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Photos by Brittne Lunniss
Kay Redden, Ballard’s unofficial mayor, knows how to gather. Whether she’s rounding up records at Sonic Boom, taking song requests at Hattie’s karaoke, or supporting local bands through her cassette-only record label Den Tapes, Redden does it all—a Gathering Gal, if you will. And on Friday night at a sold-out Sunset Tavern (where, unsurprisingly, Redden also works), she once again flaunted her chops for curation by throwing her biggest gathering of all: Den Fest.
Den Fest isn’t a garage sale, nor is it a greasy meeting in your weird uncle’s basement. Den Fest is a celebration of Den Tapes, which Redden conceived in 2015. Having released more than 100 albums on cassette, Den Tapes has become a staple of the local music scene by fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for local musicians.
Friday kicked off part one of the two-day festival, featuring Den Tapes artists like WILD POWWERS, Soft Boiled, Choke the Pope, and Fell Off. Despite being sold out, the event didn’t feel uncomfortably rowdy. While other festivals may bring stagedivers, moshpitters, aggro-bros, and the like, Den Fest felt relaxed. With two stages, many striped sweaters, and a sizable collection of square glasses, the evening felt like an extensive house show thrown by my stoner neighbor. The vibe could very much be described as electrically chill.
This year’s anniversary installment felt bittersweet, too, as it marked the last shows for two of Redden’s bands; WILD POWWERS and Choke the Pope bid adieu after their Friday night sets. The two groups have been active in the Seattle scene for more than a decade, and while they could have thrown going-away parties at their choice of local venues, it felt cathartic for the bands to end right where they began.
Prior to WILD POWWERS’s (last ever?!) set, Redden took the stage to express gratitude for bands and attendees. “I had always dreamed of having a community like this, and we made it happen… so fucking sick.” Fucking sick, indeed. As to the future of Den Fest? Redden says they have no plans of slowing down any time soon.
Visit Den Tapes’ Bandcamp to learn more about the local band’s Redden’s gathered. With fresh finds and favorite familiars like Small Paul, Bad Optics, Swamp Wife, Smoker Dad, Zookraught, and more, Den Tapes makes it easy to procure your next earworm. Or shall we call it, Tape worm?
