Last night I had an AristeiA practice and then went out to eat with most of them thus opting out of seeing any shows. It seemed like a normal person thing to do, I thought I would give it a go. It was pretty good. But man I wish I had seen a show instead. Speaking of which, there are a lot of good shows tonight. See:
Saturday, January 9th
Slabtown is having a show with Hosannas, Wampire, The Rainy States, and Archeology. This looks like a grand show. Hosannas is the latest name (at least that I have heard as of writing this post) for the band formerly known as Church. Those guys are one of my favorite bands in Portland. They play very dynamic and moody art pop. Check them out. Seriously. Wampire is also quite good. They play guitars along to prerecorded jamz but manage to make it quite entertaining due in large to their outgoing personalities and enthusiasm. The aforementioned Jamz that I made reference to are often very chill yet very danceable at the same time. The Rainy States make female led indie rock music (mostly female led anyway). They have a good sense of melody and for some reason that I cannot quite pinpoint sound like they come from a place where it rains a lot (way to name yourselves guys). Archeology is a band that I remember hearing about and liking a while back and then I kinda forgot about them (sorry guys). They are a two piece that have managed to put out a couple self released eps. They make really good music the thing that stands out the most about them is their heavy use of harmonized voices. They sound really good together. The best part thought is that they said that they would be giving away copies of their eps and promo copies of their new album that will be out in March all for FREE.. How cool is that ? The show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.
Berbati's is having a show with Dengue Fever (LA), Tu Fawning, and Pink Widower. The main thing about Dengue Fever that people harp on is the Cambodian influence. But mostly you should know that they are a pop band that have some psychedelic touches and a sweet sax player. The music sounds a bit throw back. It is good. I am mostly writing about this show because of Tu Fawning. I really liked their debut ep that came out a while back. Since then I have missed several shows that featured, according to third party accounts, new songs. They normally play moody rock music. You should check out their song "Out Like Bats". Pink Widower features members of the the defunct band Ape Shape and play psychedelic reggae pop. They are a good pairing with Dengue Fever considering the shared use of similar brass (though I think Pink Widower has more of it). The show is $13-$15 and starts at 9 PM.
Portland Playhouse is having a show with Fruition, Leonard Mynx, Daniel Stern, and Never Strangers. Fruition is a modern blue grass group. I actually played with them once at Portland Playhouse. They are really solid and have gorgeous three part harmonies they throw atop their blue grass. The instrumentation consists of acoustic guitars, banjo, stand up bass, and mandolin. There are three songwriters in the band so there are no shortage of songs. Leonard Mynx also has no shortage of songs. I have been listening to his latest Le Petite Mort and really liking it. I have not seen him play acoustic in a long time. I think I might prefer him that way sometimes. Daniel Stern is the robber from Home Alone and Home Alone two that is not Joe Pesci. I am sorry but that is what he will always be best known as. But did you know he also directs plays? That is why he is in Portland. Also he plays guitar and sings. Who knew? No one. Because this is his first time to do so in front of an audience. The show is $6-$8 and starts at 7:30 PM.
The Artistery is having a show with Laura Veirs, Led to Sea, and Justin Power. Laura Veirs keeps getting better and better. I often get the song July Flame, from which her new alum is titled, stuck in my head even though I have no possession of the song. I probably have heard it only a handful of times but it has drilled its way into my brain. In a good way. "Led to Sea is the solo project of violist/violinist/composer L. Alex Guy. She is sometimes joined by incredible percussionist Paul Kikuch." This is from her myspace page. She has been a part of experimental pop bands Xiu Xiu and Dead Science. It is a cool sound. Lots of stings obviously. I am wondering if she does lopping live. I bet she does. And then there is Justin Power, as songwriter poised for greatness. He will be big. I can feel it. I liked his music immediately. Kind of like when I first heard Blind Pilot and I was like. People are going to like this. The ALL AGES show is $8 and starts at 8 PM.
The Press Club is having a show with Rauelsson, May May, and Kele Goodwin. Awww the lesser known folk scene in Portland, how I love you. I guess these are not really all that lesser know but they are small enough to play the Press Club (a very small space). All of these groups are very good and make very soothing folk tunes. Rauelsson makes his in Spanish (hey I playing a band that sometimes makes Spanish language folk music too, Rauelsson hit up Y La Bamba or Tragos Amargos for a show). May May is fronted by Laurel who also plays in Rauelsson. Kele Goodwin makes Nick Drake-ish tunes i.e. very breathy folk. He has been recording with the dudes from Musee Mecanique over the past year. Hopefully those get released this year. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.
Doug Fir is having a show with Lewi Longmire Band, The Physical Hearts, and Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside. Lewi Longmire is a guy who has been around the block a few times. He leads a country rock band that is really. Check out the song he duets with Victoria Williams. I love it. The Physical Hearts are a band that I have heard of but not heard. It is an interesting mix of folk rock and and some other elements. Check out "Downstream" when the full drum beat drops in I am like, "Is this The Sea and Cake?" A neat trick for a folk band, Then there is the excellent retro-pop of Sallie Ford and her amazing backing band The Sound Outside. These guys having been getting bigger and bigger and really deserve it. Imagine if Billie Holiday sang upbeat pop songs. The show is $8 and starts at 8 PM.
The Waypost is having a show with Orange Jam, Support Force, Ghosties. From what I can tell of the lo-fi recordings on their myspace, Orange Jam sound like a promising noisy, but not necessarily loud, psychedelic rock band. Support Force sound like a reverby pop band. Ghosties is sounds like a guy recording in his home who probably listened to all the music I did growing up. I am not good at describing these bands because they are hard to describe. But check them out. They are, as I said, promising. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.
If you see me at these shows please say, "Hi". I am the bearded dude having a good time.
-Ben
Laura Veirs plays with her awesome band tonight at The Artistery.
5 comments:
I'll be at the Fenbi/Sneakin' Out show at Ash St tonight. If any of you see me, say "hi," but bear in mind that I am not well-programmed for real life interaction, so if I respond by excessively stuttering and telling an awkward and irrelevant personal story, that's just me saying "hi" back.
Note: I am unfortunately not bearded like Ben, but you can recognize me by my signature 1970s dayglo tweed and polyester fashion.
I also somehow managed to forget Pony Village at Knife shop. They are good too.
Ooooh Dr. Something - you're too good to us!
No Prob, Mike. I'm sorry I actually only caught a few of your songs. My friends I was catching a ride with had to leave early. The full band (only saw you as a trio before) sounds awesome, though!
And Sneakin' Out were fantastic as per usual.
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