Live at MFNW 2013, Day 3: Sonny & The Sunsets

MFNW, Live Reviews
09/07/2013
Janice Headley
photo by Morgen Schuler (view set)

In what might be a MusicFestNW broadcast first, our session with Sonny & The Sunsets inspired both a mini-mosh pit AND a toddler dance party at the Doug Fir Lounge today.

Eccentric frontman Sonny Smith is no stranger to diversity -- back in 2010, he did an art project where he invented 100 fictitious bands, and then wrote and recorded a single for each one. All throughout his career, his albums have jumped from country-western to 60's pop to Motown, and his session this afternoon did the same.

photo by Morgen Schuler

The set list covered their whole discography, but especially highlighted their latest and fourth album Antenna to the Afterworld. "Primitive" called to mind the art-punk of The Pixies, while the "crazy rhythms" (so to speak) of "Palm Reader" made me think of The Feelies. There's probably several other bands that end in "-ies" that they reminded me of, too. It was the perfect way to wrap up a weekend of diverse music from our broadcast.

photo by Morgen Schuler

photo by Matthew Thompson

photo by Morgen Schuler

photo by Matthew Thompson

photo by Morgen Schuler

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