Seeing Blind

Artist Information

Biography

Seeing Blind is a fiery, dynamic blend of blues, rock and jazz. Their no-holds-barred musical stylings combined with an explosive stage show are a force to be reckoned with!

With a seasoned lineup that includes vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Melissa Levi, lead cellist Jessika Kitzman, bassist Brian Knopp and drummer Dylan Johnson, Seeing Blind's powerful blend of passion and grit has been wowing audiences all over the region for over 10 years.

Since relocating to Seattle, WA in 2002, they’ve performed with such amazing artists as Brandi Carlile, Kathryn Calder (New Pornographers), The Blakes, Zepparella and more.
They have become one of the most sought after talents in Seattle, with performances at festivals such as The Puyallup Fair, Seattle Weekly's Artopia, Seattle Pridefest, The University Street Fair and more.

Seeing Blind has toured the West Coast/Northwest multiple times- 8 states and over 25 cities, including The Cat Club in L.A. and The Elbow Room in San Francisco.The band’s critically-acclaimed album, Greatly Entertained (Co-Produced by Jonathan Plum @ London Bridge Studios - Candlebox/Brandi Carlile), was self-released in July 2009. After a few recent position changes, they are currently in pre-production for their next amazing release.

Influences include: Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, Billy Joel, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Ellen McIlwaine, Joan Jett, Tori Amos, Yo-Yo Ma, Janis Joplin, The Toadies, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tool, DMB, Jimi Hendrix, Fugazi, Buddy Rich, Chuck Berry, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, AC/DC and more

**Today Seeing Blind is excited to travel to SXSW 2012 in Austin, TX to perform! Check out the calendar for show info.

Instrumentation

Melissa Levi - Vocals, Guitar, composer
Jessika Kitzman - Cello
Brian Knopp - Bass
Dylan Johnson - Drums

Discography

Seeing Blind: urgency - 2005
2007: "Knew You" on CD Compilation for BandPromote.com 2011: "Knew You" on Benefit Compilation CD for Anthony Basurto, ex-lead singer for the band Joan Red.

Seeing Blind: Yellow Canary - 2007
Radio Airplay: "Going Back" - KEXP 90.3FM Seattle

Seeing Blind: Greatly Entertained - 2009
Radio Airplay: "Boiling Down the World" -KEXP 90.3FM Seattle

Seeing Blind Single: "Miscreants" - 2011
Radio Airplay on Women of Substance Radio Online
2012 Critical Sun Records SXSW Compilation CD

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Official YouTube Channel
• Reverbnation

Audio

• Boiling Down the World
  Listen  
• Miscreants
  Listen  
• Shook
  Listen  
• Knew You
  Listen  
• Your America
  Listen  

Video

"Vaporized" C 2012

"Boiling Down the World" C 2012

Photo Gallery

Press

• Video Interview and show clips
  

  August 20th 2011 @ One Eyed Jacks in Lynnwood, WA

• Review of "Greatly Entertained" Album [+ Show ]
  

  And yes, I was. When listening to a band for the first time, my natural tendency is to subconscio...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?

• Review of "Greatly Entertained" Album [+ Show ]
  

  I highly recommend this very eclectic album that defies conventionalism. Songwriter-vocalist-guitari...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.

• Seeing Blind Review - Greatly Entertained [+ Show ]
  

  Album Review Seeing Blind – Greatly Entertained By Red Lehman Having seen Seeing Blind a few t...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)
  

• Seeing Blind Live Show Review [+ Show ]
  

  Live Show review of another band on the line-up at The Bit Saloon in Seattle, WA. We received a ve...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…”
  

• "Greatly Entertained" Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  Greatly Entertained (Self-released) "Listening to the sophomore LP from the Seattle-based, but ev...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"
  

• SB Live Review [+ Show ]
  

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

• Demo Critique - [+ Show ]
  

  Seattle foursome Seeing Blind deliver organic, intelligent alt-rock with influences that include Je...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.
  

• Seeing Blind Interview
  

  See Link

• NadaMucho Editor Speaks! [+ Show ]
  

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

Setlist

Maximum of (1) 60 minute set.

Set:

Miscreants
Vaporized
Raw
Boiling Down the World
Shook
Kiss Me
Life is Concrete
Bees and Honey
Kitty Song
Your America
Knew You
Something Real
I've been wasting all this time

Basic Requirements

Calendar