Stoned music review: ‘A Box in the Sea’ at the Royal Room, Columbia City

August 7, 2015 By Manic Conrad

I had never seen a set-up quite like it. A beautiful mess of colorful wires strung up and over the electronic equipment. Sure, I have seen set-ups in the past, it even looked a lot like the dj equipment I had looked at buying a few months back, but they were tame in comparison. This one demanded curiosity.

A Box in the Sea, a one-man ambient electronic group, headlined Columbia City’s Royal Room last Thursday evening (July 31). This came as a little surprise since A Box in the Sea had never played live before. And somehow, he found himself in pole position. No pressure.

I decided to enjoy tonight’s performance with a cannabis-infused lozenge known as: Zootrocks, by producer DB3. Each lozenge contains approximately 10mg of THC. I took half, which was enough to mellow me, and enjoyed a cocktail. You can read our past ZootRock review here.

Once the musician was ready and the audience quieted, the first sounds lifted off of the stage. It was a slow build up.

Feedback pinged, and sound volume thresholds were tested. The intro sounded a little shaky. I couldn’t exactly tell if everything was intentional or not, or if nerves were getting the best of this first time act. I thought maybe this night would be a struggle. Maybe even a long one.

But my natural instinct to critique everything, even a musicians very first performance especially after being catapulted to headlining status, quickly disappeared around the two minute mark. I was lost in sound. Sifting and turning, blending and bouncing, comparing and contrasting. The thick, bold layers of sound, you could almost see. You could almost touch.

A Box in the Sea played about 7 pieces. Each piece stood out on it’s own, with it’s own personality and character. That’s a gauge I like to use when reviewing performances: does the act have more than a couple pieces that are different enough, yet similar as a whole?

Something interesting. Admist the chaoctic wirings and maze of electronic equipment, A Box in the Sea picked a couple of unlikely instruments. A piece of tin foil and and waved it ever so slightly in front of the mic to create a dominant crisp sound effect. Then, the musician picked up a chrome gas lighter and flicked the lid shut. Both sounds looped, weaving around the existing music.

There were some hiccups which is expected with anyone’s very first performance. Overwhelming feedback distracted from the flow at times, and a couple spots were a bit sharp and loud for the ears. Of course, I was standing underneath a looming monitor. Still, just a tad loud.

But, even the most obvious inconsistencies couldn’t take away from a phenomenal set and a pleasant surprise. This isn’t a fly-by-night act. A Box in the Sea is something really special. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I’m very glad that I went to see it! Despite the mishmash of wires that I saw, the sound was great, one of the ways sound can really project to a room is using a phono preamp which brings a full sound to the room, checking out music equipment websites to see what would be best for venues like this will help you make a decision on what to get, check out HTTPS://WWW.HIFISYSTEMCOMPONENTS.COM/PHONO-PREAMPS/ to see if they can help you out!

Check out an excerpt of the live performance:

Check out A Box in the Sea on Soundcloud:

Check out A Box in the Sea in the studio:

Stuff to do for every stoner: May 8 – May 14, 2015 Edition

May 8, 2015 By Manic Conrad

Gilbert Gottfried, comedian extraordinaire

You’re going to want something sativa if you want to keep up with this iconic comedian. Known for his voice and some of the dirtiest jokes known to man. A former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” Gilbert is a regular guest on “The Tonight Show,” “The Howard Stern Show” and “Comedy Central’s Roasts.” You have seen him in the films “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “Problem Child,” “Problem Child II,” and “Look Who’s Talking II.”

When: Thursday, May 8-9, 2015

Time: 7:30pm, 10:00pm

Where: 1522 6th Ave Seattle, WA 98101

More info: http://parlorlive.com/parlor-live-comedy-club-seattle.html

Asian Art Museum: Japanese artistic interpretation of the future

Chiho Aoshima: Rebith of the World will be showing at the Asian Art Museum located at Volunteer Park, on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Enter a world where nature and technology are fused, where skyscrapers feel, and mountains stand up and walk. Will be showing rest of Spring, all of summer, and part of fall.

