Get plugged into Switches

Seattle Gay News is pleased to be the first Northwest publication to interview rising UK act Switches. The punk-pop foursome just began a 26-city tour with The Bravery, which delivers them to Seattle on January 25.

Lead singer Matt Bishop steps inside "The Music Lounge" in this week's issue, out on January 18. Find out what this dishy Brit likes to do before getting on a plane and what's packed in his suitcase for the group's current nationwide tour. Signed to the same record label as Amy Winehouse, U2, Snow Patrol and Beck, the newest band to get plugged into is Switches. Tickets for the January 25 performance are on sale here: http://www.neumos.com/.

Interview with Matt Bishop of Switches on January 18, exclusively in the Seattle Gay News!

Radiohead coming to Seattle

Seattle Gay News is pleased to announce that critically praised rock group Radiohead has included Seattle on its upcoming North American tour itinerary. Date and venue will soon be announced. Further details on Radiohead's concert are forthcoming. The list of cities on the band's tour, in alphabetical order, is listed below.

Atlanta

Boston

Charlotte

Chicago

Cleveland

Dallas

Houston

Indianapolis

Los Angeles

Miami

Montreal

New York

Philadelphia

San Diego

San Francisco

Santa Barbara

Seattle

St Louis

Tampa

Toronto

Vancouver

Washington DC

Seattle Gay News giving away "Sweeney Todd" tickets

In this week's issue of the Seattle Gay News, out today, look for an Arts & Entertainment advertisement revealing the exclusive location where you can register to win free passes for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. These are movie passes that can be redeemed at the box office for actual tickets. The films opens today, December 21.

Three original soundtracks of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will be given away as well.

From Seattle Gay News, enjoy the show!

Photo: courtesy of Dreamworks Pictures.

Seattle Gay News announces Best Albums and Singles of 2007

In its December 14 issue, currently at a multitude of distribution points in the metro and suburban areas, Seattle Gay News reveals its picks for the year's best music. Check out all music picks for 2007, including worst choices, in this week's issue. Plus, an exclusive mini-interview with British electronic act Simian Mobile Disco (pictured). Below is a list of the year's top albums and singles.

Best Albums / CDs of 2007

(in order)

1 Neon Bible - Arcade Fire

2 Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon

3 Icky Thump - The White Stripes

4 Because of the Times - Kings of Leon

5 100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

6 Fort Nightly - White Rabbits

7 New Moon - Eliott Smith

8 Myths of the Near Future - Klaxons

9 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Miranda Lambert

10 Couples Therapy - The Glass

Best Singles / Tracks of 2007

(in order)

1 D.A.N.C.E. - Justice

2 Golden Skans - Klaxons

3 Rehab - Amy Winehouse

4 Charmer - Kings of Leon

5 Umbrella - Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

6 Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire

7 Icky Thump - The White Stripes

8 Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love - Trisha Yearwood

9 No One's Gonna Love You - Band of Horses

10 It's the Beat - Simian Mobile Disco

Photo of Simian Mobile Disco, courtesy of Merge Records

Best of Music 2007 - in tomorrow's issue

SEATTLE GAY NEWS - BEST OF MUSIC 2007

Seattle Gay News will reveal its choices for the Best of Music 2007 in tomorrow's issue (December 14). Grab a copy at your nearest bar-lounge, coffeehouse, library or a multitude of other distribution points in the metro Seattle area.



Find out what we chose as the year's:



Best Albums /CDs
Best Singles/Tracks
Best Live Performances
Hottest Artists of the Year
Worst of Music 2007

Plus, an exclusive mini-interview with Simian Mobile Disco!




Artist photo: Spoon, courtesy of Merge Records

OUTBOUND: Seattle Gay News begins exclusive travel coverage of France

Seattle Gay News begins two weeks of exclusive travel coverage of France in tomorrow's issue (November 2).

"OUTBOUND", our in-house written travel column, will feature two informational editorial pieces this week and an additional two next week. In tomorrow's issue, experience Air France's newly launched Seattle-Paris direct flight and find out what you need to know before journeying to France (documentation, currency, tourist attractions, etc.). In next week's issue, we invite you on a five-day trek through the Loire Valley and a weekend in the gorgeous, bustling city of Paris.

Grab a copy of tomorrow's Seattle Gay News and join us in saluting the other red, white and blue - France!

Gay sex scandal costs WA Republican his House seat

State Rep. Richard Curtis, R-La Center, has resigned his seat amid revelations of a gay sex scandal in Spokane (see article).

House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt released a statement saying:

“I am very disappointed by the news reports of the conduct by Rep. Curtis last week in Spokane. After discussing this matter with House Republican leaders, he has submitted his resignation, which we feel is best for everyone involved. The troubling details continue to emerge, however, it has become clear that he can no longer effectively represent the constituents who elected him. We pray that Richard and his family have the strength and support they need to meet the personal challenges they face.”

Curtis issued his own statement:

“Today I submitted my letter of resignation to Gov. Gregoire effective immediately. While I believe we've done some good and helped a lot of people during the time I served in the Legislature, events that have recently come to light have hurt a lot of people. I sincerely apologize for any pain my actions may have caused.

“This has been damaging to my family, and I don't want to subject them to any additional pain that might result from carrying out this matter under the scrutiny that comes with holding public office.”

Read the Seattle Gay News on Friday for an in-depth article on the situation from SGN Staff Writer Liz Meyer.