Collect Secret Show II Recap

For the second Collect Secret Show we set out to create a very specific, house-show vibe. More singer-songwriter focused, intimate and cozy. Each performer offered a bit of their story. Thanks to Alycia Lovell and Sean Finley, we are able to pass some of that on to you.

Alycia is new to the Collect team and did an incredible job capturing the feel of the evening through her photographs. She shoots weddings, lifestyle and portraits with ease and beauty in each capture. Thanks so much to Alycia for sharing the evening with us! Check out her website here.

And of course a huge thanks to Sean Finley who joined us from The Spokane Film Project and This Had Better Be Good Films. Sean is a local producer, videographer, editor, designer and overall talented individual. He’s been heading up the production of our Collect Sessions as of late and we are so glad he was able to be at this show to capture a bit of music from each performer.

Jesse MacDonald

Jesse opened up the evening with his soul soaked songs about loss, brokenness and love. His voice is not unfamiliar to the northwest scene with hints of influence from other regional folk artists like Horse Feathers or The Cave Singers. Yet there is something else there that I think comes from the fact that he grew up listening to a lot of Aretha Franklin. Gospel. This particular tune was a bit more country, but Jesse’s songs have quite a bit of blues and gospel that I hope he continues to embrace.

The evening continued on quietly and each person that stepped onto the stage was in awe of how hushed the audience was once the first note of each song rang out. With the Spokane music scene relatively limited to bars as of late, singer-songwriters rarely have an opportunity to play to a room full of people held captive by the music.

Duke Hogue

Duke Hogue is Luke and Hannah Bogue, a young couple new-ish to Spokane and definitely new to performing in the area. This was only their second performance locally. You might be surprised as their confidence and ease on stage would try to prove otherwise. Luke is tightly in tune with how his songs interact with silence. There is no awkward quiet moments, only strategic pauses, delicately planned contrast between soft and loud. I very much enjoy the emotion and intrigue that rests in a performance that is as much able to use those quiet moments as the loud ones.

Max Harnishfeger aka Water Monster

We asked Max to perform knowing he is gearing up to begin a new project, Water Monster. He played a few Cathedral Pearls songs and a few of his new tunes that he’ll be arranging with the new band. This project will be more electronic driven, so we were curious how he would handle trying out the tunes in this context. The first song was on the electric guitar, soaked with delay and ambience. The second (above) was stripped down on finger piano. We’ll let you form your own opinion, but we thought it was not only gutsy but beautiful. Can’t wait to see how the songs sound with a band on NYE.

We were already loving Cold Mt. Yeti from the Collect Sessions we did with them, I knew hearing a whole set of tunes would be pure bliss! These guys have a lot to offer in their music. The songwriting itself is sweet, intriguing and keeps the listener engaged. The arrangements create a unique role for each instrument and overall it was a very much needed feel good set after an extended time of contemplative singer-songwriters.

This was a lovely night and definitely inspires us to continue doing these quiet, intimate gatherings to celebrate local talent. Thanks to all who came and listened and again to everyone who helped make it happen. Please show your support and check out each act on facebook and join us in harassing them to play more shows and record some tunes!