seattle weekly recommends: pickwick, mimicking birds, cock and swan.....and the q cafe!

Mimicking Birds

Friday, October 24

SARA BRICKNER

"Friends of quiet music should already know about the Q Cafe, an all-ages venue that, for its size, hosts some of the most polite, reverent audiences in Seattle. In fact, it might just be the best place to hear all of those gorgeous folk bands who've been cropping up like dandelions in the Northwest as of late—bands whose sets can be ruined by too much chatter. Like folk outfit Pickwick, who will hopefully hold true to their pledge to make an album next year, or mesmerizing ambient duo Cock & Swan (of DIY label Dandelion Gold, musical home to Sweet Potatoes and Curious Mystery frontwoman Shana Cleveland). But what makes this Friday's line-up extra-special is the addition of Portland outfit Mimicking Birds, once the pseudonym under which Nate Lacy performed his whispery songs. Lacy's vivid, poetic imagery works well in it singer/songwriter incarnation, but recently he added backing musicians, guitarist Tim Skellenger and drummer Aaron Hanson; their accompaniment should correspond nicely with Lacy's literary flourishes. Q Cafe, 3223 15th Ave. W. 9 p.m., $7. All ages."