Hood to Hood 2013: Pollens

Afrobeat, trance, indie rock: these are just some of the words tossed around when talking about Pollens, among the more composed acts doing the rounds in Seattle currently. And while those words do describe the band, to a degree, they fail to include the constant smiles, the deep dips in vocals, the complex layering of rhythms and even the ideas that Pollens has been able to capture over only two short EPs. Their first, named just EP, came out in 2011, back when Pollens was just a duo. But that work captures perfectly their ascendance to their 2012  release, with the added bonus that they were able to record with Fleet Foxes' Morgan Henderson. Now they are a fully blossomed sextet, combining all of the vocals into a skipping and blooping tapestry, all of which they brought to Hood To Hood 2013 in Seattle's University District this Friday morning.

The rain hadn't let up as Pollens took the stage in the middle of the University of Washington's Red Square, but students, passersby and intrepid fans were lured to the stage by a hypnotic, pulsating beat. Their song "Travelers" got the crowd moving and warmed up for the rest of the energetic set. Pollens have a tribal sound that inspired some very entertaining dancing. The final song, "Look Present" started off in a trance like state before exploding into a beautiful harmony with pounding percussion.