During a week when we're discussing influences, I'm trying to put my finger on just who Seattle's The Blakes are channeling. Could be Plimsouls...there's some Beatles in there...The Who...The Kinks too. But it's all entirely fresh and new as it should be. Find out yourself when The Blakes play The Red & The Black on November 8th. We chatted with the band's drummer and resident crate digger Bob Husak, in advance of their DC date: "Vinyl has become a huge part of my life in recent years. Although I'd been [...]

Thursday, July 16, 2009 Today's Quick Mention: I don't normally pay too much attention to DJs, but watching/experiencing Z-Trip at the Most Interesting Academy last night was an absolute blast. The guy seemed to have an endless stream of all the right tunes, and it was pretty much amazing. See him if you ever get the chance. A number of months back SOTO's very own Noah sent me a Blakes song that he said was off their upcoming record. Apparently, that [...]

photo cred: Ben Haley After catching local Seattle act The Blakes open for the Toadies last Friday at the Showbox, I decided that I should waste some time today at work and give these dudes a Wikipedia page (I was surprised they didn't have one already). While the band probably doesn't need my help to get them more exposure (they landed a Gap commercial featuring their song "Magic" back in February), hopefully it steers a few more fans their way. View the page [...]