The Shins serenade V.I.P.s, youth at private concert

Indie hit-makers the Shins performed a private concert Friday at the Moore theater. The show, sponsored by Starbucks, was held for about 100 V.I.P. customers, along with members from STG and local community radio station KEXP.

“This is our way of thanking the community for their support,” said Corey drBrowa, senior vice president of global communications Starbucks. “It’s also a great way for our partners to demonstrate their engagement in the community.”

The band entertained the audience by playing older hits, including So Says I and New Slang (made famous by Zack Braff’s indie movie, Garden State). The band also played a few singles from their newly released album, Port of Morrow.

After the show, a few band members hosted a question and answer session with several lucky young musicians from More Music, “Cellar Door.”  Front man James Mercer shared what it was like producing their latest album on his record label, Aural Apothecary.

“Sub Pop gave us the freedom to figure out who the Shins were and what we wanted to be,” Mercer said. “But with this album, we got to be more of a business partner with our label, rather than just a slave.”

Don't miss STG’s second “Little Big Show,” co-sponsored by Starbucks and KEXP, on April 20 at the Neptune. The show will feature performances by New Jersey musicians Real Estate and local faves Poor Moon. All proceeds from the show’s ticket sales will go to support local arts organization, Coyote Central, which recruits professionals from creative fields to share their talents and workplaces with young people.