News
The Stranger says that Freakout Festival is Seattle's best festival
Big <3 to The Stranger!!!!!!! Read the full piece here. Photo by JP MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY.
Big <3 to The Stranger!!!!!!! Read the full piece here.
Photo by JP Martin Photography
10 Artists to Watch At Seattle’s Freakout Festival 2021 according to Remezcla Mexico
Remezcla Mexico gives their thoughts on 10 artists to watch at Freakout Festival 2021. Art by Stephany Torres for Remezcla.
Remezcla Mexico gives their thoughts on 10 artists to watch at Freakout Festival 2021.
Freakout Festival Featured in Rolling Stone France
Ooo la la! A feature like this one doesn’t come around every day, and we couldn’t be more thankful to our friends at Rolling Stone France!
Ooo la la! A feature like this one doesn’t come around every day, and we couldn’t be more thankful to our friends at Rolling Stone France for pointing the spotlight on our very own Freakout Festival in their latest print issue. Naturally, this was published in french, but we had it translated so our english-speaking followers could enjoy the story as well.
THE FREAKOUT SHOCK!
A festival, a label, a band... What drives the one who’s at the top of this three-headed beast, over there, in Seattle? Report.
Written by Xavier Bonnet
Photos by Jake Hanson, Travis Trautt, Rachel Bennett, Christine Mitchell, Stephanie Severance, Eric Tra, Etsy Ketsy, Rudy Willingham
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It’s a smile you can’t escape from. It’s been going on for a solid half hour on the stage of Salmon Bay Eagles Club. You find your way to this most peculiar venue through what you could easily mistake for a service door, up a staircase, to a ballroom whose wooden floor has obviously seen many other nights. On the walls, some portraits of former club members are carefully hung. Well, that is if you don’t get lost and end up in the adjacent bar, where dust is sitting at the counter amongst the regulars.
Anyway, our guy is having a blast. On this cold Saturday night, while Seattle is proudly honoring its “America’s chamber pot” reputation, his band is closing the penultimate party of his own festival. The feeling of a job well done for the seventh year in a row must have something to do with that smile. But if the guy is absolutely euphoric right now, it’s for a whole other reason: since the beginning of the set, about ten musicians have been succeeding one another, backing him and his drummer, Ian Cunningham, co-founder of the band (and who also happens to manage his visual identity). Ten musicians, from all over the place (Seattle, Mexico, Germany, France) who all collaborated with him at some point or another during his peregrinations around the world. Since 2014, they have all played some part in one of his live adventures, but have never been together on the same stage. It’s a happy mess. It spins out of control and always lands back on its feet. It’s everything their “leader” loves.
Guy Keltner is his name. 32 years old, even though you would easily give him 10 less. All right, let’s say maybe 8 and be done with it. “Acid Tongue is essentially Ian and I,” he explains the next morning. He still seems to be on cloud nine, but this could just be the lingering effects of the bender he was on last night, he confesses.
“I write every song, I bring it to him, we go in the studio, he fixes a thing or two, and then the rest of the time consists in fighting with the producer to make sure he doesn’t polish the sound too much”.
Long story short, Acid Tongue likes to push the walls, its own walls, and is always eager to mix with the style and creativity of others. Musicians he stumbles upon will end up touring with him abroad, just like last year in Mexico when his Mexican friends backed him for a tour. Today, he repays the favor by inviting them to play his festival.
This strong sense of community and mutual help is the DNA of the Freakout Festival. Its founders, Guy Keltner and Skyler Locatelli, value it above all. This rendezvous is a perfect example of that. Over the course of four days, no less than seventy artists and bands will perform in 8 venues, only a few blocks away from each other. Some of them are even on the same street, Ballard Avenue. You may think that it was designed to be the perfect hang. And you wouldn’t be too far from the truth. That’s even how it started. It seems so far away now, but when you ask him, the memories of that first edition start rushing back. It was in Capitol Hill, a neighborhood since then massively gentrified. He remembers this punk club he rented from a heroin addict owner, who ran away with the money to dodge some unhappy, err… Suppliers.
