There's something for every music fan...
ALLEN STONE
R&B
Surely the biggest star to ever break out of little Chewelah, Washington, Allen Stone has one of those soaring, stirring voices that makes his particular brand of blue-eyed soul, and after touring all over the country, he's settled down in Spokane. Stone isn't playing a traditional set at Volume: He'll be sitting in with his friend Blake Braley's band on Friday night at nYne, and hosting a karaoke session at Lucky You on Saturday. Sat, June 1, 10 pm, Lucky You Lounge
AMONG AUTHORS
Alt-Rock
Seattle's Among Authors are making waves on the other side of the state, having snagged live sets on both KEXP and NPR. Their self-produced album I Am Become has a swirling, airy vibe, and lead singer and keyboardist Ian Ketterer has one of those voices that can pull you in with its quiet confidence — but also shatter glass. The band's heart-on-its-sleeve emotion is reminiscent of Grizzly Bear, alt-J or even OK Computer-era Radiohead. Sat, June 1, 10:30 pm, The Bartlett
ATARI FERRARI
Rock
From the retro cultural signifiers in their name to the sentiments of their single "Born in the Wrong Time," it's obvious that local quartet Atari Ferrari is enamored of the past. It comes through in the music, too, blasts of power-pop that channel the stomp of T. Rex and the swagger of the Pretenders. Frontman Matthew Hughes can snarl with the best of 'em, then swing right into a ballad without missing a beat. Fri, May 31, 7 pm, Washington Cracker Building
BAD MOTIVATOR
Rock
"Another wasted summer down," lament the mustachioed men of Bad Motivator on "Speed Hating." Hey, they're not called Good Motivator. The band may be riding the fumes of "a year of debauchery" in 2019, but it can't be helped — "It's the only love that we'll know." And there's an upside: The punks have inked a record deal with the new-ish local label Corporat Records. How's that for motivation? Fri, May 31, 8:45 pm, Mootsy's
BALONELY
Rock
Songwriter Norman Robbins has gone by multiple aliases in his short career, most notably with his one-man bands Jan Francisco and Walker. But he's really found his voice with BaLonely, where his lyrics are Lou Reed droll and his frontman energy has the he-could-explode-at-any-moment volatility of young Elvis Costello. The band's recent debut LP Stories has a wiry energy, with deceptively catchy hooks and a knowing sense of humor. Sat, June 1, 9:15 pm, The Big Dipper
BANDIT TRAIN
Electronic
Brothers Chris and Mike Malsam have been playing together for more than a decade, but often with long gulfs of inactivity separating their shows. And then there was that brief detour where they performed under the name Please Draw in Me. All the while, they've been livening up the Spokane scene with irresistible, danceable chiptune-inspired electronica, which sounds like your Nintendo went to a rave. Sat, June 1, 10:30 pm, Berserk
BETTER DAZE
Punk
That's right, skate punk never died, and North Idaho's Better Daze sound like a band from a 1996 Warped Tour lineup was beamed right into the present day. Their album Welcome to..., released in February, is a half-hour that reminds you of a time when Green Day still had edge, with songs taking swipes at everything from Sean Hannity to celebrity self-absorption to hypocritical cultural standards. Sat, June 1, 7:15 pm, The Big Dipper
BIG RAFFLE
Rock
Big Raffle has only played one live gig prior to Volume, but the guys in the band have plenty of performing mileage. A supergroup/side project formed from the dissolution of a short-lived band called Losing Streaks, the three members — Tim Lannigan, Josh Morrisey and Sam Bolt — are all in other active groups, and their disparate styles unite for a beer-drenched brand of garage-rock. Fri, May 31, 8:15 pm, Baby Bar
BITTER OAK
Bluegrass
Bitter Oak is a band that takes you right back to the birth of American folk and country, a trio of cousins from the Pacific Northwest who were raised on bluegrass and folk music and strumming and singing together since they were old enough to pick up their instruments. Their stripped-down instrumentation — fiddle, acoustic guitar and stand-up bass — will please any bluegrass purist. Fri, May 31, 6 pm, The Bartlett
BITWVLF
Electronic
The glitchy, industrial sound-world of Washington's BITWVLF seems tailored for darkness. A drummer since the age of 12, the artist's pulsing trap-like productions steal the limelight, conjuring chiaroscuro nocturnal movie-scapes fit for the dystopian RPGs of the future. Call them "darkwave" or "witch house," the songs of BITWVLF ooze shadowy vibes and feelings of demonic disease, albeit ones best exorcised on the dance floor. Sat, June 1, 10:45 pm, Mootsy's
BLACK MARBLE
Electronic
The name is accurate: Existing somewhere between new wave and chillwave, producer-songwriter Chris Stewart's icy synths sure feel like they have an obsidian sheen to them. Check out Black Marble's 2016 album It's Immaterial, written and recorded as Stewart moved from New York to L.A., which is dreamy and shimmering and, yes, sometimes a little cool to the touch. It's always beguiling. Fri, May 31, 10:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
