Hilltop hoods

Who: MC’s Suffa and Pressure met in high school in  the hills of Southern Australia and were later introduced to DJ Debris, whom they found  had a common appreciation and love for hip-hop music that was not prevalent in their local music scene. The trio joined forces as Hilltop Hoods, and soon became breakout leaders in the Australian music industry. After the release of their 2003 album The Calling, the Hoods have demanded a loyal following, and paved the way for rap and hip hop artists in their country, while established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the International stage. After many successful albums, touring Australia with Eminem, and creating a huge following from their eye opening festival performances, the Hilltop Hoods have finally landed in Seattle, where a love and appreciation of talented rappers goes hand in hand with a freshly brewed latte, and finely rolled legal blunt. Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of hanging out with the kings of Australian hip-hop before their epic performance at the Crocodile Cafe. The venue was brimming with excitement before their set, as an audience of young and seasoned concert goers stood in anticipation for an evening on their feet.

This weekend will be the 10th and final installment of Noise for the Needy, a music festival and nonprofit organization that has been raising money for charitable causes for the last decade. NFTN has hosted hundreds of bands and raised thousands of dollars since its first Seattle show in November 2004. The last installment of Noise for the Needy will be a great way to end Seattle’s summer music festival season and enjoy the last bits of sunshine! Read about why and how NFTN lasted so long.

There are a lot of things about Seattle that make us a tattoo town. Tattoos are statements on your body, whether they are for personal meaning or more artistic self-expression, they come with stories that people want to hear. And you’ll get a lot of different stories these days because tattoos can be found on people from all walks of life. There’s no longer the “tattoo” type, at least not in this town. Here are some things about our community that bring out the passion for tattoos.

We’re bombarded with technology these days but we can all remember our very first computer and our very first interaction with the internet. Technology moves fast. In Seattle there’s a place that has attempted to capture each moment and build excitement about what it means for the future. The Living Computer Museum is a walk down memory lane and also a look into the future.

But this Saturday, it’s all about the throwback-tech.

When bathing suit season rolls around some of us need all the motivation we can get to make sure we stick to our “get in shape” commitments. This is what makes wearable technology a hit. By tracking things like the number of steps you take each day, your calorie intake, and even your sleeping patterns, activity tracking wristbands can play a big role in how you approach everyday fitness – and Seattleite are all over it.

 

Allen Stone

Who: Allen Stone was a wonderful sight for the eyes and ears at last year’s Bumbershoot Festival, and I am delighted he has returned to Seattle to dazzle the Eastside at the beautiful Chateau Ste Michelle. Allen Stone has not quite attained the level of national praise  he deserves, but I’d put money on his rise to the top of the charts in upcoming months with his new Capitol record deal, and Forbes Magazine mention for best musicians under 30. In the mix of young artists, Stone brings a unique flavor of neo-soul and R&B to the table, and a truly mesmerizing voice wise beyond his years.  While most 80’s babies grew up listening to TLC and New Kids on