The ultra groovy party known as the Escalator Fest was held at the Lo-Fi, an infrequent East Lake stop for me but every damn time I go I think to myself, this place is amazing. The mood was set perfectly with DJs laying down some killer vibes in the front lounge. In the back of the venue, otherworldly projections hypnotized the packed room while also illuminating the figures on stage with an eerie translucence-- a perfect setting, perfect vibe, and a beyond excellent barrage of live psychedelic music was prevalent throughout the course of the evening.
On the docket were a couple familiars including local whiskey soaked lounge punk act, Blood Red Dancers, but not knowing every act on the bill was part of the draw to the show in the first place. I was ready for some new discoveries, especially ones outside my typical affinity for brain melting metal.
I’m happy to report three excellent new discoveries on the first night including a Californian hippie clan known as Jeffertitti’s Nile. This ragamuffin outfit laid down some seriously spaced out vibrations, so much so that any resistance to full body convulsions was futile. Further using spacey effects to their advantage was psychedelic garage rockers Dahga Bloom, also visiting from California. This band featured an amazing rhythm section, not to mention multiple vocalists and even an electric violinist. Last but not least on the discovery front was Seattle’s own Night Beats, who completely floored me with their throwback combination of hooky blues inspired psychedelic tinged garage rock. This is a local band that takes obvious cues from some the most respected psych rock bands of the 60’s, but adds their own exploding musical flare. Keep your eyes and ears open for these guys, they are great. Closing the night was the kind of out of place Blood Red Dancers, they are truly one of Seattle’s most interesting bands, mixing moody piano with drums and bass and surly Tom Waitsian vocals. Even though I enjoyed yet another BRD performance, a quick look around the room seemed to reveal and I'm sorry to say, that BRD had the distinct honor of being the asshole that told everyone the party was over on Night 1. On any normal circumstance I would only have glowing things to say, it wasn’t their fault, just not sure it was a great fit. To end on a much brighter note, one sure sign you've had an excellent music experience-- leaving a venue with a stack of vinyl under your arm.
Check out these vids taken by SRG videographer Palmer Sather that brilliantly capture the evenings festivities:
Words by Nik Christofferson
Videos by Palmer Sather
Escalator Fest was so dope. I went into it really not knowing any of the bands, and came out a fan of almost all of them. Definitely two of the best nights of music of the year.
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