Seeing Blind

"Seeing Blind's new cd 'Let's Paint Our Whole Room With It' is one of the most interesting & innovative releases of 2013.

Combining rock, alternative, blues, a bit of jazzy/fusion... mixing soulful Vocals & Cello as a main instrument, with heartfelt (&) intense songwriting, this album is a MUST HEAR for all true music lovers!!!"

---------------------------Stuffer, Light Without Heat
http://www.spreaker.com/show/light_without_heat - Light Without Heat - Stuffer White

Seeing Blind Interview w/DJ Grandpa (NPR, Washington Post) in promotion of new album "Let's Paint Our Whole Room With It"

SB Interview Starts at 22:13

2013 - DJ Grandpa (NPR, WA POST)

@ One Eyed Jacks in Lynnwood, WA - Capon Media

"The audience was blown away by the amount of intricate music coming from this group!" ~ The Seattle Sinner - The Seattle Sinner

"The audience was blown away by the amount of intricate music coming from this group!" ~ The Seattle Sinner - The Seattle Sinner

Seattle foursome Seeing Blind deliver organic, intelligent alt-rock with influences that include Jeff Buckley, particularly in vocal dexterity and moody chord changes.

A distinctive frontwoman, singer Melissa Levi ranges from a throaty purr to a soaring trill and back again. Her investment in and commitment to these songs is compelling and helps sell the emotive, challenging nature of this band.
- Music Connection

Album Review
Seeing Blind – Greatly Entertained
By Red Lehman

Having seen Seeing Blind a few times over the years, I was surprised at how well they captured their live sound on Greatly Entertained. Although the album, their second full release, is far from their studio masterpiece, it lives up to the title and is quite “entertaining.”

The lead off track, "Boiling Down the World," is a triumphantly perfect blend of all things SB, the heavy prog-rock rhythm section, bluesy E-street band brass, and classical sounding electric cello. Melissa Levi's powerful voice varies between sometimes edgy-mellow dramatic like PJ Harvey to a soft and introspective Dave Matthews on "Crash".

The main problem I have with this album is it pulls me sonically in different directions, without a lot of cohesiveness, leaving some songs a little disjointed. I'm a big fan of layering instruments as long as they work well together, otherwise it sounds forced and unsettled, and the listener is emotionally switched-off.

That said, when the band’s varying genres and musical intricacies work well together they really work, and the songs become more than the sum of their parts. "All That Was" interweaves bobbing rhythms, romantic cello, Levi's elevated, heartfelt voice and beautifully cocky lyrics "you told me there's nothing out there for me well I noticed you still looking" to fantastic results.

Other highlights from this sophomore effort, notable produced by Jonathan Plumb (Brandi Carlisle, Blind Melon), include the Incubus sounding "Kathy's Pain", the Beatles Blackbird-esque "Your America" and Memphis-Creole "Going Back.”

A solid local effort. - (7/10)
- Nadamucho.com

Album Review
Seeing Blind – Greatly Entertained
By Red Lehman

Having seen Seeing Blind a few times over the years, I was surprised at how well they captured their live sound on Greatly Entertained. Although the album, their second full release, is far from their studio masterpiece, it lives up to the title and is quite “entertaining.”

The lead off track, "Boiling Down the World," is a triumphantly perfect blend of all things SB, the heavy prog-rock rhythm section, bluesy E-street band brass, and classical sounding electric cello. Melissa Levi's powerful voice varies between sometimes edgy-mellow dramatic like PJ Harvey to a soft and introspective Dave Matthews on "Crash".

The main problem I have with this album is it pulls me sonically in different directions, without a lot of cohesiveness, leaving some songs a little disjointed. I'm a big fan of layering instruments as long as they work well together, otherwise it sounds forced and unsettled, and the listener is emotionally switched-off.

That said, when the band’s varying genres and musical intricacies work well together they really work, and the songs become more than the sum of their parts. "All That Was" interweaves bobbing rhythms, romantic cello, Levi's elevated, heartfelt voice and beautifully cocky lyrics "you told me there's nothing out there for me well I noticed you still looking" to fantastic results.

Other highlights from this sophomore effort, notable produced by Jonathan Plumb (Brandi Carlisle, Blind Melon), include the Incubus sounding "Kathy's Pain", the Beatles Blackbird-esque "Your America" and Memphis-Creole "Going Back.”

