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Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Last Night

Arts & Culture   March 11, 2010 at 2:02 pm Josh Feit

Chris K. was all about the Maldives show at the Tractor in Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s PubliCalendar.

And PubliCola reader (and photog) Jennifer Haller got some killer shots of the local alt-country faves and San Francisco’s Or, The Whale at the show last night.

The Maldives

Or, The Whale

more Maldives


  • George

    I was at the show and I was unimpressed by Or, the Whale. I recognize that for openers the Tractor can be noisy because of the bar, so I give them a small pass because the crowd wasn't fully behind them. But I think the crowd wasn't behind them because the band was, frankly, boring. If you're going to be a bunch of beards in flannel shirts like every other hipster group you should at least have some original stuff and come out swinging. For me that wasn't the case. And I thought the cute, redheaded backup singer too much a prima donna and her bugout eyes distracting.

    The Maldives, however rocked and the crowd shut up and listened. They made the night worth it.

  • Josh Feit

    Thanks for the report George.

  • sverkanya

    The Maldives are who I keep making everyone in Florida listen to in order to point out Seattle's musical superiourity. Great shots Jen!

  • jen_haller

    Hey George – I thought Or, the Whale totally came out swinging. If nothing else, you have to admit that the girl on the drum in the middle of the set KILLED it. Or, maybe next time you just need to join me up front where all the action is.