Three songwriters share the stage…
With slam poets and live painters/visual artists
Joined by a mix of improv backing musicians
For a relaxed evening of collaboration
Founded in Seattle WA
Now also in unique, independent & locally curated forms in:
Tacoma WA, Austin TX, Lebanon PA, Vashon Island WA, Anacortes WA, Columbia City WA, Denver CO?, San Jose CA?
Portland OR – on hiatus (email us if you wanna help revive it!)
Special thanks to the Seattle Poetry Slam & Youth Speaks Seattle for training up such great poets and letting us borrow them!
NOTE: For Booking or Contact, please scroll to the bottom of this page. We cannot take booking requests via Facebook or any other site. The best way to contact us is at The Round itself. Thanks for understanding!
Hi this is Nathan Marion here, founder of this crazy little thing called The Round (and curator of the Seattle show).
So “what is The Round” you say?
Well I’ll try to explain but it is actually one of those “you just gotta see it” events…
The audience is seated and respectful {this ain’t no bar show!}.
The poets are among the top in the world {this ain’t no open mic!}
The painters are gallery level painters but usually terrified of live performance {this ain’t no craft night!}.
The singers are sometimes from rock bands or other groups {this ain’t no slow solo show!}
and singers can only play The Round once a year per city so that makes it always unique & fun.
*see list of past Round performers below
And that’s part of the magic of this event… the unique and unexpected nature of it – for both artist and audience.
You can check out some videos & our podcast online here at the site.
And I’d say the press has done a much better job describing The Round than I ever will!
Now, if you’re still reading (you are probably a wary singer checking us out eh?) here’s how it typically plays out…
So to start off the show, the Curator introduces everyone and welcomes them to the stage. Then the singers simply each play one of their songs, and as the night progresses – sometimes with a little improv backing by the other 2 singers and the improv band. Occasionally stories are told, whether about the songs themselves… or about a wolf, some thai food, or a bizarre Monday morning. After 3 songs go by, the poet gets up and performs a poem {with some music backing them at times}. The painters are working quietly on the side. This continues for a few ’rounds’, throw in a short intermission, a couple more ’rounds’ and the evening often ends with a finale cover song, audience participation, or some other fun element. It’s always different!
Various humanitarian non-profits are also featured throughout the year to raise volunteers & awareness. Groups like Water 1st, Fremont Abbey’s youth programs, First Place Schools, New Beginnings women & children shelter, YMCA Youth Programs, Agros Intl, and Boys & Girls Club have been supported.
Ok, I suppose a little history is in order…
Founded in 2005 by arts curator Nathan Marion (that’s me!), The Round started in Seattle at various venues such as Golden Gardens Bathhouse, Q Cafe, Yesler Community Center, and The Living Room tea house. It has been held at least every single month since and at about Round 6 we landed at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center. Though we still jump to fun places like The Triple Door, Bumbershoot, Neumos, Rodstol Lane Farm, and other outdoor venues… the Abbey is definitely The Round’s home.
The Seattle Round has developed into an amazing volunteer-powered arts experience and it’s definitely not your normal concert. Musicians are only allowed to play once a year, so it keeps the lineups fresh!
The event is now operating quite nicely {with a little oversight} in other cities such as Portland OR, Tacoma WA, Austin TX and Lebanon PA.
more soon…
PARTIAL LIST OF PAST ROUND PERFORMERS:
Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes)
Rosie Thomas
Jesse Sykes
David Bazan
Damien Jurado
John Van Deusen (The Lonely Forest)
Star Anna
Mark Pickerel (Screaming Trees, Nirvana)
Denison Witmer
Hey Marseilles
Sallie Ford
Tiny Vipers
Grant Olson (Arthur & Yu)
Jason Webley
Karl Blau
Goldfinch
Noah Gundersen
Carrie Akre
Shenandoah Davis (Grand Hallway)
Shannon Stephens (Asthmatic Kitty Records)
Kevin Murphy (Moondoggies)
Benjamin Verdoes (Mt St Helens Vietnam Band)
The Globes (Barsuk Records)
Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground
Head Like a Kite
Paul Hiraga (Downpilot)
Jen Wood (Postal Service/etc.)
Kenny Hutson, Katy Bowser (Nashville)
J. Tillman (Fleet Foxes)
Jake Bradley (Over the Rhine, etc.)
Kate Tucker
Johanna Kunin
Shane Tutmarc (Dolour)
Laura Gibson
Gabe Archer (The Pale)
Aaron Sprinkle
Transmissionary Six
Eric Howk (The Lashes)
Sonny Votolato (Slender Means) 2x alumni
Noah Weaver (U.S.E. etc.)
Andy Fitts (Airport Cathedral, etc.)
David Broecker
Josh Ottum
Annalynne Williams (Trespasser’s William)
Jenna Conrad (Troubletown)
Justin Ringle of Horse Feathers (PDX)
Grand Hallway
Ritchie of Loch Lomond
POETS:
Buddy Wakefield (Righteous Babe Records)
Karen Finneyfrock
Jamie Kilstein (NYC)
Denise Jolly
Jon Sands
Jeanann Verlee
JW Baz
Matt Gano
Canary Sing
Rose McAleese
Mary Lambert
Laura Piece Kelley
Maya Hersh
Danny Sherrard 2x alumni (2007 National Poetry Slam Champ)
+ Many other poets from Youth Speaks & Seattle Poetry Slam
Korby Lenker, Carrie Biell, Graig Markel, Julie Jane, Zera Marvel, Ian McFeron, Nathan McEuen, Denise Jolly, Ryler Dustin, Robert Deeble 2x, Scott Erickson 6x, Emily Leonard 2x, Kate Protage, Victor Ramirez 2x, Matt Gano 2x, Canary Sing, Skye Graves 3x, Lily 2x, Mariel, Angela Dy 3x, and many many more.
Start by thinking of a really great lineup of you and 2 other musicians you know (usually including at least one female lead singer). Then make sure the lineup will draw 100+ people and fits the style of the event (ie. all singers are interested in the concept, or at least might be).
Then you can shoot us an email to seattle (at) theround.org with your info, link to music, potential draw, past shows, etc. and we’ll check it out as soon as we can. We often have lots of tentatives booked months in advance, but sometimes a spot will open up. Preference is given to developing artists (especially 19 and under).