You might want to rethink your plans for this Friday the 13th. That is, if you don’t already have your tickets for what is promising to be Seattle’s most unique and mesmerizing guitar-centered show of the year. On this ominous September 13th, guitar virtuosos Al Nesbitt and Tony Abreu and their all-star bands will sweep up the patrons of Madame Lou’s, Seattle's iconic Belltown music venue, in a one-night-only, genre-bending and mood-shifting musical experience that could only happen on Friday the 13th.
Al Nesbitt is an inventive guitarist and songwriter whose compositions share an almost cinematic feel fueled by his fiery, virtuoso playing. In fact, Nesbitt’s recent release, A Million Shiny Things, plays like a movie soundtrack. The compositions and concept were inspired by events and the folklore that surrounds L.A.’s famed Chateau Marmont, a hotel where curious visitors are mysteriously lured to see where comedian John Belushi died and to get close to the notorious secret location for the illicit affairs of notable Hollywood stars. Still open today, the 93-year-old ominous castle-like structure and surrounding bungalows have been a hideout and hip hangout for Hollywood celebrities since the 1920s. Nesbitt sets it to music. It’s hard to get more macabre and grisly than that.
A recent article from GuitarWorld describes Nesbitt’s recent effort as “enthralling guitar playing, characterized by powerful bursts of notes, lush extended chord voicings, mesmeric exotic-scale runs and a distinctive and captivating melodic sensibility.”
Former Windowpane guitarist and songwriter, Tony Abreu, is a staple of Seattle's rock scene whose recent music has been described as “playfully creepy and crunchy swing”, and his debut solo instrumental release, Tony Abreu’s Devilish Swing, is just that. With the guitar-driven and very danceable Devilish Swing, Abreu has stepped away from his comfortable familiarity with the modern rock idiom, unleashing what he acknowledges to be some of his most unique and personal creations to date. Tapping into a new style reminiscent of century-old, hard-driving swing, Abreu leverages acoustic stand-up bass and old-school, swing-style drumming to take the listener on a very personal and powerful sonic journey. It can be dark, cinematic–even playful–and creepy at times. Simply stated, Abreu’s new compositions embody a cool, retro-feeling, crunchy swing that dances well outside of any of the previously established sounds of typical instrumental guitar rock.
As the venue for this one-time-only Seattle event, Madame Lou's has its own mystique making it the perfect spot for a playfully creepy Friday the 13th concert. “Madame Lou’s offers the perfect ambiance for both Devilish Swing and A Million Shiny Things,” says Nesbitt. “It will be a great space for this night of great instrumental guitar music.”
The iconic, 300-seat Madame Lou’s is named after a famous brothel magnate from the turn of the century, Lou Graham, whose success as the purveyor of the most refined brothels in Seattle entwined her with the city’s society and politics. Her notoriety and financial success is said to have helped in the rebuilding of Seattle’s business district after the great fire of 1899, even keeping the city’s banks afloat. Thus, Madame Lou’s name will forever be associated with the city’s greatest tragedy.
Supporting the guitar work of Tony Abreu (Windowpane, Mean Genius), the band for this debut live performance of Tony Abreu’s Devilish Swing will feature Keith Lowe on bass (Fiona Apple), RL Heyer on guitar (Bigtooth) and Ben Smith on drums (Heart, Peter Frampton).
Al Nesbitt (Rising, Scandalous Mutineers, Solo Artist) will have musical support from The L.A. Devotees (a band Nesbitt has assembled specifically for this event) featuring Curt Bisquera on drums (Elton John, Tom Petty, Seal, Mick Jagger), Tony Franklin on bass (David Gilmour, Kate Bush, Jimmy Page) and Jonathan Sindelman on keyboards (Mike Keneally, Alan White).
An acoustic set by Seattle-based singer/songwriter Brian Davis (Saqqara) will round out the program.
Reserve your tickets early here for Tony Abreu’s debut live performance of Tony Abreu’s Devilish Swing and Al Nesbitt’s live performance of A Million Shiny Things happening on September 13th at Seattle’s iconic Madame Lou’s. With two virtuoso guitarists and two all-star bands determined to take you along on a playfully creepy guitar-driven tour de force of unique, moody, mesmerizing musical styles on Friday the 13th, ask yourself, “What could go wrong?”
