Sarah Jaffe: The Happiest Monday, Ever

Sarah Jaffe
The Triple Door, Seattle, Wa
07.21.14

Patrons of The Triple Door were deliciously serenaded Monday evening, as Sarah Jaffe and tour rolled through Seattle with everything in tow but regret. Even Jaffe was unable to pull off a twinge of sadness amid this mild summer night, with smiles as big as Texas greeting her from every booth and bar stool.

Glasses and bellies alike had begun to fill as the clock ticked down to Jaffe’s set. Unassuming, she sidestepped through the darkness on stage and danced around errant cords. She set a careful eye and followed the coils, making sure to wrap them around her pedals in just the right fashion. Picking up her guitar, she began to tweak the strings and diddle with knobs before lovingly setting it back down.

Wait – did I just see a performer set their own stage? I see plenty of things, but this is fairly rare, and, to say the least, refreshingly unpretentious. She walked back into the darkness to wait out the next few moments.

Playing both electric and bass guitar, Sarah Jaffe was accompanied on stage by her guitarist Robert Gomez, drummer Rob Sanchez, and keyboardist Scott Danbom. All of them seemed to favor pocketed shirts. Grateful to be on tour with such rad folk, and humble amidst the hollering, Jaffe was almost apologetic in her appreciation of the crowd. Comfortable in her music, however, her set was smooth, captivating, and honest. There were no masks. She played ten songs, of which she plucked several from her new album, Don’t Disconnect, due out in August. Some of her new material included Ride It Out, Some People Will Tell You, and Don’t Disconnect. Jaffe also hit on some old favorites, with songs such as The Way Sound Leaves a Room and Defense. She laughingly poked, “By the end of this set, you guys are gonna be out of your seats and so over this!”

Stop tearing yourself down, Jaffe, you’re doing great. Keep on keepin’ on.

The Polyphonic Spree headlined the evening, trimmed down to a mere 14 members on a cozy stage. Wearing their trademark throwback, flowing attire, the band bore down their infectious sound to an audience that was ready to dance. Tim DeLaughter looked born into this role, as he was all smiles from the get-go, skipping from one end to the other while doling out his mic to the front row. With the crowd still lukewarm after two songs, DeLaughter prodded, “You did a fabulous job – I know your bellies are full, I’m a fair man, but engaging is where it’s at!” With that, the night was set off into a blur of disco lights and Prozac-coated fog (ok, maybe not, but it still smells funny). A taste of their set included Hanging Around the Day, 2000 Places At Once, Younger Yesterday, and Hold Yourself Up. Stop by the choir house, grab a robe, and go see them for yourself. This group is certainly theatrical, if not always super musical.

Opening the evening were Seattle’s very own Friends and Family, a young, magical septet that boasted not only a great disposition on stage, but an equally full and ferocious sound. Sporting like colors, they whirred through eight songs of crazy indie sounds, echoing lyrics, and clean marching style beats that left me sad when it was over. With legitimate tap shoes on, the violinist took every opportunity to dance along. Their performance was endearing, solid, and ready for a bigger library. Keep an eye on this group. I sure will be.

Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini