Saturday, August 29, 2009

EP review - Secrets in the Salt "Krill Through Baleen"


I know, I know, this title is looking very familiar - but Secrets in the Salt ended up in communication with more than one of us, and when Jess and I became aware that we were both working on reviews for the same album, we decided, with the help of course of the lovely miss Goldie, that the best solution was to provide both reviews and let you, the audience, decide who to believe. ;)

When I received Secrets in the Salt’s EP, the first thing I noticed is that they have a flair for presentation. The cover art is very simple, diagonal rainbow stripes with “Secrets in the Salt” in all-capital 1980’s style lettering in the yellow section. The CD is printed with a swan made out of two mirrored S’s. I looked at this CD, and I wanted to listen to it.
The first track is called simply “Intro”. Made to sound like an old wax cylinder recording, distant saxophone over staticy sounds. The first proper song, “Hello Sam” definitely didn’t disappoint. Starting with an organ melody and moving to percussive organ chords, it’s a pop song so perfectly formed that just thinking about it starts the words and melody rolling through my head. The instrumentation is simple – mostly just simple organ and a cymbal with guitar and full drums coming in towards the end of the song. The words go from normal to morbid and strange- opening with “Hello Sam, how is the painting” and continuing to “With your bones ground – to the finest powder ever spread around…” all the while continuing the same catchy tune.

Track 3, “Stale Geometry” continues in a similar musical style, this time with repeatedly strummed offbeat guitar chords carrying the main theme, and mobile bass and tambourine holding down the beat. Of course, the organ comes back for a break later on. This song has more of a mysterious or menacing feel. The vocals are deeper and more strained feeling, with some melodic “ooh’s” and “la’s”. The lyrics make very little sense, but that adds to the fun of the song.
Track 4, “Cavity” is the weakest song on the album. It contains some of the most attractive lyrics – “sweet smell of christening”, “being born to myself with a lighter geometry”. The instrumentation is only acoustic guitar and organ, no percussion, with some melodic mallet instrument coming in towards the end, which is one of my favourite parts of the song. However, the seemingly nonsensical lyrics, probably meaningful only to the writer, which are charming in the prior track come off as a bit pretentious and tiresome when set in a more introspective, quiet context, removed from the bass and drums that keep “Stale Geometry” from being... stale, which unfortunately, Cavity kind of is. The lyrics are thoughtful, the melodies beautiful, but the whole package just comes off wrong.

Track 5, “Sparrow” returns to the format of the rest of the album, with a catchy beat and driving guitars, with the addition of an occasional country-like twanging guitar melody, and finishes off with some pretty vocal harmonies.

The final track, “Sleeves”, is more subdued than most of the EP, but still has a beat and some Beatles-type vocal harmonies holding it together. The middle of the song has a break involving some well-done whistling. The end of the song devolves delightfully into barely-audible bass noodling and whirring electronic noises.
All in all, Krill Through Baleen is decent, though definitely not amazing, with the exception, of course, of “Hello Sam”. However, these guys definitely have the know-how and creativity to write an enjoyable, successful, better than average pop song, and my communications with Neil, one of the band’s guitarists, as well as a peek at Secrets in the Salt’s myspace, show that this EP is an early effort not representative of where the band wants to, and probably will, end up. This combined with their excellent graphic design and pleasant but aggressive enough to be effective self-promotion suggests that this may not be the last we hear about Secrets in The Salt. I for one am looking forward to their future endeavors, and hoping to catch them live eventually. Their next show, according to the Internet, is September 5th at Duff's Garage.
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music for August 25th

Hello Dear Readers,

I have been back in town for three days and have seen soooo much good music that I haven;t even had time to blog it. Let me make a short list of some of the highlights: A Weather, Point Juncture WA, AAN, Black Heart Moon, Grey Anne, Morning Telportation,The Dandy Warhols, Matt of the Sarcastic Dharma Society, plus I got to play my music twice. So much fun. Anyways, here is what is happening today.

Tuesday, August 25th

Holocene is holding a Benefit for Kris Jensen featuring the music of: YACHT, Au, Copy and May Ling "Following the tragic death of Kris Jensen, mother of Rachael Jensen from the Parenthetical Girls, the generous Portland music community set up an all-star benefit for her memorial fund". So this is an amazing show regardless. But the fact that some actual good beyond just having a great time is very appealing to me. I really do like all of these bands a lot (except for May Ling, because I have not heard too much of her stuff). There is a sliding scale cover of $5-15. Or if you cannot make it but still want to help out you can do so here The show starts at 8:30 PM. The show starts at 8:30 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Pikara, Dash! and Xh. All of these are great bands. I thought that Dash! was exceptional during his PDX Pop Now! performance this year. Also it this is the CD release show for Pikara. I have a copy of the album and it really does have some downwright beautiful moments. This is what the press release said, "Pikara is the first solo effort from Swedish multi-instrumentalist Sara Dyberg (Susurrus Station, Zouaves, Dead Cinema). The nine tracks that comprise the self-titled album are explorations of short moments in time drawing influences from Scandanavian folk music, Bergman films and Greek rembetika. The album evokes images so vivid it could easily be mistaken for the score of a movie yet unfilmed." I am pretty sure Xh is good. I have never seen them, but I know I have listed them before. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.


Doug Fir is having a show with The Hugs, Low Red Land (San Francisco), Appomattox, and Yeah Great Fine. I think that The Hugs make perfect garage pop. I am sometimes inclinded to like such a genre. I also remembering hearing and liking Low Red Land on a compilation of Bay Area artists a while back. And Yeah Great Fine really are, for lack of a better word, great. The show is $6 amd starts at 9 PM.

Dunes is having a show with Chewing Pics (Brooklyn, NY), My First Earthquake and Soft Tags. I just spent a week in Yellowstone with a broken ipod. The only CD I had with me was the new EP by Soft Tags based loosely around the diaries of Nikola Tesla. It was a pleasent if short listen that I repeated many times. The show supposedly starts at 8 PM and costs $3.

So say "Hi" if you see me and have a voice. Otherwise you are just plain mean.
-Ben


AU, over there. Go to the Holocene tonight.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009

TURN MY HEADPHONES UP!!! Volume 1



"You can't just put velvet in the shit and think they're nice headphones!"


This is the first installment of my new column of mini music reviews, intended to be briefer and breezier, with a slightly smaller chance of critical douchiness than normal.

"Put some treble in it... put some treble in it... that's my word!!!"

Pikara- PIKARA

When I was a wee lad eating cream of rice on a Sunday morning, reading Kipling, my mother's go-to album was "The Hissing of Summer Lawns." I've since used that one as well as a Sunday morning pancake music, and when I first ran through Pikara's self-titled album, I had high hopes that it would belong in the same sort of classic emotional bracket. On repeated listens, that hasn't been the case. Pikara frontwoman Sara Dryberg is, while immensely talented, perhaps too aware of her own confidence, and to create an album like this one, of beauty that is almost haunting is a pretty sure sign that any promised mystery will not be that deep. Nevertheless, PIKARA is cinematic and intense, and I would recommend the listener experiment with it to see exactly where it resonates with them. CD release party August 25th at Valentine's.


Secrets In The Salt- KRILL THROUGH BALEEN


I don't just write blogs for my health. One of the great things that I get to do is have abuse heaped upon me by mouth-breathing numbskulls who are defending some crap band of the week in lieu of maintaining their own dignity. Another great thing is that I get a chance to get intimate with cool bands, people from labels, talk to them about how they do their thing, and tell them how I do my thing. It's not a fan thing, necessarily, as technically I'm in the biz, and have been, but hell... it makes me feel good. Makes the old self feel young.

And sometimes, the latter comes from the former. One of the members of SITS contacted me after my vicious 'review' of Cage The Elephant, which he agreed with. We started shooting the shit about recording techniques, etc., and one thing led to another. He offered to send me a demo. Hey, why not? The song of theirs I had listened to on myspace was pretty cool.

Now, just to throw this in here, lest you out in Blogreadistan think we're complete idiots, Secrets In The Salt were talking up multiple bloggers from Crappy Indie Music and sending them review material. Now, while that might make me feel less special, you have to give the boys credit for hustle. Amber Dawn should be doing a more in-depth review of this album soon.

My main thought about Krill Through Baleen is that it was a world away from the demo song I'd heard on myspace, and overall a bit of a disappointment. It's well-produced, jangly, fun bouncy pop, but didn't strike me as a very mature work overall. This gives me high hope for their next disc, which sounds as if it's going for a grittier new wave feel with some '60s type vocal harmonies. I've heard elsewhere that this is a band to see live, so go check them out. They've got hustle!


Tobacco- FUCKED UP FRIENDS

Yeah... so this one is not new, and has been out a while, but is new to me. My little bro- of the record label and friends with WIBG fame- gave it to me to listen to. Thanks, Draeger. You were spot on with this one.

Tobacco- who needs to pick a new nom de plume- is the singer from Black Moth Super Rainbow, who I happened to be familiar with because last.fm puked them up as a similar artist to my band. Tobacco's solo efforts' are strictly analog synth and tape loop affairs, and it shows. The thing about Fucked Up Friends that surprised me was HOW FUCKING BADASS IT WAS. This disc goes all over the place, and rips and tears and never once bores. To me it is the modern stoner/glitch equivalent of Vernon Reid's Mistaken Identity. While it may lack the visionary power of that album, it is certainly its equal in energy. My only qualms are the gratuitous flute parts, and Aesop Rock's appearance on one track, while competent, seemed forced and pandering. Otherwise, pow!


Well, that's it for the first installment of TURN MY HEADPHONES UP. I'll be back soon with more.
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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 15th

Hello Dear Readers,

I stayed up waaaaaaay to late last night. I played on KBOO on a show that lasted from midnight to 3 am. I was nervous about getting sleepy so I downed a Red Bull Cola at about 11 pm. I think that may have been a mistake as I didn't end up going to sleep until about 7 am. Before I knew it I was 3 in the afternoon. Crazy. Anyways, this might be the reason for the sparse commentary on today's shows. Also I am leaving for a week tomorrow morning and will not have access to post. I know that there are a lot of good shows happening. I think Sallie Ford is having her tour kick off with Grey Anne tomorrow at Worksound. I also know that Duck, Little Brother Duck and Sarcastic Dharma Society have shows next week. You should totally look into those bands. I highly recommend PC-PDX.com for a solid show listing.

Saturday, August 15th

The Woods is having a show with A Weather, Shoeshine Blue and Polka Dot Dot Dot (Olympia). I love A Weather. That being said I have not seen them play in forever. They have finished a new album and I am sure that they will be playing a lot of those songs. I have seen Shoeshine Blue a couple of times and always been really impressed with what he does. I saw him last week with a stand up bass player and two female backup singers (one with a flute). It was really good. Plus I have heard nothing but amazing things about Polka Dot Dot Dot (supposedly a lot of three part harmonies and such). The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Worksound is having a show with Cafeteria Dance Fever, Inside Voices, Pony Village and The Prids. All I know is that Inside Voices are bomb. I predict that will "blow up" by the end of the year. Jeff is hands down the most mesmerizing drummer in Portland. Plus I have been meaning to catch Pony Village for quite some time. The show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Experimental Dental School, Wax Fingers, Swim Swam Swum and Mighty Tiger (Seattle). Experimental Dental School are awesome they are kinda like a Deerhoof of Portland. Except that it is a two piece. And the dude does most of the singing. And it is less cute. Well...they still kinda have the same feel. I also really like the nasally indie rock of Swim Swam Swum. And a note you can download Wax Fingers album via their myspace. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Mile Post 5 is having Atole, Jeffrey Jerusalem, Church, Quiet Countries, Rollerball and Holiday Junction play as the music part of today's Manor of Art. I think this looks like the best music day of the event. But I say that because I really like Jeffrey Jerusalem (who plays later or earlier in Inside Voices) and Church are one of my favorite Portland Bands. The event is ALL AGES and FREE and starts at 3 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Or the Whale (San Francisco), Y la Bamba and mystery guest. Or The Whale is a seven piece group from the bay. They make country indie rock. Five of them sing, four of them are credited with lead vocals. This leads me to believe that there are multiple song writers. This will be a CD pre-release show. Y La Bamba is a band that I play bass and sing in. Though we only have three singers and five members, I think we do a pretty good job doing what we do (playing eclectic songs of personal spirituality, sickness and memories). The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Alberta Street Pub is having a show with John Heart Jackie and Joel Smith (Spokane, WA). It seems there are two sides of the folk coin these days. On the one side you have the sleepy pretty side, ala John Heart Jackie. The other side is energetic and heavily arranged ala Joel Smith. Joel Smith was kind enough to send me his new album The Filibuster. It is a good record. Really it is, which is a pleasant surprise. His songs are all really well arranged he seems equally comfortable with a banjo, guitar (acoustic or otherwise). There are tasteful additions of organs and almost gospel vocals throughout the disc. He comes from the land of Spokane , which has given us the likes of relatively similar Karli Fairbanks and Kaylee Cole. I have read that he usually has a four piece band in tow. Also I should mention that this is the EP release show for John Heart Jackie. This should be a good show. I have not seen a cover listed anywhere but the show starts at 9 PM.

So if you see me at Mississippi Studios tonight. Say "Hi". Or you can just heckle me from afar.

-Ben


Church play Mile Post 5 today for FREE.
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Friday, August 14, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 14th

Hello Dear Readers,

I went to a rock show last night (The Ax, and Red Fang). I had a few realizations. A) I don't see heavier music nearly enough. B) The louder the music is the taller the crowd is. I have been going to a lot of wussy shows lately (because I love wussy music) and I have felt a normal height, actually sometime a bit tall. Last night I was hands down the shortest man there. Crazy. Any way, here are some shows for tonight.

Friday, August 14th


Worksound is having a show with Hornet Leg, Tunnels, AS/SS, Chrome Wings. These are all pretty exciting bands and if I am not mistaken there has been reference to a Children of the Revolution (a annual Portland music festival) tour, this show being it's kick off. I did a little more research and AS/SS and Chrome Wings are going on tour together. Chrome Wings makes very spacey sometimes ambient leaning pop music (kinda like recent Animal Collective stuff, but less poppy). It seems like a good mix with the spacey Post-punk music that AS/SS comes up with. The show is $ and starts ay 9 PM.

Mile Post 5 is hosting The Manor of Art which is an amazing thing happening for about a week starting today. "Over 100 artists have been invited to turn the yet-to-be-renovated rooms of The Studios building into three floors of installations and exhibits. This 10-day festival will include live music by local bands, theater and performance art, artist round tables, and daily guided tours of the 100+ exhibits." The bands playing today are The Prids, World's Greatest Ghosts, Magic Johnson and Boy Eats Drum Machine. World's Greatest Ghosts are one of the best live bands in Portland. They marry keyboard in guitar melodies to make some of the catchiest pop music you will ever hear. I saw BEDM last year at Mile Post and it was so fun. He mixes many things together through a series of live loops and his laptop, guitar sax and turntables. The Prids make shoegaze influenced music. The whole thing is FREE. and starts at 6 PM.

Berbati's is having a show with SubArachnoid Space, Thrones (Salem), Rabbits, Palo Verde and Fist Fite. This is a showcase of some of the better heavier music that Portland has to offer. Thrones set at PDX Pop! was one of the highlights for me. I remember being impressed when I saw SubArachnoid Space at last year's PDX Pop fest. Palo Verde is a loud improv duo that features LKN on drums. Fist Fite are awesome. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Sean Hayes, Nick Jaina and Leonard Mynx. My friend Luz from Y La Bamba loves Sean Hayes' voice. Within a few days of meeting her she was trying to get me to see him play (he happened to be in town). He does an upbeat folk thing. Nick Jaina on the other hand is usually a downer. In such a good way though. Plus he has assembled one of the best bands in town. Leonard Mynx is a songwriting machine. If all goes according to plan he will have released four albums in two years by years end. Crazy. Because he has so many songs it doesn't come as a surprise that he dabbles in a lot of different "sounds". I have his seen him folk, pop, and rock. But usually it is various combinations of all these styles. The show is $12-14 and starts at 8 PM.

Backspace is having a benefit show for Portland Community Transitional School. They have The Hugs, Midnight Callers, Ghosties, and 1776 playing. "For our students, school is a refuge from the trauma and hardships of poverty and uncertainty—a place where they feel a sense of community and belonging. This is a place where they have room to learn, laugh with friends and build hope." —Cheryl M. Bickle, Principal and Teacher. Sounds like a good cause. The bands look pretty good too. Most them are thankfully pretty easy to categorize. The Hugs are garage pop. Midnight Callers and 1776 are power pop. Ghosties on the other hand is harder to categorize. It is good and the recordings sound like someone who makes lo-fi made at home indie rock music. It sounds good. All proceeds from you suggested $5 donations will go towards PCTS. The ALL AGES show starts at 8 PM.

Also, if you are home early from a show, or up late. KBOO 90.7 fm is having a show with Sarcastic Dharma Society, Padriac Finbar Hagerty-Hammond, and Meyercord (me, what?!?) very late tonight. I think that Sarcastic Dharma Society's songs are so well written and so well arranged (He has a band now, which incidentally features Fin aka Padraic Finbar Hagerty-Hammond) that he is for sure one of my favorite artists. Fin also plays very very well written songs I am unsure if he has a band or not (I have only seen him solo and it has been great). He has this one song called Xmas song that almost me cry every time (I don't cry). I will be debuting a new singer tonight named Holland. You can hear her music here. The show is called "The Outside World" and starts at midnight and lasts until 3 am. I guess it is technically tomorrow, but whatevs. You can listen at 09.7 fm or online here.

So if you see me tonight. At a show. Say, "Hi". If you see me and I am not at a show, that is dumb and you should say nothing.

-Ben


Ghosties are being very charitable tonight. You should too, go to Backspace.
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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Radio 23 do you copy?

Have you heard of or listened to online radio station Radio23?

Jeff Hylton Simmons contacted me about hooking up Clear so he he can broadcast live on Radio23 from PICA: TBA. That's how I heard of it. Now I am listening to it! I love it!



From Radio23.org:

Radio23 is a non-commercial, freeform radio station dedicated to providing an international artistic platform for innovative and creative home broadcasters. Our mission is educational. We teach anyone, anywhere how to make radio with a computer and a broadband internet connection. Join us.

Every two hours, a new live broadcaster takes the reigns from a distant land and offers a view of what’s happening in their creative community. Anyone with high-speed internet can experience underground music and culture from all parts of the globe, created by dozens of weekly live broadcasters.





FUNDRAISER FOR A LOCAL SHOW ON RADIO23 called "The Full Life All-Star Radio Hour" by Full Life an art, recreation, and vocational program for adults with developmental disabilities :

There will be a fundraiser this Friday August 14th, 2009. This fine evening of musical performance will feature sillyROBchildish , Jack Bouba, and bazillionaire, all employees of the fabulous Full Life. The money raised will go toward keeping Full Life's talk-centric shows* on the air. The suggested donation is $5, though no one will be turned away. All ages are welcome.

Time:
7:00pm - 10:30pm
Location:
Full Life Coffee Shop
Street:
3331 NE Sandy Blvd.
City/Town:
Portland, OR

Tuesday mornings from 10-12 and Wednesday afternoons from 2-4 (PST)
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CIMTB blogger update

I'm "working" on a FUN music project directly related to The Great Northwest and Eriq Nelson is moving to The Great Northwest, Portland to be exact, for shizzy.


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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 13th

Hello Dear Readers,

The house show I went to/played last night was amazing. So many good bands, such a good "vibe". I am so glad to be a part of it. You should have been there. Anyways, here is what is happening tonight:

Thursday, August 13th

Hotel Deluxe is having a screening of Trafic as part of their Top Down series. The opening band tonight is is St. Frankie Lee. The kids in St. Frankie Lee are in love with themselves. No really, there are at least two couples in the band (last I checked). That's four of the seven members involved with themselves. That's over half. But whatevs, I really like their gospel tinged folk rock. Boy Girl vocals are all over the music in a way that I trouble not liking. The movie looks pretty silly, but fun. The ALL AGES show starts at

East End is having a show with Red Fang, Lions (Austin), and Backspace is having a show with The Mint Chicks, Blue Horns, and The Nightgowns (Tacoma). The Mint Chicks is that band that moved here from New Zealand to realize their rock star dreams. I have heard about them for a while and just saw them for the first time at this year's PDX Pop Now!. They were really fun. It is really up tempo pop music led by a lot of strong keyboard leads while the guitarist and drummer hold everything else down. Their front man is very energetic going crazy all over the stage. Blue Horns is a very good jangle core band. You know kinda in the same ball park as Shaky Hands. Very good. The Nightgowns is a electro-indie-pop group from Tacoma. Imagine if Au Revoir Simone was made up of guys and a little less sad and more pop oriented. The ALL AGES show will probably cost some money and starts at 9 PM.

There are other shows tonight But I ran out of time to list them. But if you see me at any of these shows, say "Hi". Cause I feel that it might do you good.

-Ben


Blue Horns play Backspace Tonite!
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 12th

Hello Dear Readers,

It is so nice out today. So nice that I want to go see some music. Oh look! Here are some shows:

Wednesday, August 12th

Music on Main St. put on by PCPAis having a show with The Old Believers and Autopilot Is for Lovers. Both of these bands used to be duos and both of these bands have swelled to become much bigger and have larger sounds. I think there might be a new sub-genre called epic-folk. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 5 PM.

There is a "Folk in the round" show at Bear Hug (4937 NE 6th) this evening. Which means that songsters will be taking turns playing songs. This show will highlight some of the songwriting talent of some other prominent Portland bands. i.e. it will be not the main songwriters of Ohioan, Glass Teeth, Meyercord, What Skulls can Tell Us?, AAN, and Typhoon!. Plus Brittain Ashford (Brooklyn), and Ash Retier (Oakland) will be playing. I am not sure if any of this is actual folk music, but I like it all. The show is FREE and it starts as a BBQ at 6 PM. The music starts at 7 PM.

Laurelthirst is having a show with Dolorean. If you haven't heard them you might want to check them out. If you like the Americana folk rock thing (I do). They are playing Laurel Thirst every Wednesday this month. My guess is that they will try out new material on you if you go to these shows. Did I mention that all these Wednesday Dolorean shows are for FREE? Well, they are. It starts at 6 PM.

Berbati's also has a residency thing on Wednesdays. Every month they pick a band to play every Wednesday in the restarant part of Berbati's. This month they have selected Inside Voices who are really great. Tonight they are playing with Breakfast Mountain. I love me some inside voices. They make good summer time music. As does Breakfast Mountain, though they (he?) makes a music that is much more on the electronic side of things. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Holocene is has anew series of shows called "A Few of My Favorite Things" where they will let a band curate a show of whatever he or she wants. I think this is the first one. Brain Mumford of Dragging an Ox Through Water, makes really cool music that seems to transcend traditional genres, so it is no surprise that his tastes are eclectic. This is what he said about it via his blog, "I'm very excited about it.. Salt Orchard (snare drum and vocal duo, members of Xh and The Better to See You With) and Operative (Scott Goodwin from Bonus, sawtooth waves, live drums I'm told by Jed and Spencer) will both play, as well as Dragging an Ox through Water (me), and label owners from local labels like Below PDX, Together Tapes, Eggy Records and Distro, and Awesome Vistas will DJ from their catalogs between, before, and after sets. Liz Harris (grouper) will show some video work.. and there will be a wearable sculpture procession / fashion show curated by Dana Dart McLean with works by Jessica Jackson Hutchins, Storm Tharp, Alicia McDaid, Loyal Mantooth, members of Oregon Painting Society, and many more along with some choreography by Jane from Janet Pants Dans Theatre. Real strange free-associatively gathered together world kind of night! Please come!". Also it is a benefit for Yellow Brick Road which benefits homeless youth. The show is $6 and starts at 7 PM.

Someday Lounge is having a show with Wishyunu, Camping Party, Lee Corey Oswald. This is part of the Pabst Recession Proof series (which means it's free). Wishyunu is a band that I have been wanting to see for a while. They make hushed-vocaled indie pop music. I have played a show with Camping Party before. He makes music that someone who used to listen to hardcore would make if they found an acoustic guitar and ran it through various delay pedals. and decided to become a singer-songwriter. Lee Corey Oswald is a folk duo: two dudes two guitars and one harmony. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Please say "Hi" to Ben Meyercord. He likes it when you do that.

-Ben


Come see a few of Dragging an Ox Through Water's favorite things. Tonight
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Davis Hooker live preview

Photobucket

I am not often prone to hyperbole, but I can't get enough of this live set from Davis Hooker. Live from Underwood, MN on 5 hours sleep via PDX and Belfast, Ireland. He of Watery Graves, ...worms, Rob Walmart, and A John Henry Memorial.

Even though I mostly listen to hip-hop, I will listen to this on repeat until the actual record comes out on Marriage Records. Can't wait.
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Monday, August 10, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 10th and 11th

Hello Dear Readers,

What are you doing right now? Ewww. What you should be doing is checking out all these bands that are playing shows in the next couple days:

Monday, August 10th

Valentine's is having a show with Sea Caves and Pep Assembly. Sea Caves is a band I keep hearing about but have yet to see. My friends have said good things. I listened to a little but and it sounded good. They use their guitars well. Liam K. of Pep Assembly has played in pop bands in Portland for a while now (most notably in The Snuggle Ups and Pocket Parade). Pep Assembly is his latest outfit and remains firmly rooted in his pop roots. I have yet to see them, but they are obviously on my list of bands to see live. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Dunes is having a show with Fag Rag Missoula), BloodBiker, and Hammer of Hathor. I will level with you. I don't know much about these bands. There is not a whole lot going on music-wise so it might be worth checking out. I know that Hammer of Hathor has a least on member of the Evolutionary Jass Band. So that helps them get on my radar. Pc-Pdx.com says that Fag Rag is homoerotic dance noise from Montana. Sounds interesting. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.


Tuesday, August 11th

Valentine's is having a show with Ocean Age, Secret Codes, and Metal. I haven't seen Ocean Age yet, but I kinda really want to. I have almost seen them on a number of occasions, but have hey to actually see them play. The closet I got was at the album release show for Church. That night I was show hoping though and just missed their set. I did pick up their EP though. Then I lost it. Then I found it again this morning and listened to it. It sounds good. Plus David Kyle is pretty awesome if you like kinda post-rock electronic music with some Eastern instruments thrown in the mix. Metal is quiet is the URL for the Metal myspace page. It is appropriate for the drone duo. They make very pretty music and I have been meaning to pick up their latest album (out on Vinyl, CD included) for quite some time. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

The Waypost is having a show with The Ocean Floor, The Firs of Prey and Die Geister Beschworen. All of these bands are about to embark on a tour of California together. I am jealous of California because this is a great tour. Though I am not too familiar (i.e. at all) with Die Geister Beschworen, I know that if these other two terrific bands have selected them as tourmates speaks volumes. Right? Both The Ocean Floor and Firs of Prey make really good post-whatever pop music. This is their tour kick off show. So give them some love. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Canoe and Johan The Angel. I don't add that many bands that request to be my friend on myspace. Most of the time if I am not feeling your band, I will just leave you in limbo (I will not add you or deny you). Canoe was a band that I actually added. Just Sayin'. Their friends in Johan the Angel claim to be epic folk. I have not heard them, but that sounds pretty cool. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts promptly at 6 PM.

Ella Street Social Club is having a show with Hollow Hymnal and Eggplant. Recently Chad Palme (pronounced palmy) played a solo show. He promised that it would be less awkward when he plays with a band. I for whatever reason believe him. Though even at a much lower rate of awkwardness, he will still make you wonder about him. That being said, the songs really are good. The show is $2 and starts at 9 PM.

Berbati's is having a show with Mark Twain Indians, The Valley Arena (Long Beach, CA) and Oh Captain My Captain. All I am saying for this one is that Oh Captain My Captain kinda rules it. They have a new line up and they are proud to show it off. The show is $5-7 and starts at 9 PM.

So if you you see out. Say, "Hi". You would be a fool not to.

-Ben



The Ocean Floor kicks off his tour on Tuesday at the Waypost. Cool, right?
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Sunday, August 9, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 9th

Hello Dear Readers,

Sundays are always a good night for shows. I don't really know why, but seriously, you can bank on Sundays having some of the best shows of the week. See:

Sunday, August 9th

Doug Fir is having its picking on Picking on Sundays event this time with .Adam Shearer (of Weinland and Justin Power. I think both of these guys are good songwriters. I think that Justin Power is going to blow up. First of all, his songs are so good. Secondly he is on the Portland Cello Project CD out on Kill Rock Stars which will be toured extensively. Third or all, I think that an album is not that far off for him. The show is FREE and starts at 3 PM.

Vino Vixens is having a show with Ghosties and Maggie Morris. Both of these folks have albums on Boy Gorilla, a label I am a fan of. Ghosties make post-Modest Mouse/ post-Flaming Lips. I saw Maggie Morris last time she came through twon at Backspace. I was very impressed. It didn't hurt that she was backed by Typhoon! (maybe the best thing that Boy Gorilla has going for it). She makes music that is somewhere between Neko Case and Mirah. This is obviously a good place for music to be. The show is $3-$5 and starts at 7:30 PM.

The Wail is having a show with White Hinterland, Neal Morgan and Casual Fog (Nevada City). White Hinterland is something to behold. I never really know quite how to describe it. Casey Dienel has a great voice. She sometimes sings in French. She always plays a fender rhodes. Her partner in crime, Shawn Creeden mans all sort of pedals often lit by candles. It is traditional and experimental at the same time. Neal Morgan is about to release an album called "Drum and Voice". That is exactly what he uses. It is like often like whatching an accapella performance broken up by drum fills and drum solos. Neal has a nice enough voice to pull it off though. Casual Fog is an indie rock band from Nevada City. The ALL AGES show is $ and starts at 8 PM.

