Decibel Festival comes but once a year for electronic music enthusiasts in Seattle. The techno-faithful are rewarded next week, from Thursday, Sep 25, to Sunday, Sep 28, with the return of their favorite excuse to go missing for an entire weekend. The epic four-day celebration of all things electronica, officially christened the Decibel International Festival of Electronic Music Performance, Visual Art, and New Media, could very well put the Rain City on the map for something other than depressed rock stars, flannel shirts worn by depressed rock stars, and overpriced coffee. Be sure to catch what everyone will be talking about when the inebriation wears off and the ringing in their ears hasn’t:
Thursday:
The 5th annual festival kicks off its half-decade anniversary celebration in style with a number of enticing showcases. At Neumos, the Deconstructing Pop showcase specializes in technologically-enhanced pop music in which the boundaries of traditional song arrangements are obliterated by the use of electronics. Berlin’s Jahcoozi, sonically the bastard child of Modeselektor and M.I.A., and electro-pop artist Barbara Morgenstern are scheduled to headline. If the bill sounds too German-centric so far, the organizers of the showcase assure us that they got the memo that this is an international festival. Puerto Rican shoegazers Balun and Japan’s Tujiko Noriko join their Deutschland peers in the lineup. For those looking to start their extended weekend with more straightforward techno and house, Sole Repair is hosting the Peloton Music Label Showcase, featuring a much anticipated performance from [a]pendics.shuffle whose opening set for Green Velvet in 2005 is still a favorite topic of discussion among techno-heads.
Friday:
After a nice daylong sleep-in during the waking hours for the weak, head back to Neumos where the fun continues with the 2008 Dirty Dancing Showcase. Electronica’s golden boy Deadmau5 will be making his Seattle debut, surely causing his long-suffering fans to blaze a trail of destruction with their dancing shoes in the process. Chicago house duo Santiago and Bushido have the unenviable task of warming up Deadmau5’s crowd, hoping to use their infectious grooves to make the audience forget that they’re waiting. Alternatives for what is sure to be a tightly-packed Neumas include The Trinity at Sole Repair, featuring Jeff Samuel who had arguably the best DJ set of 2007’s festival, and the Baltic Room’s Native State Label Showcase, where KiloWatts will also be playing his first ever show in Seattle.
Saturday:
Start your day early with the family at the first annual Decibel in the Park (before dumping the kids on the babysitter to do some less than dignified things after the sun sets). The free, all-ages event at Volunteer Park boasts an impressive lineup that includes Glitch Mob, Truckasaurus, and Jacob London. After forgetting your kids at the park, return to Neumos yet again for Detroit Techno: Past, Present, and Future Showcase. Sets by Carl Craig and Audion, among others, promise to serve Detroit’s tourism bureau well. The Ghostly International Label Showcase at the Baltic Room will certainly not disappoint those lured in by its name. Tycho, who has been described as a cross between Boards of Canada and Ulrich Schnauss, will be responsible for some of the ethereal sounds creeping from the speakers. Chop Suey’s Brave New World promises to be a raging party with sets by Ed Banger darlings LA Riots and heir apparent to the dance-music throne 33Hz. If you have an inexhaustible surplus of energy (or drugs), go over to the Church of Bass for Decibel Afterhours, headlined by deep house revivalist Dixon.
Sunday:
Few things in this world complement electronic music better than hickory-smoked, flame grilled meats; Havana’s invites you to partake in this fine combination at the Decibel BBQ. Stuff and smother grease all over your face to the sounds of Jeremy Ellis, Caro, Kid Hops, and SunTzu. Once you’re done indulging in gluttonous portions of food, drag your itis-ed body to the Triple Door for the soothing sounds of the 2008 Ambient Showcase, featuring Eluvium and Brian McBride of Stars of the Lid. Cap off your Decibel Festival by going back to your new home away from home, Neumos, for the 2008 Decibel Finale, with roof-raising performances by Flying Lotus, the Bug, and Supermayer.
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