focus on elements of design within this show.
Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
I find a lot of inspiration from the textures and shapes I witness walking around Seattle. The intricate textures within greenery and flowers is something I try to capture.
What are some other places you have shared your art?
I’ve done a handful of shows around Seattle, including a previous show at Standard Goods last year. I also share most of my work on my instagram, the link for which you can find below.
What mediums do you find most interesting to use?
I find ink the most interesting because it provides a clean, defined line. I can mark down details and know they’ll stay there forever. The risk of not being able to cover or erase any marks I’ve made is challenging sometimes, but it’s all the more satisfying when I do complete a piece.
If you could use three adjectives to describe yourself, what would they be?
The first adjective I associate with myself is artistic, because it’s always been important to me. I definitely depend more on my right side brain than my left. I would also consider myself to be enthusiastic, as I try to give everything I do %110. Lastly, I try to be optimistic, because I feel most things can be improved with a positive outlook.
What are your favorite things about living in Seattle? Any ‘must-do’s’?
My favorite thing about living in Seattle is that there’s a spot for any mood. Whatever I’m feeling that day, I know I can find a place that matches that feeling. I always recommend the SAM to folks visiting Seattle, because it’s a great place to spend a few hours. Their exhibits are fantastic, and it’s a great way to get inspired. Also, I recommend that people check out all the gems that Capitol Hill has to offer- it’s a wonderful community that truly feels welcoming.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
That’s a tough one! Maybe “While I’m Alive” by STRFKR, because it’s a happy little song that has some good sentiments to it.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you to Kathreen, Chloe, Maya, and every other fantastic human in charge of making Standard Goods what it is. I appreciate you guys and the wonderful energy you bring to the hill. You rock.
Check out more of Kyra's work on her Instagram !
For more information on our July Art Walk: bit.ly/2tTl555
For Thursday during Capitol Hill Art Walk, Standard Goods will be showcasing Lady Renaissance Solo Art Exhibit by Mary Robins + The Landmarks
Thursday, June 14, 2018
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Live Music
by The Landmarks
8:30 pm
Mary Robins has been a Standard Goods featured artist in the past but mainly through our live musical performances! This month, she is showing her visual art through photography and colors.
Her exhibit, as described by the artist:
Through a photographic narrative, this show highlights the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life.
While these pieces can seem fleeting in its experience, the small passing moment can be brought to life in photography and amplified to be consumed and felt by the viewer.
By capturing the emotion within each small moment, we can learn to embrace the feelings we go through.
~Mary Robins
Mary Robins in the Camp Collection Brooke Body Suit from Standard Goods.
Hello Mary, we are excited to be featuring you once again but this time for a solo show at Standard Goods! What are you excited to share with us this month?
Thanks for having me! I'm excited to share a piece that's near and dear to me. These photos are a stream-of-consciousness look into peoples' minds in everyday life. It's a fun yet emotional piece, and very different from what I'm used to doing.
Impromptu shoot with friends in their humble abode.
I'm a big fan of Petra Collins' photography. Also Seattle photographers Sunny Martini and Rachel Bennett keep me motivated to constantly up my game.
I've been lucky to have an amazing group of friends and acquaintances who support and push me in what I do.
Rayana Jay shot for DEMGIRLS206 (for more info, visit: youtu.be/Gx9VHlNlRdQ ).
What are you hoping to gain from this experience while showing your work to the public?
For this upcoming show, I'm looking forward to showing a more personal side of my work. I've always had fear and doubts in myself showing emotion through my work, so this is kind of a turning point for me.
Why is art and music important to you? Can you describe the many ways this have put your in a positive environment?
What I love about art and music is that it gives people common ground to connect on. I love the communities that are created around these scenes, and the amazing people I get to meet who are doing incredible work. Art and music has always given me something to fall back on.
Portraiture, 2018 by Mary Robins.
Claim your craft. Don't call yourself an "aspiring" artist. If you make art, you're an artist fair and square. Mark your territory in your field.
What is are some of your favorite restaurants in Seattle and why?
Thanks for sharing so much about yourself! Before we wrap up, any cool news or projects this summer other than your art show with us this month?
Yes! My band Biblioteka has a few shows lined up. We just released our first EP and are currently working on new material. Follow us @bibliotekaband for upcoming show announcements ♥.
Self portrait of Mary Robins.
For more info about Lady Renaissance Solo Art Exhibit by Mary Robins + The Landmarks please visit our link to our facebook event page: bit.ly/2xNqLC0
Join Standard Goods for Capitol Hill Art Walk Thursday May 10th featuring Seattle based pop artist Peaches McBiscuit. His unique style of rendering pop culture personalities in the style of Catholic saints has made him a national sensation. We love his Omakase saint candles at Standard Goods and we can't wait to have his artwork on our walls for the month of May.
We look forward to hosting Cherry Boy for their 3rd live music performance with Standard Goods. And free beer from PBR as always!
Tell us a little about your background as an artist?
Originally, I trained as animation artist.
How did your brand Omakase Images begin?
It all started with a small art show.
Is there a story behind the name Omakase?
I wanted to sound catchy and I was out to sushi and I liked the word.
What is your creative process like?
I stew on things for months and then boom I draw.
What's your favorite thing you've ever created?
My Resist and Anthony Bourdain posters.
Any saint candles that are on the top of your list to create next?
Bob Ross.
What do you enjoy the most about the work you do?
Making people laugh.
What's your spirit animal?
Probably a capybara.
Name 3 artists or pop culture icons that you look up to?
Billy Idol, Andy Warhol and Banksy.
What's your favorite movie?
Star Wars.
What made want to sell your candles at Standard Goods?
It's such a fun and eclectic store in one of my favorite neighborhoods.
Where else do you sell your products?
