*photo by April Sol

Hip hop may have been one of the least represented genres at Freakout Fest this year, but the fest still managed to present strong acts of interest within the city's movement. One in particular proudly reps her White Center locale, and it's just another detail that adding to what makes Taylar Elizza Beth an artist to be aware of.

Friday was pretty lit at Hattie's Hat and quite a bit of that was because of Taylar Elizza Beth, also known as Taylar White. She's played packed houses before, like earlier this year at the Upstream Music Fest, but the mid-20s raptress (that's rapper and songstress, FYI) is gaining even more warranted attention as her late May EP Fresh Cut Flowers continues to secure its bag, so to speak.

Fresh Cut Flowers takes a different approach to hip-hop than her debut, 2014's The BLK EP. On it, her flow likens itself more to an old school delivery of loquacity, where with Flowers White is mellow and intimate with her recitation. This is no way takes away from the power and magnetism White emits during her performances, especially at Hattie's Hat, where she sucked everyone in like a vacuum. 

If you've yet to catch her live, follow Taylar Elizza Beth's Facebook for upcoming shows.

Triple city-based indie label Freakout Records has been churning out some pretty fine electronic, psych and lively rock from three out of the four corners of the states. Operating out of Seattle, Los Angeles and New York, Freakout has taken to occupying various venues in Ballard for its festival since 2012, with artists of their own catalog, as well as other artists scattered around the Northwest and the country. Freakout! Festival returns again tonight, and its bill is as stacked as ever.

Co-presented by The Stranger, Audioasis on KEXP and supported by Killroom Records, Treefort Music Fest and Artist Home Record Club, Freakout! Fest will be hitting up its usual Ballard staples like Conor Byrne and Tractor Tavern, with Sarah Gerritsen and Roadkill Ghost Choir kicking things off with some early sets. Tonight's hip hop will be fulfilled by up and coming lyricist Taylar Elizza Beth, with some dark stoner psych coming from Blackwater Holy Light. Energetically folky blues comes from Battleme, who are out on tour supporting their new Cult Psychotica release, while Charms and FKL bring more of a dancey feel to a couple of the headlining spots.

Much of Saturday's bill recalls a warmer, more carefree season thanks to some surf-drenched sets from Baywitch, The Shivas and Guantanamo Baywatch, The White Tears and Pearl Dragon is Dead are collaborating on their performance at the Conor Byrne, Porter Ray and Jus Moni killing it in the rhythm and rhymes department, and Kelli Schaefer and Maiah Manser representing for solo noir pop.

There's so many more acts to see, thank goodness they're all playing on the same street. You can find more information about the artists, venues and tickets over at the Freakout Records site.