We’ve been bustling hard at the Airport Store in preparation for the 10-year anniversary of Sub Pop’s sister label, Hardly Art. To commemorate this special occasion, which coincides with National Poetry Month, I’ve decided some light verse is called for…

Ehh emmm..

The Birthday Wall

I’ll see you in May,

We’ll have a party for you.

I’ll see you in May,

If you have the chance to stop through!

Our little sister is turning ten,

And she’s way cooler than she’s ever been.

With The Julie Ruin last year,

And the new Chastity Belt almost here!

She’s filled an entire wall,

With a decade of filling our hearts.

From Arthur and Yu to Dude York,

To Hardly Art, we pop a cork!

If you’re coming to town,

An extravaganza with friends and the fam,

On the eighteenth and nineteenth of May,

Let us all celebrate!

But if you’re just passing by,

Keep your eyes peeled for an excellent find.

The hundredth HA release,

Is still but a mystery…

I’ll see you in May,

I really hope that I do!

There’ll be buttons and stickers and tunes for all your ‘tudes,

Hardly Art, We Love You!!!

If you are just now discovering this not-so-little-anymore gem of a label or looking to check out something new, we have some suggestions for you!

Hardly Art Picks from the Staff of the Sub Pop Airport Store:

1.) Javier - Magic Trick, Ruler of the Night (2012)

- This lovely little side band from the Fresh and Onlys’ Tim Cohen is a real San Francisco treat!

2.) Rebecca - IAN SWEET, Shapeshifter (2016)

- Listen to this while ‘blading on Alki. Blade or Die!

3.) Emily - Grave Babies, Crusher (2013)

- Perf industrial metal guitar tones and affected vocals 4 ever.

4.) Ben - Fergus and Geronimo, Unlearn (2011)

- Pre Parquet Courts. Music with jokes, but not joke music.

5.) Bailey - Protomartyr, The Agent Intellect (2015)

- Descriptions of Joe Casey: “Protomartyr are awesome, but they look like three scared teens who started a band with their alcoholic uncle.” “He’s like an inverse Bono.”

6.) Kane - Chastity Belt, I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone (2017)

- Shimmering, indie, feminist punk from Seattle’s favorite group of friends!

7.) Audrey - Broken Water, Tempest (2012)

- Wall of guitar noise á la Sonic Youth, by way of Olympia, WA.

8.) Jacob - Carissa’s Wierd, Songs About Leaving (2002, reissued 2010)

- Slow-core, unassuming supergroup whose members would become Band of Horses, Sera Cahoone, Grand Archives and S (Jenn Champion).

9.) Rachel - Shannon and the Clams, Dreams in the Rat House (2013)

- Shannon Shaw is a doo-wop dream boat!

10.) Olivia - Black Marble, A Different Arrangement (2012)

- Strangely revealing synth pop for your magical journey into the darkness.

It has been and continues to be a true honor representing all the local weirdos, punx, queers, poets, and female artists of Hardly Art at our store. We’re looking forward to what’s coming next*! The future is already someone’s dream.:)

XO

Olivia Saint

Assistant Store Manager

*Speaking of what’s coming next… how ‘bout not one but TWO celebratory birthday shows, this coming May 18th and 19th at Seattle’s Chop Suey?! Details are here.