“We had to reorganize the whole night at the last minute, and relocate it to a dance studio” Keltner laughs. “You met Nathan, right? He had to build a stage from scratch that day”. We met Nathan indeed. He was our assigned driver from the airport to downtown. Strapping lad who, indeed, mustn’t be afraid of a few wood planks, Nathan Louis is now less involved with Freakout, too busy with his job at Microsoft. He explained what he does but we didn’t quite get that.
Still a strong supporter of Freakout, Nathan was there at every show, one night alone, the next at the arm of his tiny girlfriend, surpassing her by at least 10 inches. Always happy to chat, Nathan portrays his fast changing city. It is now unrecognizable since our last visit… A quarter century ago! Amazon is to blame, spreading its tentacles over the city like a giant octopus. It apparently created between 70.000 and 80.000 jobs, quite an addition to what was already Microsoft City. The town seems to have doubled in volume, and no area is left behind this transfiguration. “Ballard, for example, used to be a blue-collar neighborhood” Louis carries on. “It was where the fishermen lived, but now they have all been replaced by 25 year old bros who all work at Amazon”.
The contrast is in fact striking when you walk along Ballard Avenue. Trendy restaurants stand alongside stylish shops. Old school bar-clubs are generously pouring indie-rock and craft beers: here, an Irish bar (Conor Byrne Club), there, a pub whose back room quickly turns into a sauna when a show is playing (Sunset Tavern). Over there, this western-style venue with boots hanging from the ceiling (Tractor Tavern). In all these places, everybody knows Keltner: he was hanging out there way too much when he moved in Ballard after he graduated. “Some of these bar owners have known me since I was a kid” He adds, cracking up. “It reinforces the family spirit of the festival. We walk hand in hand. They offer me facilities and we bring a crowd where most of the time, they don’t see anybody after 9.”
It’s really this urge to shake up his world that motivates Keltner. After all, the dude could totally have enough on his hands between Acid Tongue and running Freakout Records. His label was created after the Festival was born and now counts nine references to its catalogue (only three active bands were on the bill for this seventh edition: Smokey Brights, The Grizzled Mighty and… Acid Tongue). As if that wasn’t enough, he started doing reissues, starting with a 50 years old anniversary, collector edition of a 7’ single by The Bumps, a local band from the late 1960’s. For this, he collaborated with HockeyTalker, another label founded this time by Mike McCready, the guitarist of Pearl Jam.
It’s an anger ready to explode that drives Keltner, stirred up by these new generations who “move in these neighborhoods, stuff themselves with food they ordered online, binge Netflix from their couch, and in a way, steal a place where people used to interact with each other”. Even if it means appearing a little presumptuous, Keltner doesn’t hide behind false modesty when he announces that he wants to leave his mark on the city's culture. A city whose main radios still stick to blasting Nirvana, Soundgarden or Alice in Chains… Thirty years later. “We started having a certain impact with what we do, and we intend to amplify it,” he adds. “This festival is a matter of passion, of desire. I can’t even call it my main job. For that, it would have to make money!” (Laughs)
Money, the sinews of war, both here and elsewhere. He willingly acknowledges it, not everyone is in the same boat when it comes to fees. Most of the budget goes to the headliners (Soft Kill, Death Valley Girls, The Shivas, Elephant Stone). Local bands mostly get exposure. Keltner has at least the merit of being fair and transparent with everybody.
But none of this will curve the boy’s ambitions… Like, for example, dreaming of welcoming Austra (“too expensive for now”), imagining a heated tent in the middle of Ballard (for the Brian Jonestown Massacre) or even exporting his concept in France. Gentrified Paris needs it just as much; he saw it with his own eyes, after marrying a French publicist (he’s a busy man). “I want to give a chance to all these bands that I have been able to discover over there, create bridges with the bands I know” He punctuates “Paris is falling asleep, let’s wake it up! Let’s not surrender it to all these people who buy apartments on top of a club who’s been here forever, and then complain about the noise at midnight on a Saturday night. Get out!”
Of course, since then, covid happened, postponing everything. Across the Atlantic, Seattle was even one of the first clusters of the epidemic. As many others, it is now eager to get back on its feet. At least, we know who will volunteer to lead the front line when the time comes…
Smokey Brights Release "72" Video
“72”, the new single by Smokey Brights from their upcoming album ‘I Love You But Damn’ is out NOW.
