Sounds Illustrated: DoublePlusGood Plus...

Howdy Crappeteers!

It's been a long time since I've added any so-called content to this blog. Luckily, Erik Carlson of dance pop duo DoublePlusGood invited me to check out a sweet music/fashion show at Backspace way back in early December, hereby prompting me to make another Sounds Illustrated post. So here goes:

The night's entertainment featured Jeffrey Jerusalem soundchecking:


And then delivering some conga-laced disco-concrète accompanied by vibrant computer-animation loops.



Between sets, models clad in garb from local Portland designers strutted across the venue. I was not able to capture any of this in sketch form and am thus forced to hang my head and drawing-hand in shame. But I can say that the collections featured evening-wear fashioned out of recycled magnetic tape, silver-sequined shoulder-bags, lots of neutral colors, and low-slung fashion/utility belts.

Natasha Kmeto followed with a set of dense, trance-y R&B which equally showcased her smooth vocals and visceral, throbbing beats.





DoublePlusGood finished off the night with their fantastically danceable amalgam of glitchy indie electro-pop and sparkly, melodic top 40 gloss.




And on a rather different note (genre-wise), here's an apocryphal sketch of local folk legend Michael Hurley playing with the band Ida at Mississippi Studios on October 24th, which I didn't get around to scanning until just recently. Enjoy!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, December 30th

Hello Dear Readers,

It has been a crazy month for me. I have been on tour. I have had my girlfriend in town. I was working at a place with out an Internet connection. I am listing excuses, but I guess what I am saying is that I have missed blogging. In the past several years it has become part of my daily routine. I feel like I have not been brushing my teeth for like a month (. I have made a couple of false starts. Yesterday I got most of a post done but got too caught up doing my job to finish it. I hate it when that happens. Anyway here are some shows that look good to me:

Black Rose Infoshop is having a show with Ordstro (San Francisco), Matsuri (San Francisco), Duck Little Brother Duck, and Lunge. Ordstro and Matsuri are on tour together from San Francisco. I am not well versed with their music though Matsuri has all of their music available for download here and all of Ordstro's music is here. As far as I can tell both are loud-ish bands that incorporate a vocal style that is best described as screaming. Listening to Ordstro hurts my voice. Matsuri while screams just as much has also added some interesting guitar parts to the music. Duck Little Brother Duck are why I am listing this show. I love their music. It is mathy at times. It is intricate. It is pretty epic at times. Their live show packs an amazing amount of energy. The ALL AGES show is $4 and starts at 7 PM.

Rotture is having a show with Problems?, Corpus Callosum (SD, Like a Villain, and Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat. I have written about the quirky pop of Problems? before. But the real reason I list this show is becuase of Like a Villain. She is great. Very dramatic songs crafted from clarinet and vocal loops accented with glockenspiel. Yes, she plays in a band with me, but I would love this anyway (she also plays in The Ocean Floor). The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". It has been far too long, yes?

-Ben


Duck Little Brother Duck are set to kill it tonight at Black Rose Infoshop

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Magical Christmas Sparkles Tonight: The Woods & Friends First Annual Holiday Special

Christmas music can be a terrible experience. I can clearly recall being horrified and permanently scarred by the repeated playing of the 'N Sync Christmas album at Tower Records. Eventually my mind snapped and I came to associate Christmas with mindless hordes of consumption hungry Holiday Zombies and prancing ninnies in tight pants butchering classic tunes. So join me for an evening of reclaiming holiday music as something other than replaying whatever fucked up memories you may have of Christmas' past. There is nothing better than well played music and beer. Especially at The Woods. Which is Very Fancy.

You'll spot me there, drinking beer with a smile on my face.

:: A night of holiday standards and favorites ::

*** DOORS 7pm, SHOW 8pm ***

A night of holiday standards and favorites from Laura Gibson, Musee Mecanique, Alela Diane, Michael Hurley, Lewi Longmire, Denver, Duover, Johanna Kunin, Dave Depper, Mike Midlo (of Pancake Breakfast), Quiet Life, Great Wilderness, Ezza Rose, Greylag, and, of course, other special, not-to-be-named guests! Only $5!

$5 in advance, $5 day of show

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Well, since you asked. Top 5 records from 2010

The Portland Mercury is out asking people to round up their favorite 5 albums from this year so let's do this thing. Here's my contribution:

1. Delta Spirit - History From Below
2. Phosphorescent- Here's To Taking It Easy
3. The Walkmen - Lisbon
4. Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig
5. Tartufi - Goodwill Of The Scar

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Children of Mercy Needs Your Love!

Dear Crappy Indie Reader-Friends,

I would like to bring to your attention a project I'm involved with called Children of Mercy. Children of Mercy is a book collecting stories and essays by several people in the indie music world, including myself and a couple other Crappy Indie bloggers, accompanied by a music CD, covering the gamut of topics from band breakups to success stories. Perhaps most importantly, the proceeds from sales of Children of Mercy will go to support the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. In order to get this project off the ground, we need some help. That's why we've got a Kickstarter page. So I'd like to invite you to take a look, and pledge if you can. I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important.

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BAT COUNTRY, WHIP MY HAIR EDITION

It's not hard to get your video in BAT COUNTRY, just send us your links. Oh wait, you already do!!!

Well, since A-ha retired, we need a new Norwegian pop band.

John Snow has volunteered.

I don't care if you don't think psychrock-playing drag queens are hot or not,

This video is quel WOW!

Okay, I thought this video started out kind of creepy,

But it's actually kind of cute.

Hey Icarus Kid, your tunes are pretty good

But not only did you pick the worst NES character, you look like a douche live!!!

Here's some candid talk with ethereal and haunting songstress Jenny Gillespie.

Now that's ethereal and haunting!!

I'm officially happy now.

The world needs more dreampop.

And just so you don't think I'm a tease...

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 29th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I went out to Lake Oswego. The L.O. Me and some of the Y La Bamba crowd hung out and with Ben from the Bar Bar Apartment videos and many others who happened to be having their weekly Sunday night Dinner. It was nice though because I knew some of the people who showed up. Anyway Y La Bamba made a kickstarter video that included a live performance. Eric Schrepel our accordion player was able to quickly transpose a song written on guitar to piano (he is amazing) when we found out that we had not brought one and broken a sting on the one that was there (graceful, we are not). The on the fly arrangement came out very nicely. I can't wait to see it. But I am rambling. I was not able to see Orca Team even though I really wanted to. It was 1 by the time I got home. Boo. Any ways, here are the shows that look good to me:

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Ross & The Hellpets and The Contestants. Ross Beach has been around for a while. He hails from the same place of the birth place of The Elephant 6 Collective. He knows many people in those circles. I saw him at The Music Tapes show the other day. He apparently is almost finished with an album. He tends to write and record albums at home and not play out that much. You can download a bunch of his music for FREE and his website. So for some stupid reason myspace is not working on my computer right now. I will have to trust that this is good. The following is pulled from The Contestants myspace, "The members hold varied, though not incongruous, ideals. The Beatles are there, of course, as are Broken Social Scene, The Zombies, Pinback, Guided By Voices, XTC, a little Big Star, New Pornographers, Sloan, and The Cure. While hook-filled guitar pop is certainly the guiding principle, a decidedly epic quality exists in their sound paired with a certain structured deliberateness in song arrangements." That sounds promising enough. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

If you stick around Mississippi Pizza is also having a later "secret show" with Archers and Eiger Sanction. I say that it is a "secret show" because they say it is on their myspace. The Portland Mercury and the Mississippi Pizza website are not so secretive. I think that Archers are a great band. I need to see them because that has yet to go down. Archers have one of those "name your price" albums as well as a 7 " available via their bandcamp. This is what the Willamette Week said of Eiger Sanction, "The songs are short and shredding. The vocals are frayed and vicious. The Eiger Sanction is a punk time warp to the days when punks were simply punks." - AP KRYZA, Willamette Week". The show is FREE at 10 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with White Fang, Boom!, and Brainchild. If you want a different kind of punk, say a stoner party punk sound. You should check out White Fang. Or if you want just a party rock sound, then check out Boom! They got you covered. Also, both bands those two are BFFs and played a show together last night. I guess this is a joint baby Portland tour. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Backspace is having an event called Battery Powered Music. It is a semi-monthly affair that is kinda like a open mic for casio's. Or another battery powered keyboard. Colabborations are encouraged. Jamming will occur. Itty bitty beats will make you bob your head. At least that is how I imagine it.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". We can discuss stuff and other things.

-Ben


Archers will "rock your balls off" at Mississippi Pizza tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, November 28th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I, for some reason, could not bring myself to do anything. I worked went home then eventually went to sleep. It was not very exciting. I think that winter brings out the lazy ass in me. Tonight I am going to be a part of a kickstarter video for the next Y La Bamba album. Hopefully it goes well and I get out early enough to catch a show. Here are the shows that look good to me:

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Pigeons, Wax Fingers, and What Hearts. There is also rumor of a dance performance from tEEth. I have not heard the debut album from Pigeons, The Talking Wire, but I have heard that it is good. Plus I have seen them play and seen Justin Ready play solo too. It is good. He is a helluva songwriter and a helluva guitar player but is complimented very well by the rest of the band (which includes members of the sister band Petosky). Wax Fingers is a and that I have been wanting to see for a while. They make music that is math, poppy, and awesome. I think that you will like them. What Hearts is a group of ladies that has three part harmonies and folky goodness. If you go to the media section of the tEEth website that I linked to you can get a glimpse of the weirdness that is what they do. Modern dance for sure. It looks like something out of a persons nightmares. But in a cool way. The show is $6 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Rontoms is having a show with El Rey and Orca Team. I have only heard one song by El Rey. It seemed like a rock song with a great keyboard solo. I am writing about this show because of Orca Team though. I still haven't seen them. I really want to. Their retro pop sounds along with their commitment to the ascetic of the early 60's impresses me. Their songs are really catchy and delightfully get stuck in my head. I am going to try my darnedest to make it to this show. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

East End is having a show with Ex-Humans (NY), Foster Care (NY), White Fang, and Boom!. This is a party punk show. And what's more, I think that the two sets of bands are band BFF's. I know for a fact that White Fang said that Boom! was their band BFF. Honestly it is the first time I had heard of such a thing. But it totally makes sense. Some bands just love each other and end up playing tons of shows together. Ex-Humans and Foster Care are on tour together and are both each others top friends on myspace. While this is not exactly proof that they have band BFF status, it is surely worth something. The show is $ and starts at 9 PM (East End never lists admission price or when the shows start).

