1/12/07, 5:45 pm EST

Assignment One Finalist: Chris Senn on Seattle

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Note: This is not an official Rolling Stone article. What follows is a submission to the “I’m From Rolling Stone” writing competition.

by Chris Senn
Age: 23

It has been over a decade now since the fall of the grunge scene in Seattle. While the music scene in the city by the Sound may never fully emerge from under that shadow, it is definitely on the right track.

Bands like Modest Mouse and Death Cab For Cutie have recently brought the Seattle scene back to the national forefront. While many may know these bands by now, many more have earned their due. Between sets, in the back halls and dressing rooms of the Showbox, Chop Suey, Nuemo’s and various other rock, blues and jazz clubs, they await their big break.

Band of Horses and The Long Winters had a particularly good year thanks in part to KEXP, the best radio station in the country. Their programming concept, to play the music that deserves to be played, is a breath of fresh air in the unfortunately corporate arena that radio has become. KEXP continues to discover great Northwest artists that otherwise go unrecognized.

Along with KEXP, independent record stores such as Easy Street and Sonic Boom help the local scene survive. Many independently released albums find these stores as the only outlet to sell their creations. These stores also host many in store performances and appearances by local musicians.

Yes, the Seattle music scene is once again thriving, from the ground up, but will the Seattle music scene die with this generation? Most likely not, but a proposal is on the table to ban all ages shows at venues that serve liquor. No matter what the politicians do, they will never silence the Seattle Sound. Ever present yet ever changing, in bars, coffeehouses, theaters, cafes and house parties the music will play on and the kids will be alright.