Raze the City, a band formed by guitarist Mike Nielsen and Christian singer Chelsey Heidenreich, performed at Carr’s Corner in downtown Spokane Saturday night. The bar on the corner of 3rd and Washington was purchased and resurrected just three years ago as a live music venue, bringing in acts from all over the Northwest. Carr’s supports local artists by not charging for their performance, allowing newer groups an affordable venue. Heidenreich was joined on stage by Amy Shaver, another member of Raze the City.
According to an interview on 103.1 KCDA, the name Raze the City was intended to counter the negativity in the city with positive encouragement. Raze means to tear down in the sense of tearing down that which is destructive in order to build up with something good. The band was formed when Nielsen met Heidenreich, and after a couple of weeks working together on a project decided to form a band. Nielsen brought in Shaver and then advertised for their rhythm and base section.
There were a number of acts at Carr’s that evening. Brad Perry, a popular local musician, started out the night with a solo act of folk and blues, performing songs both with his guitar and then with keyboards. After that, Heidenreich and Shaver joined together on the stage, Heidenreich on guitar and Shaver on the keyboards. Heidenreich sang lead and Shaver often joined in harmony, performing their song “Stronger” among several others. Although not overtly Christian, the style was similar to Heidenreich's bright folk with its positive lyrical depth, but with the added dimension of Shaver's keyboards and vocal overtones. After that, Heidenreich performed several pieces from her solo work, Too Many Things.
Check out Raze the City on their Facebook page. You can also listen to an interview and sample their music at 103.1 KCDA Local Lounge. Better yet, come and see them live at the Bing Crosby Theatre on March 29th, a benefit concert for Gabby, a local 6-year-old girl battling leukemia.
