Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, June 29th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last Night I was doing music related stuff that was not going to shows until almost 11:30 PM. I guess what I am saying is that I talk a big game, but sometimes I do not go out and see the shows. But my heart is always there. Even when the rest of my body isn't. Here are some shows that my heart is interested in attending:

Valentine's is having a show with Dragging and Ox Through Water, Soft Metals, Golden Retriever, and Kevin Shields. There is a brand new DAOTW 7". Nice. Many of you know that I think that Dragging an Ox Through water is great. I think that the incorporation of all sorts of influences and all sorts of instruments traditional and not so traditional (ie the ones he builds himself). Soft Metals makes chilly synth based electro music. Golden Retriever makes kinda ambient kinda electroacoustic music. I suppose somewhere between those two touch points would be a more accurate description of what they sound like. Just think bass clarinet and textural synths galore. Kevin Shields is not the leader of My Bloody Valentine. I mean he is, but there is also a Portland noise project. They make noise using an array of pedals and moded effects. They have 15 out of print releases and six in print releases. I am not saying that it is easy to make noise music. But that is a lot of releases. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Andina is having a show with Pete Krebs. Pete Krebs is one of the Portland artists that I listened to prior to moving to Portland. I had become aware of him because he was on a CMJ magazine CD. I used to read that magazine religiously every month cover to cover. I fell in love his album "Sweet Ona Rose". I still love that album. But he is an artist that has many interests and while I respect that, I am not crazy about all of his musical interests. So I am assuming that he will play songs off of his solo albums. Or at least that is what I am hoping. If you are interested in his other musical endeavors the guy plays all the time. Tonight he is playing at 7 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Archipelego and Really Big Birds (Tempe, AZ). I believe that every Tuesday night is FREE and Ella Street Social Club. That is a pretty good deal. I am writing about this show because I played a show and thought that Archipeleago was good at what they do. I liked it. At the same time, I want to warn you that it is not for everyone. I recall it being more ambient than anything else. Some people cannot stand live ambient music. I find it to be soothing and at times quite beautiful. Really Big birds is also somewhat ambient, though there are some chill beats thrown in for good measure. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

East End is having a show with Eddy Current Suppression Ring (Austrailia), Cheap Flight, and Blood Beach. I don't know about Eddy Current Surpression Ring. Cheap Flight apparently has members of Mudhoney (Seattle) and Evolutionary Jass Band. I never got into Mudhoney, but I did get into Evolutionary Jass Band. I got into them a lot. Blood Beach is a band that grew out of the songs of Tex Winters. I really liked Tex Winters. I thought his mix of folk country and oddly psychedelic textures. This band is a natural progression of that. I don't know much about Eddy Current Suppression Ring, but they came all the way from down under. Might as well give them a shot. The show is a little bit of money and will start at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". You could say hi no but it would do no good. Wait until you see me.

-Ben


Dragging an Ox Through Water. Tonight. Valentine's. New 7".