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

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not end up going out. I had a three hour plus Meyercord practice getting ready for our show on Saturday. It was awesome, but kind of musiced me out. I hope that some of you guys did though. Anyway, here are some of the portland-centric shows happening tonight:

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, The Parson Red Heads, Kasey Anderson. Alas something has happened to myspace and I am unable to listen to the music it contains. Cory Chisel and his band seem to make music in the same ball park of Ray Lamontage. The Parson Red Heads are one of the newer Portland transplants. I have never seen them play, but I have tried. They played at The White Eagle but it got to capacity before I arrived. So I guess they are pretty good. I know much about Kasey Anderson. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

The Knife Shop is having a show with Mike Coykendall and Blue Skies for Black Hearts. Mike maybe best known for the excellent records he has been a part of recording, but he also is a songwriter and performer in his own right. Blue Skies for Black Hearts is a wonderful pop band that has fined tuned its craft. It has been a little bit since their last album, so I bet they have a few new numbers. The show will be a good one. Especially for the price. The show is $4 and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Shoeshine Blue, John Vecchiarelli and Ezza Rose. Shoeshine Blue is one Mike Apinyakul and the folks he has back him. I really like it. It is definitely on the folkier side of things. John Vecchairelli is gonna have a busy night. He sometimes drums for Shoeshine Blue. Plus he will be playing his songs. He also drums with Ezza Rose who also has put together a great band. I her new line up at the Doug Fir recently. I was way impressed. Especially with the vocal harmonies. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at either of these shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


I don't think kids will be at Shoeshine Blues show at The Woods tonight, but you older ones should totally check it out.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, September 29th

Hello Dear Readers,
I am back. Tour was great. Y La Bamba's album Lupon was officially released everywhere yesterday. Typhoon is the best band Y La Bamba have ever gone on tour with. Granted we have only done the "tour with another band" twice once before: once was with Meyercord and the other was with Sean Flinn and The Royal We (both pretty much shared all members at that time). But I am absolutely in love with Typhoon. As a band and as people. So ummm... how have you guys been? What was your favorite show that I missed? Let me know. Anyway, here are some shows that look good to me:

Doug Fir is having a show with School of Seven Bells, Active Child, and Themes. School of Seven Bells, as I recall, make very chill music. Like lite indie electronic kissed lullabies. Active Child is a band whose CD I actually got on the tour from Filter Magazine. I asked them to give me all the promo CDs they had. I have not had a chance to really listen to it yet. Themes are some of the nicest people I know. Plus they have been in the "biz" for a while Jacey has been touring the country since he was like 15 years old. He knows everyone and plays cool music to boot. He and his now wife play the baritone guitar and keys respectively and make to make some moody ass music. The show is $14 and starts at 9 PM.

Dunes is having a show with Mustaphamond, Neo (Italy), Tribraco (Italy), and With Eyes Abstract. There are some Italian experimental jazz rock bands playing here in Portland? Crazy. I am mostly writing about this because of With Eyes Abstract. They are part of Brofam. Brofam generally doesn't steer listeners wrong. This particular three piece makes kinda spazzy incredible hard to play music. Actually most Brofam does. In a good way. The show is probably hella cheap if there is a cover at all and starts at 9 (usually actually 10 though).

If you see me at either of these shows please say, "Hi". I am back from tour and should be back to a more regular showering schedule (i.e. I don't stink, you can approach me).

-Ben



With Eyes Abstract will play the Dunes tonight.

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Free Download: The Social Network soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Here is the link to the official download site:
The Social Network Soundtrack EP

Goldie's Movie Review:
I saw saw The Social Network last night. I AM FREAKING OUT! I can not wait for you guys to see it (opens Oct. 1st). It is a fucking brilliant masterpiece. Music, writing, acting, editing... I mean come on! It's directed by the guy who did Fight Club and written by the dude who wrote The West Wing. Really? I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE A NEW FAVORITE MOVIE AND SOUNDTRACK.

HAPPY FALL EQUINOX DAY! Watch out for the Super Harvest Moon tonight!

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Cloudy October X Travis Wiggins

The Aviator Is Dead Remix.

THE AVIATOR IS DEAD REMIX by travis wiggins

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, September 17th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I didn't see any music. I was getting ready for tonight and tomorrow and I guess for almost two weeks. I guess what I am saying is that I am going on tour and I will be unable to blog for a couple weeks. Anyway, here are the Portland centric shows happening tonight :
Mississippi Studios is having The Y La Bamba CD Release Show. Y La Bamba will be playing a set along with Ah Holly Fam'ly and Brothers Young. As a member of Y La Bamba it is pretty surreal to have the album finally come out. It was recorded about a year and a half ago. But it will be nice to have a CD to sell that we don't have to burn before the show. Plus the other bands playing this are great. Brothers Young are a group of mostly brothers that make pretty sweet music. They make use of unison vocals a lot. It reminds me of The Beta Band a little bit (they also use unison vocals a lot). Ah Holly Fam'ly makes delicately arranged folk music. It is really good. Also I don't want to spoil anything, but there will be a lot of surprises. The show is $12 and starts at 9 PM.

