Seattle's Debaclefest Brings Underground Music To The Surface

SEATTLE, WA - A renowned Seattle underground music festival is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, and will bring together a slate of musicians pushing the limits of musical genres - or even creating their own new ones. Debaclefest, which is produced by Seattle's Debacle Records, happens this weekend in Columbia City. Twenty-four bands and solo musicians will perform on three different stages, offering festival-goers a "choose-your-own-adventure" experience.

Debaclesfest 2017 organizer Rachel LeBlanc has selected a group of musicians spanning experimental genres from drone music to psychedelic rock. The lineup consists mostly of Pacific Northwest artists hailing from Olympia, Seattle, Vashon Island, Anacortes, and Portland.

Although Debaclefest is not for everyone, it's definitely not exclusive. If you're a fan of genres like jazz or folk, chances are you'll find an artist at Debaclesfest that you'll enjoy.

"If you have any sort of inclination toward exploring different sounds, it's worth it to come and check it out," LeBlanc said. "If you come with an open mind, you'll probably come away with a few new favorites."

Take for instance the guitar duo Elkhorn. Guitarists Jesse Sheppard and Drew Gardner use styles borrowed from jazz and bluegrass, but with an exciting improvisational edge. If you're a fan of Led Zeppelin acoustic instrumentals like "Black Mountain Side" or even Spanish classical guitar, you'll probably find kinship with Elkhorn.

See the full Debaclefest lineup and listen to songs from the musicians>>>

And if you don't like what you're hearing, there's always something else going on. LeBlanc set up the festival so that three artists will be performing at any given time - that's the "choose-your-own-adventure" aspect. You can move between stages until you find something you like.

LeBlanc says that it can sometimes be hard for newbies to break into the experimental music scene. Performances are sometimes hard to find, or intimidating - see Wolf Eyes, for example, the seminal harsh noise band that was on Seattle's SupPop label. Debaclefest allows newcomers to enter the scene and find the right fit, LeBlanc says.

"If people are curious, it's a great way to break in," she said.

Debaclefest 2017 happens Saturday, May 6, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Columbia City Theater and The Royal Room. Get tickets here.

Image via Debacle Records