Sunday, August 29, 2010

Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, August 29th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night, for me, was awesome. I was at the Doug Fir and I got to see Ezza Rose's new band. It is the line up she used for recording her upcoming album. She has wrangled up some real talent including a pair of ladies on violin and cello whose vocals blend ridiculously well with Ezza's already beautiful voice to create stunning harmonies. Then Musee Mecanique played. I love that band. It was their first show with Dave Depper who is stepping in for their upcoming European tour. They also split the set of older material and newer material by playing a very impressive rendition of The Beach Boys "Sloop John B". I really hope someone got that on video. Then they played their new stuff. I cannot wait until they put out another record. Sean Flinn & The Royal We finished off the night. I will not talk too much about it because as a band member it was hard to say how it went. It felt good though. I later heard from my friend who went to see the Joggers earlier that they covered Television's "Marquee Moon". I really hope someone caught that on video. That is one of my favorite songs. It is so good. Anyways, here are some shows that caught my eye for today:

Bar Bar is having a show with The Dimes,Lewi Longmire, and Quiet Life. If you have not checked out any of the Sunday Bar Bar shows, I think you maybe should. It is a totally chill environment. The Dimes play pleasant pop music that would not feel out of place on something like Grey's Anatomy. Lewi Longmire plays country rock. Actually so does Quiet Life. But I feel like Quiet Life uses a lot more harmonies and plays a bit faster. The show is FREE and starts at 2 PM.

Doug Fir Patio is having a Pickin' On Sunday's show with Celilo and Norman. For full disclosure, I have never attended a "Pickin' on Sundauy" set. I would imagine that it has a similar feel to the Bar Bar sessions. Actually, these Doug Fir things have been happening longer. So maybe, the Bar Bar things have the feel of the Doug Fir Sunday sessions. Regardless, I imagine it is chill. Celilo is a solid Americana band who I have written about several times before. Norman is a band of Oregon folks (not necessarily Portlanders) who have come together to make a band of indie/folk/pop. Or something in that ballpark. The show is FREE and starts at 3 PM.

Rontoms is having a show with Iretsu, Yours, and The Cake Tribute Band. Iretsu is a band that I I have seen the name around but not ever heard before. It seems upon a quick listen that it is pretty cool. It is pop music but not in a traditional predictable way. Yours is a bit more traditional pop, but in an awesome way. The songs are clearly crafted by people who have an affinity for pop music and all its possibilities. It is based around the duo of Matthan Minster (ex- Oh Captain My Captain) and Adam Trachsel (Ley Lines). Plus this is the second and Last show of the Cake Tribute band that features members of Nick Jaina band and Dat'r. You know you loved that song "The Distance". Just sayin'. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Lower Dens (Baltimore), Raymond Byron & The White Freighter, Dragging an Ox Through Water, and BA Fractal. The Lower Dens are a band from Baltimore. They seem to play slower paced indie rock music. Seems pretty chill. Raymond Byron & The White Freighter is what that band Castanets has become (a version blues with an indie rock audience). Dragging an Ox Through Water is what happens when you love folk and various forms of experimental noise music and are unwilling to compromise the sound of either. BA Fractal has something to do with Tunnels. I am not sure what though. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Hello Mtn., Duover, and Poison Arrows. Hello Mtn. features Catherine O'Dell of Horse Feathers. She used to front a band called Black Heart Moon. Apparently she has started a new group with Matthew Morgan. I think that Matthew is an engineer at Jackpot Studios. This is cool because they say they are recording an album. Having an engineer in the band helps with sort of thing. To me it sounds like something between Cat Power and Azure Ray. Duover is the boy/girl folk duo that makes heavy use of harmonies. Good stuff. You can listen to some clips of the album on their myspace page. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I am the one with the dark hair.

-Ben


Lewi Longmire plays this afternoon at Bar Bar on Mississippi

2 comments:

Tyler Mays said...

I saw you and your dark hair at the show last night, but I did not say "Hi." I may like Crappy Indie Music, but I also have Crappy Social Skills when it comes to walking up and talking to strangers. It was a great night of multiple musics!

Ben Meyercord said...

Tyler-- No worries. There is always next time. Glad you liked the musics :)