I sell my art at Comic Cons around the country Monster in Ballard and Full Tilt stores.
Second Thursday Capitol Hill art walk is coming up April 12th. We are super excited for April's show featuring Seattle based artists Jorden Heidal and Alie Byland.
Meet Alie, she is the front woman of Seattle based Folk Rock band - BYLAND. She performs vocals, piano, guitar, and a plethora of midi instruments. She grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico listening to legends like Keith Green and Johnny Cash and learning from modern folk artists such as Brandi Carlile. She and her husband Jake create music together, they hope their music will inspire and unite communities. They believe music should bring people together.
I chatted about life and music with Alie and got to learn a little about what inspires her, about her hometown of Albuquerque and how she got started creating music. Keep scrolling down to read the interview!
Describe your style as a musician in 3 words.
Indie Folk Rock
Can you walk us through your path as a musician? What kind of stops where along the way to where you are today?
I started young - my mom stashed away money from our grocery budget so I could begin taking piano lessons at the age 7. By age 14, I was leading piano and vocals in a rock band at my parents’ church, which I did for many years. I continued leading church bands when I moved to Seattle. But after my Father died, when I was 20, it became extremely difficult to play any music at all. It reminded me so much of the times when I used to play piano for him as he napped on the couch. Several years ago, BYLAND began as a project when I picked up my old acoustic and began writing music with my husband, Jake. I've spent the last 5 years playing a lot of solo gigs at wineries and a few shows with bands of all sizes. This last year, we decided to focus on recording our first full length Album. We built a home studio out of a closet in our apartment, Jake learned Logic and we got to work. We're so proud to show you what we've created!
What do you hope people experience when listening to your upcoming album, "Desert Days?"
"Everybody's got that place, that town, that patch of ground where their roots are found - where they learn to read and ride a bike. Everybody's got that place, and for me it's Albuquerque." - Lyrics from "Albuquerque" on the Album.
I want to take people back to a different place and a different time. I want them to remember their own growing up stories - the good and the bad - and realize how far they've come. While listening, I want people to feel a sense of nostalgic gratitude for their past and great hope for their current livelihood. These songs are about my own Father, my family and my New Mexican childhood. So, on a personal level, making this album helped me process through my own grief of losing a parent. I'd like to inspire others to create - to bravely go through their own pain, and in doing so, heal.
Who makes up Byland? Tell us a bit about each of your band members.
Besides Jake working the tech portions and myself singing or playing guitar, the band is ever evolving. BYLAND believes that music should bring people together, so we try to collaborate where we can, and especially at each performance. At this event, you'll find me with my sister, Maggiejean. She plays piano and percussion, as a side gig to flying airplanes (a total bad ass). Most commonly we are accompanied by Rosenoak, our favorite local strings duo. Seattle is FULL of kind, talented musicians, and I'd love to create with each of them!
I would love to visit New Mexico! For anyone planning to visit your hometown of Albuquerque, do you have any favorite spots that are a must to check out?
Girliebird Co. - Go visit my mom at "the best B&B in the Wild Southwest". (My childhood home and Albuquerque's 2008 Extreme Makeover Home Edition) (My claim to fame! Ha ha)
The Tram - There's nothing like a New Mexico Sunset and this is one of the best places to view it.
Green Jeans - It's a business park full of shops and restaurants made out of shipping containers. Try the happy camper from Santa Fe Brewing.
Meow Wolf - If you make it over to Santa Fe, you have to check this place out... It's like Donnie Darko meets Escape Room meets Exotic Art-walk.
The Balloon Fiesta - Most photographed event in the world. Thousands of hot air balloons fill the sky for two weeks straight. It's beautiful!
My favorite Coffee Shops - Little Bear Coffee, Zendo Coffee and Humble Coffee.
What brought you up to Seattle? What is your favorite thing about the music scene here?
I moved to a big, exciting, far away city for school, met a boy, fell in love... you know.
The rain sure isn't what has kept me here; it's the people and the creative community!
The music scene is HOPPIN! There's a show somewhere any night of the week. It has lit a fire under my ass which forced me to get shit done. It's all about the hustle here. If you don't hustle, you probably won't be heard. In Seattle, people fight hard for what they believe in and what they create. Art is respected here, and I really love that.
I also love your personal style/aesthetic. What inspires your style?
HA! Thank you! I'm proud of where I come from. I'm greatly inspired by the desert, and the sky. I'm drawn to yellow, blue and lots of white. I don't like clutter, but I do like grit. And like my dad used to say, "Rough is good. I don't have to be anything for anybody except what I am." And seriously, it's okay to wear the same pair of Levi's in every picture! Ha! Most of what we own comes from thrift shops or friend's businesses. We love supporting local and keeping clothing out of landfill. For our coming merch, instead of selling new clothing, we'll be printing on secondhand pieces thrifted by BYLAND.
If you could pick any musician to collaborate with who would you choose and why?
Brandi Carlile - hands down. I've seen her live at least six times and cried every time. She taught me it's okay NOT to sound like all the pop artists I grew up listening to. My voice was always lower than theirs and I had a hard time reaching the high notes outside my falsetto. But Brandi inspired me to embrace my raspy, deep voice and the occasional yodel. Gosh, I love her.
~Thank you for joining us for April art walk and performing! Any other shows/events coming up for your new album? We would love to share.
If you're in Albuquerque April 27th, come to our listening party downtown!
For Seattle, we're currently planning the Album Release Show. (It will most likely be in May - that fire under my ass is getting warmer!)
Until then, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on coming events.
Also - If our music resonates with you and you're a drummer or electric guitar player, I'd love to collaborate for future shows.
Tell us a little about yourself? How did art find you?
If you were an ice cream flavor what would you be?
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