Ballard VOX

09/15/2026

New album, 'Cascade Migrant,' from Seattle locals Sendai ERA, was released on Bandcamp! This is the kind of truthtelling and storytelling that makes music medicine for all of us. I am blown away by every lyric, every word, every beat. I can't recommend making space to listen to this from beginning to end enough.
- Melissa X DeAun

From Sendai Era on Bandcamp:
"Cascade migrant is a collection of our experiences, reflections, affirmations and hopes that we have been struggling to hold. In the midst of growing fascism here in the US we began recording music to document and foster joy and resistance.

This project was inspired by every migrant who has continued to build new worlds for their loved ones and community. It is inspired by the fight and organizing of migrant families across the US and the world. For Era, his journey through fatherhood and as an educator has also shaped each song for this project.

As we were creating “Cascade Migrant”, we recommitted to documenting our stories and sharing them for as long as we can. They cannot and will not erase us."

12 track album

09/15/2026

Black and Loud Fest brought the power this year with amazing acts like Peter Collins, Iniko, King Young Blood, Tayla Elizza Beth, and many more!!

Thanks to Eli Branch for documenting one of Seattle’s most important festivals.

Check out the full gallery at our website on the link below

Ballard VOX documents the artists, venues, neighborhoods, and communities that make Seattle's music scene possible through archives, storytelling, artist development, education, and creative collaboration.

08/13/2026

This week, Tomahawk played two nights in Seattle for the first time since 2013 as part of their reunion tour. Their weird sensibilities and genre-mixing qualities made for one of the strangest and most intense shows I’ve ever seen.

Joining them were Washington punk legends the Melvins, who helped define heavy music throughout the ’80s and ’90s. These bands are no strangers to each other. Not only are they Ipecac labelmates, but Tomahawk’s Mike Patton, the frontman of Faith No More, and Trevor Dunn, Tomahawk’s bassist and former Melvins bassist, have both collaborated with members of the Melvins in the past.

Photos by Chris Butcher

Ballard VOX documents the artists, venues, neighborhoods, and communities that make Seattle's music scene possible through archives, storytelling, artist development, education, and creative collaboration.

06/30/2026

Genre-fluid shows capture the Seattle vibe like no other. Warm up with the chill R&B and pop of Iris Kymm, get rowdy with the shoegaze and doom rock of Bonnie Rubble, then dance the night away to the disco sounds of Russian Blue—all at Tractor Tavern.

Check out Ragav Venkatesan's gallery on our website at the link below

Ballard VOX documents the artists, venues, neighborhoods, and communities that make Seattle's music scene possible through archives, storytelling, artist development, education, and creative collaboration.

06/16/2026

A night to bring the community together and fundraise for Michelle Brayson a passionate and important member of the Seattle music community. Proud to have captured the night with Poysenberry, Marti and Erika of Vanilla Abstract.

Make sure to see the gallery at the link below and enjoy the pictures from our newest photographer Ragav Venkatesan

Ballard VOX documents the artists, venues, neighborhoods, and communities that make Seattle's music scene possible through archives, storytelling, artist development, education, and creative collaboration.

06/04/2026

A beautiful night at the Tractor with Hayden Everett. 💫

This review comes a little late, but I had the pleasure of attending Hayden Everett’s album release party a few weeks ago. Last winter, I came across a TikTok promoting a cozy show put on by a folk artist in the living room of his Fremont home. On a whim, I RSVP’d, and a week later I was sitting on the floor with about 20 other people, drinking mulled w**e and listening to the intimate stylings of Hayden Everett.

Fast forward to May 2026, and the light, airy folk songs I’d heard with simple piano or acoustic guitar accompaniment had gained incredible depth with a full band at the Tractor Tavern. The songs are so easy to sing along to, and trust me, the crowd was singing.

Definitely check out any of his future shows, and keep supporting our local music community—from living rooms and beyond.

Ballard VOX documents the artists, venues, neighborhoods, and communities that make Seattle's music scene possible through archives, storytelling, artist development, education, and creative collaboration.

05/22/2026

Ballard VOX is going to Mongolia + Japan!

We have a few collaboration opportunities open for musicians, artists, venues, collectives, and cultural creatives in Mongolia + Tokyo to work alongside Seattle-based music photographer, multidisciplinary artist, educator, + storyteller Melissa X DeAun and Seattle hip-hop artist, lyricist, and poet Ryk Good of .

We are seeking to create cinematic visual storytelling collaborations centered on hearing people’s stories through their own voices, sounds, culture, and creative energy that shape independent music scenes through photography + video, documentary-style narratives, music collaborations, and cultural exchange.

We’re building creative bridges between Seattle music communities and local music scenes across the globe with collaborative storytelling, artistic exchange, and shared human connection.

If you are interested in working with us and creating an innovative & impactful story DM BALLARD VOX ASAP to start the conversation!

Travel Dates:

📍 Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar + XMF)�June 23rd–27th

📍 Tokyo�July 1st-3rd

*Limited collaboration dates available.

Seattle → Mongolia → Tokyo�

05/06/2026

turned their Paramount theater show into something way bigger than just loud guitars—blending orchestral textures with their signature desert-rock grit. Still heavy, still hypnotic, just reimagined. Not your typical QOTSA set… and that’s exactly what made it hit harder.

Go to our website to check out our review and photos through the link in our bio.

Written and photographed by .photos

05/05/2026

Hello to our Ballard VOX Community!

If you have worked with Ballard VOX in any way or this work has meant something to you and/or had a beneficial impact on you, your words can help make this next phase possible. I would be forever grateful if you could write a quick testimonial or a short letter of support that I can include in our grant application.

Details and Deadline:

Testimonial (2-4 sentences)
What your experience was, how Ballard VOX supported you, and why it mattered. Specific examples are most helpful.

Letter (1-2 short paragraphs)
What your experience has been, what you have seen Ballard VOX provide or impact, and why this kind of work matters for the local music landscape. Specific examples are best.

Deadline: End of day today, Tuesday, May 5th, OR by 10am tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6th.

Send to: [email protected]

04/13/2026

Last week I checked out the Sonic Sounds showcase series that was hosted at Vermillion on Capitol Hill this time around and put on by Ascended Reality.

I was blown away by each of the performances. The full photo album is up on BallardVOX.org (link in bio!) and take a minute to check out the Sonic Sounds link to be sure to attend the next one(tix by donation!)! This is what makes our music scene so special are the people who rally together and lift eachother up and support one another. I can’t express the impact of that part enough. I felt it walking in. It hits differently. 🖤

Alsooooo! Vermillion is a really cool community art space and bar with a variety of events happening and the vibe was very chill and welcoming. Highly recommend seeking it out if you haven’t yet! If you see the 3D glasses on the wall, pause, put them on, look up! 👀🖤

📷: Melissa X DeAun for Ballard VOX

An online music photography publication