Valentine's is having a show with EB Harris & The Afterlife Revival, Sexo Tropico, and Pony Village. I couldn't find much information on EB Harris & The Afterlife Revival, but EB Harris's are can be found here. It looks great. Sex Tropico sounds like a really poppy band with a lead singer that gives it enough of an edge to balance out the sweetness of the music that might too much otherwise. The music reminds me a bit of the Belle & Sebastian vibe (without the slow ballads). I am listing the show because of Pony Village. I am a fan of their indie rock lite feel. It is easy to like. I suggest you pick up their self titled 12" EP. It sounds great. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". We can discuss things and stuff.

-Ben


Wax Fingers plays at Mississippi Studios tonight! Sweet!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, November 27th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did went to a show that I did not list. I did not plan on it, but I was selling CDs (a guy's gotta eat) at Music Millennium when I got a call from a friend about an early show with The Music Tapes. I went because I know that the band leader of that group, Julian Koster, is a part of the Elephant 6 Collective. He was an actual member of Neutral Milk Hotel. The show was a great mixture of performance and music, and magic. There was a lot that went into the show, I cannot begin to describe it. But I would definitely suggest that people experience them if given an opportunity. There are a ton of shows going on tonight. Many of them have good bands. I don't have the time to list them all, so these are the shows are the best of the best:

Rip City Skate is having a show with Anne, Orca Team, and Youth. Anne kinda sounds a bit 80's like. Tonight they are releasing their brand spanking new mixtape, Mixtape One. You can download the mixtape and their demo for FREE right here. I love that bands are starting to do "mixtures". And And And released one about recently too. Orca Team is a band that I really need to see. I love their retro pop sounds. I think that they are for sure on the top of "I feel like an idiot for not having seen them yet" list. I could not find any information on the ungoogleable band Youth. The show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

The Artistery is having a benefit for itself. It will feature Wampire, Billions & Billions, and Ghost to Falco. The Artistery is an awesome place. I have seen many awesome shows there. I have played a few good ones too. I realize that the economy kinda sucks all around. But it isn't until I see it effected things in my life that I start to notice. I feel like The Artistery is the best ALL AGES venue in town. The people are super nice. The bands are always really good and the feel is the perfect hybrid of a house show and venue. Wampire is the perfect band for the venue. They could fill the room and turn it into a dance party in seconds. I have seen them do it in other basements. Rocky from that band knows all about ALL AGES venue hardship. He saw The Hush come and go all to quickly. Wampire play kinda chill dance music with huge pop hooks. Billions & Billions play proggy rock. Ghost To Falco play music that is somewhere between Dragging an Ox Through Water and Mt. Eerie. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with World's Greatest Ghosts, Jared Mees & The Grown Children, and Black Whales (Seattle). I love seeing both World's Greatest Ghost and Jared Mees & The Grown Children. They are both have so much fun that it almost always spreads through the audience. I also like knowing that they are actually friends. Because playing shows with you friends is the best. I read a thing that reviews Jared Mees & Company's last album. They have come a very long way since that release. They are a much larger sounding band. Almost every single new song is epic. I have not seen WGG since their CD release show. I bet they have new stuff that I haven't heard. This will be a great show. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.
The Press Club is having a show with Duover, James Low, Kelly Blair Bauman, and Evan Way (of The Parson Red Heads). I have seen and enjoyed Duover a few times over. You might want to go to this show to see if they have any physical copies of their new Christmas album (all originals believe). If not you can download it on the cheap at their bandcamp (which I already linked to). Kelly Blair Bauman is someone that I have been meaning to see for a while. His music is very good Americana. Evan Way is just as good as his main band. It is different of course, but in a good way. Like Heatmiser to Elliott Smith. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Paschal Coeur, Donovan Breakwater, and Winterhaven. Paschal Coeur is a band that I never saw. This is the last show of theirs ever. If you have any interest in seeing this band, tonight is the night. I am not really all that great at describing bands. That mixed with the fact that they are kinda a hard band to peg leaves me at a los.. You can download the one EP they recorded (and some other stuff) at This Heart Will Burn Right Out. Donovan Breakwater sound pretty good. Like a late 90's indie rock band. Or maybe early Weezer. I think you will like it. Winterhaven is concerned with country rock and harmonies. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". We can discuss things and stuff.

-Ben


World's Greatest Ghost play at the Doug Fir tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, November 26th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I ate too much. I bet a lot of you did. Everyone at the dinner I attended my have, "over done it". But I also had a coffee drink. This mixed with the overeating ended up being a bad combination. Especially if of one were trying to "sleep". I got tired at like midnight but didn't fall sleep until 4 in the morning. It was stupid. I am stupid for drinking a coffee drink at night. I know what it does to me. I figured it would counter the sleepiness of a full stomach. I was right. Ansywasy there are a few shows going on tonight. Here they are:

