AOL Music http://music.aol.com AOL Music http://music.aol.com/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Music http://music.aol.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/First Stop: Sleepless in Seattlehttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/first-stop-sleepless-in-seattle/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/first-stop-sleepless-in-seattle/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/first-stop-sleepless-in-seattle/#commentsFiled under:

Allison hangs out with Seattle-based trailblazers, and uncovers little known secrets about the city.Allison Hagendorf

Seattle is synonymous with three of my favorite things: grunge, rain and coffee, which somehow complement each other in the most effortlessly cool, moody way. It's the birthplace of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' the anthem of Generation X and the song heard 'round the world ... AND it was the song that changed my world forever.

As one of my favorite cities in the country, I've been here a handful of times to see bands at venues like the Showbox, and yes, I've geeked out in all of my music maven glory at places like the Experience Music Project once or twice ... okay a plethora of times.

But this time I dug a little deeper. I, of course, frequented my favorites like Pike Place and journeyed through a jillion of java joints, but this time I grabbed my galoshes and trekked down the yellow brick road of this "Emerald City" to see the wizards behind this musical renaissance of grunge.

I met up with Sub Pop founder Jonathan Poneman, who took me on a tour of the record label credited with first signing Nirvana and Soundgarden, as well as other amazing bands like the Postal Service, Fleet Foxes, Wolf Parade, Foals and the Shins. It was surreal, indeed.

I also hung out with a Seattle soundtracker, who is best known for his 1992 Grammy Award-winning records. Chris Cornell? Eddie Vedder? Dave Grohl? Nope. In fact, I'm pretty sure this Seattle native never even donned a flannel. I'm talking about the one and only emcee and producer Sir Mix-A-Lot. That's right; the 'Baby Got Back' legend took me for a drive, pointing out all the spots that inspired his hit 'Posse on Broadway.' Of course I went with Mix to 'Dick's' -- let's just say it was one of the best milkshakes of my life.

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-154877% After spending my morning reliving the stories of old school hip-hop with Mix, I spent my afternoon with Seattle native Macklemore, who is currently carrying the hip-hop torch. Fans have played his videos over 20 million times on YouTube; XXL Magazine just included him in the Freshman Class of 2012; and he's selling out venues around the country. You're going to be hearing a lot more from Macklemore (pun intended).

We came, we ate, and learned a lot about the scene in Seattle.

I spent Record Store Day at the iconic Everyday Records talking music with the most diehard music fans there are. Vinyl was flying off shelves. I rest my case.

After exploring the music scene for countless hours, I cashed in my jukebox journey at Seattle staple 13 Coins, which is famous for its 24-hour menu and being THE go-to spot for band eats after a late-night gig. I opted for the crab eggs benedict made with Dungeness crab and the housemade Hollandaise sauce they make every hour. Oh yes, it's Sir Mix-A-Lot's favorite too. We have so much in common.

We came, we ate, and learned a lot about the scene in Seattle. We uncovered sonic secrets like the fact that Jimi Hendrix's first gig was at Seattle's Temple De Hirsch basement. He was also fired mid-performance for his wild playing. Standard. Sir Mix-A-Lot, Macklemore and rabid music fans helped us debunk the myth that Seattle is all about grunge -- hip-hop, folk, and soul also have a strong sonic stamp. Oh, and by the way, it turns out Seattle is actually not that soggy after all. Its annual rainfall is less than that of Houston, Chicago and New York.

Well, rain or shine, Seattle is certainly one of my favorite cities on the planet. It truly does have its own eclectic signature sound.

 

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]]>allison hagendorfAllisonHagendorfJonathan PonemanJonathanPonemanMacklemoreseattle factsseattle grungeSeattleFactsSeattleGrungesir mix a lotSirMixALotsub popSubPopAllison Hagendorf2012-05-07T14:51:00+00:00How They Were Discoveredhttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/how-they-were-discovered/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/how-they-were-discovered/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/how-they-were-discovered/#commentsFiled under:


Although they're woven in rock 'n' roll history now, rockstars like Jimi Hendrix and Pearl Jam were once little known musicians trying to catch their big break. Here's how they were discovered.%VIRTUAL-Gallery-154265%
Although they're woven in rock 'n' roll history now, rockstars like Jimi Hendrix and Pearl Jam were once little known musicians trying to catch their big break. Here's how they were discovered.

