DHC Compares & Contrasts, part 2:

Seattle Vs. New York

 

I like open mikes.  You know why?  Because in this giant swamp of live music, with music unions and giant sponsored tours and everybody holding out a hand and expecting to get real paid, open mikes keep it pure.  It’s just about getting up on stage and playing as well as you can for 15 minutes or 3 songs, whichever is shorter.  You have a moment to make your mark, and afterward you could either be forgotten completely, or you could be someone’s new favorite singer.  You never can tell.  It’s not about money, it’s about fun. 

 

Only 29 days and we’ll be on the way.  Stepping into the ring this week, we have…

 

 

SEA: Bill’s Off Broadway in Capitol Hill (Monday).  This is a new find for us.  Just a block away from the main drag in Cap Hill, Bill’s gets a great crowd of friendly people every Monday.  The pizza is incredible and the host runs a very intimate and fun show – the evening has a very comfortable cabaret feel to it.  Also, there is the added benefit of being on the edge of one of Seattle’s most exciting neighborhoods, one of a small handful that keeps the party going until the late-night hours.  Broadway in Cap Hill has more music venues than any other part of Seattle (probably more coffee shops and pubs as well), and as the home base for the city’s independent arts community, it’s packed with cool people – good movie houses, good theater, nice little galleries, and everything else that fits.  Bill’s is a great jewel in that crown – you can read more about it here and here.

 

Who’s the lucky opponent?

 

 

NY: Banjo Jim’s in the East Village (Saturday).  This place is a find.  The show starts up every Saturday at 3:00 in the afternoon, making it the rare daylight open mike.  Wayne keeps the show running tight, with the help of a sound man and an emcee.  If we could ever get there early enough, I would partake in their selection of absynthe – I’m not sure how available it is in other venues, but it’s nice to know that I could spend an afternoon glowing in a slightly off-kilter buzz.  I will make it a point to indulge this time around. 

 

Banjo Jim’s is a great little place, populated with very talented bluegrass players, a lot of regulars, and a very receptive crowd.  Be warned, it packs to capacity.  Tough deal if you want some elbow room, but very gratifying for the performers to have 60 people jammed into a room watching intently.  You’ll find it at 9th Street and Avenue C – you can find more details here and here.  Signup is at 2:30. 

 

Next up, we will put Trabant Chai House in the University District (Monday) up against the Silk Road Cafe in Chinatown (Select Fridays).

 

Sweet sweetness,

Jeremy

DHC