BLAKE BRALEY
Soul
Blake Braley has become something of a Spokane institution with his magnetic stage presence and his cracker-jack backing band, and he's translated that into a weekly gig at Zola, where originals mesh with R&B classics you know by heart. He and his crew have been working on a debut album, but before that drops, see them in a live setting when they get an entire room moving, with an assist from Allen Stone. Fri, May 31, 7:15 pm, nYne
THE BLÜ
Pop-Rock
The Blü consists of two PNW dudes who often don full-length fur coats and have a Macklemore and Ryan Lewis look going on (if Macklemore had long dreadlocks). While Micah Lübben and Zech Noel share a hardcore music background, in the Blü, the duo trades hardcore's heavy screams for more optimistic, ebullient rock — softened by generous helpings of pop. Sat, June 1, 8:15 pm, Red Room Lounge
BLVCK CEILING
Electronic
The swirling, insistent soundscapes of BLVCK CEILING, the project of local producer and engineer Daniel Ocean, are evocative and descriptive without ever really saying a word. You won't miss the lyrics, though: Each of his tracks is built atop dreamy synths or intriguing samples that practically have you writing stories in your head. Sat, June 1, 11:45 pm, Mootsy's
THE BODY
Metal
Probably the best noise metal band in existence, the Body may be the sweetest treat that we have been gifted this year on the Volume stages. The Portland band makes music that is terrifying and unavoidable, like the ever-approaching monster from the horror movie It Follows. Everything they touch is poisoned by a demonic shroud, even at their tamest. Sat, June 1, 10:15 pm, The Pin
[B R A C K E T S]
Alt-Rock
Layered hooks and bombastic drums stand out with this Seattle band. They flirt with math rock as each loop of Chris Rasumussen and Josh Goodman's riffs begins to cause an insatiable swell that only grows larger. The blasting tom and snare hits by drummer Aaron Ball only make you more hyper-aware of things coming untethered, but Michael Gill's vocals keep everything aligned. Fri, May 31, 9 pm, The Pin
C MAD
DJ
If a sweat-induced out-of-body experience in a swirl of strangers writhing to thumping four-on-the-floor house grooves is your thang, you've likely heard C Mad's late-night sets at nYne, ringing in the weekend or soundtracking a New Year's Eve drag show. He's the "Best Dance Club DJ" in town, says you in the Inlander's Best of 2018 survey, and will have you "glowsticking" before you can say drop. Sat, June 1, 10:30 pm, nYne
CATE
Electronic
Branden Cate describes his solo project — aptly titled CATE — as "haunting stories of broken hearts and love lost to the Spokane music scene." No doubt anyone who's been playing and listening to music in this town for long enough can relate to that. His soulful crooning meets a wash of analog synths, pianos and drum machine, supported by his brother Jackson's low end synth and bass. Sat, June 1, 9:30 pm,
The Bartlett
CHONG THE NOMAD
Electronic
With a name inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and a style that's as experimental as it is danceable, Chong the Nomad is a quirky shape-shifter of an electronic act. It's the project of Seattle producer Alda Agustiano, who got her start in chamber music and has been blending synthetic sounds since she was a teenager, and all that time spent at the dials means she knows how to get in your head. Sat, June 1, 12:15 am, Red Room Lounge
CHRIS MOLITOR
Singer-Songwriter
Chris Molitor is one of those guys capable of mesmerizing with just a microphone and guitar, thanks to a knack for winning songcraft that made his solo debut Coming Home an excellent intro to his inviting, warm style. After just a few years in Spokane, Molitor is already feeling at home, and with a first album laced with soul-searching and restlessness, we can't wait to hear what comes next. Fri, May 31, 9 pm, The Bartlett
CONFLUX REDUX
Electronic
One of the many synth projects of Chelsea and Tobias Hendrickson, who have parlayed their experience making live electronic music into educational workshops. CONFLUX REDUX is described as "a confluence of ideation, exploration and introspection through experimental electronic music," mixing elements of synthesis, rhythmic patterns and atmospheric sampling. Sat, June 1, 8:45 pm, Mootsy's
CONTROL TEST
Punk
The Seattle four-piece synth-punk band's sound is scorching hot. Their bright, piercing, jagged-toothed synths lay a foreground for a filtered and reverb-heavy primal screaming vocal that equally transfixes and makes you need to move, with drums that bring the whole raw noise to life. Fri, May 31, 9:30 pm, Berserk
DAETHSTAR
DJ
When Kelton Allen is on the decks, the energy is maxed out. Combining heavy hitting electronic genres old and new — from dubstep to trap to house and everywhere in between — every bass drop that he incorporates is an explosion that could only be compared to Luke Skywalker blasting the thermal exhaust port. Fri, May 31, 12:15 am, Red Room Lounge
THE DAPPER DEVILS
Bluegrass
