Tomo Nakayama Live at the Sou’wester

“When music journalists say things like ‘this artist is a fixture in Seattle music,’ there’s probably no one right now who fits that title better than Nakayama.” – KEXP

Born in Japan and raised in Seattle, Washington, Tomo Nakayama is an artist whose melodic, complex and emotionally compelling music has been praised by NPR, New York Times, and The Stranger. Beginning as frontman of the indie rock bands Asahi and Grand Hallway and a successful solo career spanning two decades as a singer, songwriter, composer, producer, actor, and curator, Nakayama has become one of the most active and recognizable figures in Seattle music.

After the critically acclaimed indie-folk albums “Fog on the Lens” and “Pieces of Sky” (named “Best Folk Act” by Seattle Weekly), Nakayama surprised his fans by releasing his latest album “Melonday” (on Porchlight Records), a collection of instantly memorable and undeniably danceable synthpop songs. Co-produced by Yuuki Matthews (The Shins, Sufjan Stevens) and mastered by Dave Cooley (M83, Paramore, Tame Impala), “Melonday” was named one of the Top Albums of the year by Seattle Times, KEXP, and Seattle Met Magazine, and debuted at #1 on KEXP’s NW Charts. The following year he composed the music for Megan Griffith’s feature film “I’ll Show You Mine” and the KUOW podcast “Ten Thousand Things” hosted by Shin Yu Pai, and collaborated on a song with Dave Matthews for SMASH (Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare).

Nakayama has toured across the US and Japan, sharing the stage with Built to Spill, Thao, Cornelius, Daði Freyr, Fleet Foxes, Michael Hurley, Sons of Kemet, Ben Gibbard, Fruit Bats, Damien Jurado, Buffalo Daughter, Wye Oak, and Shugo Tokumaru. He has performed and collaborated with Sera Cahoone, Jherek Bischoff, Jeremy Enigk (of Sunny Day Real Estate), and experimental dance company Malacarne. He also composed music and appeared as an actor in the Lynn Shelton film “Touchy Feely” with Elliot Page and Rosemarie DeWitt. A former Artist in Residence at Seattle’s Town Hall, his sound installations and compositions have also been featured at the Museum of Northwest Art and Wing Luke Museum.

Nevada Sowle Live at the Sou’wester

You’d expect most musicians from Northern Idaho to be immovably rooted in folk, country, and Americana stylings, but Nevada Sowle doesn’t let that landlocked positioning define his sound. Constantly seeking to find new tones both acoustic & electronic, unique yet familiar, Sowle’s catalogue fits most snuggly into the category of Pop – but don’t let that word deter you if you’re a stickler for quality lyrical content and well-thought-out composition. Having spent the past few years recording and touring the west coast with acts like Bart Budwig, Desolation Horse, MAITA, Joseph Hein, and An American Forrest, Sowle has found time in between green rooms and sound booths to develop a style that will help define the sound and style of the Pacific Northwest.

Girlgoyle: Live at the Sou’wester

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Jonah Sissoyev Live at the Sou’wester

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Jonah Sissoyev finds himself on the road often living between a black T shirt and blue jeans, a Walmart parking lots and gasstations. Since the release of SHADOW OF THE SUN Jonah has spent most of His time touring around the country in cities such as Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York.

Night Brunch Live at The Sou’wester!

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Night Brunch (Portland) brings their dense vocal harmonies and jangular guitar riffs but leaves a few decibels at home for an intimate “Light Brunch” version of their timeless groovemath. 

Ancient Pools: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Ancient Pools is the home recording project of husband and wife duo Vin Christopher and Anna Jeter. They have a soft approach to pop music. Warm, lush synth chords, watery guitar playing and crystalline vocals aim to usher listeners to a calm and peaceful place. 

Ollella Live at the Sou’wester

Ollella’s (pronounced oh-lel-uh) career as a musician started early, when she sang before she could talk. Trained as a classical cellist since the age of nine, the Seattle indie-folk musician merges her technical string background with authoritative vocals and live-looping. Described as “really outstanding” by NPR Music’s Bob Boilen and “so tastefully done” by Michelle Zauner (AKA Japanese Breakfast), Ollella blends the acoustic with the contemporary, folk with pop, and tenacity with softness, pulling on influences such as Feist, Cat Power, and Sylvan Esso. She was a finalist in the 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, has had music featured in film festivals and on TV, and is a frequent collaborator with others. She finds herself drawn to music because it unlocks a particularly organic flavor of humanity – one that fits the type of world she believes in.

Jeremy James Meyer: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Jeremy James Meyer is an artificer of song. A songwriter’s songwriter. He crafts redemptive songs full of woody rock ‘n’ roll tones. His deep, penetrating voice has a wide range, and is especially captivating in his droning, lower register. He spent the last decade drifting around, a tool belt troubadour, working carpentry by day, bringing folk music to the people at night. As with most well traveled songwriters it’s hard to tell where the road ends and Jeremy James Meyer begins. His songs seamlessly blend plain-language and poetic lyricism. They wander from personal truth to outlaw legends. He’s capable of cathartic protest songs, cosmic country canticles, and dive bar sing-a-longs. Whenever, and however your path crosses with Jeremy James Meyer’s (and it will) prepare for an enchanting, psychedelic trip through cosmic American music.

– Sean Jewell American Standard Time

The Apricots: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The Apricots are an emerging indie-folk-rock band from Portland, OR that centers vocal harmony. At their core, they’re just a group of best friends that have found purpose in this band. They released their debut self-titled EP, The Apricots, in November 2023. They’re excited to return to the Sou’Wester for their second performance!

Karyn Ann Live at the Sou’wester

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Her songwriting and performance chops have earned spots at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival, Tucson Folk Festival and most recently honorable mention by the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. 

Her latest single “8 Hours” reveals Ann’s prowess as a singer-songwriter but also demonstrates her ability to turn personal tribulation into profound artistic expression. More at www.karynann.com