Catch indie rocker at the Neptune

  • By Andy Rathbun Special to The Herald
  • Wednesday, January 22, 2014 6:32pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

For a guy who got his start recording music alone in a cabin, Justin Vernon has become a very busy man.

Just look at the past few years. Since recording “For Emma, Forever Ago” by himself in the woods, Vernon has been flown to Hawaii by Kanye West to work on songs. He has won two Grammys — for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Album — as the lead singer of Bon Iver.

He even found himself in a small battle with another indie rock group, the Avalanches, after he endorsed Bushmill’s Whiskey. (The Avalanches called him a hypocrite for endorsing something as destructive to a person’s health as alcohol.)

Despite all that, he’s still found time to release several albums, including two with his excellent Wisconsin-based side project, Volcano Choir. That group will bring Vernon to the Neptune Theatre for a show at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Volcano Choir is essentially an indie rock supergroup, fronted by Vernon but featuring members of another oddly named band, the Collections of Colonies of Bees.

The group released its second album in 2013, “Repave,” and hit No. 40 on the Billboard 200. The album featured Vernon’s inimitable vocals over quietly anthemic rock songs that, more often than not, built slowly to their explosive conclusions.

Tickets are $21.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Excision also is coming to Seattle for a show at the Paramount Theatre at 6 Friday night.

The Canadian-based dub-step producer and electronica artist has promised “virtual walls of bass” on his upcoming tour, which will find him playing large theaters across America for the next three months.

With those “walls of bass” in mind, Excision is bringing a 150,000-watt bass sound system on the road with him.

Which is a fancy way of saying: Bring earplugs.

Tickets are $35 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Josh Ritter, meanwhile, isn’t touting his sound system on his new tour. The Idaho-born singer-songwriter is instead going acoustic as he continues to tour behind his 2013 album “The Beast in Its Tracks,” which hit No. 22 on the charts.

Ritter first started turning heads after helping soundtrack the HBO hit, “Six Feet Under” — his song “Come and Find Me” was used on the show’s end credits.

That little bit of attention was enough to help Ritter grow his loyal following. He’s since released a string of folk-based records, each more successful on the charts than the last. He plays in Seattle on Sunday.

Tickets are $25.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Finally, Robert DeLong will wrap up a two-night stand at Barboza in Seattle with a sold-out show at 7 Friday night.

DeLong grew up in the Seattle suburbs before relocating to Los Angeles, where he started crafting his high-energy electronica.

He made a splash in 2013 with his debut “Just Movement,” an album that featured the expletive-laced single “Global Concepts,” which asked listeners if he had found a way to make them dance.

Tickets are available at a mark-up through stubhub.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Camp Fire attendees pose after playing in the water. (Photo courtesy by Camp Fire)
The best childcare in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn and the graphic he created. He is currently attending the 10-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo provided by Andy Illyn)
Help wanted: Unicorns for ‘pure magic’ career with Mukilteo police

“There’s a whole population who would be amazing police officers” but never considered it, the police chief said.

To most, tiles are utilitarian. To some, they’re a sought-after art form.

Collectors particularly prize tiles made by early 20th century art potteries. This Wheatley piece sold for $216 at auction.

Spring plant sales in Snohomish County

Find perennials, vegetable starts, shrubs and more at these sales, which raise money for horticulture scholarships.

beautiful colors of rhododendron flowers
With its big, bright blooms, Washington’s state flower is wowing once again

Whether dwarf or absolutely ginormous, rhodies put on a grand show each spring. Plus, they love the Pacific Northwest.

Whidbey duo uses fencing to teach self-discipline, sportsmanship to youth

Bob Tearse and Joseph Kleinman are sharing their sword-fighting expertise with young people on south Whidbey Island.

Craig Chambers takes orders while working behind the bar at Obsidian Beer Hall on Friday, April 12, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Obsidian Beer Hall takes over former Toggle’s space in downtown Everett

Beyond beer, the Black-owned taphouse boasts a chill vibe with plush sofas, art on the walls and hip-hop on the speakers.

Glimpse the ancient past in northeast England

Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles across the isle. It’s still one of England’s most thought-provoking sights.

I accidentally paid twice for my hotel. Can I get a refund?

Why did Valeska Wehr pay twice for her stay at a Marriott property in Boston? And why won’t Booking.com help her?

How do you want your kids to remember you when they grow up?

Childhood flies by, especially for parents. So how should we approach this limited time while our kids are still kids?

Dalton Dover performs during the 2023 CMA Fest on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Spotify House in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

The Red Hot Chili Pipers come to Edmonds, and country artist Dalton Dover performs Friday as part of the Everett Stampede.

Lily Gladstone poses at the premiere of the Hulu miniseries "Under the Bridge" at the DGA Theatre, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Mountlake Terrace’s Lily Gladstone plays cop in Hulu’s ‘Under the Bridge’

The true-crime drama started streaming Wednesday. It’s Gladstone’s first part since her star turn in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.