If the name "the Dapper Devils" makes you think "stand-up bass"— you're absolutely right. Self-described as "gritgrass," this Spokane group also uses fiddle, banjo and even a scritchy metal washboard to pound out uptempo Americana standards like "Old Joe Clark." A little dapper (in sharp hats and vests) and a lot raucous (with snarls and unbuttoned collars), these Devils sound like they're fueled by cheap beer and expensive whiskey. Fri, May 31, 7:15 pm, River City Brewing
DEE-EM
Punk
Any time you go to a dee-em show, you're going to get something unexpected. Maybe they'll pull people up onstage. Maybe they'll climb a tower of amps. The self-described "dance punk" duo specializes in a kind of multi-genre mashup, featuring sultry vocals, screaming guitar, wobbly synthesizers and often some form of improvised spoken word. You're in for a treat. Fri, May 31, 7:30 pm, Berserk
DEER
Instrumental
Rock
Much like one of their swelling, swirling songs of sonic goodness, Spokane instrumental rockers Deer have been methodically building a following through hard work and epic live shows. Earlier this year fans voted them the city's Best Local Alt/Experimental Band at the Bartlett Awards, and they've been in the studio working to capture their layered, guitar-based jams that give Explosions in the Sky a run for their money. Fri, May 31, 7 pm, The Pin
DJ HEEM SZN
DJ
When you're programming a night of hip-hop, it's imperative that you set the tone right from the get-go, so it's a good thing we've got local DJ Heem Szn kicking off Saturday night at the Cracker Building. Specializing in house music with hip-hop leanings, he promises to deliver spins that are "uptempo and great for dancing." Sign us up. Sat, June 1, 5:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
DJ PATRICK
DJ
DJ Patrick might be the scrappiest deejay this side of paradise. Ever the consummate professional, he's been entertaining the masses at keggers, awkward high school reunions, office Christmas parties (I did what!?), weddings, fundraisers and proms since 2001. As one testimonial puts it, DJ Patrick is simply the "best DJ we ever had." Sold. Fri, May 31, 10 pm, nYne
DJ UNIFEST
DJ
Need that extra spice to get that burrito dance bowl crack-a-lackin'? Shake in some DJ Unifest to the mix and make all your taste buds sweat. Matt Bogue has become one of the most reliable, dance-floor-filling spinners this side of the Mississippi — and a Volume regular — and he'll keep things groovy in between sets at the Red Room on both Friday and Saturday nights. Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, Red Room Lounge
DYED
Post-Punk
Sometimes the most direct way a band can get your attention is by simply listing an eclectic and unusual group of influences. The Seattle electro-clash outfit DYED quotes early Madonna, Iggy and the Stooges and Gary Numan, but there's also — to our ears, at least — a little Siouxsie and the Banshees and Sonic Youth in their brooding, insistent post-punk. Fri, May 31, 10:30 pm, Berserk
THE EMILYS
Rock
For anyone who's always chasing that elusive pop gem, the kind that gets hooked in your brain in two minutes and change, the Emilys are gonna be up your alley. The Spokane natives pull inspiration from bands that specialize in energetic, pick-up-and-play rock 'n' roll, like the Strokes and the Vaccines. Pete Robertson, a former member of that latter band, mixed the Emilys' debut EP Speeding Kills. Sat, June 1, 10:15 pm, Red Room Lounge
EMMA LEE TOYODA
Pop
Emma Lee Toyoda is a semi-nocturnal, non-binary sunflower grown in Seattle. Backed by Zeke Bender on drums and Alex Martinez on bass, ELT makes empathetic soft-punk tunes for you to wipe your tears with and hug your friends to. Their recent EP i don't wanna play ur show is a winningly self-effacing collection of songs about social disappointment and the absurdity of gender norms. Sat, June 1, 8:30 pm, Lucky You Lounge
EX-PETS
Rock
Somewhere between power-pop and emotive indie rock lies Ex-Pets, one of the newest bands on the Volume ticket this year and the latest project built from the ashes of defunct local band Loomer. Compared to that last band, there's now a deeper focus on keeping things simple and cranking the jangle to maximum power, all while keeping it as dry and whiny as ever. Sat, June 1, 6:30 pm, Baby Bar
FAT LADY
Blues-Rock
It's natural to focus on Fat Lady frontman Schuyler Dornbirer when the band hits the stage, thanks to his inventive guitar work and weathered, bluesy howl. Soon enough, though, you'll get distracted by the serious chops of the band's other players — collectively, Fat Lady is easily one of the most musically gifted bands in Spokane. They're going to deliver rock tunes that get a dance floor moving. Sat, June 1, 9:15 pm, River City Brewing
FINE
Post-Punk
Better than just fine, if you ask us. This Seattle trio, fronted by Melissa Jong, is going to be catnip for anyone who prefers Pere Ubu's more minimalistic material, or the spacier output of Wire. That latter band is aptly referenced in the title of a track from Fine's recent tape Snarls, which revels in angular guitar sounds and lyrics that bend toward surrealism. Fri, May 31, 7:15 pm, Baby Bar