Backspace is having Music in the Schools Showcase show. White Fang, Starparty, Attention Deficit Destroyer, and Grandfather. "Music in the Schools is a student run and lead non-profit that raises money for the severely underfunded music programs of Portland Public Schools. Not only do these great kids raise money, but also organize monthly high school band showcases, in which three high school bands are lined up with one established adult band. The purpose of these showcases is to increase exposure for these high school musicians, and also to raise money." Sounds like a pretty good thing to support , eh? White Fang is also is a really fun band to watch. They are kind punk kinda not. Rather they are a party in a band. The ALL AGES show is $4 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Branx is having a show with Thee Headliners, Palo Verde, Kusikia, Hey Lover, Sallows, and Magic Johnson. Perhaps you saw the post about this show earlier this week. The show is all about duo's. I have to say there are some good duo's as part of the show. I am partial to Palo Verde and Kusikia. Palo Verde make an impressive sludge rock that is mostly improvised. Then Kusikia is a duo that relocated about a year ago from Tacoma. It is hard to describe them, but if I had to use one word it would be dynamic. I really think you should check out both of these bands. For real. The show is $7-$10 and starts at 8 PM

Ellas Street is having a show with David Dyas, Themes, You Are Plural, and Great Ocean. David Dyas has been a part of many many cool bands. He is a great guitar player. I actually first heard him of the defunct group Black Heart Moon in which he played slide guitar. Anyway he is a pretty crafter of tunes too. Plus he is playing with my buddies in Themes. They are a duo of baritone guitar and piano and male and female vocals. It is not like most stuff. I don't know much about the other bands. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Dragging an Ox Through Water and Hammer of Hathor. The Woods doesn't normally have a lot of experimental shows. Actually I have never have heard of any experimental shows. I think that Dragging an Ox Through Water makes some of the most interesting in town. He has a lot of influences and just mashes them all together. I don't know of many people who build their own instruments or oscillators or whatever. I have written about Hammer of Hathor before. I remember them being kind jazzy and kinda something else. The show is totally cheap and worth checking out. The show is $3 and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having a Supernature show with Copy, Truckasausrus, and DJ's E*Rock and DJ BJ. Check out this from Copy's blog, "i throw a monthly party/showcase at Rotture every month called SUPERNATURE with Audiodregs’ E*ROCK and Atole’s DJ BJ – the september edition (our 33rd!) is acting as the dual CD release party for myself and TRUCKASAURAS, who release their new album ‘QUARTERS’ on September 7th!". I have heard the new Copy album and it is good. I have been a fan of his music for like forever. He makes you want to dance. The way he builds his 8-bit harmonies is great. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at the Y La Bamba show please say, "Hi". I am the dude with the dark beard and the bass.


-Ben


Brothers Young will be playing at Mississippi Studios tonight as part of the Y La Bamba CD release show.

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Ben Meyecord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, September 16th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did a nearly four hour practice with Y La Bamba that left me music overloaded. I did not end up making it out to any shows. Hopefully you guys did. It is starting to get all rainy and while that means it may suck a bit to go to shows. As a musician it sucks even more to play to empty spaces. So you should make an effort for show going this rainy season. I know I will. Anyway there are some good shows happening tonight. Including the Ratatat show that features former Portland resident E*Vax and will have ex-Portlander Bobby Birdman as well. I am a big fan of both of those and had I oodles of cash I might even go see the show, but as it is $25 is kinda steep. Here are the Portland centric shows happening tonight :

The Artistery is having a show with Grouper, Flaengegod, The Aliens, and Whale Signs. I like Grouper. There is something about music that completely washes over you. Which is exactly what Liz Harris' music does. It is folky with the reverb turns upped to ten. It is a special experience. I could not find any information regarding the other bands. I mean the was a link to the Aliens, but it didn't sound like a band that would play with Grouper. The show is 7:30 PM.

Mission Theater is screening Breakin'. And what's more is that there will be live musical performances by Hornet Leg, Soft Paws, Orca Team, and The Golden Hours. I don't know if you have ever seen this movie but along with it's sequel Breakin' 2 Electric Bugaloo it is one of the most celebrated break dancing movies of all time. The movies are fun. These bands are fun. Hornet Leg plays fun house show punk. Soft Paws play bouncy indie pop with tons of quirks. The Golden Hours play pop music that has enough grit and lo-fi charm to win over any indie-popster's heart. I almost immediately fell for their music. Orca Team play pop music that has little tidbits of surf rock components that make for a really fresh take on pop music. I love it. You really should take a listen. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Mnemonic Sounds, Iretsu, and Wishyunu. Mnemonic sounds may have a name that sounds like a cross between Menomena and Talkdemonic, but they make music that is totally different. The group makes engaging electro pop that incorporates live instrumentation. It sounds somewhat like a mix between Lali Puna and The Postal Service. But not in a crappy way. I think they are really good at what they are doing. Iretsu is band that recently got on my radar. I think they make some cool music. Indie music that have music that has a lot of cool parts. I like that there seems to be a movement of bands making efforts in progressing the pop format. Wishyunu is a band that I have written about several times. They are great. They play pop music. They play proggy music. They improvise music. They loop music. I guess what I am saying is that you will not be bored of this band. They are very interesting to watch. I think that duo's that attempt to do as much as they do are really cool. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Monarques, And And And, and The Shivas. Monarques are early 60's pop perfection. They are fun and will most like have you moving around and singing along in no time. They choruses are extremely catchy and easy to memorize almost immediately. And And And are a talented group of folks who have two main songwriters who make use of the large band and varied instrumentation to make very exciting music that has a very upbeat indie rock feel. Think along the lines of The Shaky Hands. The Shivas plays rock music that also draws heavily from the 60's. But they manage to put some of the psychedelic tendencies of that decade into their music. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Washington High School is having Time Based Art show with Guantanamo Baywatch. Guantanamo Baywatch is the other surf band in Portland. Or is that Orca Team? I don't know. I think they are both great. I tend to think of Guantanamo Baywatch as having closer ties to surf punk. It is a lot of fun. I imagine that the TBA festival is a lot of fun. Art is awesome. The show is $10 and starts at 10:30 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". You win the prize of my company.

-Ben


And And And play Doug Fir tonight. Will they were shirts? You have to go to find out.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Muisc Picks for Wednesday, September 15th

Hello Dear Readers,

I went and saw the Blue Cranes play at Music Millennium yesterday evening. It was awesome. They played really well and through in some covers that I have not heard them do before. I love it when they do covers. I feel like they have similar taste in music as myself. They covered a David Bazan songs and a Blonde Redhead song. They were both awesome, but getting to do a cool head bobbing beat from the Blonde Redhead tune was made it my favorite cover song so far. Except of course their rendition of a Wayne Horvitz' Love Love Love which is on their new album Observatories. I picked up said album yesterday from the Music Millennium folks. Man, it sounds good. Anyways, here are some shows that are happening tonight:

Roadside Attraction is having a show with Ah Holly Fam'ly, Ohioan, and Weaver. Roadside has music pretty much every Wednesday. Least I think they do. I normally do not hear about the shows until the day after they occur. Today I actually know of the show the day of, and it is a good one. Ah Holly Fam'ly is a great project. I am not sure who is currently in the band but I know that lead person Jeremy Faulkner has a knack for getting very talented musicians to play with him. The last I saw them Shannon Rose Steele (The Ocean Floor/Typhoon) with him. Everything she is involved in is golden. Ohioan is a band that I have covered for a while. I have only seen him once and it was a solo show at a house. It was good. The band is a revolving cast of members who play the songs of Ryan Warner. The band can be huge or as related to you earlier it can be a solo affair. The music is a very strange, yet natural progression of what I think Country music should be. I should also mention that the Ohioan house burned down early last month so it is incredible they can play at all considering they lost most of their musical gear. Weaver is project that takes the last name of the songwriter and uses it as a band name (I do that too). He is part of the Infinite Front artist collective that is also home to Ohioan. It has been said of Andrew Joseph Weaver that makes "progressive folk ballads". Intriguing. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Washington High School is having a Lovers and Tender Forever show as part of the TBA Festival. Lovers put out a great electro pop album called I Am The West. I really like it when songwriters who cut their teeth on writing honest music take a stab at making dance music. It is usually great. Remember that that The Blow used to be a whole lot less dancey. Anyway Lovers are about to put out a new album. I believed it to be in the same electro-pop style as was I am West. They may even have copies at the show. Tender Forever also has followed a similar path. She is originally from France and writes very personal (often cute) songs using the aid of projected images to help her portray her stories. She too has discovered the joy in beat based music. Last time I saw her she busted out with a killer cover of a Justin Timerlake song. I haver never been to a Time Based Art event. I bet they are cool. I happened to be by Washington High School last night and it looked pretty cool from the outside. It may be even cooler inside. The show is $10 and starts at 10:30 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Benoit Pioulard,The Soft Hills (Seattle), and Cristina Cano. Benoit Pioulard is someone that I had not heard of before last summer when he played PDX Pop Now 2009. I didn't actually get to see him but he got on my radar. His music is not easily categorized. Sometimes his songs are folky. A lot of times they have experimental textural aspects. Sometimes the music drones. Sometimes it sounds pretty accessible. I have not heard his music sound bad. The Soft Hills play kinda sleepy psychedelic country music. It is spaced out a bit but sounds good. I am not familiar with Ms Cano. She plays folk of the indie variety. Her voice is stronger than a lot of people who sing in very delicate voices. Don't get me wrong, I like delicate voices just fine, but it is nice to know that I won't have to strain to hear her voice. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". I am sure it will not be awkward (I've gotten better).