A solid local effort. - (7/10)
- Nadamucho.com

I highly recommend this very eclectic album that defies conventionalism. Songwriter-vocalist-guitarist Melissa Levi is the genius behind this jazz/rock/goth/folk fusion, using alternate keys and tunings to produce songs of amazing complexity. Cello, horns, and heavy percussion fill out the unusual and intriguing sound of this album. - Nusi Dekker - Music Reviews

I highly recommend this very eclectic album that defies conventionalism. Songwriter-vocalist-guitarist Melissa Levi is the genius behind this jazz/rock/goth/folk fusion, using alternate keys and tunings to produce songs of amazing complexity. Cello, horns, and heavy percussion fill out the unusual and intriguing sound of this album. - Nusi Dekker - Music Reviews

Greatly Entertained (Self-released)

"Listening to the sophomore LP from the Seattle-based, but everywhere-else born, band Seeing Blind brings about an immediate nostalgia. Greatly Entertained sounds like every twenty-something’s first two years out of high school. Melissa Levi's folk guitar and Stephen Morrissey’s soulful jazz horns on "All That Was" transports the listener to Under the Table-era Dave Matthews Band. Levi's erratic vocal style has the prairie-dog cuteness of Brandi Carlile on "Your America" but can crescendo like Jeff Buckley on "Boiling Down the World". Levi and her band become beatniks on "Going Back" and jazz cats for the quite-possibly-improvised "Consumers". Between topical reflections, trumpet blasts, scat refrains and Boyd Tinsley-type string fillers Greatly Entertained grows up and matures in front of your eyes.”

-Michael Dallas Miller
Seattle Sound Magazine

Standout Tracks: "Boiling Down the World", "Your America"
- Seattle Sound Magazine

Greatly Entertained (Self-released)

"Listening to the sophomore LP from the Seattle-based, but everywhere-else born, band Seeing Blind brings about an immediate nostalgia. Greatly Entertained sounds like every twenty-something’s first two years out of high school. Melissa Levi's folk guitar and Stephen Morrissey’s soulful jazz horns on "All That Was" transports the listener to Under the Table-era Dave Matthews Band. Levi's erratic vocal style has the prairie-dog cuteness of Brandi Carlile on "Your America" but can crescendo like Jeff Buckley on "Boiling Down the World". Levi and her band become beatniks on "Going Back" and jazz cats for the quite-possibly-improvised "Consumers". Between topical reflections, trumpet blasts, scat refrains and Boyd Tinsley-type string fillers Greatly Entertained grows up and matures in front of your eyes.”

-Michael Dallas Miller
Seattle Sound Magazine

Standout Tracks: "Boiling Down the World", "Your America"
- Seattle Sound Magazine

See Link - New Sound Magazine

And yes, I was.

When listening to a band for the first time, my natural tendency is to subconsciously compare the sound to other bands I’m familiar with. It’s not because I prefer one band over another; it’s just that there are sounds bands play that remind me of other bands. It’s not surprising when considering that most musicians get their inspiration and influences from other musicians they admire.

The first sound that came to mind when listening to Greatly Entertained, the latest album from Seeing Blind, was the multi-instrumental jam sound of The Dave Matthews Band. I admittedly felt a bit weird about this comparison as Dave Matthews is much more mainstream than Seeing Blind, but upon looking at the band’s website, my fears were put to rest. It turns out one Melissa Levi’s listed influences is The Dave Matthews Band, along with other bands from folk-jam genre.

What impressed me the most about Seeing Blind is the fantastic combination of sound that comes from just four musicians: Melissa Levi on guitar and vocals, Jessika Kitzman on Cello, Wes Amundsen on Bass, and Luke Larson on Drums. (Included on a couple of songs on this album is Stephen Morrissey on horns.) While Melissa’s soulful crooning is definitely in the forefront of this group, it is clear that her voice is definitely given the lift it needs from the sounds of the rest of the band. More often than not it’s hard to believe this band does not have more than four musicians.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard a voice as distinctive as that of Melissa Levi’s. It was hard at first to compare it to anyone in particular, and while Levi definitely has fantastic voice that brings to mind the great blues singers, she just doesn’t display the grittiness of singers like Janis Joplin, which is not a bad thing at all. However, the more I listened to the album I was reminded of the 1975 classic At Seventeen by the great Janis Ian. From my mental database, Levi has the most similarity to her.

Another similarity to the Dave Matthews Band is the jam quality of Seeing Blind. I could easily see them taking any one of their songs and carrying it into a ten-minute jam at a live show. I’ve never seen them live, but they will be playing at The Tractor Tavern on August 7 in support of Zepparella. This is a great opportunity to hear some feel-good music that will have you jamming in whatever mental space you are in.

P.S. – Hey Seeing Blind, have you thought about doing At Seventeen as a live cover? - Seattle Subsonic

And yes, I was.

When listening to a band for the first time, my natural tendency is to subconsciously compare the sound to other bands I’m familiar with. It’s not because I prefer one band over another; it’s just that there are sounds bands play that remind me of other bands. It’s not surprising when considering that most musicians get their inspiration and influences from other musicians they admire.

The first sound that came to mind when listening to Greatly Entertained, the latest album from Seeing Blind, was the multi-instrumental jam sound of The Dave Matthews Band. I admittedly felt a bit weird about this comparison as Dave Matthews is much more mainstream than Seeing Blind, but upon looking at the band’s website, my fears were put to rest. It turns out one Melissa Levi’s listed influences is The Dave Matthews Band, along with other bands from folk-jam genre.

What impressed me the most about Seeing Blind is the fantastic combination of sound that comes from just four musicians: Melissa Levi on guitar and vocals, Jessika Kitzman on Cello, Wes Amundsen on Bass, and Luke Larson on Drums. (Included on a couple of songs on this album is Stephen Morrissey on horns.) While Melissa’s soulful crooning is definitely in the forefront of this group, it is clear that her voice is definitely given the lift it needs from the sounds of the rest of the band. More often than not it’s hard to believe this band does not have more than four musicians.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard a voice as distinctive as that of Melissa Levi’s. It was hard at first to compare it to anyone in particular, and while Levi definitely has fantastic voice that brings to mind the great blues singers, she just doesn’t display the grittiness of singers like Janis Joplin, which is not a bad thing at all. However, the more I listened to the album I was reminded of the 1975 classic At Seventeen by the great Janis Ian. From my mental database, Levi has the most similarity to her.

Another similarity to the Dave Matthews Band is the jam quality of Seeing Blind. I could easily see them taking any one of their songs and carrying it into a ten-minute jam at a live show. I’ve never seen them live, but they will be playing at The Tractor Tavern on August 7 in support of Zepparella. This is a great opportunity to hear some feel-good music that will have you jamming in whatever mental space you are in.

P.S. – Hey Seeing Blind, have you thought about doing At Seventeen as a live cover? - Seattle Subsonic

Live Show review of another band on the line-up at The Bit Saloon in Seattle, WA.
We received a very favorable mention.

Seattle Subsonic Music Blog

“I was pleasantly surprised by the unassuming Seeing Blind. They had energy, something very unique to offer, and even though their tunes weren’t really my thing the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I mean they have a cellist, fer chrissakes! And her contributions were no gimmicky afterthought.

Overall quirky, skillful, arty stuff without putting on arty attitude. Check ‘em out if you like your rock infused with a bit of jazz and an odd quasi-mix of Throwing Muses, Jeff Buckley and Tori Amos…”
- Seattle Subsonic

Live Show review of another band on the line-up at The Bit Saloon in Seattle, WA.
We received a very favorable mention.

Seattle Subsonic Music Blog

“I was pleasantly surprised by the unassuming Seeing Blind. They had energy, something very unique to offer, and even though their tunes weren’t really my thing the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I mean they have a cellist, fer chrissakes! And her contributions were no gimmicky afterthought.

Overall quirky, skillful, arty stuff without putting on arty attitude. Check ‘em out if you like your rock infused with a bit of jazz and an odd quasi-mix of Throwing Muses, Jeff Buckley and Tori Amos…”
- Seattle Subsonic

"These guys are doing something far different than the rest of their Seattle peers." - NadaMucho.com Editor Matt Ashworth. - Matt Ashworth