Rontoms is having a show with Experimental Dental School, Fist Fite and Magic Johnson. This will be a very fun and high energy show. XDS plays jagged quirked out pop music made by the duo and all their modified and sweet looking gear. Magic Johnson is a female led band with a lot of keyboard. I remember seeing them last year and thinking my goodness that is a lot of cursing coming from that girl. Magic Johnson is not Healing & Easy Listening as they claim to be on myspace, They are boy girl guitar drum duo that sings kinda punky songs (sometimes in Spanish). The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Say "Hi" to me if you see me. Otherwise I might think you don't like me

-Ben


You can see Neal Morgan's cowlick bob around like crazy tonight at The Wail.
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Saturday, August 8, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 8th

Hello Dear Readers,

There are like a million good shows happening tonight. These are the ones I endorse.

Saturday, August 8th

Backspace is having a show with BOAT (Seattle), New Century Schoolbook and Ron Hexagon (LA). BOAT and New Century Schoolbook are both gleaming examples of modern indie-pop. I love both. Rex Hexagon is uh...well, remember when you were a kid and would make up songs. He is like that. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.

Worksound is having a show with Pelican Ossman, Rickshaw, Ages and Rush-N-Disco. It is apparently the Record Release (actual vinyl) show for Pelican Ossman. They claim to be a family band. They range from Silver Jews-esque country to lo-fi rock. Rickshaw plays with a similar lo-fi rock aesthetic. Rush-N-Disco performs YouTube videos. Live. Acapella. It is pretty weird, and but even more so hilarious. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Portland Cello Project and Jared Mees & The Grown Children. This a night dedicated to dance covers. It is essentially if you took a bunch of Portland "rock stars" and had them doing karaoke with a bunch of cellos instead of a karaoke machine or whatever. That being said it will probably be a lot of fun.

Mississippi Studios is having a SMYRC Benefit with: We're from Japan, Swallows, Southerly and Jon Garcia. It is a good cause. Plus if you have never seen the awesome instrumental post-rock that is We're From Japan!, then you are missing out. Swallows is pretty fun. And I have yet to see a bad Southerly show. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having another installation Supernature: Bobby Birdman (LA), Deelay Ceelay, and resident DJ's: DJ Copy, DJ BJ (one of the dudes from Atole and E*Rock. Bobby Birdman used to live in Portland. I think he is really good. He mixes electronic music and old school crooning. Deelay Ceelay are a very visual band. If you are blind you will still enjoy it but you are not getting the full dry ice/projections experience. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with All My Pretty Ones (Berkeley/Oakland) and Sam Cooper. All My Pretty Ones makes very good folk pop. Extremely good. I only listened to a little bit of it but I really want to see the shoe. I am also a fan of Sam Cooper. His music is all good and his songs are often very verbose and well written. He has a very awkward stage presence that I find endearing. The show is early and starts at 6 PM.

The Waypost is having a show with Invisible River (Olympia), Eleanor Murray (Olympia), Arrington de Dionyso and Ohioan. Invisible River and Eleanor Murray are both cool indie folk groups from Olympia (one led by a boy, one led by a girl). They both sound pretty good. Arrington, of Old Time Relijun, is crazy. Or at least his music is. Just crazy. Ohioan is really good indie experimental country (or something like that). The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Kelly's Olympian is having a show with M. Bison (Seattle), Yeltsin and Grey Anne. I have heard of M. Bison before. I don't remember when or where. But listening to their my space page they sounded pretty good. Sometimes kinda like classic pop, sometimes a bit noisey, sometimes three part harmonies. Yeltsin is a really good rock band. Straight up very little amount of chords and a lot of melody. Grey Anne is an entertainer through and through. Her songs are good and often clever. Her voice is beautiful. Her stage presence is way above average(not that she goes crazy or anything, she just knows how to engage an audience). And she can use a looping pedal like nobodies business. The show is $5 and starts at 10 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with Guidance Counselor, Tunnels, Jeffrey Jerusalem. This is a show for your ass. Specifically for it to shake to and frow and all about. I have seen both Guidance Counselor and Jeffrey Jerusalem and they are both so fun to see. It is very upbeat, positive, and dancey. Tunnels is one that i haven't seen but what I heard was kinda darker almost Joy Division-esque dance music. The ALL AGES show starts at 8 PM.

14th Place is having a show with Nomenclature, Dinner and the Main Course, Monochrome, DJ Appleseed, and Pardee Shorts. This looks like a classic house show. All the bands are really pretty upbeat and fun. Nomenclature make indie-rock that is sometimes reminiscent of Pavement, sometimes of Animal Collective (if I recall correctly). Dinner and the Main Course are screamy female led punky band with saxophone (or some sort of brass instrumentation). Pardee Shorts are a pop band with really crazy drumming. Again I cannot stress how fun this looks. The show is FREE and starts at 9:30 PM.

So if you see a man that looks like me, say "Hi". You never know, it might be me.

-Ben

Guidance Counselor 7-4-09 from Andrew Sloan on Vimeo.


Guidance Counselor advises you to dance. They will be playing tonight at The Artistery.
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Friday, August 7, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday August 7th

Hello Dear Readers,

I love the combination of Summer and not working three days in a row. It often makes me feel like a kid. Like I can do anything. Which for me would be to see a lot of shows. Which I do. I ended up making two shows last night. Though to be fair one of them might not have counted because it was only one band and I played in that band. But after Y La Bamba played I hung out for a bit mainly because there were too many people to comfortably maneuver gear around. I initially planned on headed over to see Black Heart Moon. But because our set started later than I thought I missed their set and instead headed straight over to Holocene to catch the Nurses release show. That was such a good show. The Slaves opened up playing gorgeous slow ambient pop. You know how Grouper makes slow ambient folk. It is pops equivalent. Then Inside Voices played an amazing set in the entrance room with the audience encircling them. They lighted themselves with a series of construction lamps they place on the floor. Then Nurses played the most ambitious and best sounding show that I have ever seen them play. They had their friend form Explode into Colors design their stage which was covered in white sheets including some that sloped down to make an inverted arch which had some very cool, dare I say psychedelic, corresponding images projected on them from two different projectors. They also had matching costumes that were made by the same person in Explode into Colors (I don't remember which one). Actually members of Explode into Colors joined Nurses on stage for a more rhythmically advanced rendition of their song "Lita". Pretty cool. It honestly felt very special show. I am very glad I was there. NEways, here are the shows happening tonight.