-Ben


Ohioan play Roadside Attraction tonight. It's FREE you fool!

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Review & Concert Update : We Made These Songs : A Compilation Of Portland Duos

"We Made These Songs" contains work by six bands; Thee Headliners, Kusikia, Palo Verde, Swallows, Magic Johnson, and Hey Lover. All of them are Portland bands with two members; after that, the resemblance fades.

Side A starts off with "Uh Huh" by Thee Headliners. According to their Myspace, Thee Headliners formed as a band after their breakup as a couple. That's brave. They've been playing together for ten years, so it must have worked out well for them! Uh Huh has a very old-school country feel; shuffly beat, slide guitars; deep, gritty vocals from both Holly and JT.

The next track, "Shaker" by Kusikia, changes things up. Here we have a liquid, restrained bass guitar over busy drums; small, distant sounding female vocals both high and husky interspersed with noisy solos.

Palo Verde close off the first side with "Devilish Eye". This is the only song on the record with no vocals. The drums are very busy and adept; the guitar starts out sparse and reverby and becomes distorted and brings a sludgy metal feel. I can tell they're good at what they do, but it's not really my thing.

Side B begins with three tracks by Swallows. This is one of those bands whose name I've heard many times but who I knew nothing about; I'm sorry now I didn't hear them sooner. Classic, clean pop sound with a bit of silliness (Ok, maybe a lot of silliness, in the case of claiming that Paraguay isn't so far away, as evinced by its being only a foot and a half away on the map.)

The middle of Side B contains two brilliantly titled songs by Magic Johnson; Iguana Igual and Kelly the Antichrist. Magic Johnson have a very early punk sound; a looseness in the unceasing guitar, percussive vocals, with strange voices, chanting, and shrieking. The vocals are almost all in Spanish, so I didn't understand most of it, unfortunately. I'm pleased to see a band in the punk vein following the weird sounds of early punk, rather than taking one of the more-traveled punk paths.

the record closes with two tracks by Hey Lover. Fun, lo-fi pop. "Don't Forget About Me" is more uptempo, with the music a bit louder than the vocals; "Elizabeth Bridge" is slow and sparse. I'm partial to the first one.

this Friday, the 17th, all six bands are playing a compilation release show at Branx; tickets are $7 advance, $10 at the door - and that includes either a copy of the vinyl record or a digital download. That's a pretty good deal! Plus, it's Swallows' last show, so catch them while you can. Show starts at 8.

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Mikey Vegaz Goes Hard In New Video

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, September 14th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I played at the Doug Fir. It was awesome. Apparently, Jay Brannan is big in the gay community. And can I tell you something? The gay community is great. They were respectful and wanted signatures and were really supportive and told me how much they loved the show and were bummed that I didn't have CD to sell. I mean don't get me wrong, I love my usual audiences as well, but they are not normally as opening pleased with me. Or maybe I just played exceptionally well. Jay Brannan, by the way, was one of the most entertaining performers that I have seen in a while. He told a lot of stories made fun of himself, Portland, and Lady Ga Ga, among other things. Plus he had everyone hanging on his every word. It was pretty cool. Anyway I did this earlier but it all got deleted. I had to start again, but here are some good shows tonight :

Music Millennium is having an in store with Blue Cranes. Blue Cranes are my go to Jazz-ish band. They have dueling saxes and really cool organ tones and a killer stand up bass player/drummer rhythm section. They all play their instruments as if they were extensions of themselves. Which is something really cool to watch. They will have copies of their new album Observatories for sale. The show is ALL AGES FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Valentine's is having a Alina Hardin, Lindsey Clark, The Lumineers (Denver), and Raquel Nasser. I am writing about this very good folk show because of Alina Hardin and Lindsey Clark. They both come from the same place as Alela Diane (Alina even put out a joint record with Alela) and make a similar kind of traditional sounding folk. None of that freak folk junk. The Lumineers sound really cool too. Think along the lines of Dodos with out the crazy drumming. And Raquel is more where folk and sad country meet. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Portland Playhouse is having Blitzen Trapper Play a show tomorrow. I really like Blitzen Trapper. They make folk music. They make rock music. They make poppy music. They make weird music. I guess they do it all. Most of the time they have pretty crazy progressions and have tight harmonies and interesting flourishes. Shows at Portland Playhouse are always intimate and they are a cool band to see in an intimate setting. The show is $10-$12 and starts at 8 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Alina Harndin will folk shit up at Valentine's tonight.

