Everett, Washington has unveiled itself as a blossoming community for artists. This past weekend, the Everett Music Initiative hosted their first Fisherman's Village Music Festival. It took place within four venues in the downtown area. The lineup was not exclusively bands from the Pacific Northwest, though a significant amount of them were. I didn't require much convincing before I escaped my day job, kidnapped my soul sister and raced off into the woods. Click here to read the full review with photo coverage. 

- Colette Pomerleau

Everett, Washington has unveiled itself as a blossoming community for artists. This past weekend, the Everett Music Initiative hosted their first Fisherman's Village Music Festival. It took place within four venues in the downtown area. The lineup was not exclusively bands from the Pacific Northwest, though a significant amount of them were. I didn't require much convincing before I escaped my day job, kidnapped my soul sister and raced off into the woods.

Friday, we caught performances by The We Shared Milk, Animal Eyes, Tango Alpha Tango in the Cannery, which was transformed from a coffee shop into an event space. All Portland-based bands exuded more energy out into the crowd than what was being thrown back at them. The audience was mellow. Portland was not. Seattle-based Unnatural Helpers introduced us to our next environment-Kroakers. The neighborhood bar had scattered mancave-esque decor. People were generally friendly and intoxicated. The band promised more aggression and the following bands continued on the trend. Jeffertitti's Nile contributed a fascinating wardrobe and stage antics. Night Beats ended the night, climbing on amps and blasting eardrums away.

Saturday, BellaMaine found us after we had been on a shopping marathon through antique shops and strange estate sales. The married couple who front the indie-pop outfit effortlessly blended their vocals. The title track off of their latest EP, Anxious Mind made me step back for a moment to consider how wonderful this all was. The surprisingly sunny day continued with performances by the reckless Fauna Shade, the Young Evils, AAN and La Luz. I'll never forget dancing onstage with those surf babes.

Lester Bangs described Austin, Texas in a way that is perfect for Everett as well. “Laid-back and somewhat indulgent as it is, might be a terrible place for a New Yorker or anyone who wants to move and shake culture or corporations but it's an undeniably great place to start a band.” The town is small enough to make a name for yourself, but close enough to Seattle to perform for a larger audience. My experience wandering the town was mostly pleasant, though I haven't been used to mellow vibes for a while. Surrounding the festival, attendees had a ridiculous amount of second-hand shops, small dogs to pet and charming architecture to admire. It was easy to decipher who was in the town for music. Fortunately, I met a couple of locals who spoke about moving there specifically to play with other musicians and it made me feel hopeful. The Initiative's caught onto something. I was happy to experience this for the first time with everyone else.

Below, check out Deli Portland's full Photo coverage of Fisherman's Village Music Festival 2014 featuring Moondoggies, the Maldives, La Luz, Nurses, AAN, Young Evils, Fauna Shade, Wampire, Gardens & Villa, Rose Windows, Trails and Ways, Pure Bathing Culture, Night Beats, Jeffertitti's Nile, Unnatural Helpers, Animal Eyes and The We Shared Milk. Photos by Carey Silverstein and Colette Pomerleau.

- Colette Pomerleau

Lying within 25 miles of Seattle, the resurgence of a music scene is inevitable, though building any community is a slow process. Led by the Everett Music Initiative, the Fisherman's Village Music Festival is finally bringing recognition to Everett, Washington as being part of the thriving music culture in the region. The event features an intriguing lineup over the course of two days, Friday May 16th through Saturday May 17th. Performances will be at four venues: the Historic Everett Theatre, an outdoor theater called the Shipyard, the Cannery and the Bait shop at Kroakers. The bands listed cover all genres, providing a one size fits all for sound preference while maintaining an authentic Pacific Northwest flair. General admission for the weekend is under $70 and well worth the investment. 

The first time I ever heard La Luz, I really thought they were carefully curated for my own musical tastes. The distant waves of surf rock with significant femininity creates the loveliest thing I've heard in a long time. Recently, the Seattle-based band suffered through a semi-truck versus them on the highway, but powered through it with their own tough stride and support from the music community. That resilience continues to shine through their music. Songs like "Sure As Spring" and "T.V. Dream" assist you in wading through a time warp, back to where taunting guitar melodies were done best. The aftermath leaves you hungry for anything else these ladies will throw your way. That hunger will stay. 

They will be headlining the release party for She Shreds Magazine, a Portland-based publication dedicated to female guitarists and encouraging a revolution involving awareness for the underrepresented. The Ghost Ease and Hooded Hags will be supporting, offering plenty of mind tingles for the night. - Colette Pomerleau