“72”, the new single by Smokey Brights from their upcoming album ‘I Love You But Damn’ is out NOW on Spotify, Apple Music & all digital outlets.
Bullies by Acid Tongue Out Now
Stream on all digital platforms or pick up a copy of the new LP on vinyl!
KEXP: Throwaway Style - You Have an Acid Tongue
In this month's edition, Martin Douglas talks with the band Acid Tongue ahead of their sophomore record Bullies.
Throwaway Style is a monthly column dedicated to examining all aspects of the Northwest music scene. Whether it’s a new artist making waves, headlines affecting local talent, or reflecting on some of the music that’s been a foundation in our region; this space celebrates everything happening in the Northwest region, (mostly) the first Thursday of every new month on KEXP.org.
In this month's edition, Martin Douglas talks with the band Acid Tongue ahead of their sophomore record Bullies.
Acid Tongue by Jake Hanson
The Grizzled Mighty Releases "Rewind" Single & Music Video
REWIND—the debut single from The Grizzled Mighty’s new album ‘Confetti Teeth’ (June 5) is out NOW!
KEXP Song of the Day is "Bullies" by Acid Tongue
A huge thank you to DJ John Richards for showing this tune so much love & support. 🙏
Bullies is KEXP ‘Song of the Day’ — a huge thank you to DJ John Richards for showing this tune so much love & support. 🙏
Subscribe to SOTD in Apple Podcasts.
Bullies (LP) by Acid Tongue out March 13
Pre-order Bullies on 12” limited-edition milky/pink vinyl from the Freakout Records online store—out March 13—HERE
Pre-order Bullies on 12” limited-edition milky/pink vinyl from the Freakout Records online store—out March 13.
Freakout 7 Lineup is Here!
Freakout Fest 7 is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever – get a load of what we’ve got planned.
Freakout Fest 7 is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever, with an opening party at Sunset Tavern, two packed days of insanely talented bands from all across the globe, and closing parties at both Tractor & Sunset Tavern. Plus this year we're offering VIP 4-Day tickets, so you can experience each incredible moment!
Cassette Crews & Cosmic Cohorts: Catch Freakout Records in NPR Music!
We feel so honored to share this spotlight with our hardworking and enormously talented PNW peers. Read the article to learn about Seattle's emerging labels and collectives!
"To say the Seattle-based Freakout Records is merely a record label would be underselling how much it actually does for the culture of the city's music scene." -NPR Music
We feel so honored to share this spotlight with our hardworking and enormously talented PNW peers. Be sure to read the article to learn about Seattle's emerging labels and collectives!
AcidTongueKEXP.jpg
Freakout Presents: Smokey Brights in Twisp, WA
Central Washington, are you ready to feel some 70s rock 'n' roll love?
Central Washington, are you ready to feel some 70s rock 'n' roll love? We're excited to team up with KTRT to present Smokey Brights and VanLots at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp, WA on August 10! All bar proceeds will be donated to Methow Recycles, the local recycling center dedicated to innovative waste prevention programs for the Methow Valley.
Freakout Presents: Morgan Delt at Lodge Room, Los Angeles
Hello sweet, sunny Los Angeles! Join us Saturday, July 27th at Lodge Room in Highland Park for a special performance with psych-rock LA local Morgan Delt. Plus sets from alt-country singer Pearl Charles, celestial pop artist Vinyl Williams, and a Mad Alchemy Light Show.
Freakout Presents: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at Tractor Tavern
Come rock out with the Australian four-piece on September 13!
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It’s our pleasure to present powerful Perth-based rockers Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at Tractor Tavern in Ballard on Friday, September 13! Cosmic rock four-piece Levitation Room opens the night.
Freakout Festival 7 Announced
Submissions for Freakout 7 are now open. Submit your band via "info@freakoutrec.com"
Freakout 6 Lineup Announced
We here at Freakout HQ are thrilled to announce the first wave of our 2018 Freakout lineup. This year, All Them Witches, Night Beats, Sneaks, Death Valley Girls and The Grizzled Mighty are among the headliners, alongside loads of emerging local and national acts.
