Seaprog 2017 is history!

Coming back up for air after a spiritually rejuvenating Seaprog 2017 filled with unforgettable performances and the warm camaraderie of listeners and musicians alike. We can’t thank the artists and attendees enough for making this perhaps the most satisfying edition to date.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to our distinguished visitors from Mexico City, NYC, the Bay Area, Portland, and Bellingham; the gracious staff of Columbia City Theater and the Royal Room; and definitely not least, the volunteers who are the backbone of Seaprog. A big shout-out as well to Jennifer Fisher and Danette Davis for documenting the proceedings; Mike Pollack for his generous worldwide radio coverage; Ibex for setting up the Cabezas de Cera / Zero Times Everything show in Bellingham; and Ben Spees for setting up Jack o’ the Clock’s Portland concert.

While it’s too early for the weary organizers to turn their attention to next year, based on this year’s happy outcome, early odds are that Seaprog will return in 2018. As one local paper (no doubt ironically) put it, ‘prog rock refuses to die!’

Seaprog 2017 Day Zero was a thing

Heartfelt thanks to the capacity crowd and staff at last night’s Seaprog kickoff at the Royal Room, who were regaled by four powerful, highly varied sets by Seattle cosmonauts. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for this year’s fest, which today features distinguished visitors Cabezas de Cera and Zero Times Everything, plus regional gems Chemical Clock, Super Z Attack Team, Fraktal Phantom, Jan Koekepan, and Rainstick Cowbell. Day passes and single-act admissions still available at a steal; details at seaprogfest.org

Artist profile: Zero Times Everything

Zero Times Everything promotional photo
Zero Times Everything promotional photo

Although the three members of Zero Times Everything met at one of Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft seminars, their music is made of a lot more than guitars. After creating soundtrack music to a film by Richard Sylvarnes, they have continued to create music, and the combination of auditory and visual art has become one of their hallmarks.

Personnel:

  • Pietro Russino — Guitar, loops, violin
  • Tony Geballe — Guitar, loops, synths
  • Richard Sylvarnes — Kaoss Pads, loops, synths, rhythms, guitars, vocals

Links to artist websites:

Links were good as of when the artist performed. Some may no longer work.

Performances:

Artist profile: The Machine That We Built

The Machine That We Built promotional photo
The Machine That We Built promotional photo

With The Machine That We Built, Seaprog continues a tradition of including one select band devoted to covering important music of the past. In this case, it’s instrumental interpretations of the music of Jimi Hendrix, with an emphasis on some of the lesser known gems in the guitarist’s catalog. Bassist Ryan Berg was inspired by Gil Evans’ classic jazz arrangements of Hendrix tunes to view the psychedelic classics through a jazz lens. The group’s debut at the Royal Room in early 2017 convinced all involved that it was indeed a good idea.

Personnel:

  • Greg Campbell — Vibes, percussion
  • Dennis Rea — Guitar
  • James DeJoie — Flute, saxophones
  • Alicia DeJoie — Violin
  • Bill Jones — Trumpet
  • MIke Peterson — Drums
  • Ryan Berg — Bass

Links to artist websites:

(N/A)

Performances:

Artist profile: The Central Committee & Friends

The Central Committee
The Central Committee

There’s a long tradition in music festivals of the All-Star Jam, and Seaprog will present a nod to that history with an improv session featuring musicians of other groups playing this year, and perhaps others who happen to drop by. The Central Committee will start things off — it happens that they play instruments making a solid trio — and then others will be invited to join in. It’s hard to say what might happen.

Personnel:

  • Dennis Rea — Guitar
  • John Reagan — Drums
  • Jon Davis — Chapman Stick, electronics
  • Plus guests

Links to artist websites:

Links were good as of when the artist performed. Some may no longer work.

Performances: