Claire Conway + Verboten + Will Orchard

Claire Conway, Verboten, and Will Orchard share a bill at the Conor Byrne Pub on Thursday, October 8, with the music starting at 8 PM. It's a three-act night in Ballard, and the bill leans toward the songwriting end of the spectrum.

Claire Conway is a songwriter and storyteller who works with heartfelt, confessional lyrics and intimate instrumentation. Her writing circles the birth and death of love, growing up, and self-discovery, and her poise and introspection draw comparisons to contemporary folk-minded songwriters like Leith Ross and Eliza McLamb.

Verboten is fronted by songwriter Foster Powell, who writes charming, folky pop songs about disillusionment, pairing bright, melodic hooks with poetic lyrics in a sound indebted to 90s-era alt rock. The band toured for several years in the Northeast US before relocating to Bellingham, Washington, and released its first full-length album, Life Expectancy, in 2024. They cite Belle and Sebastian, Elliott Smith, and Andy Shauf as references.

Will Orchard rounds out the lineup. The night is 21+ only, and tickets run from $12 to $15. The show is at the Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Ave NW, in Ballard, starting at 8 PM on Thursday, October 8.