Friday, August 7th

Ella Street Social Club is having a Ezra Carey, Oh Captain My Captain, and Montaghue Post. The show is a Bladen County Records related. They tend to do good work over there at Bladen County. They put out recordsfor all the bands playing (except Monarques cause they don't have one yet) and they will be putting out Alan Singley's new album "Feelin' Citrus" very soon. This will debut the new line up of Oh Captain. I heard that it is very different but very good. Plus it is the debut of former Oh Captain My Captain's guitarist Josh Spacek's new band Monarques. I have yet to see Ezra Carey, but I like what I have heard on his myspce page. The show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Worksound is having a show with Hot Victory, Mustaphamond and Paper/Upper/Cuts. I have wanted to check out Hot Victory for a while. From what I understand it is two awesome drummers and a knob twidlin' keyboard player doing some very cool music that a reasonable person could get down to. I have been meaning to see Papi aka Paper/Upper/Cuts for a while too. He performs really a mixture of really cool live electronics and drums (solo). It looks really awesome from the footage I have seen. The show is for the opening of The Future in Retrospect show at Worksound which features the art of E*ROCK, RYAN JACOB SMITH, AIDAN KOTCH, CASSIE ADAMS-HARFORD, TARA JANE O’NEIL, ADAM BAZ, NAS CHAMPAS, VALENTINE FALCON, ROBERT KHASHO, AND PETER LAVIGNE-CHALEK. The show is FREE? It starts at 9 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with The Ocean Floor, Bad Weather California (Colorado) and Twig Palace. I have only seen The Ocean Floor perform once but it was really good. You may recognize Lane as being the drummer of Church but make no mistake he is much more than a drummer. his music is really good modern non-top 40 pop. The show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Doug Fir is apparently having a last minute show with Leonard Mynx and Haley Bonar. It is not listed on the website and I heard of it via a text message. It will be a rare solo set by Leonard which probably means more of his folky side as opposed to the more rock/poppier side I have been seeing lately. On the other hand I feel that Haley Bonar leans on the pop side of the folk-pop tag. It is good though. Especially considering this show is FREE. It supposedly starts at 8 PM. Sharp.

If you are at a show tonight and see a dude with a beard who answers to Ben Meyercord, please tell him "Hi".

-Ben


Papi aka Paper/Upper/Cuts plays at Worksound tonight. sweet.
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Thursday, August 6, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 6th

Hello Dear Readers,

There is a lot of good music going on tonight. For real. I am planning on trying out the whole show hopping prospect again. I went all right last time I tried it. Anyway, here are the shows I am interested in seeing.

Thursday, August 6th

Spectre is having a First Thursday show with Y La Bamba. It is in The Goldsmith Building. I think most of you know that I play in Y La Bamba. I think we are pretty good. We kinda have a folkish wound. But we mix pop and some old timey arrangements (including many three part harmonies) in there as well. But I think I should mention what will be on the walls around us. First Thursday is an art event after all. There will be photographs by Leah Verwey, Gregory Lancaster, and Kelly Goode. These are all associate photographers for Campbell Salgado. This is a show of what they do on their free time. Speaking of which, I think the show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Tender Loving Empire is having a First Thursday show with art by Edward Juan and Santiago Uceda. The reason I am writing this is because Gratitillium and Come Gather 'Round Us are playing the event. Gratitillum plays crazy weird music that is fun to watch. I have not hear of Come gather 'Round Us until recently. But I have heard good things. They are originally from another place other than USA. They make music reminiscent of 60's folk music. A lot of harmonies. The show is FREE and starts at 7:30 PM.

Nest Lounge is having a show with Rian O'Hara, Gregory Miles Harris and Tommy Suitcase. I think this same show happens every on a regular basis. Though I don't remember what that schedule might be. I know that I have never made it out to the event but I want to. I like all their songs, though Gregory seems to stand out a bit more (in one man's opinion). It is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with Kelli Schaefer, Drew Grow & The Pastors' Wives, No More Train Ghosts and Ted. I have been very impressed with Kelli and Drew since I first saw them play. Honestly I don't know why they aren't huge. Or at least bigger. And from what I hear they often collaborate. Neat. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 7:30 PM.

Hotel Deluxe is having a The Fabulous Stains screening: Black Heart Moon. I think that the Top Down series is such a cool series of shows. I love seeing bands play live. I love seeing movies outdoors. This series of shows provides me with both. What a combo. Black Heart Moon play very pretty music which includes Horse Feather's cellist Katherine O'Dell, Meyercord bassist Perry Pfister, Carcrashlander guitarist David Dyas, and tonight Hello Loneliness drummer Dan Galucky. The ALL AGES show as I recall costs some money ($8?) and starts at sometime after 8 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Nurses, Inside Voices and Slaves. It is the CD release show for Nurses new album "Apple's Acre". I love Nurses. I also love Inside Voices. I have heard good things about Slaves. These would be peculiar loves were they not all bands. I think that this is an exceptional show. I am going to try with all my heart to be there. The show is $7 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Scott Kelly, Dragging an Ox Through Water and Bird Costumes. This is a weird line up. Scott Kelly is from the heavy band Neurosis. Under his own name he plays Neurosis-esque music on an acoustic guitar. It is weird.Dragging an Ox Through Water is really good experimental music that normally juxtaposes noises and weird sounds with traditional song structures. I love it. Bird Costumes is a guy who makes experimental music whilst sometimes wearing a bird's head mask. I have wanted to see him play for quite some time. The show is $12 and starts at 8 PM.

Ash Street Saloon is having a show with From The Petrified Forest, AAPOAA, X Ray Press (Seattle) and With Eyes Abstract. This is a show that represents some of the other kind of rock that Portland has to offer that is not folk based or indie rock based , but rather instrumental based or mathy music, or kinda heavy even. The show is $5 and starts at 9:30 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows, please let me know that you see me by saying "Hi".

-Ben


Dragging an Ox Through Water plays tonight at Mississippi Studios. Cool.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 5th

Hello Dear Readers,

Here is the scoop for today's shows. Peace.