FLEE THE CENTURY
Synth-pop
These guys have been kicking around the Spokane scene for what seems like a century now, and we're thrilled that they keep popping up for a handful of shows every year. If you've never had the pleasure of attending their splashy synth parties, you'll get hooked on their neon-tinged theatrics and insidiously catchy tunes. Bring your body stocking and glow sticks. Sat, June 1, 11:30 pm, Berserk
FROTH
Psych-pop
L.A.'s Froth was a band that wasn't supposed to ever necessarily exist. Joo-Joo Ashworth and Jeff Friboug rushed to make a band to fill an open spot for a backyard festival on short notice, and the hurried process resulted in the neo-psych rock band trudging their way to soundtracking a Saint Laurent fall fashion line and a studio performance on KEXP. Fri, May 31, 8 pm, Washington Cracker Building
FUN LADIES
Rock
This quartet delivers infectiously raucous garage-rock with style to spare. See them once, and you'll definitely want to see them again thanks to the energetic presence of each member, from Patty Tully's vocals to Cameron Smith's rock-steady backbeat, guitarist Jamie Frost's creative riffs and Tim Lannigan's manic bass playing. Simply put, Fun Ladies are consistently one of the best bands in Spokane, appealing to all manner of rock aficionados. Fri, May 31, 10:15 pm, The Big Dipper
FUNKY UNKLE
Funk
A supergroup composed of talented musicians hailing from some of Spokane's most loved local acts, Funky Unkle features tight horn lines and danceable licks that keep people moving throughout their electric live performances. These guys have been around for awhile, both in this incarnation and in other projects, so when we say their grooves are tight, we mean it. Sat, June 1, 6:45 pm, River City Brewing
GABRIELLA ROSE
Singer-Songwriter
Most artists probably don't want to be defined by their age, but it's impressive that Gabriella Rose's sensitive, wistful pop is coming from the mind of a teenager. Her debut EP Lost in Translation, produced by fellow songwriter Chris Molitor (also playing Volume), is lush and slightly folky, and it has the intimacy of someone playing alone in their bedroom. Fri, May 31, 8 pm, The Bartlett
GAG Punk
Heralded as hardcore's heroes, Olympia's GAG is here to rip your goddamn faces off. The sneering feedback and harsh treble is reminiscent of groups like the Germs, but the punchy drumming makes for a pit that may be audience members' last (and favorite). Sat, June 1, 9 pm, The Pin
GREYING
Hard Rock
Featuring members of countless beloved Spokane punk and metal outfits — most notably Losing Skin — Greying is a welcome dose of unpredictability. The backbone suggests twisting post-hardcore, but there's an intriguing top layer that closer resembles the unrelenting blasts of modern progressive noise. Whatever it is, it's an addictive, pummeling earful. Sat, June 1, 8:30 pm, Berserk
GUARDIAN OF THE UNDERDOG
Rock
Everyone likes to consider themselves an underdog, and this energetic four-piece led by Bend, Ore., singer-songwriter Jeshua Marshall produces songs that echo the struggles and nuances of being human in the modern world. You could describe the sound as folk-meets-punk, as Marshall's anthemic, come-together lyrics blend with string-and-brass arrangements that'd make Neutral Milk Hotel proud. Fri, May 31, 8:15 pm, The Big Dipper
HEADLESS/ HEARTLESS
Punk
Definitely the CBGB-est band playing the Volume stages this year, Headless/Heartless belongs to a forgotten brand of gothic dance punk that pulsates, hisses and grooves all in equal measure. A little bit of aggression and a healthy dose of grimey, old-school electro makes the group one that is definitely worth seeing live. Fri, May 31, 10:45 pm, Mootsy's
HEAT SPEAK
Rock
Dario Ré has been a fixture of the Spokane scene for a while now, playing as an acoustic solo act and with various backing bands that often employ strings and keyboards. That eclectic instrumentation defines his new project Heat Speak, an "indie folk gipsy fusion" group that channels the earthy experimentation indicative of his earlier work. Fri, May 31, 10 pm, The Bartlett
INDIAN GOAT
Rock
In just a couple of years, high-impact fuzz-rock duo Indian Goat have made themselves one of the most popular bands in Spokane, packing venues for sweaty, stripped-down guitar-and-drums showcases pummeling in their efficiency. Singer/guitarist Garrett Zanol and drummer Travis Tveit already have a couple of full-length albums, full of hard-hitting, bluesy riffs that would make Black Sabbath proud, but there are moments of delicate beauty in there as well. Fri, May 31, 11 pm, The Pin
JANGO
Hip-Hop
Spokane's hip-hop scene is still in its ascent, and Jango is one of the artists at the forefront: Inlander readers named him the region's best hip-hop artist, and he's performed at festivals like Tinnabulation and Seattle's Upstream. The 23-year-old has made a name for himself with personal, vulnerable lyrics and a whole lot of style, and he says his goal is spreading positivity through music. Sat, June 1, 9:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
KEVIN LONG