Backspace is having a show with The Taxpayers, Nun Chuksky,Kreamy 'Lectric Santa, and The Angries, and Lee Corey Oswald. When you don't sleep, you don't think so good. That is what I am finding out anyway. I am going to straight up cut and paste from the lovely writers of the Backspace website. The show doubles as a record release and a tour kickoff for The Taxpayers. See: "The Taxpayers are making noise, starting off their American tour with a loud bang in Portland. These catchy, rowdy, and up-beat bunch of fellows will have your feet tapping like when the coffee jitters get the best of you. Get ready to scream, dance, and head bang like a champ, because the Taxpayers are a storm you can't avoid." Nun Chuksy, "is pretty damn loud. The riot punk riffs, screaming vocals, and super fast drumming will have you in a whirlwind of what real punk is, that sound is Nun Chuksky". Their myspace claims they are like Noam Chompsky with nun chucks. I like that imagery. Kreamy 'Lectric Santa: "Insanely catchy noise pop gives Kreamy 'Lectric Santa an edge in the punk world. The intricate blend of sounds that uniquely integrate themselves randomly throughout the songs deserve appreciation. This appreciation inevitably grows bigger when Kreamy 'Lectric Santa takes the stage and rocks out to their primary genre, punk." The Angries are the only band I have ever heard of coming from Corvallis (that I can recall): "The Angries are the band you wished you listened to growing up because they perfectly capture the angst you developed in middle school. However, the Angries aren't only for younger ears, the lead singer's adult themed lyrics and her innocent kid like voice, in combination with up-beat punk rock is worth checking out." The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Climber, Boy Eats Drum Machine, and Ravishers. This show was put on by the small label Timber Carnival that put out records for bands I have written about including Derby, Hello Morning, Norman, Then Dimes, and The Ascetic Junkies. They also put out the Ravisher's album. I am sure that they will be playing songs of of it tonight. I first saw them by chance at Pioneer Square during a noon tunes session this summer. They were pretty poppy and very slick sounding. So if you are a fan of slick pop. You might like this. Climber is also very slick sounding. Maybe even a little too slick for my tastes. If you are into something a little different while maintaining pop sensibilities you will dig BEDM. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

The World Famous Kenton Club is having a show with Thee Headliners, The Neat, The Estranged, and DJ Cecilia. Are you ready for more cut and paste? Here goes nothin'. Thee Headliners: "In an ever-popular male-female duo, Holly lays out the drumbeats and JT plays guitars, in a caustic mix of the various genres they love; this includes rockabilly, punk, surf and Americana. Their second full-length, Rain & Blood, out this year on Starcleaner Records, was heralded as a truly strange and glorious hodgepodge of sounds. If only more heart-wrenching breakups led to such musical glory." - Maranda Bish PORTLAND MERCURY" The Neat: "Another single that flipado has me is the début of the band of Oregon called The Neat with a clasicazo of power pop in every rule that opens the disk and that is of course magical, itself regular "You Till All I Need" without an ostentatious production, without a strong distribution and with so alone a notes and a pile of illusion they manage to do this cancion that by if alone does that the darn time and again, while turning around all vinyl we find "Sunflower" a brimming half a time of rugosa melodia, simple choruses and again removing magic of pure simpleza that the quartet is spent without being complicated the life and sounding just as you listen them, this published by the seal Gone Home and pudes to listen them in this paginates" Oscar via Ruido en el Trastero Reviews. The Estranged: "new PDX 3 piece with a heavy background in the local HC/Crust scenes (members have been/are in bands like Remains Of The Day, Hellshock, Warcry, From Ashes Rise, Coldbringer, and lots more) play icy, ominous post punk ala Wipers, Mission Of Burma, Warsaw-era Joy Division, etc." Again, I apologize for not being able to think today. I blame the Pilgrims. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". It's not so difficult.

-Ben


The Taxpayers play tonight at Backspace!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, November 25th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last Night at the Y La Bamba tour benefit, I had a lot of fun. I had a whole lot of cup cakes. I danced to the cuts of DJ Cookie Parker. Denver and Pancake Breakfast were both good. Especially Pancake Breakfast. They killed it, despite some slight technical difficulties (a mic kept cutting out). At one point he suggested that we all shake hands with our neighbors and wish them a thanksgiving and everyone did. I have not shaken that many hands in a while. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving. I could not find any shows that are going on tonight. So I decided to do something different. One of the things I am most thankful for, is the fact that I live in a time where music is so accessible. People often give away their music for FREE. I took the liberty of linking to four of my favorite FREE downloads of local bands:

I just found out that three of the members of the defunct band Eskimo & Sons have started a new band called Wild Ones. Most important to note is that Danielle Sullivan is singing leads in the band. I love her voice and am very happy to have new music featuring it. Also Andy Parker is drumming. He is one of my favorites. It makes sense too because he was drumming with the other post Eskimo & Sons band Congratulations!, which I think is also defunct. To be honest I have not listened to it all the way through yet. I just found it today. It actually inspired the post. You can download their ep, You're a Winner, for FREE at the Wild Ones website.

Hosannas are one of my favorite groups in Portland. They have been since they were church. I forget how I first heard of them but I remember the first time I saw them a long time ago at Rererato. They were a three piece at the time and they gave away a 3" CD ep. I saw them grow to an amazing four piece, put out a record that collected that ep and another ep, record an amazing album as a four piece, and then transform into a very interesting two piece. They recently made a remix ep available on their website that features remixes by some of my Portland favorites (Ocean Age and Copy) along with some people I was not familiar with (Big Pauper, Jameul Saxon, and See Thru). I think it's great. You can download it for FREE at the Hosannas website.

