Playlist: Serafima
Today, we have a short and sweet Q&A with Serafima, the eponym of Serafima and The Shakedowns, a dazzling songwriter and all-around lovely, light-filled person. I’ve been lucky enough to see her at house shows, to witness her play beloved venues that have since closed doors (RIP Hotel Albatross) and ones that have only recently opened theirs (yay, Rabbit Box!). And each show has felt like a new rendition of her songs, from the quiet solo acoustic sets to the full-band shebang brimming with sound and energy.
In every performance, what’s been consistent is the way audiences are pulled into Serafima’s songs. The lyrics are unfailingly captivating—endearing and funny in a weird cocktail of earnestness and sarcasm. And somehow, all of this is delivered with a light-hearted demeanor that makes the whole thing feel jagged and bubbly in the best way. You’ll know what I mean when you see it.
A debut recorded project is still in the works for now. But to hold us over, Serafima is still playing shows all over the place, and she’s made us a playlist of songs that inspire her and her music.
Could you share an overview of your project and where you’re making music in Washington? How would you describe the kind of music you make in a sentence?
My name is Serafima and I play with my band The Shakedowns or solo. I live in Seattle! I grew up in Ballard. #FreeBallard. The music is make is “un-americana” - electrifying classic elements of The Golden Age of Radio, honky tonk, and Russian folk.
What’s one Recommended listening activity you have for this playlist?
I love riding on trains. This playlist is meant to be listened to on looooong train rides when you’ve just woken up from a few hours of less than comfortable sleep and you’re not sure what state the train is rolling through. But you know it’s okay, because you know you have the next couple of hours to continue drifting in and out of sleep as you watch the sunrise over America’s fields, forests, and rivers. You get to see small towns wake up and big cities before morning rush hour traffic hits. You are probably getting off the train in a city like Chicago, DC, Boston, or New York. Before you deboard right into the heart of these bustling cities (and train stations always are right in the center of everything), you have hours to wake up, bliss out, and think about gathering your wits for whatever adventure is waiting at the end of your line. This playlist starts off gentle and slow and builds gradually to an easy and low chuggin’ rhythm.
Hold on. I know what you’re thinking , “Uhhh… that sounds nice, but I’m not planning on a multi-day train trip anytime soon?!” Don’t worry, this playlist will also work great for an early morning commute on any type of public transit when you need to bliss tf out before hitting the grit day with all your sparkle and charm.
If you can’t hop on a train, put on Serafima’s playlist and live vicariously through these pictures from her recent travels:
What music or other media (books, visual art, I dunno—whatever you into) has you hooked right now?
FASHION! I love hairbows and shoes and everything in between. Clothes are one of my favorite things to daydream about. There I said it!
I love sewing, altering, and embellishing things. Right now, I’m into putting metallic fabric stars on any skirt I can get my hands on. Last fall, I went through a big phase of adding tassels and feathers onto everything because I was enamored with those vintage lamps that have a billion details made of so many different materials. I like my patterns mixed. I try to wear glitter eyeliner and glitter nail polish every day - glitter makes me smile, what can I say?! I love bright floral prints - my roommate/bandmate/good friend Aaron likes to say, “Flowers are your favorite color!” – and he’s totally right. My dirty little secret is that I think pearls and diamonds will always go together. I’m currently feeling inspired by the work of Edward Hopper, Charles James, those still life paintings of bright flowers against dark backdrops done by the famous Dutch painters, and Fabrege eggs.
Some Serafima-made socks and wardrobe:
For more on Serafima & the Shakedowns, follow along here :)