Leadbelly, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Devo, Cake, The Decemberists, The Black Keys, Hell's Kitchen, James Joyce, William S. Burroughs, The Beatles (but only Ringo), John Cage, Tinariwen, Ibrahim Ferrer, Tom Waits, Rage Against the Machine, Regina Spektor, Allen Ginsberg, Pablo Picasso, Flynn, Willem DeKooning, Joel Peter Witkin, farmers, junkies, alcoholics, the mentally unbalanced, children, my grandpa, that guy down the street that does mysterious things in his garage at night, attractive naked people, unattractive naked people, the weather, the nagging feeling today might be my last day on earth
Sounds Like
Somebody got some lovin' last night. Huh? Huh? Well, did you?
GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
The music: From darkness to light, from grinding rock to folksy power pop, Seth Thompson definitely carves new indie-rock ground. He also tackles "love, sex, death and a little homicidal voyeurism" (displayed on "This Much You Can Count On" with the refrain "I'm gonna kill you"). All of it is oddly, rewardingly compelling. The Chicago transplant's CD release party is May 17 at the Breakroom, 1359 Plainfield Ave. NE, with Igby Iris. Admission is $5.
REVUE MAGAZINE
Review by Lindsay Patton
The magic of Seth’s music is his eccentric array of non-conformity. The most eclectic mix of tunes to come out of the midwest, Seth’s latest album, Capillarious, offers up a batch of uniform chaos that can be appreciated regardless of a listener’s music preferences. With songs influenced with a cluster of musical instruments such as banjo, cello and saxophone, among others, to categorize Seth into a musical genre would result in a stress headache. The most obvious comparison would be to Beck, but even Beck doesn’t dare get as humorously dark in the subject matter of his songs. The album cover foreshadows the content of the songs, with Seth focusing on topics such as painstaking love and death. ‘To illustrate a kind of gallows humor, or retaining a sense of humor in the face of seriously unfunny life situations,’ said Seth of the relationship of his songs and accompanying artwork.
iTunes Review
Nobody said life would be fair but most of us don’t expect it to all go south in the next minute, as you’ll hear in these songs. Capillarious is a soulful collection of heartfelt stories and responses to loss, pain, anger with God, new love, rejuvenation and the strength to struggle forward. If you are an eternal optimist don’t buy this CD but if you have ever loved and lost, there are songs here that will haunt and capture your soul. This is the Biblical Job crying out in despair and finding enough vision to push towards the promise of tomorrow. Seth has a blue collar voice, gritty and rough around the edges, with that magical ability to sooth you one moment and kick you in the groin with raw emotion, the next. I found these eleven tracks to be Beatle-esque in their variety of style and tone, well crafted with poetic lyrics and delivered with manifest passion, due in part to great backup by Dan Gottesman on drums and Greg Nergaard on bass. From the progressive crescendo of “Capillarious”, the throbbing beat of “This Much You Can Count On”, to the haunting “Lullabye” finale, the music of Seth gets better and more consequential with every listen. Have a bourbon, relax and give it a spin.
SOUNDRAZE REVIEW OF "MONKEY":
It's always fun when a song surprises you with pure fun. The lyrics were ridiculous and really just an enjoyable ride. The song has a funky rhythm, and a crazy overall feel that makes it impossible not to smile or laugh at some point. The vocals aren't beautiful, but if they were the song wouldn't work. Instead, we get a Dylan-esque rock-era sound. You'd think, at first, Seth might be an acquired taste. But that's the kick. While the song may not be the utmost in radio-friendly, it's the kind of music that has the ability to get people to go see a band live (which these days is even more important). If his other songs are as intriguing as this one, we're willing to bet Seth has a future in the business.
Seth was born in a muddy field in North Dakota, just after the spring thaw. That in-between time of year when the snow was replaced by thick ankle-deep black mud. He was born dirty and will die in the same condition, no doubt. With no TV in the house, and only sporadic electrical service (Dad's sharecropping was an inconsistent income to say the least), Seth and his seven brothers and sisters had to entertain themselves. So every morning at four, before going out to milk the cows, Seth would play old gospel songs and spirituals on guitar for his family. It was a raw life, and from an early age Seth was familiar with the intricacies of living and the simplicity of dying. There's not a lot he hasn't seen. You can hear it in his playing, in his no-frills voice; you can see it his happy but world-weary eyes.
Seth is fascinated by the religious and popular cultures he abhors. He is a folksinger and composer, a poet and a vaudevillian. He is obsessed with creating art, but unconcerned with whether what he is doing is high or low art. Seth stands on the fence, stealing pies from the windowsills on both sides. And he has no plans to get down, come inside and take it easy.
With the precision rhythm section of Dan Gottesman on drums and Greg Nergaard on bass, Seth brings together elements of Latin music, jazz, punk, funk, devo (is that a style?) with the rural, blue collar love of simple songs with guitars that sound like there's a hole in the amp speakers. The music is agitating and alluring, and the lyrics slide back and forth between the external world of the physical and the internal world of the spiritual. Seth is on a dark journey, but it is a journey you’ll not only be glad you came along for, you’ll be humming it on the other side.
JUST ADDED: Opening weekend for “Absolut Late Night Comedy Series” features headliner Cee Jay – who has appeared on BET’s “Comic View” and Showtime’s “At The Apollo,” and opener Josh Phillips. Purchase your Cupid's Seduction ticket and be a part of this show compliments of Dirty Martini and TPD Entertainment. • Friday, February 12 – 10 p.m.
Hello Seth, I uploaded the new video of "L’orpheon de Jade" for four pianos performed by Veronique Vanhoucke, if you have time have a look. All the best and many thanks for your support -Pat
You helped us to get to rank 18 (as per today - from 810!!)! Now we only need a few more votes to get to the TOP 8 - and get ourselves a nice gig!
And just in in case you did not already vote, please give us these 2 minutes and do it here!
Und für die Bluesfans, die zuwenig Englisch verstehen: es geht einfach darum, dass wir soooo gerne diesen Open-Air-Gig kriegen würden. Und dafür brauchen wir jetzt noch DEINE STIMME! Danke.
Thanks for keeping the Blues breathing. Us Blues artists appreciate you much. I've added a link to the live video footage of five songs that are on my debut CD 'Hell and Back'. Hope you enjoy them. Peace. http://davidgerald.com/videos.php
Daryl 03-17-2009 20:30 at Harlem Avenue Lounge 3701 South Harlem Ave., Berwyn, Cost: FREE St. Patty Day = Coutts Solo Blues, Boogie Woogie, Good times.
many, many thanks to Seth for taking MidPoint Music Festival to the next level that we envisioned it to be...we shot for the stars, and you all showed up and rocked out!
Thanks can you send me a couple of photos from the show for the review on our website? send to jenpider@revuewm.com thanks!! You're my favorite man in a bunny suit.
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