Kusiskia is a truly unique sounding band. They are a drums and guitar duo that manage to not only not sound like a duo, but not sound like anything else going on right now. It is extremely dynamic. Nsayi is a Portland native, her voice is quite beautiful and ranges from a whisper to a full on wail. Peter's drumming is kinda amazing. The music seems very organic. They are the kind of players that seem to have their instruments become extensions of themselves. They have an album called Browntown. It is available on vinyl and tape. But they also made it available for FREE right here.

Wishyunu is another band that I am fond of. They married duo are pretty hard to describe. Electro-pop? Kinda, but it would give you the wrong idea. Dream pop? Closer, but they also have elements of Kraut Rock and have live "jam" part that are not common to that genre. I would say that it is for fans of Stereolab. You can download both an album and an ep for FREE at the Wishyunu bandcamp.

And And And is a band that I have really grown fond of. I think they are quite good at the whole indie rock thing. I also admire their music comes first attitude. For example if you email the group at hottestmixtapeunderthesun@gmail.com, they will send you links to their mixtape and all their previous releases (an album and an ep). Pretty rad, no?

Anyways, I am sure there are a lot more free stuff available online. Feel free to leave links in the comments section.

-Ben

p.s. I was going to leave a ridiculous youtube thanksgiving video, but there are too many to choose from. Here are some of the stupidest. Enjoy.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, November 24th

Hello Dear Readers,

Have you noticed that it is ridiculously cold outside. Last night I checked my phone and it informed me that it was 18 degrees outside. Too cold. I do not care. That is too cold. I did not leave my house. I stayed in my bed with a heater dangerously to me. Besides I had already done some music stuff by that time. Y La Bamba played The hallway of The Rose Garden for a Blazer organized event for the homeless of Portland. They offered a meal, hair cut and even some dental work for the less fortunate of our city. Plus there were some bands. We played followed by Portland Cello Project, Drew Grow & The Pastor's Wives, and Typhoon. One woman made use of her middle finger and proceeded to tell us to "Fuck Off". Which was a refreshingly brutal critique of our music. Or maybe she was just not all there. Regardless here are the shows for tonight:

Roadside Attraction is having a benefit event for the upcoming Y La Bamba tour. Here is a little something that we put together to talk about the event, "Hello friends and good folks of Portland! We, Y La Bamba, would like to ask for your help in raising a few dollars to help support our upcoming tour with Horse Feathers. Why should you help you ask? Well, as a seven piece band at this early stage of our tour career it is next to impossible to make ends meet at home while leaving our jobs for three weeks. In order to make it worth your while we have put together an amazing night of music and surprises. Y La Bamba plus some very special guests will play an intimate show, We will also have a silent auction and even a cupcake walk! So with that, we ask that you please attend our very special evening and bring your generous spirit! Thank You." As of today we know what the musical line up is. We will play as will Pancake Breakfast and Denver. Mike Midlo of Pancake Breakfast leads the band in whatever direction they choose to go. They are hard to peg, but easy to enjoy. The band always seems like they are having a blast which, as it turns out, is infectious Denver is a country collective band. They are pulling a double tonight to help us out. They are playing earlier at Laurelthirst. I have seen one of the main songwriters, Mike Elias, play on a number of occasions and always been impressed. In addition to the music, there will be a silent auction for original pieces of art from Rachel Blumberg, Emily Katz, and Joan Hill Depper. There will also be items like gift certificates to local businesses raffled off on the cheap. Did we mention the cake walk? It should be a lot of fun. The event is by donation and starts at 8 PM.

Laurelthirst is having a residency show with The Parson Red Heads. Tonight the other band is Denver. The Parson Red Heads are one of the more recent kinda established bands to relocate to the perpetually greener pastures of Portland. They make jangly country rock music whose quality is hard to deny. This starts the tail end of their residency at Laurelthirst and is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to their music. Denver is a really good fit for the Red Heads. They make retro sounding country music. It is a little less rock, but really good. As I mentioned earlier, they are pulling double duty tonight. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Alberta Rose Theatre is having a special acoustic show with Fernando,Mike Coykendall, and Michael Jodell. Fernando is a underappreciated artist in the Portland Music scene. I first heard about him from Casey Jarman (now of Willamette Week, then of CD Game Exchange). But others have sung his praises as well. Scott McCaughey of Minus Five and REM has called him the "Latino Lennon". Basically he crafted some really good pop records. He doesn't really play out anymore. So this is kinda a big deal. Mike Coykendall on the other hand, has been playing out a lot. I saw him once and learned that he is just as good as any of the "more known" artists he has produced or recorded. Michael Jodell is someone that had not previously heard of. Willamette Week an The Oregonian had, though. They say some really nice things about her. I like what I have heard online. She makes music that is sometimes Jazzy and sometimes country. I listened to her myspace music player until it stopped. That is a rarity for me. The show is $10 and starts at 8:30 PM.

If you see me at Roadside tonight please say "Hi". And buy a raffle ticket.

