FYM PREVIEW: THE CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY

FYM will be gearing up all week in preparation for one of the most important events of the year in Seattle- The Capitol Hill Block Party 2011! This concert series is a true representation of Seattle culture at it's finest. For three days next weekend (July 22, 23, 24) South Capitol Hill, becomes a Music/Food/Cultural powerhouse- offering up notable sonic performances from local/regional/national bands, incredible food choices, and the ambiance of roaming the streets of one the most eclectic, flourishing neighborhoods in Seattle Washington, USA.

BLOCK PARTY DAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS:

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA: FYM's Los Angeles Senior Writer, Will Sellers, recently picked this Portland Oregon based three-piece as one of the Best Bands of 2011 in our mid-year artist wrap-up (which can be viewed HERE). FYM expects similar free-spirited, psyched-out, trailblazing vibes as heard in ballune posted above- when UMO hits the Neumos Stage from 4:15-4:45pm this Friday. It's a can't miss set, and a special opportunity to see such talent performing live in a tremendous intimate space!

BOAT: Seattle transplants- BOAT, are a perfect merger of kinetic storytelling and playful indie-pop sensibilities. They will be our next stop on Friday, performing at 5:00pm on the Vera Stage. Listen to their bright, chorus driven single Lately above- And also expect BOAT to be showcasing the best tunes off their March 2011 record Dress Like Your Idols. The album was released by Magic Marker Records and can be heard HERE.

RA RA RIOT: The lovable band from Syracuse New York- Ra Ra Riot, perform an hour long set on the Main Stage this Friday from 7:45-8:45pm. FYM had the chance to catch this group at last year's Bumbershoot Music Festival. Expect to see a diverse group of instrumental prowess, with passionate sparkling vibes, as found on the bands second single Too Dramatic, off 2010's sophomore release The Orchard.

THE ROLLING STONES: Seattle has a Rolling Stones cover band (posed as a summertime fun project) that is comprised of some this cities most notable musicians. We cannot wait to see Jordan Blilie (The Blood Brothers-RIP, Past Lives, and Head Wound City) put his sassy vocal stamp on Mick Jagger's peerless frontman legacy with the Stones. Other members of the Seattle-based cover band are: Devin Welch (Shoplifting, Flexions) and Justin Deary (Whalebones) on guitars, Nat Sahlstrom (Chromatics) on bass, Tyler Swan (Truckasaura) on drums. Find 'The Rolling Stones' live on the Cha Cha Stage closing out the night from 11:30-12:30pm, Stoked!

A special thanks goes out to Steve Manning for making FYM's coverage of The Capitol Hill Block Party possible again in 2011. Check back later this week as FYM provides our highlights of Day Two and Three of this year's Block Party! For more information on this event click HERE.

-Cheers, FYM.

Thoughts. Graphic. J Thomas Codling.