I don’t spend nearly enough time on this blog writing about the music of other people, which is ridiculous considering I have so many talented and amazing musical friends. I was reminded of this fact last week when I had the opportunity to see the band Pollens, featuring several of my friends from Cornish College of the Arts - including Hanna Benn and Whitney Lyman - at the Comet. I had heard Pollens’ music before, but seeing the band perform live was a revelation. Giant vocal harmonies on top of electric and acoustic textures – it felt like the stage of the Comet was going to lift off through the roof into the Seattle sky. The show brought out many friends, not just from Cornish, but from all corners of the Seattle music community. I ran into hip-hop vocalist Katie Kate, who just finished her first record which she promised to send to me the following day. After the show, I spoke with Katie and Hanna outside the Comet for a few minutes before everyone went off in different directions. It was the first time in a long time that the three of us were together in one place, a reunion and tribute to Bakemono, Katie and Hanna’s first band together, of which I was (nominally) the manager.
I first met Katie and Hanna together 6 years ago at the orientation day for incoming Cornish students. It was an awkward event for me, being a “non-traditional” (old) first year student surrounded by a sea of much younger faces. I ran into them first in the big mixer event, and then a short while later looking for the room for the Music students’ meeting. Hanna was all smiles and friendliness, Katie eyed all of the social games and spirt-building with no small degree of cynicism and suspicion. I was happy and not-at-all surprised to learn that Katie was a fellow East Coast transplant, from New York. When I announced that I was from New Jersey, hoping to foster some camaraderie, she gave me that special look that New Yorkers reserve for their Jersey neighbors.
I ran into them (almost always together) more than a few times in those first weeks of school. I can’t remember when I first heard the music that they made together as Bakemono, but it was pretty early in that first year, and I know that I was very impressed. It was funny, eclectic and ethereal, managing to be both very developed and relaxed at the same time. It was shortly after hearing Bakemono that I was informed that I would be their manager. I wasn’t given a choice, as far as I can remember, but I wouldn’t have turned them down anyways. Being the manager for Bakemono sounded like pretty much the best thing ever.
As their manager, I’m not sure that I ever did very much for them. I tried to help them finish their demo (but they had no trouble being motivated to record and write without me). I helped them with their DIY release of “Music for Dogs,” a CD of music for dogs, including the hit “Cats are Stupid.” I organized a photo shoot. I built them a website. It wasn’t much, but they really never needed much help. They got gigs, made music, had fun. I was just happy to play whatever part I could and mostly it was just fun to watch two amazingly talented people come into their own.
Bakemono at the Showbox
The last Bakemono memory I have is from a show they did, opening for Talib Kweli and Terry Radjaw (later of Mad Rad) at the Showbox. They performed a cover of R. Kelly’s “Ignition (Remix)” with acoustic guitars. As they took the stage, the audience, all there for a high energy hip-hop show, wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. As they began to play, there were grumbles and murmurs and slowly, as recognition kicked in, the room began to quiet until everyone was listening to Bakemono. And then cheering and laughing. I’m sure the cover song helped out a great deal, but I know they would have won over that room eventually no matter what they played. Here’s a video of them performing ”Ignition (Remix).”
Remix to Ignition Remix
BAKEMONO | Myspace Music Videos
Some time after that, Katie told me that she wanted to be a hip-hip superstar. She said it in such a way that it could have been a joke, could have been serious, could have been “astronaut” or “President.” I was, I confess, a little surprised to discover that she wasn’t kidding, and then by how phenomenal she was at it. I never doubted that Katie was a talented musician, singer, and songwriter, but I was amazed by how perfectly her musical sensibilities and easy humor translated to this new musical persona. I tried to put together a Katie Kate cameo on the Zubatto Syndicate record, but it didn’t get finished in time. You can hear the unfinished version here.
Hanna has come into her own as an extraordinarily talented and accomplished composer and arranger, with an emphasis on vocal and choral music. In addition to Pollens, she formed a women’s vocal ensemble called Chrysalis which focuses on new works by living composers, particularly the members of the group. Pollens has released an EP, which you can listen to and download from Bandcamp. Give it a listen and then give them some money. They are going into the studio to make a full-length record shortly and need your support. You won’t be disappointed – Pollens mixes huge 6-part vocal harmonies with electro-acoustic experimentation and fun. Kind of like “Pet Sounds: The Next Generation,” only nothing at all like that. In addition to Hanna, the band includes Jeff Aaron Bryant, Whitney Lyman, Lena Simon, Kelly Wyse and Adam Kozie, all of whom can be found all over the Seattle music scene in a variety of settings. It is truly a remarkable line-up of talent.
Here is video from a recent house concert they played.
Pollens House Show I from Pollens on Vimeo.
Pollens House Show II from Pollens on Vimeo.
And you can stream and download their EP here:
As I mentioned earlier, Katie sent me a preview of her upcoming record shortly after I saw her and simply put, it is going to be huge. Great hooks, smart, funny lyrics, and dance-ready beats abound, all delivered with a gusto and swagger that continues to surprise me and make me smile. I would share some of it here, but I’m pretty sure that Katie would kick my ass. You’ll just have to wait for it to be released. In the meantime, here is some music she has posted on Soundcloud.
Latest tracks by katiekatemusic
Even though my time with the band was relatively short-lived, the spirit of Bakemono lives on in both Katie and Hanna’s musical endeavors and in the friendships that it created and fostered. It’s cool to listen to what they are doing now and hear the subtle ways in which they have influenced each other.
In a way, this blog post is just me continuing to do my part as Mr. Manager and help get the word out about their music. Not that they ever really needed my help anyways.
Putting the band back together? Photo by Whitney Lyman
