The Ballard Sessions

102 Top Ballard Sessions:
#75 "Last Days" - Animal Eyes (Ballard Sessions: Doe Bay Fest)

Finding a quiet-ish spot to shoot a session during Doe Bay Fest is nearly impossible, but I met up with the guys from Animal Eyes at the campfire and we decided to give it a try.

102 Top Ballard Sessions:
#76 "River Rhine" - The Last Bison (Ballard Sessions #42)

Trying to meet a band mid-tour to shoot a Ballard Session is usually a futile endeavor, since travel schedules are tight and if there is any free time at all they are much more likely to sleep or sightsee than to want shoot a video with some random dude. However, when a friend recommended The Last Bison and I contacted them, they were super excited about the idea. Plus they were playing at the Tractor, which is within a block of where all of the first Ballard Sessions were shot. This is the first and only session on Ballard Ave to take place in daylight - too much daylight really, but when you only have a short time window before showtime, you make due! We got interrupted more than a few times by cars and tried to look nonchalant when the cops rolled by, but other than that it went smoothly and I really enjoyed hanging out with the band - plus their Tractor show was amazing!

102 Top Ballard Sessions:
#77 "Summer" - Quinn DeVeaux (Ballard Sessions: Doe Bay Fest)

Filming acoustic sessions at Doe Bay Fest is nearly impossible given the way sound carries from the festival, so when I heard a friend's family cabin wasn't far away I jumped at the opportunity. Quinn's bluesy sound was perfect for the cabin, Courtney Marie Andrews' harmonies were perfect for the song, and being the professionals they are, we got it in just one take.

102 Top Ballard Sessions:
#79 "Bee" - Lotte Kestner (Ballard Sessions #48)

Here's another one showcasing Fremont Abbey's amazing acoustics. I should really say that about all 37 of the songs on this list that I shot there, but that would get a little repetitive after awhile :). But seriously, how many rooms anywhere have natural reverb like this?

102 Top Ballard Sessions:
#80 "Brother" - Beth Whitney (Beth Whitney #55)

Beth Whitney seems to have a strong personal connection with much of her song material, and this song is no exception. While editing this one I remember googling whether she had in fact lost her brother, and I found that she had lost him tragically at a young age. And the incredible song about s*x trafficking victims that she played at last week's Ballard Sessions Live #5 shows that she can write equally powerfully about the experiences of others. Keep writing, Beth!