Perseverance through troubled times has a subtle shine and Seattle’s Smokey Brights have been shining through these times with songs of hope, determination, compassion, defiance and love. The very first band signed to Seattle label Freakout Records, the group quickly released a number of albums and a slew of singles while simultaneously hitting the road, playing across the US and Europe. A new record was ready to be released and a year of tours booked to support it, but the dark cloud of 2020 came down and, well, no one said perseverance was easy. Smokey Brights shined on, releasing the album I Love You But Damn in July of 2020. The record quickly garnered rave reviews and the support of independent radio, eventually landing on KEXP’s top albums of the year. Confined to their rehearsal space the group kept grinding, hammering out new material and honing their performance to a razor's edge. When live music came back, Smokey Brights were ready. They hit the stage with a passion, unleashing their ecstatic rock anthems to eager audiences across the Pacific NW, culminating in a triumphant set at Freakout Fest. Along the way, they dropped a pair of singles, Honey Eye and Unity, documenting their commitment to social justice and collective action, and earning them features in Rolling Stone France, American Songwriter, and The Big Takeover. Fronted by married songwriting duo Kim West and Ryan Devlin, the bands melodies and harmonies exude intimacy. The swirling synths of keyboardist/vocalist West cut through the heaviness of Devlin’s fuzzed out guitars like a neon sign in the night. Bassist Luke Ragnar fills in the bottom end with stylishly inventive bass lines that perfectly compliment Nick Krivchenia’s grounded and authoritative drums. With Ragnar’s voice in the mix, the band’s hallmark three part harmonies radiate. Lyrically, Devlin and West trade off telling personal stories of doubt and existential anxiety, while always keeping a hopeful eye to the future. Devlin’s gravel filled voice alongside West’s honey dipped melodies is a shot of raw whiskey spiking a cherry soda. The resulting alchemy is performed with a professional aplomb that not only highlights Smokey Brights stellar musicianship, but the genuine passion and love the group has for their music, each other, and their audience. A Smokeys show is rife with dancing, dad jokes, monstrous guitar solos, and the best thrift shop fashion from across the world. Asses will be shook, hearts will be beautifully broken, and bartenders will be tipped. Also, their merch guy is hot. Smokey Brights are primed, their sweaty-but-stylish live performance soon to be bolstered by a new record and a year of touring across the globe. Explore SmokeyBrights.com for links to live videos, touring calendar, and more. -Nick Anderson - writer at large, Smokey Brights merch seller

Where the desert meets the forest is the land Haunted Summer inhabits – called by many things, the chaparral biome is the lush arid landscape of Los Angeles, that may have given rise to a rare musical harmony.  Mixing LA-trademark harmonious psych-rock with an even more decadent stream of acoustic dream pop, song sorcerers & husband-and-wife Bridgette Moody & John Seasons create rapturously organic tracks from the truth of the heart. Hailed internationally, their debut full-length Spirit Guides helped push a band with lots of momentum to the next level.  The album accentuates the underwater qualities that blossom within their sound palette – a true shoegaze expedition through beautifully ambient lands.  “Sour Grapes” is a blissful treasure of the rarest form, as are even some of the fuzzier & heavier tracks such as “Every Step” – amplifying the heat but keeping the air & pressure cool. Haunted Summer’s 2nd LP “Whole”, recorded with producer Be Hussey, discovered a chillness & a lightness that breaks into a new realm of palatability.  It is as peaceful as the quaintest dwelling, yet harmonically challenging & interesting in the abstract elevated moods that can entrance & take you over. The tones on “Whole” create a space that a folk orchestra would produce inside of a wooden dome, the resonate sounds of Topanga acts like Spirit, Linda Perhacs, America, Simon & Garfunkel & always some Brian Wilson percussion & arrangements.  A pantheon of pure aesthetic melancholy, meant to harmonize the chaos. “Whole” (due out June 21st, 2022 via label LaunchLeft) was inspired by friends and fans the band had met while touring, and also by growth and loss. The title song “Whole (A Song for Taylor)” is about Bridgette Moody’s formative friend and former band mate who passed away in 2018. The album is a concept of reaching one's full capacity through pain, loss and love, something that became even more relevant in the current climate we find ourselves in.

CURRENT COVID-19 GUIDELINES: Please be advised that the current guidelines are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19: MASKS: King County isn't currently requiring masks in indoor places, but we encourage patrons to still do it! VACCINATIONS: The Sunset staff STRONGLY prefers that ALL patrons and musicians are both fully vaccinated and boosted. We aren't curently checking vaccination cards, but if you're able and haven't done it yet, please consider getting the shot! Looking for a place to get vaccinated? Find a spot near you: https://www.vaccines.gov/ Looking for a place to get tested in King County? Find a spot near you: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx FEELING ILL: Rest up and feel better! Please stay home if you’re experiencing any symptoms of illness including a fever, cough, runny nose etc, or if you’re displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, flu, cold or other transmissible diseases. By taking care of yourself, you’ll also take care of others by reducing the chance of getting other showgoers sick. If you’ve purchased a ticket to an upcoming show but you’re not feeling well for any reason, please contact Ticketweb and let us know you’d like to request a refund