Kelli Schaefer: Seattle's Music Scene Isn't Comfortable Being Itself

Kelli Schaefer plays the Tractor during SW's Reverb Local Music Festival at 9 p.m. on October 8.

Kelli Schaefer:

"Of course the grunge influence on music today is undeniable. For us it shows up in an unapologetic catharsis in expressing ourselves. How could it not have left its footprint? In the same way, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, Phillip Glass, Bjork, Greg Ginn, or Beethoven have influenced us--and the list goes on.

No matter what era or genre of music, your lasting legacy depends greatly on how comfortable you are with being yourself. The Seattle music scene I have experienced so far is scared to do that."

"The problem with influence is that the ones you are most likely to be influenced by were the people who found a way out. In '91, grunge was the new way out, but it's not that anymore.

We as a band, have pulled things from grunge just like we have pulled things from all musicians who have done something great--and unapologetically--but we aren't tied down to it. I think its great for Seattle to be the home of a movement that changed music forever. It's a point of pride. It also gives NW musicians a chance to look closely at what was really going on there . . . and decide for themselves what makes a legend a legend."

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