Ideal Setlist: Black Belt Eagle Scout

On 2/15/23, I saw Black Belt Eagle Scout play Neumos in Seattle, WA.  

To listen to the entire Ideal Setlist playlist, please click here.   

Like so many bands and artists I have grown to love, I first heard of Washington-based artist Black Belt Eagle Scout while listening to KEXP. For the last five years, I have attempted to explore more music created by female artists focusing keenly on female led rock bands. When I first heard Black Belt Eagle Scout on the radio, I was instantly hooked.  

Soon after, I headed to my local record store and purchased At the Party with My Brown Friends. Digging through the music and lyrics, I was confronting enlightening stories I had never heard before. Songs about people, places, and ways of being I may have never discovered on my own. This feeling is precisely what I was chasing when I made the goal of spending more time with female artists.   

Recently, Black Belt Eagle Scout released their third album, The Land, The Water, The Sky. In anticipation of this release, I knew I had to see them live and experience these powerful songs in person.  

Below is my ideal Black Belt Eagle Scout setlist. This list is based on songs I have returned to most often. It doesn’t contain all my favorite songs, nor is every record evenly represented. I hope you will give it a listen and let me know what you think.  

To listen to that playlist, click HERE.  

I Said I Wouldn’t Write This Song

At the Party

Going to the Beach with Haley

Half Colored Hair

You’re Me and I’m You

Be good to each other,  

Nathan 

Ideal Setlist: David Ramirez

Ideal Setlist: David Ramirez  

On 9/13/22, I saw David Ramirez play the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, Washington.  

I cannot think of another artist who does a better job of conveying the challenge of dedicating your life to an art form than David Ramirez. From songs about the moments you miss, fundamental questions about purpose, to wondering if one should continue, Mr. Ramirez asks you to walk a mile in his shoes for a while. In those moments, we develop a little empathy for all those road warriors burning up the interstate in pursuit of a dream.

I was first introduced to David Ramirez by a friend of mine from Oklahoma. She sent me the song, Stick Around, and said, “this song is about you.” After listening to it for the first time, it disappointed me. It shocked me she saw me this way. Then, I spent more time with the lyrics. I looked deeply at my own life. Sticking around was not my story. I had moved across the country to pursue something drastically different. Needing a fresh start, the expected routine of life was something I had to destroy.

I have moved from Seattle to Los Angeles and Los Angeles back to Seattle since I first heard that song. No longer do I find myself offended. Now, it feels like a badge of honor. I am a man living a life that is actively working to reject the tyranny of the expected. I have been lucky enough to see David Ramirez in concert five times now. His entire catalog means so much to me. It feels anthemic and makes me realize I am not alone. Seeing him live was and continues to be the manifestation of those feelings born into existence around a shared experience with total strangers. This is the power of good art.  

As far as my ideal setlist is concerned, the songs below are a collection of David Ramirez songs I have returned to most often. You will not find a song from every album, nor are all my favorite songs listed. Instead, these are 15 songs that keep me coming back for more. As always, I would love to hear from you. What is your ideal setlist?  

To listen to that playlist, click HERE.  

Communion

Ball and Chain

Hold On

Chapter II

New Way of Living

To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE.  

Be good to each other,

Nathan

Ideal Setlist: Lord Huron

On 6/2/18, I saw Lord Huron play the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.  

To listen to the entire Ideal Setlist playlist, please click here.   

One day, Lord Huron wasn’t in my life. The next day, they were. For the life of me, I cannot remember when and where I was when I discovered them. I just know it was long before 13 Reasons Why. As ever present as the sound of my heart beating in my chest, they have been there.  

As the new century grew into a teenager, the United States of America found itself amid a folk revival. Led by the likes of Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes, the sound became engrossing and consuming. Much like the grunge movement of the early 90s, countless bands emerged and only time would tell who would remain standing.  

To me, what set Lord Huron apart from the crowd was an effortless blending of folk, country, and traditional alternative. After watching them play a live session on KEXP, I was hooked and convinced they had staying power. Watching that session, I knew I had to see them live.  

Seeing them play the Greek Theatre felt special. Don’t get me wrong. I love the Hollywood Bowl, but the Greek feels more intimate and contained. It was the perfect venue to see this band for the first time.  

Afterward, I got to thinking about the songs I would have loved to hear live. This exercise is the impetus for this series. Below is my ideal Lord Huron setlist. This list is based on songs I have returned to most often. It doesn’t contain all my favorite songs, nor is every record evenly represented. I hope you will give it a listen and let me know what you think.  

To listen to that playlist, click HERE.  

Ancient Names, Pt. II

Secret of Life

The Balancer’s Eye

Until the Night Turns

Dead Man’s Hand

To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan 

Ideal Setlist: The Decemberists

On 3/22/18, I saw The Decemberists play the Fox Theater in Pomona, California. It was the first stop in support of the album, I’ll Be Your Girl.  

