As an Everett musician, I am lucky to watch this music scene develop during its present renaissance. That rare beauty of a band working toward their own voice and sound is why fans support local music and return time and time again to hear which new song or set is coming off the shelf.

It’s why die-hard music lovers want to be one of the few to discover a band before they make it big.

Another advantage of living in Everett and being a musician here is participating in the Fisherman’s Village Music Festival where we get to hear those new bands with their fresh voices. In no particular order, here’s the inside scoop on 10 Everett bands you don’t want to miss.

1. Fauna Shade
When: 10 PM on Saturday, April 1st @ Tony V’s Garage
If you like: Ty Segall, Roy Orbison, & Nirvana
Fauna Shade’s resume speaks for itself. Their last show was at this year’s SXSW, they rocked Sasquatch last year, you can watch their Bands in Seattle set on CW11, their KEXP in-studio session was killer, and they have hit most of the major indie rock venues across the west coast playing with some of the best bands in Washington. Hometown heroes, Fauna Shade will bring their howling, dirty surf vibes to the festivities.

2. Kevin Murphy
When: 4 PM on Sunday, April 2nd @ Tony V’s Garage
If you like: The Band, Neil Young, & Traveling Wilburys
I don’t say things like this often or flippantly, but Kevin Murphy is Everett’s spirit animal. As the lead singer of The Moondoggies, Murphy brings to Fisherman’s Village a wealth of music history, nostalgia for the beautiful places and people we grew up with, and sincere words that elicit both levity and introspection. Any chance I get to watch him play solo, I do. Everyone should.

3. I Will Keep Your Ghost
When: 7:45 PM on Saturday, April 1st @ The Anchor
If you like: St. Vincent, Talking Heads, Chairlift, & Future Islands
Bryan Bradley & Doug Evans are the eclectic engines of one of Everett’s best bands. Though only a two-piece, their sound is large. And driving. And guaranteed to make you dance. What I love most about I Will Keep Your Ghost are the subtleties in their songs. Those intricacies imply that this band is not going to settle for mere fun; they want to produce good art. The best bands ultimately do.

4. TELLERS
When: 8 PM on Friday, March 31st @ Tony V’s Garage
If you like: Big Thief, Ryan Adams, & Patty Griffin
On the verge of their first full-length album, TELLERS is coming off a wild St. Paddy’s Day basement show that was a showcase of their new music, and they are bringing that same energy and rock-n-roll to Fisherman’s. [Personal bias alert!]

5. Crystal Desert
When: 4 PM on Saturday, April 1st @ Tony V’s Garage, 10:30 PM on Sunday, April 2nd @ The Anchor
If you like: The Clash, Deafheaven, & The Black Angels
The only band playing TWICE during Fisherman’s! This past year, the Desert boys put out some extraordinary nu gaze/evil psych rock that was widely received across western Washington. Be prepared to witness the flamingo moves of leader singer Ryan Alexander as he wails on his guitar, the crushing bass of Christian Smith, and the whip-like hair of Josh Ihler as he rocks out behind the drums. They thunder onto any stage they play.

6. Greet the Sea
When: 9:30 PM on Sunday, April 2nd @ The Anchor
If you like: The Appleseed Cast, Foxing, & Braid
I know technically this band has roots in several cities as well as Everett, but we are going to claim them as our own. I remember the first time I saw Greet the Sea play in Everett. They were a force. Everything was tight, the songwriting was exactly what you want from a post-emo, post-rock outfit, and you couldn’t help but sway and bob your head with each swelling melody. If you need a guaranteed good show to attend during Fisherman’s, Greet the Sea will not disappoint.

7. Acid Dab
When: 7:30 PM on Sunday, April 2nd @ The Anchor
If you like: The Stooges, WEED, & The Cramps
Angsty, cluttered, imperfect, distorted: all the qualities you want from garage punk rock. Anticipate everyone bouncing around The Anchor as Acid Dab hurtles through their songs.

8. Her Silo
When: 8 PM on Friday, March 31st @ Black Lab Gallery
If you like: Sarah McLachlan, Laura Veirs, & Aimee Mann
Jessica Lambert writes beautiful songs. Each one feels like a comforting mantra that allows you to consider your softer, vulnerable side.

9. Crater Lakes
When: 2 PM on Sunday, April 2nd @ Tony V’s Garage
If you like: Twin Peaks, Best Coast, & Wavves
Though Rylie Smith no longer lives in Everett, this is still his hometown. Each time he comes back, I feel like he has something new to share. It’s why Crater Lakes is the kind of music I listen to when I need to slip into some deeper reflection. And that’s not to say it’s soothing or quiet; there’s just a simplicity and warmth to their songwriting that ebbs and flows like you recorded a day at the ocean during the summer. At moments, it’s warbling with energy, and the next moment, it’s slow and measured. We all need times to be reflective, and Crater Lakes just might take you to that place. 

10. Nailhouses
When: 8:30 PM on Sunday, April 2nd @ The Anchor
If you like: Joy Division, Interpol, & The Pop Group
New to the scene but exactly the type of poetic pulse Everett needs right now; Nailhouses is the solo project of Crystal Desert’s, Christian Smith. I have a tender spot in my heart for Post-Punk, so if you’re like me, be ready for a new sound that reminds you of the up-tempo, anti-establishment, dark synth 80s music you love, and get to the Anchor Sunday night.

Editor's Note: Thanks for the guest post Isaac! If you want to submit a post, click here for all the details.

A high school English teacher, published poet, and bass player for Everett band TELLERS, Isaac Melum is at heart a lover of all things creative.