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Brand New leak from Luck-One "More"

Luck-One is an emcee from Portland whose upcoming full-length True Theory is one of the most anticipated releases in NW hiphop, which is also starting to build an international buzz.

Earlier this summer I wrote a piece here for the Portland Mercury, and earlier today I was blessed with a link to a brand new track in my inbox, not from the upcoming album, but from the outtakes that didn't make the cut.

Not that I wasn't psyched before, but if this is merely an outtake, I expect great things on the horizon for this young artist with seemingly limitless potential. But don't take my word for it, check it yourself.

More by Luck-One

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, September 13th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I got to see The National play in Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was pretty surreal. First of all they turned the place into what looked like an arena rock stage. All sorts of lights and smoke and such. I thought I was not gonna be able to see anything at all. The wrist band I got as a band who played the fest did not actually get me into the show. I should have known, but I did not. Luckily one of my new Nike buddies spotted me outside listening to The Walkmen's set and managed to get me and my girlfriend in the show. It was awesome. One of my favorite parts was when lead singer Matt Berninger thanked all the bands that played that day including locals Helio Sequence and Talkdemonic and then joked that he and Talkdemonic had a bit of a falling out. Unless of course they really did. In which case it may be even funnier. Anyway, here are the shows that look good to me today:

The Doug Fir is having a show with Jay Brannan and Meyercord. I have not heard much about Jay Brannan. I checked out some of his youtube videos. He seems like a very sincere guy. He is a dude an caustic guitar and he plays accordingly. Meyercord is me. Especially tonight. I was asked to play solo. I usually have the security of other instruments and voices. Tonight it will be totally stripped down. You will hear the songs as I wrote them. Very simple. The show is $13 and starts at 9 PM.

The World Famous Kenton Club is having it's bi-monthly residency of Lana Rebel & The Love Lasers. I will list this show as often as it happens. I have not actually seen her play. But I love the recordings. I have seen some impressive live videos. I you like classic county tunes from a female, then I suggest you check it out. It is FREE after all. It is every second and fourth Monday of every month. The show starts at 8 PM.

If you see me at the Doug Fir please say, "Hi". I am the one with the full Beard.

-Ben


Lana Rebel & The Love Lazers is playing the Kenton Club

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, September 12th

Hello Dear Readers,

It has been a crazy busy and insane week for me. I did some Nike coverage for the blog which included a bunch of videos with me wearing some fresh Nike gear. I performed in Y La Bamba at the Tender Loving Empire showcase at Someday Lounge. I played in Sean Flinn & The Royal We last night at Bunk Bar. Bunk Bar is a cool space. Hopefully I go to more shows there in the future. Yesterday at work I was planning on blogging, but a huge film crew came into my work and filmed for Portlandia a new show that's going to be on IFC. I saw both Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein the two main creative people behind the show. Pretty crazy. Anyway I hope you got to see some of the MFNW shows. There were some good Portland bands playing last night, the biggest being The Decemberists. Actually that whole Pioneer Courthouse Square was a Portland line up. Laura Veirs, Blue Giant and Weinland also played. Elsewhere around town Ritchie Young, Aan, Dirty Mittens, Monarques, Lovers, and Menomena played. Good times were had I am sure. Here are my picks for today:

Bar Bar is having a show with Sue Weaver and Duover. This is a continuation of what Bar Bar had in August where every Sunday they are hosting two bands to play two sets switching off every hour on the hour from 3 PM to 7 PM. Sue Weaver aka Little Sue makes perfect Americana Pop. All of her songs have a crispness about them that just sound good. In a genre that is steeped with downer after downer, her music comes off a pretty up beat. Duover is the latest for Portland Music Scene staple Nathan Jr. He and Rebbecca Rasmussen create really easy going boy/girl folk pop. You can stream their self titled album from the link I provided, or you can do one of those pay what you want type things and own a digital copy. The show is FREE and starts at 3 PM.