-Ben


Go see Denver play at Laurelthirst or Roadside Attraction tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, November 23rd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not see any shows. I did however start recording a three song Meyercord demo. IN A STUDIO. I am excited. I have not recorded in quite a bit. It is fun and boring at the same time. Anyway, these are the shows that look good tonight:

The Woods is having a show with Prairie Empire, Shenandoah Davis (Seattle), Harlowe & The Great North Woods, and New Heirlooms (Davis, CA). You cannot talk about Praire Empire without mentioning Brittain Ashford and Harlowe & The Great North Woods. Essentially the two have combined forces to start the new band. Or rather, Brittain didn't want to play under her name anymore and H&TGN is her backing band. Her songs often evoke a sense of longing and I imagine having a full band will help make her music be as dramatic as it should be. She used to be a autoharp, bass, and drum trio. It is now fleshed out with strings and more voices. I think you will like it. Shenandoah Davis is the piano led folk rock darling from Seattle. She is really good. I have written about her. She adds a sense of classical with her sting arrangements. It is good stuff. Harlowe & The The Great North Woods are a great group of musicians. It is somewhere between when Sufjan Stevens is folky and Horse Feathers. The music is really good. New Heirlooms is a folk rock band from Davis. I met Jesse Lee Miller in Davis a while back when Y La Bamba played through their. He is a super nice guy we bonded over our beards. He recently had one of the dudes from Devil Makes Three record his band and have a 7" out. The show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Big Pretty and Skip Roxy. Big Pretty is the new band from Bryan Parks of Blue Horns new glam rock and roll band. I have heard that it is really good. Skip Roxy is rock band band. They have the soul of rock and roll. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with White Hinterland and John Heart Jackie. White Hinterland is changing all of the time. That is kinda cool. Lately her stuff has been dreamy and had "beats". John Heart Jackie is a great example of a boy/girl folk duo doing it right. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". It is a called being friendly.

-Ben


White Hinterland will be playing at Valentin's tonight

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 22th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not see any shows. I had to help a certain someone with her homework. Sadly she has now gone back to California These are the shows that look good tonight:

Valentine's is having a show with LKN, Palo Verde, and The Tyrants. LKN hasn't played a show as LKN in about two years. She recently put out a split with Knife the Symphony. Her music usually consists of her recording all of the instruments including crazy good guitar playing and drumming. Live she incorporates Terrica Kleinknect on drums and Bobby Dezfulli on bass. It is rock music. Terrica and LKN also play toothier as Palo Verde where they switch and LKN is on Drums and Terrica on guitar. That project is more improvised though (and doesn't have vocals). I have never seen anyone whip their hair as effectively as LKN does. I don't know much about the Tyrants. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Kenton Club is having Lana Rebel & The Love Lasers. Lana and her band cover well tread territory of classic country. I absolutely love what I have heard, though. Not many people do it as well as she and hers do. The shows FREE and starts at 9:30 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". It is a called being friendly.

-Ben


Palo Verde and LKN play at Valentine's tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, November 21th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not see any shows. I had a dinner party and then had to clean it up. To tired to show it up afterwards. These are the shows that look good tonight:

The Cleaners is having a show with STLS and Tara Jane O'Neal. I am not sure what the deal is with this show, but These are both noteworthy bands. STLS is a drums only duo. Including Lisa Schonberg (Kickball, Explode Into Colors, Sielaff/Schonberg). She is a pretty great drummer and obviously likes to make as much music as she can. The interplay of two drummers on one drum kit where they both stand up works surprisingly well. They sometimes have a dancer too. They have 7 " out on Kill Rock Stars. TJO is always great weather playing solo or with a band or doing a one off collaboration. The show is at 6 PM.

Mudai Lounge is having a show with Palo Verde, Fegue, and Row Hit. Palo Verde is the all female drums and guitar loud rock improv duo. The only one that I am aware of. They are pretty kick ass and have such musical chemistry it is g=hard to believe that it is improvised most of the time. I couldn't find any info on the other bands. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Rontoms is having a show with Sndtrkr, Gardening Not Architecture, and Themes. Sndtrker is their new audio/visual project of two of the dudes from Southerly (including main man Krist Krueger). Apparently they self eddied footage and create the corresponding sound tracks live. Think Billygoat except with film instead of animation (and a bit more guitar). Gardening not Architecture is a laptop and a girl with a bass guitar singing postal service inspired electro pop. Themes is a three piece comprised of baritone guitar, piano, and drums. The music is kinda dark and reminds a bit of Black Heart Procession. The lead vocals are traded off between main members Jacy The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". It is a called being friendly.

-Ben



STLS play tonight at the Cleaners!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, November 20th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I had too many choices. In that situation I usually get overwhelmed and stay home. Last night I got overwhelmed and went to see Cool Hand Luke at Laurelhurst. That movie is pretty great. Anyway, these are the shows that peak my interest today:

The Artistery is having a Palestinian Awareness Benefit with Charles Stanyan and Dragging an Ox Through Water. There will be a screening of Portland film maker Dylan Bergeson called This Body is a Prison which is a "firsthand account of life and struggle in the West Bank". There is some seriously messed up stuff going on over there. Charles Stanyan is best known, to me anyway, as being a collaborator of Matthew Cooper aka Eluvium in the project called Concert Silence. Dragging an Ox Through Water makes very distinct experimental folk music with looped sounds and home made oscillators and the like. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Saratoga is having a show with Hornet Leg, Western Hymn (Olympia), and The Rib Cages. Hornet Leg are a band that make punk/garage/soul music. According to their myspace. I have a hard time describing it. It is rock. It is interesting. Check it out. Western Hymn are a punk band from Olympia. They have this song called "Leave it Alone" which I think is pretty awesome. The Rib Cages are a very noisy rock band. They are just overblown in their sound. The show is at 8 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Bear Hands (NY), Rumspringa (LA), and Blood Beach. You can hear Bear Hands album streaming from Spin right here. I think it sounds pretty good. Reverby indie rock that is as dreamy as it catchy. Rumspringa is the band that is supporting Bear Hands for a few shows. They remind me of a version of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs before they went all keyboardy and is fronted by a dude. Blood Beach is the reason I am writing this. I have yet to see their chaos of a live show that I have heard about. I have seen Shane's previous project Tex Winters, and this is something a bit different. It is a rock band with plenty of guitar effects. but something that sets them apart from a lot of other bands are the Saxophone, effected Mandolin, and Theremin all provided by one member, Camelia. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

