On December 18th, I attended a small show which showcased four local indie bands: Young Nomads, the Fox & the Gypsi, St. Yuma, and Shoecraft. Though it has been a little while since this show, I was so impressed that I feel inspired to write about it even now.
The show was held in old antique shop in historic downtown Snohomish. The location was quite a curiosity (and a little cold), but ultimately a great choice for the show. Jacob Baughman of Shoecraft played a charming rendition of “Percy, the Puny Poinsettia” as the show’s “trickling-in” song. This performance was a perfect way to break the ice and set the tone for the show ahead.
Young Nomads then took the “stage,” and I was pleasantly surprised by their skill and focused aesthetic. It was evident that they were the least experienced band performing that evening, but they handled some technical hiccups with a charm and grace that didn’t take away from their performance. Should this band get in the studio with some experienced musicians and sound engineers, I really think that they could go far.
The Fox and the Gypsi had their set next. Singer and pianist Rio Chanae had a demanding stage presence, and her powerful, old-soul vocals were a highlight of the evening. Imagine the Alabama Shakes blended with Adele, and you’d probably get the Fox and the Gypsi; and this style was a refreshing departure from the folk-dominated evening. Though these songs dealt with sadder subject matter than the other performances, but the atmosphere never became too weighty. It seemed to me that the Fox and the Gypsi sang about sad stories for the purposes of good storytelling rather than for the purposes of wallowing.
Next up was St. Yuma, which was the biggest surprise of the evening. The Alva’s and Co. filled up the venue with sound, immersing the audience in their music. Tender vocals poked out from the shimmering waves of guitars and cymbals, enticing the listener to enter even further into the experience. St. Yuma’s performance resonated throughout the building, and it undoubtedly also struck a chord with my being. I anxiously await a proper studio release from these guys.
Finally, closing out the show was Shoecraft. The band mainly sang Christmas tunes, interjecting one original song and ending with a sing-a-long of “White Christmas.” Though the preceding acts were all very solid, Shoecraft was phenomenal. There was a notable chemistry between all the members of the band, and their experience was evident. Their medley of “I Pray on Christmas” and “O Holy Night” was flawless and a perfect way to kick off their performance. Shoecraft was already a local favorite, but this show brought a fresh realization of just how talented they are.
Overall, Silent Night at the 609 was a rousing success. It showcased some amazing local talent, reinforced my love for Shoecraft, and exposed me to some rising stars in the local scene. I highly recommend all of these bands, and you can check them out (with the exception of Young Nomads, who does not currently have a web presence) at the links below. Some of the music released by the bands thus far are rougher cuts or demos that do not fully demonstrate the brilliance of these artists, but they are still worth a look-see.
SHOECRAFT \\ Facebook
We Are Mirrors 
I saw Fox and the Gypsy at a different show laat month and you wrote about Rio perfectly! In my dream world I want to see her and Freddy Mercury duet together. She has so much power in her voice and performance.