Pioneer Courthouse Square is having a show with The National, The Walkmen (NYC), The Helio Sequence, and Talkdemonic. Honestly this looks like one of the best line ups in the whole MFNW schedule. I like like all of the bands. Actually I really like most of these bands. Talkdemonic make chill beat driven music that is as well versed in folk instruments (especially the viola) as it is the array of electronic elements (especially low synth bass type stuff). It is all instrumental and I find it to be the perfect soundtrack to just about anything. The Helio Sequence is the duo that is the only band that formed in Beaverton to kinda make it. They make light indie rock with a curious amount of instruments for a duo. They put out a split with Menomena in April for Record Store Day. As hard as it is to admit I think that their side was better than Menomena's. The Walkmen just can't seem to do wrong. I have enjoyed this band from the very start of their career. They had a song in some sort of commercial, but have since then consistently put out great albums. They make music with a lot of space and organ and a singer that belts out his songs in a very distinct croon. The National are a peculiar band for me. I love them. But honestly I only have one album that I listen to over and over again. That of course being Alligator. I am sure the two albums that came after it are great too, but I am not ready yet. The show starts at 4 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Grouper, Pioneer, and Neglect. I read that it is not so much a Grouper show, so much as a collaboration of Liz Harris aka Grouper and IIyas Ahmed. I am sure that whatever it is will be absolutely gorgeous and gentle and will make you feel like you are in some sort of dream state. Pioneer is a project that I had difficulty locating any information on, but have gotten the impression from Valentine's blog that it involves audio and visual elements. Neglect is the musical outlet of Joseph Valentino who apparently moved back into town recently from Tucson. He makes music that combines ambient type music with beats. Sounds contradictory I know, but it also sounds pretty cool. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Rontoms is having Dolorean, Derby, and Norman. Come get your Folk pop on. For FREE. Dolorean who played a MFNW set early is bring some more tonight. Derby who lean a little more towards pop than Americana will also be doing a set. And of course their is the pride of the Willamette Valley Norman. They also do the genre tag Americana proud. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Talkedemonic help close out MFNW this afternoon at Pioneer Courhouse Square.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, September 10th

Hello Dear Readers,

As you undoubtedly have noticed, MFNW is in full swing. There are about million shows happening. As you may or may not have heard I am covering the Nike Sports Wear music events that happened yesterday and today. Check out the videos to see how I look decked out in Nike gear. Anyway due to a lack of time and Internet I was not able to post a blog yesterday. Which is a shame because both Sallie Ford and The Thermals played MFNW representing Portland proudly. Today I also kinda have a lack of time, but I want to share some my Portland-centric MFNW picks:

Doug Fir is having Blue Giant play as part of a KEXP show. The show is FREE and Early.

Hawthorne Theatre is having Morning Teleportation (10 PM) and Guidance Counselor. The show is $15.

Holocene is having AU, White Hinterland, Nice Nice(9:30 PM), and Swim Swam Swum (8:30 PM). The show is $10.

Backspace is having Astrology (8 PM). The show is $10

Someday Lounge is having Typhoon (12:30 AM), Y La Bamba (11:30 PM), Jared Mees & The Grown Children (9:30 PM), and Boy Eats Drum Machine (8:30 PM). The show is 10 and starst at 8:30 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having Hosannas (10 PM). The show is $15.


Doug Fir is having Mimicking Birds (10 PM). The show is $15.

Berbati's is having The Builders & The Butchers (1 AM), Richmond Fontaine (11:55 PM), Black Prairie (11 PM), and Old Light (9 PM). THe show is $15.

Some non-MFNW shows:

The Press Club is having Ezza Rose, Kelly Blair Bauman, Luminous Things, and Tod Morrisey. Ths show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

Branx is having a show with The Harvey Girls, The Grapefruit League and Wishyunu. The show starts at 10 PM.

So if you see me at any of these shows, and you might, please say "Hi". Sorry I didn't have time to go into detail. I will get back to a normal blogging pace very soon. I promise.

-Ben


Typhoon play the Someday Lounge tonight as part of the Tender Loving Empire showcase!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, September 8th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last Night I ended up having a very full day I worked and then hung out with the Nike folks and then had a Meyercord practice. It was 10:30 before I knew it. I could not go to any shows. But I will be out tonight. There are a lot of good shows tonight. But as the big name out of towners start to take over our stages (for example Panda Bear or Mark Kozelek, tonight), remember that the local bands are playing too:

Mississippi Studios is having something called Two-Timer 2.0. Two-Timer is a series that displays art by musicians. There is art by Hutch Harris (Thermals), Kathy Foster (Thermals), Corina Repp (Tu Fawning), Georgia Hubley (Yo La Tengo), Tim Rutley (Califone), Rachel Blumberg, Shelly Short, Alicia J. Rose (Miss Murgatroid), Amy Ruppel. There will also be music provided by Ylang Ylang, Arch Cape, and Meyercord. Plus there is going to be vintage soul by DJ Cooky Parker. Those people who are lucky enough to have both musical and visual artistic talent are really lucky. They should be celebrated. It was put together by musician/artist Rachel Blumberg. She may have gotten known by playing drums (The Decemberists, Norfolk & Western, M. Ward Bright Eyes, Sean Flinn etc..) but she has been doing quite a bit of painting lately too. A lot of painting. And what's more she has has started a new band, Arch Cape. I have not seen them live but I know all of the band members and they are all great musicians. Rachel has snagged Seth Mankoski (Captain My Captain, Jen Moon, Sean Flinn) and Michael Kitson (Y La Bamba, Oh Captain My Captain). Together they make music that is chill pop music. I really like it. It sometimes reminds me of popper down tempo music. Ylang Ylang is one of the many many bands that I caught at PDX Pop Now! 2010. They were pretty great. Many of the band members have played in many bands around town. Most notably Charlie Salas-Humara (Panther) and Jake Morris (Joggers). They make rock music surprisingly accessible. I also remember that i kept hearing a lead guitar and could not find it on stage anywhere. I eventually realized that the lead guitar was actually Caroline Buchalter's viola. Meyercord is my band. Tonight I will be joined by Holland Andrews (Like a Villain) and Tim Adam Maynard on clarinet and trombone respectively. They will both be joining me on vocals to flesh out my songs. The Willamette Week called my music to be "moody indie ballads". I am afraid they might be right. Anyway if you missed the first Two-Timer show, like me, then you will not want to miss this one. The show is FREE. The Event starts at 6 PM. The Music starts at 9 PM.

