Seattle's Grey Embrace: A Drummer's Dizzying Dive
okay, so. seattle. right? everyone’s always going on about the coffee and the rain and the grunge music. and yeah, it’s all that. but it’s more. it’s… damp. like, a pervasive dampness that seeps into your bones and makes you question all your life choices. i just checked and it’s drizzling a persistent, melancholic sort of drizzle right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m finn, by the way. touring session drummer. been bouncing around for, like, fifteen years. seattle was a stop on a particularly brutal circuit - three gigs in five days, mostly dive bars and questionable catering. but hey, a gig’s a gig, right? and honestly, the city kinda got under my skin, in a weird, mossy way.
I spent most of my downtime wandering. Pike Place Market is… chaotic. in a good way. Smells like fish and flowers and desperation. I grabbed some ridiculously overpriced cherries (worth it?) and just watched people. overheard a couple arguing about the best way to fold a fitted sheet. classic.
Someone told me that the original Starbucks is a total tourist trap, and they’re not wrong. the line was insane. I opted for a little place called Elm Coffee Roasters instead. Much better vibes. Check it out: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elm-coffee-roasters-seattle. Seriously, skip the green mermaid.
My hotel was in Belltown. Not the safest neighborhood, if you catch my drift. I heard that a local warned a backpacker to keep an eye on their stuff after dark. Noted. If you get bored, Tacoma and Everett are just a short drive away. They’ve got their own… charm, i guess.
*Gear List (because, drummer things):
My trusty Tama Starclassic Maple kit (obviously)
Vic Firth 5A sticks - gotta have ‘em
Noise-canceling headphones - essential for sanity
A really good raincoat - seriously, invest.
A small notebook and pen - for jotting down random song ideas (or grocery lists)
*Pro-Tip: Don't underestimate the power of a good ferry ride. I took one over to Bainbridge Island. The views of the city are incredible. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60874-d187333-Reviews-Washington_State_Ferry-Bainbridge_Island_Washington.html
I stumbled upon this amazing vintage shop in Ballard - Lucky Vintage. Seriously, the best selection of band tees I’ve ever seen. https://www.luckyvintageseattle.com/. I scored a mint-condition Led Zeppelin shirt for like, twenty bucks. Score!
“Apparently, the Space Needle used to have a revolving restaurant. It closed down in the 80s. Some people swear they still hear the faint clinking of silverware at night.”
Honestly, seattle is… complicated. It’s beautiful and bleak and buzzing with a weird energy. It’s not a place you just visit*. It’s a place you… experience. And maybe, just maybe, it leaves a little bit of itself with you. Even if that bit is just a persistent dampness.
Oh, and one more thing. I saw a poster for a drum circle in Gas Works Park. Might have to check that out next time I’m in town. https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/gas-works-park
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