Wednesday, August 5th

Music on Main Street is put on by Portland Center for Performing Arts every Wednesday. Today they have Stolen Sweets. I beleive that I have seen their name around. They play that kind of western swing jazzy kind of music. It is pretty fun and I would imagine fun to watch. Especially when it is FREE. Which it is. It starts at 5 PM right outside the Schnitz.

Laurelthirst is having a show with Dolorean. One of the better americana bands. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Laurelthirst is having another show tonight. This time with Michael Hurley. He is an older dude that plays great folk music. The show is also FREE and starts 9 PM.

Berbati's is having a show with Inside Voices, Dallas County Potential and Weaver. Inside Voices are so good. Perfect hot summer music. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

If you see me say "Hi". Pleeeeease.

-Ben



Imagine this for Free. Dolorean plays for FREE tonight at Laurthirst.
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Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 4th

Hello Dear Readers,

What's haddenin'? There is some good stuff happening. See:

Tuesday, August 4th

Rock Bottom Brewery is having a show with Meyercord and Grey Anne. This Heart Will Burn Right Out is a cool entity. It serves as a website that promotes good Portland bands by posting interviews and podcasts, and free mixes and such. In addition to that THWBRO creator Hoyt Emerson has started curating Tuesday Nights at Rock Bottom Brewerey. Guess what. Today I am playing one of them as Meyercord. So is Grey Anne. I am super excited as this gives me a chance to show off the new Meyercord "lineup" (Perry Pfister of Black Heart Moon on stand up bass). Plus I think the world of Anne's musical endevors as a writer and a performer. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Aladdin is having a show with Frank Black (he was in that Pixies band). I will admit that I don't like Frank Black's solo output as much as the Pixies, but...I mean, he lives in Portland now, so it is now Portland music. The ALL AGES show is $20 and starts at 8 PM.

Worksound is having a show with Castanets (Brooklyn, PDX, San Diego), Evolutionary Jass Band, Adam Gnade and Ohioan. I know a lot of people like Castanets I think it's 'aight. But what I really like is Ohioan. I have never seen it live but every time I hear it, I am really impressed. The ALL AGES show is $ and starts at PM.

Holocene is having a show with Tara Jane O'Neil, Marisa Anderson and DJ Zach Reno. It will also be a screening of Dear & Yonder , a movie about girls surfing and such. It looks pretty cool. Rumor has it that there will be some art involved as well. The show is $10 and starts at 7 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Panther,123 Knife, and Tanning. I have heard of and could not find any information about the other bands. Panther always surprises me. Every album he puts out is really different. This last one has added the element of the piano. It sounds pretty good. The show is by donation and starts at 9 PM.

Say "Hi" to me if you go to my show,

-Ben


This is an example of the fun of a Grey Anne show. She is playing tonight at Rock Bottom Brewery.
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Monday, August 3, 2009

Ben Meyercor's Live Music Picks for August 3rd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did what I always plan on doing, but rarely carry out said plan. I went to more than one show. I started the night at Local Cut's Portland Makes Music and was able to catch an awkward interview with Casey Jarman and Leonard Mynx and Audie Darling followed by some good performances by Eza Rose and Chad Palme (hats off to Chad for being the only person more awkward than Casey Jarman), followed by a great performance by Black Heart Moon. I will be honest. I am as usual pretty biased in my opinion. This time because Luz Elena and I (both from Y La Bamba) sang some backing vocals on Black Heart Moon's last song. Then we hurried over to Rontom's just in time to catch all of Church's set for their album release party. I picked up their new album "Song Force Crystal" on very very pretty colored vinyl LP. Stoked (but am kinda bummed I missed Ocean Age). Anyway I think it is a slow day as far as shows go today.

Monday, August 3rd.

Edgefield is having a show with Skip vonKuske ( of Cellotronik) and Justin Power. Let me break it down. Justin Power is great. I like his songs and he seems to be a cool dude. Edgefield is kinda far out there, but hey. Whatevs. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 7 PM.

East End is having a show with The Pink Snowflakes, Groggs (Santa Cruz/San Francisco, CA) and La Fiesta. I am only familiar with The Pink Snowflakes. But man the one time I saw them it was great. It is kinda like mid era Flaming Lips Psych Rock. Which is to say it is pretty cool. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

So if you see me out and about. Say "Hi" and I will reply.

-Ben


The Pink Snowflakes play tonight at East End. Bubbles!
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Sunday, August 2, 2009

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for August 2nd

Hello Dear Readers,

It's Sunday. This means there is usually a ton of music (usually free on Sundays, as I recall). Let's see what we got.

Sunday, August 2nd

Doug Fir is having a show with Supper XX Man and Shoeshine Blue. This is part of the 'Firs "Pickin' on Sunday" series. It is kinda like that Pickathon thing that happened in Happy Valley this weekend. Except waaaaay smaller and FREE. I have liked Supper XX Man's music for a while now. Since we both lived in Portland. Shoeshine Blue I have liked for a considerable less amount of time, but that's just because I heard him a mere year ago. Anyways, this show is FREE and starts at 3 PM (so early, that I am still at work).

Rontoms is having a show with Church, Ocean Age, Orca Team and The Fall Colors. This is an amazing show. Rontom's usually does not let me down. Last time Church played Rontom's they played with Ocean Floor, I guess they must always have ocean related bands at this particular venue. Plus it is the "official" release party of their excellent new album "Song Force Crystal". The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with AAN, Ghosting, Jacob Olausson (Sweden), and Sus & Jakob (Sweden). AAN is amazing. That is all. The show is by donation and starts at 9 PM.

Someday Lounge is having a show with Audie Darling, and Black Heart Moon. True, I am friends with all of these people. But, the only reason I ever met these folks is because I really like their music. Last time I saw Leonard play it was way different than the folky stuff I remember him playing. he likes to mix it up I guess. Plus Audie is very solid. And of course, Black Heart moon makes beautiful tunes. This is part of the Portland Makes Music series put together by local cut. The Show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Say "Hi". Like Daniel Johnston.


I was at this show. Black Heart Moon play for FREE tonight. sweet.
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