Since getting started in the late 60s, Gong has been one of the world’s premier psychedelic entities. Over its long and varied history, the group has changed personnel and style, incorporating space rock, progressive rock, and jazz fusion into a unique blend.
Kathy Moore has played in projects with many local greats including Shawn Smith, Thaddeus Turner, Krist Novoselic, and many more, acting as an expert support system, riding shotgun. But when she takes the lead and fronts the show, she brings her prog-punk aesthetic center stage — and this is very much the case in her latest creative incarnation: the Kathy Moore Super Power.
Over the years, Kathy Moore has played in many different bands, both her own and those led by others. For her Cascadence 2025 performance, she’s assembled an all-star lineup of musicians who haven’t worked together in this configuration.
On the drums, she’s recruited Luca Cartner. Kathy says, “The first time I played with Luca Cartner, he just walked up on the stage and played one of my original songs with so much creativity and energy and it was thrilling. He’s a drummer that great drummers think is a great drummer.” Cartner teaches at the Seattle Drum School, and one of the many projects he’s involved with is a band called Plash.
On woodwinds, we’ll have the inimitable Jessica Lurie. She’s attracted notice in such groups as the Tiptons and The Living Daylights. She’s been described as “a Balkan John Coltrane or klezmerized Sonny Rollins” but that’s only part of her scope — she’s been pushing boundaries for a long time.
Here’s a taste of what she does with her own group.
When it comes to picking a bass player for your band, you can’t do much better than Julie Slick. Kathy says. “Long before I met or played with her, Randal, myself and Andy Stoller would see her at the Triple Door with one of my favorite guitarists in the world Adrian Belew. First time I saw Julie play my jaw was on the ground. My jaw is probably still on the ground. Julie Slick is a virtuoso bassist and composer known for her wide array of unique tones and substantial melodic invention. Throughout her career, she has developed a distinctive voice through international performances and recording with acclaimed first class musicians in both the progressive rock and jazz communities.”
Here’s a fun video that shows her somewhat ridiculous technique in a very artistic setting.
Longtime Seaprog attendees might remember her from her appearances with EchoTest and Troot at our 2018 festival. She’ll also be treating us to a solo set at our Seaprog Presents show at the Substation on June 13.
Judging from the level of talent she’s assembled, Kathy Moore’s Super Power is indeed pretty super, and powerful!
We’re happy to announce a new Seaprog Presents event that will happen in conjunction with Cascadence 2025. The night before, Friday June 13, we’ve arranged for an evening of great music featuring names both familiar and new. Join us at the Substation to see Moon Letters, Julie Slick, and Kitsune for a warm-up to get you into the mood for Cascadence.
Moon Letters at Seaprog 2019, photo by Danette Davis
Moon Letters likely needs no introduction to anyone who’s ever been interested in one of our events. They played on Day Zero of Seaprog 2017, and then on the main stage at the 2019 festival. Since then, they’ve also toured around North America, and they’ve got European dates coming up this summer. When it comes to progressive rock from Seattle, they are at the top, and their modern take on the classic style — not to mention their theatrical performance style — has won them fans around the world. With two acclaimed albums under their collective belt, they’ve been working on their third album, and this show will serve as the release party. Even people who aren’t into prog rock have been won over by their musicianship and blend of fun and serious chops. Definitely not something you want to miss!
Julie Slick solo performance
Julie Slick’s name has also appeared on our bills before, both with her band EchoTest (2019) and as a member of Troot (also 2019). Aside from that, she’s toured and collaborated with Adrian Belew, Crimson ProjeKct, Béla Fleck, Robert Fripp, Alice Cooper, and many more. On her own, she’s recorded a number of solo albums (three or more, depending on how you count) and has developed a captivating live solo set, augmenting her formidable bass skills with electronics and loops. The music blends experimental elements with accessible melodies, and has been known to feature adaptations of songs by King Crimson, EchoTest, and others, along with improvisations and storytelling.
In addition to these two familiar names, we’d like to bring attention to a much newer group, though it too has connections to some of our past events.
Kitsune, photo by Danette Davis
Founded in 2016 by Kiyan Fox, Kitsune began as an exploration of planetary energies through guitar experiments in magical intervals. Over time, the project evolved, incorporating drums, butoh dancers, and a diverse array of instrumentalists from Seattle’s avant-garde and progressive music scene. The result is a sound that’s neo-classical, lush, and evocative — sometimes delicate and pretty, other times dark and bombastic. The current lineup consists of Alicia DeJoie (guitar, violin, vocals), Charlie Bowlen (electronics, percussion), Jeff Jackson (bass, Mellotron), Kiyan Fox (guitar, samples), Lyam White (vocals, saxophone), and Scott Adams (drums). They’re working on their first album, but their live shows around town have been gathering fans. We’re thrilled to be part of their journey, and feel confident that you will agree they’ve come up with a unique approach to making music.
Note that this is a separately ticketed event at the Substation. Advance tickets are $15, and it will be $20 at the door, so buy them now.
