Music of Olympia, Washington facts for kids
The city of Olympia, Washington, has been a very important place for music, especially for young people, since the late 1970s. It's known for different types of music like post-hardcore (a loud, energetic rock music) and anti-folk (a simpler, often acoustic style). Before this, a group from Olympia called The Fleetwoods had many popular songs on the Billboard charts between 1959 and 1963.
Olympia was also a main spot for the riot grrrl movement in the early 1990s. This movement was about punk rock music with strong messages, often from a female point of view. Famous bands from this time included Bikini Kill and Bratmobile.
Olympia's downtown Capitol Theater hosted big music events. These included the International Pop Underground Convention in 1991 and the Yoyo-A-Go-Go festival in 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2001. The city is also home to several record labels. These include K Records and Kill Rock Stars. Kill Rock Stars has signed many well-known bands like Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, Unwound, and Elliott Smith.
Famous Bands and Artists
Olympia has been home to many exciting bands and musicians over the years. Here are some of them:
- Bangs: This band was part of the riot grrrl movement. They formed in 1997 and played music until 2010. The record label Kill Rock Stars signed them.
- Beat Happening: Formed in 1982, this group played lo-fi music. This means their music often sounded raw and simple, like it was recorded at home.
- Bikini Kill: This band started in 1990 and helped create the riot grrrl movement. They released several short music collections (EPs) and two full albums.
- The Blow: This group started in 2001. They are known for their unique spoken-word performances mixed with music, often inspired by Olympia.
- Bratmobile: This band played punk and early riot grrrl music. They were active from 1991 to 2003.
- Cool Rays: Students from Evergreen State College formed this band. They were active from 1980 to 1981.
- Lois Maffeo: She was a musician who was most active in the early 1990s.
- Earth: This band played from 1989 to 1997, and then again from 2003 until today.
- Excuse 17: This group recorded music from 1993 to 1995.
- The Fleetwoods: This was a vocal pop group. They recorded their biggest hit, "Come Softly to Me," in 1959.
- The Frumpies: This was a lo-fi punk rock band. They formed in 1992 and stopped playing together in 2000.
- G.L.O.S.S.: This was a hardcore punk band known for its strong messages. They formed in 2014 and split up in 2016.
- The Go Team: This was a music duo that was active from 1985 to 1989.
- Gossip: This band was active from 1999 to 2016. They also took part in Olympia's Ladyfest in 2000.
- Heavens to Betsy: This was a punk duo that formed in the early 1990s.
- Milk Music: This was a four-member band that started in 2008.
- The Need: This band formed in the mid-1990s. They were signed to the Kill Rock Stars label and played music until 2001.
- The Old Haunts: This band formed in 2001. They were also signed to the Kill Rock Stars label.
- Sleater-Kinney: This band was originally part of the riot grrrl movement. They have released ten albums since 1994.
- Team Dresch: This is an American punk band that formed in 1993.
- Wynne Greenwood: She performed electropop music as Tracy + the Plastics in the early 2000s. She used video projections in her shows.
- Unwound: This band was active from 1991 to 2002.
Radio Stations
Olympia has local radio stations that play music and other programs:
- KAOS Olympia Community Radio 89.3 FM
- KXXO
Record Labels
Record labels are companies that help musicians record and release their music. Olympia has two important ones:
- K Records: This label was founded in 1982.
- Kill Rock Stars: This label was founded in 1991.
Music Festivals and Events
Olympia has hosted many exciting music festivals and events:
- Yoyo A Go Go: This festival took place several times between 1994 and 2001.
- Ladyfest: This event happened in 2000. It was a music and arts festival that celebrated women.
- The International Pop Underground Convention: This big music convention took place in 1991.
- Girls to the Front: This event also happened in 1991.
