Born in 2009, Latitude x Longitude brings together Rebeqa Rivers on vocals, keys, toy piano, mandolin, and hand percussion and the soulful guitar craftsmanship of Spencer Smith. Perusing freely through jazz, world music, and Classical structures the pair craft their own vision, taking their audience deep inside themselves for a safari into melancholy and adventure.
Rebeqa Born in a land of flying machines and weaned on international intrigue, Rebeqa yearns for the time when train travel and The Hunt were all she knew. Now, nestled in the crevice of a bustling cosmopolitan city she seeks to return to a simpler setting so she may surf the internet in peace.
Spencer From the land of the oil Barrons, with a gentleman's sensibilities, Spencer luxuriates in the life of art and leisure. Constantly seeking his next adventure, no corner of the world is safe, no stone is left unturned as he searches for that next perfect musical delight.
Toy-Box Trio plays markedly intimate retro-future circus music, transforming baroque sounds into a stranger version of 'The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'. - Jordan Block, Sepiachord
The Toy-Box Trio was founded in early 2007 by classical composer Harlan Glotzer while studying at Cornish College of the Arts. During Harlan's studies, he experimented with bringing different ensembles together. The Toy-Box Trio was born out of a search for an unlikely–yet musically functional–ensemble that would cause listeners to experience through-composed music in an entirely different way. The pairing of concertina, toy piano, and tuba is reminiscent of the classical piano trio–a staple in chamber repertoire–but able to extend into the 21st century by creating a sonic landscape evocative of dusty old music boxes and haunted carnivals. The Toy-Box Trio is committed to approaching time worn ideas and concepts from unexpected, non-traditional, and rarely used angles, as well as providing a light and fanciful sonic atmosphere.
The Toy-Box Trio has appeared in a variety of venues including the University District Street Fair, West Seattle Summer Fest, the City of Seattle Art in the Park & Buskers Program, and various art galleries, restaurants, and coffee shops throughout the Puget Sound region. In addition, they are in close collaboration with Sepiachord, performing at numerous events, as well as having the honor of composing and recording the Sepiachord Theme which will appear on the Sepiachord Companion in October 2009. Aside from live appearances, the Toy-Box Trio will be featured on an upcoming broadcast of Sonarchy Radio, which airs weekly on KEXP 90.3. Music from the trio's self-titled EP is currently featured with the Olde City Sideshow and has been placed in various films including My Lucy Charm and Back Ally. In August, the trio will record their first full-length album, which will be released in fall of 2009.
Find out more on the Toy Box Trio website (p.s. their new CD, Miniature Menagerie is due out any day now. We're very much looking forward to it!)
Seattle based Strange Jerome combines the right amount of grit & edge with dynamic harmonies and gripping melodies. A clever roots rock band that mixes alternative country, shadowy folk and blues influences creating a timely blend that has been described as Lucinda Williams and the Cowboy Junkies meets the Pretenders. “Comparable to Neko Case and Boyfriends in style but as rough and ready as Lucinda Williams.” - The Weekly Volcano, Tacoma, WA “Strange Jerome belong to the best of the Americana roots music.” - Rootsville.be "The first CD of 'Strange Jerome appeared in 2006 under the title "Vicious Tattoo" and consisted of a beautiful collection of songs in different styles. The new album "Guns - Ammo - Jewelry - Coins" is a perfect continuation of that album with pure Americana-songs steeped in country and rock.This quartet from Seattle is an example of the recent craze of Americana bands that American city has delivered...by contributing this excellent album, 'Strange Jerome' deserves close monitoring.” - Rootstime.be
Hailing from the rain capital of the country, Seattle, Washington, Lucy Bland lets the rain inspire their music rather than drown them out. Channeling those long winters and rainy days into each opus, Lucy Bland combines delicate drops of sound into a deluge that is indie, folk, and electronic all at once. The experience begins with Cat Biell's vocals, quietly outlining images of the sea, the sky and everything in between. Then comes the rich, lyrical melodies from violinist Katie Mosehauer.Next are hints of spare bluesy jams and '60's sci-fi soundtracks from multi-instrumentalist Tim Stedman. Electronic beats emerge from a table roofed with knobs, wires and blinking lights, and Todd Wallar marshals the song to shape. Drops of steel guitar and accordion suggest the coming brilliance, and a mood materializes. Quiet and clear, tantalizing and powerful--the sound is unmistakable. It fills the hall and drifts into the street. Earth spins. Rain falls. Clocks melt.
Her autobiographical style of songwriting will draw you in with vulnerable and poignant lyrical content. Like stories, her songs unfold relevant issues reaching into many different avenues of life, from love to the contemplation of fairness in the world.
In her debut CD “Same Girl” she shows her strength both as a musician and a singer/songwriter, with the rare ability to visually inspire through haunting melodies.