Singer-Songwriter
Like so many Spokane musicians before him, Kevin Long left for the sonically greener pastures of the Seattle scene years ago. He certainly found success there, touring with some of the very artists he cites as influences, including Rocky Votolato, Damien Jurado and David Bazan. Now he's back and performing in his hometown again, a place that has shown up as a character in much of his work. Sat, June 1, 7:15 pm, The Bartlett
KILLER WHALE
Soft Rock
Chill out, man. If the stresses of the real world are getting you down, put on some Killer Whale. It's the brainchild of Thomas Johnson, a Baton Rouge native who now calls San Francisco home and who refers to his music as "audio lemonade." It's certainly refreshing: Their 2017 album Casual Crush is aptly named, exuding laidback hangout vibes that'd be the perfect soundtrack for watching the sun set over a beach. Sat, June 1, 8 pm, River City Brewing
KUNG FU VINYL
Hip-Hop
Kung Fu Vinyl was birthed following the dissolution of local hip-hop fusion collective KALAJ, and like that earlier incarnation, this project almost defies you to limit it to a single genre descriptor. Let's just say if you're a fan of funk, a rap obsessive or just a straight-up rock 'n' roller — or, like the guys in the band, all of the above — you're going to find something to like. Fri, May 31, 11 pm, Red Room Lounge
LAMINATES
Rock
On the heels of a raucous EP, released in February, and a barnstorming performance at last year's Terrain, Spokane's own Laminates are building (laminating?) toward something. The power rock trio's itchy Hot Snakes and Unwound-indebted noise, however, sounds primed to pummel now, come what may. It's their time. As guitarist/vocalist Chris Pierce declares over a swirling riff, "I've got more to lose." Sat, June 1, 8:30 pm, Baby Bar
LATE FOR THE PARADE
Rock
Probably the youngest artists on this year's Volume lineup, Late for the Parade is a groovy, light-rocking quintet of Lewis and Clark High School students that quote John Mayer and Lake Street Dive as stylistic influences. With a six-song EP and a couple opening slots at the Bartlett already under their belts, it looks like they have a bright future ahead of them. Fri, May 31, 6 pm, Washington Cracker Building
LAVOY
Synth-pop
If you've seen Lavoy in concert since they relocated to Spokane from Alaska, you already know that these guys really put on a show. With combustible energy, shiny synth lines and vocal hooks for days, this five-piece is one you definitely don't want to miss in a live setting, and they've played with the likes of Portugal. The Man, Motion City Soundtrack and Cold War Kids. Sat, June 1, 7:15 pm, nYne
LEFT OVER SOUL
Soul
Out of the ashes of beloved area band the Longnecks rises the soul-drenched groove of (aptly named) Left Over Soul. "L.O.S." put the (wah-wah) pedal to the metal, cranking out high-RPM car-chase bangers and hazy Sunday morning jams with the chutzpah of an act that knows what the people want: rhythm! This band of revolving characters brings it in spades. Fri, May 31, 8:45 pm, Red Room Lounge
LIZ ROGNES
Singer-Songwriter
Liz Rognes was trained in classical music, but the pull of writing her own songs rooted in her own experiences proved too strong for the singer/songwriter to ignore. Starting in the Twin Cities and continuing when she moved to Spokane 10 years ago, Rognes' songs move from traditional folk to country to indie-pop in their sound, always rooted by her magnificent vocal range. Fri, May 31, 7 pm, The Bartlett
LOTTE KESTNER
Singer-Songwriter
Lotte Kestner is the solo project of Washington-based musician Anna-Lynne Williams, who spent the last decade as the singer and songwriter of the band Trespassers William. Her solo music has elements of her shoegaze past and influences, but lies somewhere closer to folk, relying on multi-layers of vocals, rather than electric instruments, to fill in the spaces. Sat, June 1, 7 pm, The Bartlett
LOWER SPECIES
Metal
Olympia's Lower Species is one of the promising bands that comes along not often enough, and their 2015 demo left hardcore purists hopeful that they could mature to be luminaries for the genre. Last year's release High Roller appears to confirm those appraisals with primal kinetic sounds and constantly intriguing song structures. Sat, June 1, 8 pm, The Pin
MAMA DOLL
Folk
What would the Spokane music scene be like without Mama Doll? This folk quartet has been playing in various incarnations since 2013, when singer-songwriter Sarah Berentson formed the band as the long tenure of her folk-fusion act Terrible Buttons was winding down. Her expressive voice remains Mama Doll's driving force, haunting and ethereal one moment, upbeat and sunny the next. Sat, June 1, 7 pm, Lucky You Lounge
MARSHALL LAW BAND
Hip-Hop
The Seattle funk and hip-hop group is the perfect accompaniment for summer weather. That fusion gives the band's shimmering, jazzy funk space to fill the room with blissful grooves, while the songs offer truth to power on the highs and lows of this thing we call the human existence. Fri, May 31, 9:45 pm, Red Room Lounge
MATT MITCHELL MUSIC CO.