Larelthirst is having "Portland Greats Sing Country Greats" It will feature, The Robinsons (of Viva Voce and Blue Giant), Michael Hurley, Al James ( of Dolorean), MLE Butler (of Music Arcade), Darrin Craig (of Jackstraw, Lewi Longmire, David Likind (of I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House and Woodbraind), Joe Cuisano, Scott Hay, and Ned Folkerth (Caleb Klauder Band). This is a lot of folks that involved in a lot of music. Some of the names should probably familiar to you if you read the blog. Specifically The Robinsons, Michael Hurley and Al James. But there are many others that are good. I like Country Greats. Not many people play them anymore. So in that sense, tonight is special. The show is $10 and starts at 9:30 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". You could do worse.

-Ben


Hornet Leg play tonight at Saratoga!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, November 19th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I had a person who is very dear to me come into town. This means that I am not sure how much blogging I will do in the coming days, but if you don't see a blogpost on the current day, you can always check out Pc-pdx. So here are the shows that look good tonight Due to me being distorted all day, these descriptions will be oh so brief:

Dr. Marten's Airwair USA aka Doc Martens is having a show at their store this evening with Typhoon and Rev Shines. Typhoon is amazing. Just amazing. Nine individuals that make very moving music. Rev. Shines is probably best known for being in Lifesavas. Lifesavas is probably best known for putting Portland on the rap map. The show is FREE and starts at 5:30 PM.

The not long for this world Berbati's is having a Orangutan Benefit Show with Skeletron, And And And, Forest Park, and Robot Uprise. It is part of the Orangutan Foundation International. Orangutans are very close to being humans. These bands are humans helping out near humans. It is a beautiful thing. Skeletron is an off shoot of Starfucker and has a similar electro-pop feel. And And And are a great indie rock band. Forest park bring a touch of post-rock to their actual rock. Robot Uprise sounds like music made by robots. The show is $10-$15 and starts at 7:30 PM.

Backspace is having a Benefit for Music in the Schools with JonnyX & The Groadies, Sloths, and The Odious . Music in the Schools just wants to support Portland Public School Music Education. Is that such a bad thing? No. Plus I saw Jonny X & The Groadies once and they were awesome. They had wireless mics and guitars, and their own lighting and fog machines and costumes and more. The ALL AGE show is $4 and starts at 8 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Faun Fables (Oakland) and Billygoat. Billygoat is a must see. They have their own made amazing animations to accompany their cinematic music. Or is the other way around? I am not sure. Check out their website for a taste. The show is $12 and starts at 9 PM.

Alberta Rose Theatre is having Live Wire! with Blue Cranes and Weinland. Live Wire! is a blast to see or hear if you have not before. Or even if you already have. Variety shows are kinda rare. They do a good job. I love me some Blue Cranes. They will make you think Jazz. Then they will make you think, this is so good. Weinland is a staple in the rather large Portland Americana scene. The show is $15 and starts at 7:30 PM

Someday Lounge is having a show with Charmparticles, Blue Cranes, and Deepest Darkest. Blue Cranes are amazing. They are kinda jazz/kinda more than jazz. They are playing earlier at Live Wire! The show is $ PM.

Plan B is having a show with Salvador, Rabbits, Diesto, and Lord Dying. These are the best heavy rock bands in Portland (sans Red Fang, of course). My roommate Devon is the new drummer for riff heavy but kinda doomy Diesto. I saw them once it was awesome. Earplugs folks. The show is at 8 PM.

Laurelthirst is having a show with Michael Hurley. This is folk at its finest. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Record Room is having a show with Nicholas from Holy Tentacles , Ben from Peninsulas, and DJ Bob Ham. I just heard of Holy Tentacles and I was impressed by the very math pop music they make. The show is FREE and starts at 7 PM.

6524 NE Garfield Ave is having a show with Kidcrash, Business Day, The New Trust (Santa Rosa), and Not to Reason Why (Petaluma/Santa Rosa). Kidcrash is pretty amazing. It is math and kinda emo. You will love or hate this band. The ALL AGES show is by donation and starts at show o' clock.

The Mantle is having a show with Purrbot, Feral Child, and Like a Vilain. Purrbot has a very unique voice that I happen to really like. Most of his songs are played on banjo or piano. They are gentle while sounding like there is a very strong emotional under current. Like a Villain is Holland Andrews. her clarinet, glockenspiel, and voice loops create very beautiful music. I have yet to meet anyone who was not blown away by her performances. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". You could count it as your good deed for the day

-Ben


Blue Cranes play twice tonight: Alberta Rose Theatre and Someday Lounge!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thusday, November 18th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I was too tired to go to a show. I am happy to say that Y La Bamba successfully recorded a Bar Bar Apartment session. You can see the past sessions here. We followed that with a practice which put me at going non stop for about 13 hours (I worked before all of the fun music stuffs). Any way here are the shows happening today:

There is a ribbon cutting event today in Kenton. Specifically at the intersection of N Denver and N Kilpatrick. Meyercord will be playing an opening and closing set for the event. In between Mayor Sam Adams will be speaking and a ribbon will be cut. I am stoked because I will be playing with the full band. This has only happened once before. Drums, stand up bass, trombone, clarinet, glockenspiel, guitar, and three voices. Those are the ingredients for the music. I think we do all right with what we have. The event is FREE and starts at 2 PM.

