The Tractor Tavern has been the host of many alt-country/folk/indie bands, and I love to hear a genre that is sometimes ignored by some of the “indie” press. The Heligoats, one of the openers for Clem Snide on Wednesday at Tractor Tavern, did not fail to represent an indie-fied New Country that I definitely like. The banjo pickin’ that complemented frontman Chris Otepka’s Bellingham snarl was delightfully twangy, and the band put on a strong show. In their music I heard a lot of the Long Winters and Fruit Bats …

Seattle’s own folk/pop band Grand Archives will be playing at the Tractor Tavern tonight along side with See Me River (CD Release), and S (Jen Ghetto). Grand Archives is listed as a indie rock band, and although some of their songs follow that path, you’ll find that lead singer Mat Brooke’s vocals are carefully aligned with the band’s melodic balance, consisting more of a folk/pop sound of acoustical guitar, tambourine, harmonica, and – of course – what’s a band without a little whistling? In listening to their music, you’ll …

Seattle folk favorite Handful Of Luvin’ has begun a rigorous local tour playing Seattle’s next show at the Hard Rock Café on May 15th at 9pm. Their high amped folk rock sound with Celtic roots, express the true meaning of their name, and promises you solid original lyrics, a high volume passionate vocalist/guitarist, a energized fiddler that will blow your mind, a stylishly dressed well balanced bass guitarist (often found partying in the crowd supporting other acts), and finally a drummer who keeps them all clearly on beat, and …