When:

Thursday May 2-Oct 4, 2015

Where:

Volunteer Park, 1400 E Prospect St, Seattle, WA 98112

More info: http://www.asianart.org/

Burlesque performances at The Can Can

The Can Can because you can. In an underground setting that is evocative of Paris at the turn of the 20th century, The Can Can plays hosts local and national performers. Have a cocktail at the speak easy style bar and enjoy your company that will most definitely make you believe you have girls that are sexy enough to feature on adult sites like https://www.tubev.sex/ all around you.

Where:

94 Pike Street Seattle, WA 98101 (In the Historic Pike Place Market)

More info:

http://www.thecancan.com/

Build Sandcastles at Alki Beach Park

When kicking rocks in the Dick’s Burger parking lot sounds outright boring, you got to take it up a notch. It’s getting pretty and warm outside and this weekend is going to be primo. In the 70’s with Saturday seeing a high near 80. Raid your kitchen cupboards for bowls and containers to make your sand castles with, throw together a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or something, and then go. Have fun, it’s free! Well, except for gas or public transportation to get there.

Where: 1702 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

More info: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=445

Stuff to do for every stoner: May 2- May 7, 2015 Edition

May 2, 2015 By Manic Conrad

Sleater-Kinney at The Showbox

If you ever spent some time in the Olympia area, you may have driven on the street known as Sleater-Kinney, where this great american rock band got its’ name. They just spoiled us with 3 dates at the Showbox beginning Thursday, May 7. Check out this recent video of Sleater-Kinney live on NPR.

When: Thursday, May 7-9, 2015

Time: Doors open at 8:00pm

Where: 1426 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

More info: www.showboxpresents.com/events

Suggested strain of cannabis: Most definitely a strain of Sativa. Try Sour Diesel by Cannasol Farms.

Green-Elite VIP Event at Green-Theory

Call it what you want. Since there is a DJ, we like to use the work ‘party.’ The first recreational marijuana shop on the Eastside is hosting another one of these really cool events for members only. If you are not a member, don’t worry, you can still sign up. DJ Kryspin will be providing the candy for your ears, snacks and refreshments will be on hand, a bunch of the top vendors in the industry will be on hand, and member discounts galore! Click here for more info or check out Green-Theory’s Facebook page.

When:

Thursday May 7, 2015

Time:

Between 7-10pm

Where:

Green-Theory
10679 Main Street Suite #2
Bellevue, WA 98004

Contact:

425.502.7033

Orange Dracula

Tourists, you can thank us later, enjoy! Locals, this is a little gem that you may find yourself going back to every so often. Orange Dracula is a dime store for people with strange and unusual tastes. Consume your cannabis-infused edible in the privacy of your whatever and take a stroll downtown to Pike’s Place. Real black and white photo booth, Dracula pinball, love tester and more!

Where:

1501 Pike Place #319, Seattle, Wa 98101

More info:

http://orangedracula.com/

Suggested cannabis-infused edible: A hybrid. Best of both worlds. Try Zootsrocks by Zoots.

Frye Art Museum

Stoners on a budget. We feel you. Especially since Seattle is now the #4 richest city in the nation. Yikes. But have no fear, and no sulking. Taking a deep breath and exhale. Now good luck.

Just kidding! We got you covered. Frye Art Museum. They have an exhibition called ‘A Graphic arts Time Capsule of Europe: 1895-1900.’ And it’s free!

Where: 704 Terry Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104

More info: http://fryemuseum.org/

Weed Party! at Green-Theory

April 29, 2015 By Manic Conrad

Green-Theory is putting on a VIP event for members only. But you can think of it more as a party, rather than just an event. After all, there WILL be a DJ.

If you’re not a member, relax. You still have time. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, between 7-10pm. If you would like to attend but you are not currently a Green Elite member, just stop by the store before the event and sign up for a free, zero obligation meeting today.

