Fisherman’s Village 2023 Recap

Everett’s Fisherman’s Village is western Washington’s untapped source of originality. Well, mostly untapped with its niche feel you’d have to travel to Everett to make sense of. As if Portland had a dirtier cousin from its mother’s side. It feels like just yesterday I was attending my first one circa 2016. Since then, some has changed but it’s easy-going flair remains. Revolving around smaller venues throughout downtown, the bill is weaved with local acts from the close-knit community in addition to out of towners. This year there were many food options to choose from including Malasadas (a Portuguese style donut), from GoodBelly, and an Anthony’s food truck. The outdoor mainstage remained free and open to anyone which brought many to the area to be a part of the event even without the main stages.

Seattle trio Spirit Award, the moniker of local Daniel Lyon (singer/songwriter), took the main stage showcasing tracks from their new fourth sequential album, The Fear. Since entering the Seattle scene, Spirit Award has cemented their place in the community. They can easily be found out and about playing live on KEXP studios or through online article spotlighting.

Lyons’ voice is full of haunting resonance, remaining placid and brooding. Layers of feedback backpack off of firm, trudging basslines. Altogether, Spirit Award produces the refined sound of mercurial expression. On “Pushing Forward,” we are taken on a trip of sorts (“I was starting to feel anxious, I was sinking in the couch, I could feel my ego melting”) through the process of exploring your psyche without fear.

Notable Tracks: Pushing Forward, Shout (kill the rich), Guilt and Shame, Western Violence

Making our way over to the larger space of King’s Hall we caught Sarah Shook and the Disarmers. The band enticed the room and people were clearly enjoying the sound. Their most recent release, Nightroamer, was out last year as they played song off that and their previous records. The room felt good with the space mirroring the art and vibe of the event.

Notable Tracks: F*ck Up, Good As Gold, No Name, Keep the Home Fires Burnin’

Cytrus took flooded the outdoor stage boasting its 8-member lineup, most of which are multi-instrumentalists.  The jam band is psychedelic funk centered, leading one song into another for a nonstop groove session. They all stay focused and honed in on their contributions keeping the arrangement smooth and tight. Cytrus was formed when Everett based groups Bunk Foss and HopSol joined forces. Their instrument forward focus is a refreshing break from the normal musical form and structure. The crowd soaked up the purity of their expression, dancing however they felt affected.

Notable tracks: Concentrate, Office party, Machine

Over at Lucky Dime stage, Perry Porter made his appearance. As multimedium artist, he has a reputation for painting and rapping on stage simultaneously. His paintings and personal style being a craft within a craft. Perry is an energetic performer that displays comfort in his creativity. His beats spew west coast influence with archetypal DIY, SoundCloud era adornment. Make sure to check out his latest release “Chariot.“

Notable Tracks: Ecstasy, Pens & Pistols, Hips

Local act Steel Beans attracted viewers to the King’s Hall stage for a one-of-a-kind display. Jeremy Debardi found himself on tour with none other than Tenacious D. Debardi is a long-time representation of the Everett Art scene and what it produces. Steel beans like Tenacious D, features an on-brand less serious approach (“Dollar store shade, gas station cologne” -Transcending Class.)  to creativity without sacrificing skill. On stage as a one-man-band, Debardi expertly plays the drums, guitar and sings at the same time. He doesn’t skip a beat and keeps his songs interesting and catchy.

Notable Tracks: The Question, Transcending Class, The Other Side of The Mirror

With sound indicative of their name, Mississippi trio Bass Drum of Death put forward weighty garage rock revolving around shattering drum grooves. Their trademarked blues heavy sound is evident on tracks like ” Get Found.” Outfitted with a drum kit and a couple of guitars always dreggy, drawn out and effect heavy.  Their tracks evoke a griminess that add dimension to its formula.

The three are on tour promoting their latest release, “Say I Won’t.”

Notable tracks: You Were Right, Get Found, Too cold to Hold, Lose My Mind

Closing out the night, femme fronted, LA born band Automatic took the Black Lab stage. Automatic plays like modern new wave with the drum machines except the drum machine is Lola Dompé. Her rhythms snap sharply and fluctuate in tempo. The basslines and synths are equally engrossing, having their own abstract progressions.  Call and response songs like “Too Much Money,” sound haunting, a full of murky attitude.  Initially getting on stage they seem reserved, while their sound is not.

Notable Tracks: Electrocution, New Beginning, Calling It, Strange Conversations

Photos: Sophia Barkalakis @s.barkalakis