Another Great Seattle Sound

Ray Charles and Quincy Jones

Seattle has a long eclectic musical history. It's the birthplace of Hendrix and Nirvana. It gave rise to the careers of musicians like Robert Blackwell, Ray Charles and Quincy Jones in the Jackson Street clubs. The launching of an entire movement known as grunge. It’s hard for new artists to break out with such a lofty musical past and an even more imposing present. A present that including big name groups such as Alice in Chains, Death Cab for Cutie, Foo Fighters, Postal Service, Common Market, Maktub, Pearl Jam, The Head and The Heart, Blue Scholars and so many more. Not quite all the same genre, but good music is good music. In an effort not to be too audacious,  these relatively new on the scene artists are filling those very, very large shoes.

Pearl Jam during the early 1990's grunge era

 Seattle has always created it’s own unique sound and style, not many musical Mecca’s can boast being an epicenter of such a thriving Jazz community along Jackson Street in the early 1900s.  An area that fostered and cultivated the careers of some of the greatest jazz artist this world has ever seen. As well as starting it’s very own musical and fashion movement. In sticking with Seattle tradition of being inimitable, a fashion movement consisting of thrift store items and flannel. As Sub Pop's Jonathan Poneman said so very eloquently, "This [clothing] is cheap, it's durable, and it's kind of timeless. It also runs against the grain of the whole flashy aesthetic that existed in the 80s."

Since I think its one of the greatest complement one can bestow, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are true Seattleites. They're by no means cheap (even if they shop at thrift shops and take your grandpa's style) and since I have no idea what kind of a complement or insult “durable” would be, I’ll stick with the tried and true; they’re timeless. A unique sound that stays true to itself, lyrics that make you want to jump up and “just dance,”  their music  "it's just good medicine."

They’re a strong part of the community, giving back to where they’re from. Their My Oh My song was written in the memory of the Seattle legend Dave Neihaus, and the proceeds from it go to benefit the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club. The Seattle hip-hop community is such a tight network that when one buys a ticket to a show it doesn't matter who’s name is on the stub, it’ll be a show to remember. There maybe possible guest performances by any number of artists such as; The Physics, Sol, Grynch, Fences, Onry Ozzborn, Blue Scholars or none at all. People go for the music, making them feel the vibe, capturing the beauty and putting it in a song. With varying levels of musical success the fact that none of the hip-hop artists have forsaken those other artists around them is what makes the Northwest music culture so different.


In an effort not to be too repetitive I’ll say it just this last time Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, create great original music with meaning. Which is such a rarity these days. The true pleasure and infectious smiles so evident on Ben Haggerty's face every time he performs, alone makes the box office price worth it. For if five dollars or even twenty-five dollars can bring that kind of joy that is so evident on every performers face at a Macklemore and Ryan Lewis show, than that alone is good enough medicine for me.

"Our music, our movement, the history lives through us...

Despite the drama, there's respect and camaraderie...

It's a rite of passage, I'm not trying to be corny...

Every time somebody steps out on the road

They bring a little Northwest soul with them...

Alright then, just so you know..

It's good medicine that Cheif Sealth would of been proud of...

Music it saves lives, these kids out here are supporting it

And through the art form we've learned the importance of community...

I learned from my teachers, but became through my music...

But I carry the torch and what I do with that flame

Is lit every time that I step on the stage

The skyline is etched in my veins

You can never put that out, no matter how hard it rains...

So much has changed here, so much has not...

Rad a page out my notebook

What I thought would e respected, they would connect with it

Now looking over the city's the only thing that keeps me calm

Scattered thoughts jotted down by this pen in m y palm

It's like my city stands still, the world looks on 

If I could only capture it's beauty and put it in a song...

Wearing that Seattle blue." 

~The Town By Macklemore 

Ben Haggerty (i.e. Macklemore) and Ryan Lewis