Editing Olympia, Washington (section)

===Music===
[[File:Nirvana around 1992 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] got its start in the Olympia and [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] punk-rock scenes of the late 1980s; lead singer [[Kurt Cobain]] grew up in nearby [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen]].]]
{{main|Music of Olympia, Washington}}

Despite its relatively small population, Olympia is internationally known for its local music scene, particularly in the [[alternative rock]] and [[punk (music)|punk]] genres. It is most notable for its role in incubating the [[riot grrrl]] and [[grunge]] movements of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yenigun |first1=Sami |title=Olympia, Wash.: Why Here? Why Now? |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2010/08/20/129326440/olympia-wash-why-here-why-now |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 7, 2025 |date=August 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A look backstage during the height of Olympia's punk scene |url=https://www.knkx.org/news/2020-01-13/a-look-backstage-during-the-height-of-olympias-punk-scene |publisher=KNKX |date=January 13, 2020 |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> The Olympia Music History Project formed in 2023 to research and document the area's music scene during the late 20th century, the peak of its influence.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vinson |first=Ty |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Learn about Olympia's place in music history on new website |url=https://www.theolympian.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article297945793.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

Olympia has been a starting point or home for numerous bands that have achieved international recognition. [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], among the most popular bands of the 20th century and known for popularizing the Pacific Northwest-based [[grunge]] genre, has roots in Olympia: lead singer [[Kurt Cobain]] lived in Olympia for several years during the band's rise to fame, and penned most songs on their bestselling album [[Nevermind]] while living there.<ref>{{cite news |last=Seminara |first=March |date=March 25, 2014 |title=Chasing Kurt Cobain in Washington State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/travel/chasing-kurt-cobain-in-washington-state.html |website=The New York Times |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref> [[Bikini Kill]] started the influential [[feminism|feminist]] [[punk rock|punk]] movement [[riot grrrl]] in Olympia in 1990, as a counterpoint to grunge. Other prominent Olympia-based bands in the riot grrrl movement included [[Sleater-Kinney]], named after a street in neighboring [[Lacey, Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rietmulder |first=Michael |date=September 26, 2024 |title=Sleater-Kinney returns to Olympia after 19 years |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/sleater-kinney-returns-to-olympia-after-19-years/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>

In addition, local alternative rock record labels [[K Records]] and [[Kill Rock Stars]] have played a significant role in shaping [[alternative rock]] and its subgenres. [[K Records]], founded by musician [[Calvin Johnson (musician)|Calvin Johnson]], supported the early careers of Pacific Northwest artists including [[Modest Mouse]] and [[Phil Elverum]]. Kurt Cobain is said to have had a tattoo of Johnson's logo on his forearm.<ref>{{cite news |last=Segal |first=Dave |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Is K Records a 'Broken, Sinking Ship'? |url=https://www.thestranger.com/music/2016/02/24/23611835/is-k-records-a-broken-sinking-ship |website=The Stranger |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref> During its heyday, Johnson and his label earned the attention of [[Beck]], then a rising star, who traveled to Olympia to record the collaborative album [[One Foot In The Grave (album)|One Foot In The Grave]] with Johnson.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=June 26, 1994 |title=Beck's Back |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-ca-8567-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>

Kill Rock Stars, founded in Olympia shortly after K Records, got their start releasing Bikini Kill's first EP, and eventually grew into an indie label hosting the likes of Sleater-Kinney, [[Elliott Smith]], and [[Xiu Xiu]], among others.<ref>{{cite news |last=Douglas |first=Martin |date=June 9, 2022 |title=The Almost Complete History of Kill Rock Stars |url=https://kexp.org/read/2022/6/9/almost-complete-history-kill-rock-stars/ |publisher=[[KEXP]] |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>

Today, Olympia continues to play host to a strong local music scene, including several annual music festivals across various genres, including South Sound Block Party, Oly Funk Fest, and Olympia Old Time Music Festival.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

[[The Fleetwoods]], a popular 1950s and 1960s doo-wop group, whose hits included "[[Come Softly to Me]]" and "[[Mr. Blue]]", originated in Olympia. Additionally, acclaimed [[black metal]] band [[Wolves in the Throne Room]] hails from the city, forming in 2002.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}