The Helio Sequence’s upcoming album started with a game.
According to its website, the band’s Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel participated in a game with their friends in the Portland, Oregon, music scene called “The 20-Song Game,” in which songwriters would arrive at a studio, record 20 complete songs, play them back and discuss the process with friends. Summers and Weikel took the fruits of that labor and turned it into “The Helio Sequence,” the band’s sixth album.
The Helio Sequence, a rock duo that gets every inch of sound from its limited numbers, will kick off its tour as headliners of this year’s Fisherman’s Village Music Festival. The Helio Sequence will put a cap on the second day, taking the stage at the Everett Historic Theatre at 11 p.m. May 16.
The Helio Sequence’s new record releases May 19, so those who attend Saturday’s show are likely to get a sneak peek at a number of new songs, including “Upward Mobility,” the first single off the album.
The other headliner for this year’s festival is Everett’s own Jason Webley, who is taking the occasion to get his former band back together. Having not played together since 2011, Webley, Michael McQuilken (drums), Jherek Bischoff (bass) and Alex Guy (viola) will bring a high-energy show that promises to be quirky.
Webley, who has toured the world putting on shows with just an accordion, is a consummate showman in the mold of the one-man vaudeville shows from the past. He’s excited to have his friends join him on stage again for the final festival performance, at 10 p.m. May 17 at the Historic Everett Theatre.
The band Wild Ones, a quintet from Portland, Oregon, which is touring the West Coast with Helio Sequence this summer, and the Seattle-based trio, Barcelona, will play before Webley.
Telekinesis, which is Kenmore’s Michael Benjamin Lerner, will go on before The Helio Sequence on May 16. Telekinesis has put out three records on the influential Merge Records label, including 2013’s “Dormarion.”
Everett’s own Fauna Shade will close down The Cannery on May 16. Led by frontman Scotty Smith, Fauna Shade recently released its debut full-length album, “Baton Rouge,” a few months after winning EMP’s Sound Off! competition late last year.
“We’re really excited they’re closing out The Cannery,” said Everett Music Initiative’s Steven Graham. “It’s the hometown guys playing their home court.”
Another show at The Cannery is My Goodness, which was once a duo but has now added a bass player. The Seattle-based band closes out The Cannery on May 17, going on stage at 9:30 p.m.
“People are saying their more of a dynamic band now (with the bass player),” Graham said. “Bring your ear plugs — it’s going to be loud.”
For a full schedule of the Fisherman’s Village Music Festival, go here.
Five must-sees bands
Fisherman’s Village Music Festival organizers Steven Graham and Ryan Crowther picked five bands they said festival-goers shouldn’t miss this weekend.
Joseph: 7 p.m. May 17, Historic Everett Theatre. Three sisters from Portland, Oregon. One plays guitar and all of them sing. It’s as simple as you can get and it’s just beautiful. — Graham
Sisters: 8 p.m. May 16, Historic Everett Theatre. Duo from Seattle. They’ve had a meteoric rise. It’s the coolest musical project happening in Seattle right now. I’d compare them to Stevie Wonder meets Passion Pit. — Crowther
Cataldo: 6 p.m. May 16, Everett Historic Theatre. This Seattle band’s record, “Gilded Oldies,” was on everyone’s top two or three records of last year. They deliver live. I can’t wait to see what they do next. — Graham
Water Monster: 6:30 p.m. May 17, The Cannery. Duo from Spokane. They’re branded as experimental electronic pop. It’s like electronic stuff with soulful R&B vocals. — Graham
Planes on Paper: 7:15 p.m. May 16, Cask &Vine. Band from Seattle. They’re folksy acoustic, with really strong melodies and great song writing. Really chill stuff. — Crowther
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