 

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]]>Fleet FoxesFleetFoxesHeartJimi HendrixJimiHendrixNirvanaPearl JamPearlJamAOL Music Editor2012-05-06T00:31:00+00:00Band Name Origin Storieshttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/band-name-origin-stories/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/band-name-origin-stories/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/band-name-origin-stories/#commentsFiled under:


Some of Seattle's most recognizable bands have unique names. Find out how fate brought the musicians together, and how they decided on their monikers.%VIRTUAL-Gallery-154267%
Some of Seattle's most recognizable bands have unique names. Find out how fate brought the musicians together, and how they decided on their monikers.

 

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]]>Band of HorsesBandOfHorsesCandleboxMudhoneyScreaming TreesScreamingTreesSoundgardenAOL Music Editor2012-05-06T00:23:00+00:00From Grunge to Glamhttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/from-grunge-to-glam/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/from-grunge-to-glam/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/seattle/from-grunge-to-glam/#commentsFiled under:



See how stars like Stars like Courtney Love, Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell went from grunge to glam over the past two decades.%VIRTUAL-Gallery-154346%
Stars like Courtney Love, Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell have transformed their looks with the times. See how they went from grunge to glam over the past two decades.

 

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]]>billie joe armstrongBillieJoeArmstrongchris cornellChrisCornellcourtney loveCourtneyLovedaniel johnsDanielJohnseddie vedderEddieVeddergreen dayGreenDayholekrist novoselicKristNovoselicnirvanapearl jamPearlJamsilverchairsoundgardenAOL Music Editor2012-05-04T19:13:00+00:00Verified Venueshttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/atlantas-best-music-venues/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/atlantas-best-music-venues/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/atlantas-best-music-venues/#commentsFiled under:

In search for a great place to see live music? Look no further. Here's a list of Atlanta's top 10 must-visit venues.%VIRTUAL-Gallery-155494%
Atlanta is a great town in which to indulge in live music -- you just need to know where to go. Whether you're into rock, hip-hop, jazz or EDM, here are the top 10 venues in the city, according to Yelp.

 

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]]>Center StageCenterStageEddies AtticEddiesAtticEyedrumFox TheatreFoxTheatreKats CafeKatsCafeTabernacleThe Drunken UnicornThe Goat FarmTheDrunkenUnicornTheGoatFarmVariety PlayhouseVarietyPlayhouseVerizon AmphitheatreVerizonAmphitheatreAOL Music Editor2009-05-15T23:57:00+00:00Rock On, Atlantahttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/rock-stars-from-atlanta/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/rock-stars-from-atlanta/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/rock-stars-from-atlanta/#commentsFiled under:

Atlanta is known for its hip-hop and R&B roots, but the city is also home to a slew of notable rock and pop stars, too.%VIRTUAL-Gallery-155490%
Atlanta is known for its hip-hop and R&B roots, but the city is also home to a slew of notable rock and pop stars, too. From Butch Walker to the Black Crowes, here are a handful of rockers who will be representing ATL for life.

 

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]]>atlanta rockAtlantaRockButch WalkerButchWalkerCartelCat PowerCatPowerCollective SoulCollectiveSoulDeerhunterIndigo GirlsIndigoGirlsJohn MayerJohnMayerManchester OrchestraManchesterOrchestraMastodonSevendustThe Black CrowesTheBlackCrowesAOL Music Editor2009-05-15T23:38:00+00:002012 Atlanta Jazz Festival Performershttp://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/2012-atlanta-jazz-festival-performers/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/2012-atlanta-jazz-festival-performers/http://music.aol.com/signature-sounds/atlanta/2012-atlanta-jazz-festival-performers/#commentsFiled under:

Meet several of the musicians who will be performing on the main stage of the 35th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival.%VIRTUAL-Gallery-155493%
The Atlanta Jazz Festival highlights jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz superstars in venues throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area during the entire month of May. It wraps with a three-day musical event during Memorial Day weekend at Piedmont Park. The best part? It's free. Meet several of the musicians who will be performing on the main stage of the festival, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

 

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]]>Cyrus Chestnut TrioCyrusChestnutTrioDwight AndrewsDwightAndrewsGrace Kelly QuintetGraceKellyQuintetKathleen BertrandKathleenBertrandLionel Loueke TrioLionelLouekeTrioMushy Widmaier QuintetMushyWidmaierQuintetRobert Glasper ExperimentRobertGlasperExperimentRoy AyersRoyAyersRussell Gunn Elektrik ButterflyRussellGunnElektrikButterflyYolanda RabunYolandaRabunAOL Music Editor2009-05-15T23:35:00+00:00