KEXP's broadcast from Pioneer Square as part of Upstream Music Fest + Summit continues with Seattle-based group MASZER, who brought a expansive, droning set to our stage at Little London Plane. Built on the propulsive dual percussion of Joseph Braley and Emilio Muniz, resonant guitar from Tomer-David Rapaport (aka STITCX), and vocal power of Kate Blackstock, MASZER easily transcended the slightly rainy Seattle weather which acted as backdrop to their music.
MASZER formed as the collaboration between longtime friends Rapaport (a musical transplant from Tel Aviv, Israel) and Blackstock, who joined with percussionist Braley (Rapaport's co-collaborator in Mother's Anger). The three combine musical perspectives, as evidenced by the multi-toned and evolving MASZER sound. Aided by Muniz's live drums for their live set, the band's performance combined various tracks from their back catalog. By the final track, "Ma Nia," Blackstock joined in on a drum to create a cacophony of percussion offset against STITCX's guitar and vocal stylings. At the song's close, the singer rose a hand to the audience, singing in Hebrew amidst the wave of sound.
Catch MASZER tonight playing at J&M Cafe closing out the Tractor Tavern-curated showcase at 10:45PM, as part of the Upstream Music Fest + Summit. The band also released the MASZER Live at KEXP EP earlier this year, which is available in local record shops in Seattle.
During hour six of KEXP's live broadcast from Upstream Fest + Summit, The Maldives brought their harmonic alt-country to our performance space at Little London Plane in Pioneer Square. The Maldives played five tracks from their latest record, Mad Lives, a concept album about a man's life and death …
COSMOS kicked off KEXP's Live Broadcast at Upstream Music Fest + Summit with an undeniable style and presence, establishing the all-ages presence at the festival, and further cementing the band's place within the local music scene. Upstream marks another junction on the rising career of COSMOS, fol…