Americana
Matt Mitchell has been one of the dominant creative forces behind the long-running band Trego (formerly Folkinception), which straddles the line between rock, folk, country and blues. His latest solo venture dives headlong into rustic Americana, with finger-picked guitar, world-weary vocals and a little brass flare. Expect an album later this year, and a revolving door of guest musicians during the live show. Fri, May 31, 9:15 pm, River City Brewing
MEAT SWEATS
Rock
Local frontman Tyler Aker has been the voice behind a couple Volume regulars, including the long-running quartet Pine League and Street Tang, his witty, raucous solo project. He's back again this year with Meat Sweats, which employs violin and Aker's ear for hooky, happy melodies. Fri, May 31, 6:15 pm, River City Brewing
MINI MURDERS
Rock
This electronic psychedelia group is one of those great local bands that has each member exceeding in their respective lane. Guitarist and vocalist Vaughn Wood is able to belt out heartfelt melancholia. Tobias Hendrickson gnarls electronic basslines that bludgeon you in the chest. And Nick Tibbets' frenetic drumming helps maintain your energy from song to song. Fri, May 31, 9:15 pm, Washington Cracker Building
MISTADC
R&B
David Chaney can't be cornered as simply an R&B singer or rapper, because his raspy crooning could sit well in any jazz-hall cabaret. His sensibilities align with his inspirations, with the psychedelic playfulness of Andre 3000, the somber bliss of Frank Ocean and the sing-songy iteration of Childish Gambino shining through. Fri, May 31, 8:15 pm, nYne
MOOREA MASA & THE MOOD
R&B
Portland songwriter Moorea Masa has seen a lot. She learned to sing in a gospel choir, she studied music in Liverpool, she lived in a mountainside cave in Spain, and she toured as a backing vocalist for Allen Stone. All of those experiences define her recent album Shine a Light, which explores themes of loss and love via sultry R&B and heart-rending soul. Sat, June 1, 8:15 pm, nYne
NICHOLAS MERZ & THE HUMBLERS
Alt-Country
The world could always use more alt-country, and Seattle's Nicholas Merz is among the best modern acts keeping the sound alive. Clearly adept at experimenting with the tools we've come to associate with country as early as the 1950s, there's an undeniable edge on display that brings to mind the infectious confidence of Beat Happening and skilled songwriting of classic bands like the Mekons and Lambchop. Sat, June 1, 10:15 pm, The Big Dipper
OH, ROSE
Rock
One moment the Olympia quartet Oh, Rose are lost in a daydream, floating along on dream-pop breezes. And the next, they're layered in fuzz, with guttural, animalistic noise rattling the speakers. It's enough loud-quiet-loud whiplash to start a forest fire. It keeps you on your toes, that's for sure, and while guitarist and songwriter Olivia Rose has a heavenly voice, watch out — there's also some real bite to it. Fri, May 31, 8 pm, The Pin
PARISALEXA
R&B
'90s R&B is in full flower through Seattle vocalist Parisalexa, who was barely even alive during that decade. The 20-year-old is truly a rising star: Her latest slow jam "Water Me" was premiered by NPR Music, she had a plum spot at last year's Capitol Hill Block Party, and she's set to appear on the upcoming NBC competition show Songland. Catch her before she blows up. Fri, May 31, 9:15 pm, nYne
PERU RESH
Punk
Aaron Bocook, James Hunt and Haili Kiehn have all separately played in some of the best local bands of recent years, but when they're together as Peru Resh, they really click. The trio's punchy, tightly controlled songs, many clocking in under a minute, channel the post-punk and goth-rock of the late '70s and early '80s, the kind of stuff you might hear on a mixtape and think, "Where has this band been all my life?" Sat, June 1, 9:30 pm, Berserk
PHOTO OPS
Dream-Pop
Despite the plural name, Photo Ops is just one person: Terry Price. The L.A. singer-songwriter's gentle, pastel songs have soft-rock tendencies that prove he's completely sincere when he lists Celine Dion and Bryan Adams as musical influences. With lyrics about "sailboats on the horizon" and album art featuring vintage photos steeped in sunset glow, Photo Ops has a nostalgic, dreamy feel that borders on yacht rock. Sat, June 1, 8:30 pm, The Bartlett
PIT
Rock
The purest distillation yet of local songwriter Ben Jennings' sharp, oddly intense indie-rock, Pit has morphed into a group effort with one of the most complete sounds that any band in town has achieved. It scratches, it U-turns, and it pierces ears — but most importantly, it's extremely hooky and listenable. This one is a must-see. Fri, May 31, 7:15 pm, The Big Dipper
PORTABLE MORLA
Electronic
An electronic music-maker from Seattle now living in Spokane, Portable Morla steers a one-person synth ship to deliver songs swirling in ethereal vocals and multi-textured moods. With knob twists and digital blips, Portable Morla creates haunting coldwave tracks that any goth (or goth-at-heart) can slowly sway to. Her 2015 release Confront the World speaks to her style of contemplative music that isn't afraid of the dark. Sat, June 1, 7:30 pm, Berserk
QUAGGADOG
Rock
Dipped in '90s nostalgia, Quaggadog specialize in the rap-rock hybrid that dominated the FM airwaves of yore. The Colbert trio, however, lets their sound unfold into a more cosmic and heady realm, something that reaches even further back into the psychedelic annals of rock. It's still the Long Beach-inspired sound of skateboards and dreads, but with a spritz of Haight-Ashbury. Fri, May 31, 7:45 pm, Red Room Lounge
QUAYDE LAHÜE
Metal
Certainly Olympia's premier metal revivalists, Quayde LaHue are among the most thoughtful and faithful throwback metal acts in existence. Their obsession with '70s fantasy metal and the golden age of British heavy metal bleeds into every power chord and horse-galloping drum beat they produce. You may find yourself really wanting to watch Heavy Metal afterwards. Fri, May 31, 11:45 pm, Mootsy's
RAY BADNESS
Synth-pop
Be sure to bring your highlighter track jacket, fanny-pack and retrovision sunglasses when you see Ray Badness. The '80s-inspired synth-pop/rock band mixes old with new. Equally cheeky and sincere, the ballads and synth-pop bangers will no doubt be a fun way to let loose over the weekend. Sat, June 1, 6:15 pm, nYne
RESTLESS
Pop-Rock
Transport yourself to 1979 when this Olympia band plays Volume. With songs that flirt with Cheap Trick and Big Star, the band is sure to be a favorite for both young and old alike with their classic sensibilities and fun live showmanship. Just be prepared to have their yelled hooks stuck in your head for the days following their set. Sat, June 1, 7:30 pm, Baby Bar
ROSETHROW
DJ
Darrien Mack seems to be everywhere in Spokane. He's a visual artist and video director. He's a dancer in the popular soul-pop band Super Sparkle (also playing Volume). Oh, and he's an in-demand DJ known as ROSETHROW, and his sets are a hybrid of hip-hop, R&B, synth-wave and funk, rare gems and Top 40 hits. Fri, May 31, 10 pm, Baby Bar
SANTA POCO
Country
Pat McHenry fronted a few bands while he lived in Spokane, most notably the jazz-pop quartet Mon Cheri. Now he's back with the country outfit Santa Poco, which will jangle the spurs of anyone who worships Georges Strait and Jones. They're based in Seattle, which their Facebook refers to as "the least likely of places in the entire universe," although it won't seem all that strange when you hear them. Fri, May 31, 8:15 pm, River City Brewing
SENTIENT DIVIDE
Metal
If there's any experimenting left to do with extreme metal, by god, Sentient Divide are doing it as we speak. Riff-focused power metal feels right at home with black metal gothics and death metal guitar heroics, and there's room left over on the plate for some breakneck speed metal as well. Can't choose a favorite between burning-witch howls or deep carnivorous growling vocals? Good news! Sentient Divide is packing both. Fri, May 31, 9:45 pm, Mootsy's
SILVER TREASON
Country
For anyone who likes twang of the old-school variety, this Spokane four-piece is gonna jangle your spurs. Frontman Kevin Cameron, a local music stalwart, pens witty, catchy hootenannies about those classic country staples — heartbreak, drinking, partying and lonely stretches of highway — assisted to great effect by Jamie Frost's wicked pedal steel licks. Fri, May 31, 6:15 pm, Lucky You Lounge
SIMMENTALL
Electronic
Some soundscapes are so warm that you just want to wrap yourself up in them, no matter how sweltering it might be outside. That's the case with SIMMENTALL, another lo-fi electronic project from local synthesist and composer Tobias Hendrickson, blending experimental synthesis with lush, low-key rhythms. Sat, June 1, 9:45 pm, Mootsy's
SKELF
Indie Rock
Local singer-songwriter David Hensrud last played Volume under the twisty, arty guise of Wind Hotel before bounding off to Seattle and working on music there. But now he's back with Skelf, and he only seems to have a couple shows and stray demos under that name. If that earlier band was any indication, then we're excited about this one. Fri, May 31, 8:30 pm, Berserk
SMOKEY BRIGHTS
Pop
Seattle's Smokey Brights call themselves "Fleetwood Psych," and they're obviously indebted to the sounds of the '70s — Fleetwood Mac, sure, but also Pink Floyd and Roxy Music. Refract that through the lens of the eccentric, hook-heavy pop of contemporary acts like Arcade Fire and Florence + the Machine, and you'll get what husband-and-wife songwriting duo Ryan Devlin and Kim West are up to. Fri, May 31, 8:30 pm, Lucky You Lounge
SPIRAL STAIRS
Rock
Best known as co-founder of Pavement, Spiral Stairs' Scott Kannberg created some of that pioneering lo-fi indie band's best moments, from "Date with Ikea" to "Kennel District," before forming Preston School of Industry and eventually launching a solo career. He just released his third album, We Wanna Be Hyp-No-Tized, and its 10 songs of winning indie-rock retain the tunefulness and sonic playfulness you probably associate with the Pavement days. Fri, May 31, 9:45 pm, Lucky You Lounge
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
Experimental
The 1973 Spanish film The Spirit of the Beehive is about a little girl who becomes convinced Frankenstein's monster is real and hunting her. The Philadelphia band of the same name similarly toys with perception, vacillating between serenity and disorientation as bizarre, eerie audio samples give way to dreamy, sunny melodies. You never quite know which path they're leading you down. It's best you just follow along. Sat, June 1, 8:15 pm, The Big Dipper
STRANGE RANGER
Rock
