Leela Perez-Cobo
9/18/26
As I locked up the house and began my trip up to Seattle, I did the common ritual regarding a big night on the way. I began by patting my pockets, muttering to myself: Tickets? Check. Wallet? Check. Artist in question? Check….wait I mean Chuck!
Chuck Timely is the alter ego of the artist and musician Role Model, and who paraded around the stage with a big grin on his face and a crisp white button-down shirt this past Friday at the WAMU Theater in Seattle, Washington. It was the second night of his tour for Role Model’s third album ‘Chuck Timely and the Hourglass’.
It is rumored that in order to identify Chuck Timely out in the open, you must look for a variety of features: hair naturally styled from yesterday, sunglasses worn indoors to discourage eye contact, a brand new and slightly expensive t-shirt, trousers intentionally one size too big with a belt holding them up, a beer in hand warm to the touch, and Lemon Pepper Steppers for shoes. The Lemon Pepper Steppers are both ready for the dance floor or an emergency exit.
Sonically, Chuck Timely leans more into a indie-Americana genre that previous Role Model projects have not fully dived into. Acoustic guitars, bass, and snappy drums filled the venue, giving the sound a country-folk sound. It was delightful!
ROLE MODEL
There is a deeply hypnotic and satisfying sensation to the listener when a live band is so in tune with one another and skilled. Both Samia and Role Model’s band members were incredibly groovy, and their sounds meshed so well that the night flew by with ease.
In particular, the electric guitarist and bassist has such synergy (pictured behind Role Model, to the left). Songs like ‘Wedding Song’ (a song about rehashing a personal vow to never get married), ‘Good Thing’ (a song about doubting whether a relationship is the best choice to return to), or ‘Joy’ (an upbeat tune for a rather sad reality of longing for the experience of joy) were spectacular, sonically speaking.
SAMIA
Regarding Samia and her opening band, they were a shimmering entrance to the night. Samia’s vocals practically floated through the venue, hovering over the instrumentals like sweet honey.
For long-time fans of Samia and her discography: yes, she did play many songs from her debut album ‘The Baby’ (originally released in 2020; extended versions released later). ‘Pool’ and ‘Big Wheel’ left me teary-eyed.
It is moments like these that music appears to come full circle and touch something deeper for the listener. Hearing songs live that one associates with earlier or particular times in the life can almost be like a slingshot back through time. What a privilege it is to be made to continually feel and remember through music.
Near the end of the opener, Samia and her band played an unreleased song for the audience, which was a special treat. Get ready, listener, to check it out when it comes to a speaker near you. From my high school self, I say: thank you, Samia. I also miss my dog and wondered if my legs are going to last the whole night standing in this general admission floor area. In the end, they did.
* * * * *
Both acts were incredibly charming, and did lots of crowd work throughout the show. Role Model allowed for many moments of sharing the microphone with the audience, singing the songs at the top of our collective lungs together. Listen for yourself to the closer of the night, ‘Harmony’. Together, the crowd and him sang, smiling through the words:
“Whatever kept me awake last night
Is finally giving me one night free
Play a song that’ll dry my eyes
Settle into some harmony
Maybe this is what love looks like
It took forever but now I see
It’s harmony”
-“Harmony”, Role Model (off the album Chuck Timely and the Hourglass)
Best of luck to the musicians, stage crew, and band mates as they continue their tour!! Thank you to Role Model, Samia, and my friends for the spectacular night and finding harmony in the storm of life.