Jesse Lortz' CASE STUDIES

Last winter I was fortunate enough to catch The Dutchess and The Duke's last show at The Tractor in Ballard with a few good friends. I'd only listened to their music briefly so I wasn't entirely familiar with their folk-fame. The bar was packed shoulder to shoulder and we'd arrived too late to get close to the stage. To my extremely pleasant surprise, just as the show began, the Duke and the Dutchess unplugged their guitars and hopped off stage and jumped up on the bar for an impromptu acoustic set. As you can see, I instantly had front row seats to what would be one of my favorite shows yet. The entire bar sang, swayed, and stomped their feet in unison.

Before the show started we bumped into the Duke smoking a cigarette outside and had to ask the inevitable, "why are you guys breaking up?" His response was humorous and snarky (surprise) and eluded to the fact that the two had grown apart and he was just more excited about getting to do his own stuff. He did remark, "I'm glad I don't have to be The Dutchess and "The Duke" anymore. How $#%$%@# lame is that?"

Once inside I met him at the merch booth and asked him to sign a few records for me and this picture expresses his enthusiasm when I handed him a sharpie and asked him to scribe "Heyra..." on his album art.


To say the least, I was disappointed to see the duo dissolve but even more excited to see that Lortz has been hard at work producing new music and am pretty impressed with what he's done. The album "The World is Just a Shape to Fill the Night" (released August 16th) thankfully still resounds with his recognizably dark and brooding alternative-country vocals. Some of the tracks elicit the country-alternative-pop-rock sound he's known for but this project appears to have given him the freedom to delve deeper lyrically than in the past. Below is the first video "Lies" released by Case Studies and a live recording of "Daggers". The more you listen the more you will love this album.

Case Studies: Lies from Case Studies on Vimeo.

Case Studies: Daggers from Case Studies on Vimeo.

New Video: Thick As Thieves

#MusicMonday - Warpaint

I've been talking about Warpaint for a while but since I'm short on time and I listen to "Undertow" almost daily... it warranted a post. They're playing at Bumbershoot on Sunday Sept 4th so catch them if you can. Below is another video, "Elephants", another personal favorite.

Snowmine : Laminate Pet Animal

Sound familiar? They're like Local Native's East Coast cousin. Good stuff.

#MUSICMONDAY - Beirut - The Rip Tide

The band's first album in four years was so heavily anticipated they dropped the digital copy early (official release scheduled August 30th). I've only just begun going through it but right off the back "East Harlem" and "Rip Tide" got my attention with their metered melodies, horns, and vintage vocals. I'll be spending the rest of my Monday afternoon with this album...

Upcoming FREE Show - MUST SEE!!

Black Mountain is an amazing band and not one you would expect to pop into the Seattle Center for a free afternoon set. You can catch them on AUGUST 19th (And I cannot stress loudly enough that you should) at Concerts At The Mural in Seattle Center, a series that is brought to you by KEXP. It is a fantastic venue and it draws large crowds every year. The weather should be great and there will be beer gardens and food vendors. Starts at 6pm. Let me know if you need more info. Below is a personal fave, "Angels".

NEW RELEASE: Portugal. The Man: In the Mountain In the Cloud

This album is so well coordinated that every song seems unique in its own right, via lyrical subject matter or instrumental undertones and hooks, but also pairs extremely well with the next. Each track floats along and attaches itself to another with similar melodies and the crooning vocals of John Gourley. (Even the videos coincide with one general Alaskan Wilderness montage.) It's clear that Portugal. The Man is aiming for a more grandiose affect with this collection and their use of strings and effects accessorize the sound well. Did I mention these boys are North Westerners? (Another reason to love them... Originally from Alaska and formed in Portland, Oregon) Above is a combo vid for "Sleep Forever" and below is a brief cut from an interview with the band by the Oregonian discussing the making of the album. Always nice to get an unplugged look at the group and their insights on their work.