Isaac Eiger and Fred Nixon is the duo at the center of Strange Ranger (previously known as Sioux Falls), childhood friends who are releasing evocative indie-rock out of Portland. The band's most recent release is an EP titled How It All Went By, which has the same introspective angst of mid-period Pavement and the dextrous guitar riffs of Built to Spill. Sat, June 1, 9:15 pm, Red Room Lounge
SUPER SPARKLE
Pop-Rock
Put together some of Spokane's finest purveyors of pop-centric songcraft in one band and you get Super Sparkle, a supergroup of sorts with no weaknesses. Within their songs you'll find soaring anthems, soulful slow burners and everything in between, and you can pretty much groove to every jam. Pack some glitter and your dancing shoes. Sat, June 1, 9:30 pm, nYne
SUS
Hip-Hop
If you saw SUS last year at Volume, you'd know exactly why you can't miss them this year. The neo-soul, funk and hip-hop fusion band helped get people down and vibing for that magical weekend. They return to undoubtedly force your body to sway and dip to their positive energy. Sat, June 1, 11:15 pm, Red Room Lounge
SWAMPHEAVY
Metal
How often do you come across a band whose name sounds so much like its music that you're actually impressed? SwampheavY is such a case, and the Seattle doom metal outfit wastes no time getting their listeners up to speed with their M.O. A powerful blend of power metal and sludgy stoner rock that is not content to stay within the confines of the glacial speeds of their contemporaries. Sat, June 1, 7 pm, The Pin
TABLE SUGAR
Post-Punk
Table Sugar plays short songs with a lo-fi garage sound that's true to Olympia — the band's home base (and epicenter of DIY indie labels and riot grrrl subculture). Their style and songs suggest Table Sugar has a deep appreciation for zines, cats and vintage cardigans. Fans of the Raincoats or Bush Tetras ought to dig this four-pieces's approachable, inviting (but not overly sweet) post-punk tunes. Fri, May 31, 9:15 pm, Baby Bar
TOPP
Hip-Hop
Aaron Durain Loving, aka TOPP, rhymes over self-produced soundscapes that are more reminiscent of Lagos or Chicago than his native Tri-Cities. His latest single, "Pilot Plan," marries Journey to Silius with KIDS SEE GHOSTS to delirious effect, a kaleidoscopic mirage in the desert of assembly-line hip-hop. Sat, June 1, 6:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
T.S THE SOLUTION
Hip-Hop
Devonte Pearson, better known as T.S the Solution, has emerged as one of the city's preeminent hip-hop voices, writing introspective, literate verses that translate into energetic live shows where he's backed by a bassist and a DJ. He's also one of the forces behind Panoramic Dreams, an artistic collective that has united musicians, producers, videographers and designers all working together as collaborators. Sat, June 1, 8:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
VANNA OH! AND THE ANY'S
Rock
After the local rock duo Donna Donna dissolved last year, guitarist Lindsay Johnston barely stopped to catch her breath before bounding right into this project, which continues the rip-roaring, riff-centric rock we expect from her. She performs solo and with a backing band dubbed the Any's, so called because it consists of just about anybody who's down to play. Now that's rock 'n' roll. Fri, May 31, 10 pm, The Pin
VERNITA AVENUE
R&B
What began as an offshoot of the popular hip-hop collective Flying Spiders has metamorphosed into something very much its own. This neo-soul act has gone through a stylistic rebirth since forming right before last year's Volume, with a sultry sound that's simultaneously retro and contemporary, and with maybe a tinge of hip-hop still in its DNA. Consider this a second act, or maybe even a third. Fri, May 31, 6:15 pm, nYne
WAYWARD WEST
Rock
WINDOE
Singer-Songwriter
Karli Ingersoll's latest project feels like a synthesis of her earlier musical ventures, marrying the sense of pop melody she has honed with her long-running band Cathedral Pearls and the introspection of her years as an acoustic solo artist. She recently released her debut album Great Prize, a sonically adventurous collection of reflective songs, and it's a new chapter in a career that should have many more. Fri, May 31, 7:15 pm, Lucky You Lounge
WRANQ RAMONE
Hip-Hop
"Seattle rapper WranQ Ramone was found dead in a Pioneer Square alleyway," intones a mock newsman in the opening skit of said artist's 2017 debut, Reincarnated. It'd be a grim end if he weren't so clearly alive, nimbly spitting his story of redemption and gratitude across the record's 15 dreamy, ramshackle beats. Relax, he warns: "This music is gonna take you on a ride." Sat, June 1, 7:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
WRETCHED F—-
Punk
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise: Punk has always been political, and the local three-piece Wretched F—- (and yeah, we know — it's lame of us to censor that, but it's protocol around here) crank out loud, thrashy discourses on pollution, fascism and mental illness. They advertise themselves as "anti-fascist, pro-queer, pro-feminist, pro-immigrant, anti-racist grindcore," so bigots best back off. Sat, June 1, 6 pm, The Pin
YUNG CROWN
Hip-Hop
Yung Crown bills himself as "the host that smokes the most," so you know he's gonna bring the party. He's become a go-to local hype-man, known for a comedic style mixed with the high energy of a club host, which keeps the vibe flowing throughout a show. You can see him in action as he emcees Saturday night's hip-hop stage at the Washington Cracker Building. Sat, June 1, 5:30 pm, Washington Cracker Building