So, this is how it works. If you are a member of Green-Theory, you just show up to their lovely modern shop in downtown Bellevue between the hours of 7-10pm on the 7th of May. But, we do encourage you to get there early. You can dress up or go casual. That’s all up to you.

Once you arrive, you will be greeted at the door. This is a private 21+ event, so your ID is required. To be on the list, you must RSVP here or email info@green-theory.com.

Once inside, you will hear the lucid sounds of DJ Kryspin. He will be providing the music for the evening. Check out his music DK Kryspin.

DJ Kryspin at the last Green-theory event.

There will be a table in the back with snacks and refreshments to keep your appetites in check.

Music and food. What else could possibly make this event better than it is?

Easy. How about exclusive discounts, brand new product releases, and a little one on one time with some of the top vendors in the recreational marijuana industry such as: Phat Panda, Avitas, Dawg Star, Liberty Reach, My Weed Bunny, JuJu Joints, Zoots, The Goodship, Smoke Emporium and Dope Magazine?

If this was a music festival, that would be one damn good lineup.

Green-Theory before the lights are dimmed and the party starts.

We have reviewed Avitas Agriculture marijuana here and showed you their farm here. We gave you our thoughts about Liberty Reach here. Our review of Juju Joints here. Oh, and our reviews of Zoots and their amazing edibles here and here. The wonderful packaging designs and edible products by The Goodship here. And we will be there as well to meet and greet.

The event will be held at this address:

10679 Main Street Suite #2
Bellevue, WA 98004

For more information about this very special event, contact Green-Theory by phone: 425.502.7033 or email: info@green-theory.com.

5 Marijuana Apps You Can Use Locally

February 9, 2015 By Kevin Ross

There are a ton of smart people making great apps that you can use to help you find and learn about marijuana in Seattle. Unfortunately, the developers of these apps sometimes encounter difficult relationships with Google and Apple, meaning that useful sounding apps may get kicked off the Google Play Store or Apple’s App store. In addition, there are also lots of dead apps flooding these markets whose information may be outdated and not helpful. We took a look and compiled a list of the best marijuana apps available for your iPhone or Android device right now.

Leafly

Leafly is arguably the king of marijuana related apps. Leafly compiles user reviews of strains, edibles and other cannabis products and then connects it too an in-app map to help you find out where you can pick those products up. The app also compiles marijuana news articles and lots of other cannabis related knowledge, making it a one stop resource for anything you need to know. Combined with a beautiful and functional interface, this is one app that almost invaluable these days.

Weedmaps

One of the oldest marijuana related apps still on the market, Weedmaps provides a fairly similar service to Leafly, but has an even longer history and index of strain reviews. Weedmaps also has an integrated map function to help you find where you can score the bud, edibles or other products you might want. While Weedmaps might not necessarily outshine Leafly, both are free and well worth the download, especially if you’re having trouble finding the information you want with just Leafly.

Grasscity Community

Grasscity Community is a fairly simple app that connects to the Grasscity Community forums. The best thing about this app is the strength of community that has been cultivated on the Grasscity forums. Well moderated and very large, with more than 500,000 users, Grasscity Community is an excellent place to go if you want to join or start a conversation about anything weed related. If Leafly or Weedmaps reviews aren’t getting you the answers you hoped for, cruise over to Grasscity and you’ll likely find someone who knows about whatever you’re curious about and would be happy to share.

High There!

This brand new app has been grabbing national headlines with its Tinder-like approach to connecting local smokers to one another. Swipe left and right to start meeting people in your area who share an interest in marijuana with the fun and addictive interface. While this app is new so the user base is still growing, given a couple weeks there should be plenty of fellow marijuana enthusiasts ready to get linked up with High There!

Canary

Canary is another fairly young app and is in fact still in invitation only beta testing. Canary was developed in Seattle by two UW students and is a delivery service for medical marijuana patients aiming to provide the same convenient sort of service that many users would expect of uber. Canary was launched with a lot of buzz and some very positive reviews, but it’s worth remembering that marijuana delivery is very much so in a legal gray area and the future of such services is still in question.