DUVALL – Belltown is considered trendy, Capitol Hill is known for art. Seattle music is on the global map. Enter any of a half-dozen enclaves in the Emerald City and step into a unique microcommunity immersed in the arts and music scene.
But more than ever, musicians and artists are seeking independent venues outside the big city, places where their work doesn’t just blend in, but stands out. So move over Belltown and make room Capitol Hill – Snoqualmie Valley has arrived.
The focus of regional, even national, attention is on Pumps and Grinds Consignment and Coffee, a tiny shop on the main drag in the town of Duvall. Vintage clothing, jewelry and an assortment of handmade goods leave little room for the espresso area and sandwich bar. A few small tables serve the regular customers who stop by through the week.
But come Friday and Saturday nights, the sleepy little shop is transformed into a bustling center of movement and light. Live music and a flurry of activity announce that the weekend has arrived, and with it come the faithful from Seattle, Eastern Washington and Anywhere, U.S.A.
“Artists from all over the country have told me this is the best open mic anywhere,” said Pumps and Grinds owner Paula McDonald. “Performers come here to get exposure and advance their CDs.”
Open mic – or microphone – allows musicians, writers and comedians to try out new songs or acts and get feedback on their performances. Originally established to showcase local talent, McDonald soon caught the performing bug herself. Before long she had joined other artists on stage, singing backup vocals and working behind the scenes, arranging original music.
But it was the dream of recording an album that turned a corner for McDonald. Teaming up with several regular performers, including songwriter Cal Donnelley and Top of the Hill Music recording-studio owner Steve Bell, McDonald and a group of performers turned the dream into reality.
“The idea was to take the unpublished songwriters and expose them to the community,” McDonald said.
Beginning with a seed money grant from the Chaney Foundation and more than 1,000 hours of donated talent, labor and equipment, the jazz/blues/rock album titled “Down at the Pumps and Grinds” began to take shape. Donnelley wrote and performed the title song, while Bell played saxophone and piano, sang back-up harmony and donated the recording studio time and equipment. Local artist Gary Jackson provided the album cover art, and a diverse group of musicians joined forces to write the original music.
“Musicians often work in a competitive atmosphere,” McDonald explained, “but for us, collaboration creates the big picture. When we come together we can accomplish a great deal.”
With so many talented musicians, songwriters and technicians contributing their skills, three separate bands were formed out of the “Down at the Pumps and Grinds” effort. In less than a month after its release – with no major promotion and a very limited venue – the album sold more than 250 copies, and sales are steadily increasing. A solid review in the music trade publication Victory Review has opened the door for radio play and exposure well beyond the Pacific Northwest.
Live music is featured every Friday and Saturday night at Pumps and Grinds, 15614 Main St. One night each month is devoted to the blues, another is set aside for open-mic performances.
“There is some amazing talent in the Valley,” McDonald said.