We here at Freakout HQ are thrilled to announce the first wave of our 2018 Freakout lineup. This year, All Them Witches, Night Beats, Sneaks, Death Valley Girls and The Grizzled Mighty are among the headliners, alongside loads of emerging local and national acts. We've expanded this year to include some all ages stages and shows at the following venues: The Tractor Tavern, Salmon Bay Eagles Club, Sunset Tavern, Conor Byrne, Sonic Boom, Lagunitas Brewery, Caffe Umbria and CC Filson, and we have a variety of amazing curators from throughout the west coast hosting stages. The Freakout will return to Ballard on November 16th and 17th. Snag your tickets now before the second wave lineup announcement in September!
Freakout Presents: The Sonics in Tacoma on August 26th
Legendary Pacific Northwest Proto-Punk rockers The Sonics last performed in their howmetown of Tacoma, WA in 2012 after over 30 years of politely declining lucrative reunion tour offers. Freakout Records is overwhelmed to announce that we've got the band back together, and they will be reuniting at Tacoma's newest venue, Alma Mater.
Legendary Pacific Northwest Proto-Punk rockers The Sonics last performed in their howmetown of Tacoma, WA in 2012 after over 30 years of politely declining lucrative reunion tour offers. Freakout Records is overwhelmed to announce that we've got the band back together, and they will be reuniting at Tacoma's newest venue, Alma Mater. The evening is continuing to develop to include what will surely be some surprises and special guests in the house. The show will be hosted by KEXP DJ Troy Nelson, and our very own Acid Tongue will be providing main support. Tickets go on sale today and we recommend you buy tickets ASAP because this event will SELL OUT.
Join Freakout, The Warehouse and KEXP as we welcome the SONICS Home!
*Poster designed by Jordan Rundle
Acid Tongue Drops Video for "Accidental Drug Use," New Tour Dates
Freakout Records is proud to premiere Acid Tongue's newest music video for "Accidental Drug Use". Filmed by director Justin Frick & visual artist Stephanie Severance, the video is striking, somber in tone, and underscores the moodiness of the song and the artist. Shot in and around the stunning landscapes of Eastern Washington, Frick & Severance show affection for their hometown of Richland, WA. Catch Acid Tongue on tour this summer:
June 23 - Twisp WA - OSB Taproom
July 14 - Seattle WA - Ballard Seafood Fest~
August 4 - Orcas Island - Doe Bay Festival*
August 10 - Seattle WA - South Lake Union Block Party#
August 18 - Seattle WA - Mercer Summit Block Party*
August 26 - Tacoma WA - Alma Mater%
Sept. 6 - London UK - Shacklewell Arms**
Sept. 7 - Hastings UK - The Palace**
Sept. 8 - Brighton UK - The Hope & Ruin**
Sept. 9 - London UK - The Old Blue Last
~with All Them Witches & Blitzen Trapper
*with Telekinesis
#with Built to Spill
%with The Sonics
**with Los Bitchos
Freakout Festival Will Return to Ballard for Year 6!
The Freakout is back for 2018, and we've got LOTS of exciting things happening behind the scenes as we prepare to announce the lineup.
The Freakout is back for 2018, and we've got LOTS of exciting things happening behind the scenes as we prepare to announce the lineup. This annual event has been held in different neighborhoods throughout Seattle each year, bringing together curators from all around the city's diverse music and arts community. In 2018, The Freakout will return to Ballard from November 16-17th. Sign up for our newsletter below to make sure you don't miss the lineup announcement!
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Gold Casio Premiers 'Sinners' Single Via PopMatters
"Standing tall among the likes of MisterWives and Coldfeet, rising dance quartet Gold Casio is intent on giving disco a good name in the 21st century. The Portland-based group have been thriving within the realm of new electronic thrills, with another new collection of songs coming in the near future to encapsulate their story so far with Sinners."
"Standing tall among the likes of MisterWives and Coldfeet, rising dance quartet Gold Casio is intent on giving disco a good name in the 21st century. The Portland-based group have been thriving within the realm of new electronic thrills, with another new collection of songs coming in the near future to encapsulate their story so far with Sinners."
Click here to read the full article.