It’s not every day a budding music star performs inside a record store, but it used to happen all the time at Easy Street Records in Queen Anne. The keywords there are “used to.” Unfortunately, Easy Street Records was forced out of its location by increasing rent, and there is a bank in its place now. Easy Street on Queen Anne hosted several artists before they were bumped, including the soulful Allen Stone.
Allen Stone is the only performer Tove and I saw at Easy Street Records. Unfortunately, we weren’t living in the city when most of the concerts were happening. The one and only show we watched there was awesome though. Yes, it was strange to be rocking out next to racks of CDs and vinyls. Yes, it was packed. And yes, it was hot. But no matter where you were in the building, you were up-close and personal with the band.
We have to give credit to Allen Stone for treating Easy Street Records like a “normal” show. The guy rocked hard — so hard that he was a sweaty mess by the end of the hour and a half concert. There were several times employees at Easy Street Records told him to shut it down, but he just kept going and going. There’s a very good chance Allen Stone never jams in a record store again, and I think he really appreciated the fans who came out to see him there.
On top of Allen Stone, Easy Street Records also hosted The Shins, Mudhoney, Brandi Carlile and many others. It truly is what music is supposed to be about. It was fans going out to see their favorite bands, who weren’t afraid to step into a smaller setting to perform for those fans. In the end, it all benefited a local record store (which are becoming a dying breed).
It’s too bad Easy Street Records in Queen Anne is gone, but there’s still an Easy Street in West Seattle (where they still perform shows — we’ve seen The Head and the Heart jam there in the past). Luckily, Seattle is a music hub, so there are also plenty of other places to catch a show (like the Neptune, The Triple Door, Showbox, etc.). Some are large and some are intimate, but none are as unique as a show at Easy Street Records.
Did you ever see at concert at Easy Street Records? Who did you watch? Where is your favorite place to see a show in Seattle? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more awesome events in the city!
