By LUCIANO MARANO
Bainbridge Island Review
These invaders are not looking to phone home, and they do not care to meet your leader.
They do not come in peace; they come to get loud.
In fact, the latest otherworldly personas to touch down on the Kitsap concert landscape courtesy of the Bainbridge organization Spacecraft are a wonderfully motley mix of slick, sexy, gutsy, vintage and timeless acts — and they all come to rock.
The summer lineup from the island nonprofit includes some exciting new names as well as favored local talent including Fauna Shade, Thunderpussy, the Fabulous Downey Brothers, Nightspace, the Weather Machine, Fly Moon Royalty, Vaudeville Etiquette and more.
Spacecraft was founded with the express purpose of “filling cultural gaps,” the group said. Spacecraft serves “the culturally curious residents of Kitsap County” with programs ranging from music, performance, dance, literary events and art, according to the group’s founders.
The series opened on June 12 with Fauna Shade — fresh off the release of their debut LB “Baton Rouge” — and popular, slick, Seattle-based rockers Thunderpussy.
The June 26 show will feature the Fabulous Downey Brothers, an Olympia-based group known for energetic and theatrical performances, and Nightspace, the name under which Redmond native Bailey Skye performs a unique blend of synthesized pop melodies.
Headlining the July 10 show is the Mama Rags, the latest disciples to take up the rich southern rock tradition; and Fox and the Law, known for their ’70s-esque guitar riffs and heavy drums reminiscent of vintage Black Sabbath.
Performing on July 24 are Portland import the Weather Machine, described as “a little bit Josh Ritter, a little bit Modest Mouse,” and Fly Moon Royalty, a Seattle-based duo working with an aesthetic that combines the heart and soul of blues and soul with electronica and hip hop. Seattle Magazine named the duo one of the city’s Best New Bands and City Arts voted them the city’s “Best Local Band” in 2012, following an honorable mention in the same category a year earlier.
The Aug. 14 show will feature a solo performance by Vaudeville Etiquette. The Seattle-based quintet quickly became known for their original blend of Americana and folk rock and riveting live gigs and was voted “One of the 12 Best Touring Bands You Probably Missed in 2014 (And NEED to See in 2015)” by Rock ’N’ Roll Cocktail.
The final summer show will be an Aug. 28 doubleheader featuring A Cedar Suede — which offers up a cinematic synergy of Afro-Cuban beats, sultry R&B and lively pastoral melodies — and Naomi Wachira, Seattle Weekly’s Best Folk Singer of 2013. Channeling similar themes and feeling as the groundbreaking talents Miriam Makeba and Tracy Chapman, Wachira, a native of Kenya, teamed with producer and much-loved Seattle indie songwriter Damien Jurado to create her recently released debut album, which featured renowned Seattle bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, cellist Natalie Hall, drummer Darren Reynolds, and Latin percussionist Lalo Bello.
All the concerts will take place at the Spacecraft’s Rolling Bay location (Rolling Bay Hall, 10598 NE Valley Road, Bainbridge Island). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for all shows, with concerts starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for the first show; the cost is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Go to www.spacecraftpresents.org or www.facebook.com/spacecraftbainbridge to purchase and learn more.