Backspace is having a show with Adam Sweeney & The Jamboree, The Courage (Seattle), and Ezza Rose. Adam Sweeney's music actually sounds like a jamboree. A folky jamboree. The Courage is the new band of Noah Gundersen, the dread locked folk singer who has been around forever. This band is a rock band that has folk fiddle sounds incorporated within. It is often much better than I remember Noah Gundersen being the one time I saw him play. I am writing about this show because of Ezza Rose. There is a quality o=in her voice that I cannot put my finger on, but that really enjoy. She has a great line up including two women who harmonize with her incredibly well while also holding down gorgeous string parts. The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Langano Lounge is having a show with Holy Tentacles, and On The Stairs. Holy Tentcles is a catchy math rock band with boy got vocals. On The Stairs is not. They are more of a band that are somewhere between Van Morrison and Bonnie Prince Billie. They are both good. The show is FREE and starts at

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". You'd be the coolest kid in school if you did.

-Ben

Ezza Rose - Trigger from bar bar apartment sessions on Vimeo.

Ezza Rose will play Backspace TONIGHT!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, November 17th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I played a super fun show at Mississippi Studios as part of the Royal We. There were a ton of people and they all seemed to be having a good time. Then... I cut out. I am tired, you guys. I am have been working full days for over a week often followed by hours of practice, and played two shows during this long work period. I do want to complain, but rather explain. I still managed to sleep though my alarm and was late for work. Sigh. Anyway I am not working the next several days. Yay! Maybe I will even see a show tonight. That is providing that I get out of band practice at a reasonable hour. Here are the shows that look good to me tonight:

Laurelthirst is having The Parson Red Heads do their residency. Tonight they have Le Switch (LA) opening up. I must admit it is hard to write about the same band every week, but believe me when I say that this band is worth checking out. Believe me when I say that I like them. What do you really have to lose? Certainly not money. This thing doesn't require any. It's country rock. Le Switch is piano rock (not balladry). The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Yeah Great Fine, Blue Horns, and Onuinu. Yeah Great Fine has been around for about two years. That is crazy. I remember having to mention that some members used to be in The Newspapers. Anyway, this is the CD release show for Yeah Great Fine's first actual release. I have had the honor of listening to it. It sounds great thanks to one Paul Laxer's recording prowess. They sound like a Don Caballero were playing indie pop. Blue Horns are a great band. With band leader Brian Park playing with a new band, who knows if they are going to play less shows. They play high energy jangle pop. Onuinu is mysterious to me. Though, Yeah Great Fine is a top friend. The show is $5 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Clinic (Liverpool), The Fresh & Onlys (San Francisco) , and Wax Fingers. I have never liked Clinic. I am sorry. I wanted to. I had received their first several albums for free and just couldn't ever get into them. They don't suck or whatever but, it just wasn't my cup of tea. They are on tour with The Fresh & Onlys. I cannot get the computer to work, so I don't know what they sound like. I am writing about this show because of Wax Fingers. I really like this band. I have their album and it is good. Think of really cool progressive post-Animal Collective pop. The show is $15 and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having a show with High Places (LA), Soft Circle (Brooklyn), White Rainbow, and Tearist. I would like to take a moment to say that I am frustrates with my___BETA. It is having a very hard time loading music players, which was the only good thing myspace had going for it. I think I am going to have to start linking to bandcamp as much as possible now. I have heard good things about High Places. They are on Thrill Jockey. I think that Thrill Jockey is a quality label that continue to put out quality records. I trust them. Soft Circle is the project fronted by the former Black Dice drummer. It sounds like Black Dice no longer need a drummer, what do you do? Get another experimental musician to join you and make tribal/electronic/ambient music using loads of looping and singing. That is kinda what White Rainbow does too, though I have never thought of it as tribal. I have seen White Rainbow before and it is cool. Tearist played on Monday and I totally missed it. The dark electronic duo from LA has one of my high school friends in it. Hi Yasmine. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with ioa, Sam Humans (ex- Modernstate), and Heligoats. ioa is the project fronted by Point Juncture Wa's Amanda Spring. She has written quite a few latin rythym based indie pop songs and arranged a great band to help her perform them. They have only had a hand full of shows, but they are great. Sam Humans makes all kinds of noisemakers. See Sam Humans is also the guy who was behind the recently retired moniker Modernstate. With that band he was all over the place. I would imagine this won't be much different. He will be putting out a split 10" on Grey Day Records. I bet they will have some at this show because the split is with Heligoats. Again I can't listen to the music, but I saw this on their myspace page and I love it, "The Heligoats’ Goodness Gracious took “dude singing with acoustic guitar and singing about feelings and shit” and gave it balls." The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". I will say it right back.

-Ben

http://vimeo.com/10699747 from Matthew Ross on Vimeo.
Yeah Great Fine record release is tonight at Holocene!

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