A few weeks ago I got to hang out with Shay De Castro when she came to town to perform at Cafe Racer! Shay is an established techno DJ who lived in Seattle after leaving her hometown of Boise post high school graduation. Since then, Shay has traveled the world through her music performing for audiences across Europe, North and Central America.

Originally from Boise, Shay found her way to music after picking up the drums at age 4. By Age 10 she taught herself guitar and quickly found her way to techno after getting into gauge music! Shay claims there is a natural pipe-line from grunge to techno! Shay has an incredible future ahead of her and has already achieved so much, most recently announcing a release through Mau5trap after performing at Beyond Wonderland.

Shay had so much to share from living abroad in Mexico, to her success as a DJ and how she has grown to be such a kind, introspective, loving person. Follow Shay De Castro on instagram and listen to her latest releases on Spotify.

Weep Wave was my introduction to the Seattle music scene when I moved here from Austin Tx in 2020. I found their tape "Amassing A Mess" at Easy Street Records in West Seattle and saw their live show just a couple weeks before the shutdown.

Weep Wave is releasing their latest vinyl record "Speck" Friday April 5th with a release show to kick off their 2024 Spring Tour at Sunset Tavern.

I enjoyed getting to chat with Dillion about music, touring adventures, the power of bringing people together and so much more!

Follow Weep Wave on Instagram and listen to Meier latest singles on streaming, my current favorite is Rebirth

A couple weeks ago I got to meet and hang out with Seattle singer-songwriter Natalie Hanes.

Natalie is originally from North Carolina and moved out to Seattle to start a new life and to pursue a career in music. Here in Seattle she has found community, growth and a new home. She has released 3 EPs and 3 singles over the last few years and will be returning to the studio this Summer to record her 4th EP!

Natalie's music is enveloping. Her voice is angelic and the messages in her music are easy to follow with straight forward lyrics which I love! to quote "my shit's good" and I agree! She has a bright future and im looking forward to her next EP and to see where music will take her!

Be sure to follow Nataliehanesmusic on Instagram and listen to her music on Spotify @ Natalie Hanes

I had a blast getting to meet and hang out with Ives, an up and coming Alternative Rock Musician local to Seattle.

Ives inaugural release 'Angel Arc' brings a high octane experience resembling the powerful sound of Paramore. I am so excited to see where Ives takes her art as she has a vision, drive, passion and a need to create music.

We talked about our short/long term goals, the journey that we are on as musicians, the power of believing in yourself and so much more!

After living abroad for a year in Ireland, I got to catch up with my friend Anna Eisch at Cafe Racer's brand new artist green room designed by Vivid Presents!

Anna has her own solo project where she has released a collection of EPs and Singles. Her music could be described as dark sad girl pop, and I absolutely love it! She is a very talented singer song writer and I love the sounds she is able to produce on her records.

I really enjoyed getting to learn about her process because the music she has released has such great production value and sounds amazing! I was inspired by her story of making a life in Ireland over the last year and can't wait to see what she cooks up now that she is back in Seattle!

We talked about why we love Seattle, the ways we grow as artists, Anna's future release goals and so much more!

Follow Anna Eisch on Instagram and Spotify to hear her latest release "When You're Bad"

I had a blast hanging out with my new friend John Thornburg. John is known in Seattle for fronting Asterhouse but has just released a new solo record titled, "Oh The Places I've Been", a concept album about his time growing up in Seattle and reflecting on his youth.

John has an infectious energy and brought such a good vibe to Cafe Racer! I had so much fun, laughed a bunch and just had a ball getting to chat about being a musician, life lessons we've learned and so much more!

This episode was so much fun and John and I really connected through our weird humor and ridiculous nature. While we joked like goofballs we also covered some real life lessons we have picked up along this path we have chosen as musicians and as people.

Be sure to follow John's solo work under 'John Thornburg', check out Asterhouse and be sure to listen to John's new album "Oh The Places I've Been" it's truly a great piece of work with eclectic, rock and psychedelic vibes.

Last week I got to meet someone that I've been a fan of for a couple years! J.P. fronts the latin funk band Reposado and hosts the Monday Night Open Jam at The Sea Monster in Wallingford!

Reposado blends latin, soul, funk and afrobeat music into a large ensemble band. I first saw Reposado during the Summer of 2022 when Balcony Bridge shared the stage with them at a local music festival in Pioneer Square called Forest For The Trees. Ever since i've been a fan of their music and have enjoyed some truly fantastic live performances from them. Their shows get you dancing and are full of life! Most recently I saw them headline at Tractor Tavern with Jimmy James and Tiffany Wilson. That show truly blew me away!

I enjoyed getting to know J.P. and I respect him as a leader in the music community. He has a vision of unification, connecting different music scenes across Seattle and building a better world.

We talked about the struggle of reconciling the darkness of the world, the power of music as the spark to building community, connecting with others by welcoming each other's truth and so much more!

Be sure to follow Reposado on instagram @Tequilafunk and catch their upcoming shows where you can snag their full length vinyl and get yourself FED with beautiful music and great dancing!

I was so excited to get to meet and hang out with Erick Irons on The Hiyu for episode 7 of The Emerald Gem!

Erick carries such a welcoming light about him and I really enjoyed our time on the podcast. Erick and Balcony Bridge had similar starts in Seattle; from playing open mics at the likes of the legendary Conor Bryne in Ballard to having our own episode features on The Slap Shack. I've been following Erick's growth over the last two years and saw his live performance at Barboza for Winter Prom featuring Henry Mansfield and Liv Victorino.

Erick is a powerful performer with songs that carry so much momentum that you can't help but get swept up in the wave he and his band carries. His show floored me and I can't wait to see his next one!

Erick has released a number of EP's and has three more albums planned for the studio. I was inspired to learn how Erick has built his music career through hard work and time management. Powered by joy, Erick has a bright future ahead of him. I enjoyed getting to learn about his perspective on music, heart break, growing as a person and sharing what we love about Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Listen to Erick Irons on Spotify and follow him on Instagram to catch his next show!!

I had a blast getting to know Chris Anderson while at the Hiyu on Lake Union. Chris has had an extensive career with a long list of accomplishments. He has found commercial success through his time with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and has made a name for himself in seattle as The Pike Street Drummer.

From street performing as a music student in Chicago to touring around the world with bands as big as the Gorillaz; Chris has an inspirational story to tell. With the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Chris has played major festivals across the globe and was featured in the global sensation, Hunger Games with an official sound track selection.

If you're looking to be inspired then look no further! Chris has charted his own way to commercial success, traveled the world, collaborated with A-List celebrities and has built his name in the Seattle music community through the magic and generosity of street performing.

Be sure to check out The Pike Street Drummer on instagram and support his upcoming music festival, 'Who's Who' fest in July, a self curated festival featuring local artists sponsored by the City of Seattle.

Just before taking off for the holidays, I got to meet and hang out with Hannah Duckworth at the legendary Cafe Racer! Hannah fronts her own pop punk project and in just one year, has performed across Seattle at some of our biggest venues!

I was over joyed to discover that Hannah got her start as a Seattle musician after being inspired as a fan of the local music scene! The inspiration she felt from being exposed to what's happening around town moved her to start her own project and pursue a career in music! Since then, Hannah has released over half a dozen songs, performed at Neumos for Girls Who Indie and has built a respectable following on Spotify!

We enjoyed talking about growing up with the music we loved; the live performances that have given us our drive to create; the grind to fulfill a dream and so much more!

Follow Hannah Duckworth on Spotify and Instagram and be sure to listen to her upcoming EP out in early 2024! She works hard and has a dream, go support her journey!