Backspace is having a show with Arrington De Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa, Ohioan, Death Songs, and Zoe Boekbinder. Apparently the house that the Ohioan folks live in burned down recently. I can't even imagine that happening to me. Anyway this is a benefit show for them. Dionyso has actualy personally wanted this to happen. He has a new project that had some interesting origins. This was on the Backspace webseite "Like most great music, ARRINGTON DE DIONYSO's latest musical venture was created to woo a young lady. The central lyrics of this new project are all in Indonesian, the native language of a woman that de Dionyso was pursuing. The erstwhile leader of the skronk blues rock outfit Old Time Relijun gave himself a crash course in the language and then recorded an album of songs that use the poems of William Blake and a traditional Hebrew text (translated into Indonesian, natch) as their core. Apparently this little gambit worked, as de Dionyso got the girl. And he has created what he says is some of the best work he's ever done to boot." Death Songs is another vehicle for Nathan and Nicholas Delffs of The Shaky Hands. I love that band. And I like what I have heard of Death Songs. I think that Death Songs is to Shaky Hands what The Cajun Gems is to Joggers. I hear that there is an elusive cassette release of Death Songs somewhere (at their rare shows). Zoe is one half of a burlesque duo called Vermillion Lies. I am not familiar with Vermillion Lies, but Zoe is good. I like the recordings which includes cool arrangements of brass keyboards and vocal parts over her acoustic guitar and warm and immediate vocals. Check out her song "Paralysing" It is so good. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Stls, Palo Verde, Hot Victory, ASSS, DJ Jen Olsen, and DJ New Moon Poncho. The show is kinda a celebration of the Kill Rock Stars release if Stls 7". Stls is a drum duo, a rarity, which features celebrated drummer Lisa Schonberg (Explode into Colors/ Kickball) and St (Th Haggard, Cadallaca). It is also a celebration of the release of the Palo Verde/Hot Victory split 7". Hot Victory is also mostly a drum duo, but they have a third member playing non drum music on synths and such, but it is still the drum show. Palo Verde is a band that contains two members but only one of them drums. When LKN is drumming you don't need much else. But the mostly improvised sludgy rock that she creates with TJK (not to be confused with TJO) is awesome. ASSS is another drum duo that takes it further in that they only have two drums and two high-hats. But they also have vocals, synth and sax laid between the duo. Jen Olsen is the woman behind Valentine's. Dj New Moon is part of Sword & fern. So if you are a fan of the drum, or the drum duo, or of 7"s this might be the show for you. The show is $5 and starts at 8:30 PM.

If you see me at Mississippi Studios please say, "Hi". I will be in good mood. Promise.

-Ben


Palo Verde will tear it up at Holocene tonight.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, September 7th

Hello Dear Readers,

Honestly I didn't see any shows that caught my eye yesterday. It was weird. I also would like to announce that I started doing a little bit of blogging for Nike Sports Wear. Yesterday I did a video blog and some actual blog stuff too. I am not sure it is up yet. But keep an eye out for your boy. Anyways, here are some shows happening tonight:

Black Rose Infoshop is having a show with Stephanie (Seattle), M. Women (Seattle), Magic Johnson, and Karen. I have read that Stephanie, who is actually a band and not a single female as my narrow minded brain initially though it might be, is a lo-fi band that uses a lot of casio-beats and guitars to create a delicate form of rock music. I have also heard that the vocals are not every one's cup of tea. But as an indie rock lover, this does little to dissuade me. They are going on tour with fellow Seattle's M. Women. M. is short for Medieval. Why? I don't know. They could also definitely be considered lo-fi, but they use real drums and are more of an indie pop band with a bit of a buzzy punk edge. There are often doubled female vocals which is an aesthetic I have yet to grow tired of. I feel like, and I could be wrong because I have never actually seen them live, Magic Johnson epitomizes the Portland House Show feel. The recordings I have heard are full of energy and seem very vital. It feels like punk, but if you put it up to an actual punk band it is not the same. It is fun though, and I would love to see them someday. Plus they sing in Spanish a whole lot. For some reason I think that is cool. Karen is another band that is a female name but is actually a band. They play kinda post punk tunes and I feel probably also are represenative of the immediacy that is house show rock and roll. The ALL AGES show did not have a listed cover and starts at 7 PM.