It has always been a dream of mine to see a band’s first stop on a tour after releasing a new album. Often, I see bands deep into a tour. By that time, they have a good sense of how audiences are reacting to new material. Even if their setlist is constantly changing, deep into a tour, they know what works and what does not.  

This was my second time seeing The Decemberists perform live. Given the release of a new album, they, of course, played the released singles, but they also dug deeper into the collection to see what connected with the audience. As the band played some of those deeper cuts, Colin Meloy (Lead Singer) spent some time discussing the genesis of some of the new materials. This made the experience feel pretty special to me.

The setlist for the evening featured a balanced mixture of both new and old material. Much like my first show, the evening ended with Mariner’s Revenge Song. Next to Pearl Jam’s Yellow Ledbetter, this may be one of my favorite closing songs in the history of live music.

As far as my ideal setlist is concerned, the songs below are a collection of Decemberists songs I have returned to most often. You will not find a song from every album, nor are all my favorite songs listed below. Instead, these are 15 songs that keep me coming back for more. As always, I would love to hear from you. What is your ideal setlist?  

To listen to that playlist, click HERE.  

Calvary Captain

Make You Better

A Beginning Song

Stateside

Better Not Wake the Baby

To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE.  

The Harrowed and The Haunted, Starwatcher, I’ll Be Your Girl, Riverswim, Severed, Everything Is Awful, Cutting Stone, Tripping Along, Sucker’s Prayer, Sons & Daughters

Be good to each other,  

Nathan 

Ideal Setlist: David Ramirez

On 11/8/17, I saw David Ramirez play the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles, CA. If I had the luxury of creating a setlist for one of his shows, these are the songs I would choose. To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE.

1. Chapter II

2. An Introduction

3. Stick Around

4. Friends and Family

5. Dancing and Vodka

To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE. 

6. Find the Light

7. Communion

8. New Way of Living

9. On Your Side

10. That Ain't Love

11. Hold On

12. Ball and Chain

13. Harder to Lie

14. Good Heart

15. Wild Bones

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Ideal Setlist: Nada Surf

On 5/18/16, I saw Nada Surf play the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, WA. If I had the luxury of creating the evening's setlist, this would have been it. To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE. 

"Hi-Speed Soul"

"Clear Eye Clouded Mind"

"You Know Who You Are"

"New Bird"

"When I Was Young"

To listen to the entire playlist, click HERE. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

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Ideal Setlist: Band of Horses

On 8/18/16, I saw Band of Horses at Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA. If I had an opportunity to create the setlist, it would have had sounded something like this. To listen to the entire playlist. click HERE.

"The First Song"

"Wicked Gil"

"Our Swords"

"Monsters"

"Factory"

To listen to the entire playlist. click HERE. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

I've never asked readers for financial support before. I am committed to keeping content on this site free and open to all. For me, this means no paywalls or subscription fees. If you like what I create, please consider making a contribution on Patreon.

Become a Patron!

Ideal Setlist: Dave Matthews Band

On 9/3/16, I saw the Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA. If I had an opportunity to create the setlist, it would have had sounded something like this. To listen to the entire playlist. click HERE. 

"Best of What's Around"

"Crash Into Me"

"Rapunzel"

"Shake Me Like a Monkey"

"Time Bomb"

To listen to the entire playlist. click HERE. 

You & Me"

"Cortez the Killer"

"Crash Into Me"

"Melissa"

"Bass Solo"

"Satellite" 

"One Sweet World"

"All Along the Watchtower"

"Crash Into Me"

"What Would You Say"

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

I've never asked readers for financial support before. I am committed to keeping content on this site free and open to all. For me, this means no paywalls or subscription fees. If you like what I create, please consider making a contribution on Patreon. 

Become a Patron!

Ideal Setlist: David Ramirez

On 11/13/15, I saw David Ramirez play the Sunset Tavern in Seattle, WA. Based on the songs I have listened to the most, this would have been my ideal setlist. To listen to the entire playlist, click here. 

1. "Communion" 

2. "Ball and Chain" 

3. "Hold On" 

4. "Chapter II" 

5. "An Introduction" 

To listen to the entire playlist, click here. 

• "Friends and Family" 

• "Hold On" 

• "Stick Around" 

• "Mighty Fine" 

• "Harder to Lie" 

• "New Way of Living" 

• "That Ain't Love" 

• "Kindness" 

• "Paper Thin" 

• "On Your Side" 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan 

Ideal Setlist: Death Cab for Cutie

On October 4, 2015, I saw Death Cab for Cutie play the Paramount Theater in Seattle, WA. Below, is my ideal setlist based on the songs most often listened to on my iTunes.

"Little Wanderer"

"Black Sun"

"Everything’s A Ceiling"

"Cath"

"Binary Sea"

To listen to the entire playlist, please click here. 

Songs included: 

"Marching Bands of Manhattan"

"Summer Skin"

"Home Is a Fire"

"Brothers On a Hotel Bed"

"Bend to Squares"

"The New Year"

"Passenger Seat"

"Codes and Keys"

"Doors Unlocked and Open"

"You Are a Tourist"

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan