Music

North and Northwest: Bands from Alaska and Oregon at Monolith Showcase

The Pacific Northwest is Alaska's closest musical kin, but there's more than mileage separating the Last Frontier from the region that produced Pearl Jam, the Decemberists and dozens of other notable bands.

The music scenes in Portland and Seattle offer larger audiences and better support for bands on the ascent. That allure has drawn Alaska musicians away from the devout but widespread crowds in their vast home state.

Anchorage's Monolith Agency is trying to change that.

For its fourth Monolith Showcase, the agency is bringing together some Alaska talent with acts from the Pacific Northwest for two nights of music Friday and Saturday at the Tap Root Public House.

"We've established ourselves as an entity that is creating a bridge between the Alaskan music scene and the Northwest," Monolith's Evan Phillips said. "It's something we feel like has been a cool thing we've been able to do -- connect bands from the Northwest with bands up here and make Alaska more of the Northwest scene."

The agency was founded to help negotiate the unique circumstances of operating in the Alaska music scene.

"We've always had the reality of being physically remote," said Martin Severin, who handles administrative duties at Monolith. "A lot of the logistics of presenting music are different up here. Monolith was created to bridge that gap and give some assistance… There's a perception that (local bands) have to get out to market themselves. There's a reality to that, but we're trying to change that."

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The bands in the showcase generally rotate annually, with this year's lineup heavy on Americana music. More than a specific sound, Phillips said Monolith tries to focus on bands that take their craft seriously.

"We give bands opportunities that are doing something with their careers," he said. "We try to work with bands that have recently burst onto the scene or bands that are clearly working hard to go to the next level. That's the benchmark we shoot for -- talented but that are working hard to do something and further their careers. That's kind of the criteria for us."

The next step for Monolith is to incorporate more local music content onto its website. A big part of that will be audio and video recordings of both local and traveling bands performing at Severin's Studio 2200.

"It's a full-service recording studio," Severin said. "It's basically a recording studio and a performance space at the same time. We've got this wonderful facility at our complete disposal. The audio capability of the studio is as good as any other in the state of Alaska."

The 2014 Monolith Showcase features eight different bands or artists.

Ezza Rose

A singer-songwriter with an enchanting voice and a captivating stage presence, Portland-based Rose is winding down a two-week tour of the state. She will perform her airy brand of folk music with cellist Jessie Dettwiler.

Blackwater Railroad Company

Blackwater Railroad Company has already developed a loyal fan base and plenty of momentum from its recently released album "Bottom of the Bay." The Seward band should provide a toe-tapping, string-heavy dose of Americana music.

Animal Eyes

Portland's Animal Eyes serve as the headliner Friday, promising a high-energy show featuring eclectic indie rock. With three members from Homer and two more from Talkeetna, Animal Eyes has as much of an Alaska identity as nearly any band at the showcase.

Feeding Frenzy

Fairbanks quintet Feeding Frenzy is fresh off a nationwide tour in support of its recently released EP. The alt-folk group features banjo, fiddle and cello, creating a faster-paced gypsy feel with modern Americana elements.

Emma Hill

Alaska songstress Emma Hill recently released her fifth album, "Denali," to Alaska audiences, with a worldwide release scheduled for November. The Sleetmute native's down-home vocal delivery brings spirit to her songs on everything from Alaska life to life on the road.

Historian

Its members born in Anchorage but now more far-flung, Historian closes out the program on Saturday. The doom rockers gained fans in Alaska by concocting a heavy, dark sound with keyboardist/singer Nathan Hurst breaking up the malaise just enough with unexpected vocals.

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The Shoot Dangs

Featuring ukuleles and clawhammer banjo, the Shoot Dangs' sound could be described as old-time gypsy folk. Pure harmonies and foot-stomping rhythms have gained the band fans among audiophiles and dance-floor devotees.

Dabarko

A 3-piece indie rock outfit, Dabarko is fronted by singer/guitarist Andy Tholberg and features his pop-rock compositions. Erik Neet (bass) and Wes Hartlieb (drums) compose the rhythm section for the Anchorage band.

Monolith Showcase

On Friday: Animal Eyes, Feeding Frenzy, Ezza Rose, Emma Hill

On Saturday: Historian, Dabarko, Shoot Dangs, Blackwater Railroad Company, Ezza Rose

When: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. both nights

Where: Tap Root Public House, 3300 Spenard Road

Tickets: $15 per night or $25 for both nights, taprootalaska.com

Chris Bieri

Chris Bieri is the sports and entertainment editor at the Anchorage Daily News.

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