It was a matrimony more than six years in the making: Diana Young-Blanchard's - and her band, the DT's - newest album, "Filthy Habits" and Jim Blanchard's latest graphic novel, "Beasts and Priests." On the evening of March 10, Diana and Jim married their respective artistic disciplines at Georgetown's Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and Georgetown Records. Appropriately the record release party, book signing and exhibition landed the title "Filthy Beasts."
Since the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery opened its doors last October, owners Kim Thompson and Gary Groth have looked to feature a different graphic artist each month. "We like to have a rotating exhibit every month," said Groth. This month, the art of storied novelist, Jim Blanchard found its post at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery.
The Texas-born artist and illustrator Blanchard - who moved to the Northwest in 1988 - has actively explored graphic novels since he was 16-years old. His art spans all realms - from cover art for CDs to magazine illustrations to comic books. Most recently, his illustration of Anna Nicole Smith graced the cover of Seattle weekly newspaper The Stranger.
"Beasts and Priests was a project 10 years in the making," said Blanchard. "[The book] debuted a year ago and I was looking for a way to publicize it."
The 64-page book - published by Fantagraphics - is a collection of portrait illustrations featuring the likes of Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly and Sophia Loren.
"We've published two other works of [Blanchard's]," said Groth. "We love the way he transforms celebrities to see different dimensions of them. He creates unique, iconic images."
ON STAGE
While Blanchard signed copies of "Beasts and Priests," his wife's band assembled their stage mere feet away for the debut of their most recent full-length album, "Filthy Habits."
The DT's proceeded to transform the small walkway between Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and Georgetown Records into their arena for nearly 45 minutes. "Filthy Habits" was released on Jan. 30 (Get Hip Records) and is the band's third full-length album since they formed in 2001.
"We're a pretty lively band," said Young-Blanchard, 44. "We like doing these small, intimate shows, but we usually play for two hours or so."
"Lively" hardly does the DT's any justice. Dynamic, infectious, soulful and sexy are far better adjectives to describe the band's heartening breed of garage rock.
Although the DT's played an abbreviated set, neither energy nor intensity lacked from the Bellingham foursome. Rather, a perfectly seamless set transpired as the entirety of the "Filthy Habits" play list was unveiled in front of an eager, packed house.
Free from the bright city lights, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and Georgetown Records provided the perfect refuge for DT's-loyalists. While Young-Blanchard belted soulful-bawls from her small frame, 100 or more stood, danced and clapped along.
Dressed in a short black dress with knee-high snakeskin boots, Young-Blanchard is the picturesque statue for a graphic novelist. In person, she's quiet, sweet and reserved. On stage and behind a microphone, she awakens to create a rowdy, vibrant and potent persona. "I'm a hard woman to handle," she screamed, "and I know that!"
"My lyrics are like poetry," said Young-Blanchard, who teaches American literature at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie. "So creating this record was a really long and involved process."
While Young-Blanchard is the centerpiece for the DTs, the band - led by guitarist Dave Crider - sustains superbly without their lead singer. During her brief departure from the stage - for a bit of red wine - drummer Phil Carter, bassist Scott Greene and Crider guided a highly engaged crowd through a medley of blues, hard soul, and garage rock.
A HAPPENING SPOT
"This event was the brain-child of [Fantagraphic promoters] Larry Reid and Eric Reynolds," said Groth with a smile. "I had never heard the DT's before, but I trust Jim [Blanchard's] taste in music and women."
"The DTs are just a great band," said Reynolds, a comic book fan and artist who joined Fantagraphics in 1993. "We've published Jim's stuff for years and this night just made perfect sense."
While the DTs provided the evening's energy and oomph, they hardly overshadowed Jim Blanchard's limelight. While he admired his wife's performance from afar, Blanchard signed copies of his most recent collection and spoke with fans and other artists.
"This [event] was something I've wanted to do for awhile," said Blanchard, who has illustrated numerous posters for his wife's band. "[The DT's] had the new record and I had the new book, but this was the first time we'd ever done something like this."
The evening carried on beyond its 8 p.m. intended curfew as concertgoers browsed the shelves and talked with Blanchard and the DT's.
Evenings like this have made Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and Georgetown Records a South End destination spot.
"Yeah, [Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery] has been making back some of its nut," laughed Groth. "With Georgetown becoming a more happening spot, people are making their way down here more often."
Groth also said that he'd like to plan more events like "Filthy Habits."
As the DT's finished up their high-octane set, Young-Blanchard made certain that the crowd was alert to the evening's shared spotlight. "Give a big kiss and hug to my lovely husband!" she told the crowd with her final shout. For the DT's, it was their only U.S. show before the band heads to Spain for a short tour in early April.
For more information on Fantagraphics, the DT's or the art of Jim Blanchard, visit www.fantagraphics.com, www.estrus.com/bands/dts, or www.jimblanchard.com.
Josh Sabrowsky may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]