The Holocene is having it's monthly edition of The Rumble. Tonight they have Onuinu, Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr (Detroit, MI), and Norman. Dj Liz B will also be spinning some records. The Rumble is a monthly show. Actually it is a monthly west coast tour that goes From Portland to San Francisco to LA. Or is it the other way around? Anyways, they usually get a great local band to open. This time the headliner, Onuino, a Portland artist is headlining. Onuinu is the moniker of Dorian Duval that is equally comfortable in the ambient gentle psychedelic pop music world as he is the noisy lo-fi sound of early industrial music. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr is a band that reminds me of Wilco circa Summerteeth or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I mean to say that the band takes classic folk rock or Americana or whatever and adds unexpected elements. In a very good way. Norman is a band that I have written about several times before. They fall easily in the indie folk rock camp. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

If you see me at either of these shows please say "Hi". I will be the one probably in the Nike shirt.

-Ben


Magic Johnson play the Black Rose Infoshop this very evening.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, September 5th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last Night I played at Press Club in Y La Bamba. Sorry I couldn't tell you officially. Secret Shows are secret. We ended up playing two sets covering most of the material we know. Also we threw in some numbers that we didn't know so well. It was a lot of fun and some people went on to go to Langano Lounge afterwards, but I could not bring myself to do it. Two sets kind finished me for the night. But whatevs, here are the shows that look good to me tonight.

Rontoms and Autopilot Is for Lovers, El Rey, and Brothers Young. Autopilot has gone through some drastic changes recently. In fact, I have no idea what the lineup will be tonight. But I know that Adrienne Hatkin will be there singing her songs. Whether they are piano songs or accordion songs, or banjo songs, or even guitar songs, Adrienne holds them down with her unique strong voice. They often waltz or bluesy and often both. El Rey is a mystery to me. Brothers Young are not. They are the band of mostly brothers that make music that due to a heavy use of doubled and sometimes tripled unison voices always reminded me of Beta Band. Their songs are interesting and they apparently just put out and ep, Good People, last week. This show is definitely the most bang for your buck. The show is FREE and 9 PM.

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Sea Caves. I have not written about a show at Mississippi Pizza in a long time. They have shows there a lot, but most of it does not pop up on my indie music radar. Sea Caves are a band that are on my radar. I am not sure how they got there, but I want to say that it has something to do with Oh Captain My Captain. I want say that I have seen them because they played shows together. Sea Caves plays rock music that has really cool guitar parts. Check out the song Traveled Far on their myspace page. It has a guitar that sounds kinda cool throughout the verses and gets all crunchy during the choruses. It reminds me of angular Midwest music of the 90's. The show does not advertise a cover and starts at 6 PM.

Mudai Lounge is having a show with Mattress, Lovely Dovies (New Orleans), Little Gold (Brooklyn), Guantanamo Baywatch. Mattress is the band that Rex Marshall fronts. I have not seen him play as Mattress in a long time, but it used to be him singing in his deep almost crooning voice over a tape machine which played his pre-recorded minimal beat laced jams. There is now a drummer and some guitar. Lovely Dovies and Little Gold are going on a little rock and roll tour together. Lovely Dovies are on a label called Tuff Fuzz which is perfect because when I was listening to their music fuzz was the first word that came to my mind. Rock was the second word. Fuzz-rock. Little Gold make guitar pop music. Which is too say there music is too rock to be just pop and too light to be just rock. It is a good place to be though. I like it. Guantanamo Baywatch is the band that I write about seemingly every week who have won my surf pop loving ears over. Give them a chance and they might win your ears over as well. It is really fun music. The show is $ for gas and starts at 9 pm.


If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Autopilot is For Lovers will be playing in some form or fashion tonight at Rontoms.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, September 4th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last Night I played at The White Eagle in AristeiA. I thought we did a pretty darn good job. It was weird because we played at a much quieter volume than we are used to, and also a much brighter stage (even with the lights turned off). But we played and people seemed to like it. I mean what more could you ask for? A burger that costs less than $8? Maybe. Plus I want to thank Bruxing for lending me a cable. And I might be mistaken, but there is a slight chance that Helical might be using my first Ibanez bass that I sold five years ago. It is the same model and I think it is missing the same knobs. The show was a much different feel than the other shows that I have taken in at the White Eagle which were more Americana fare. loud rock needs more outlets and it is nice to see that venues are starting to recognize. Any ways, here are some shows that look good today:

The Artistery is having it's Ninth Anniversary Party. It will feature: Jonny X & The Groadies, Guantanamo Baywatch, The Memories ( members of White Fang), Boom! ( members of White Fang), Edibles (members of Eternal Tapestry), Timmy the Terror & The Winter Coats, Sexhair, and DJ Bill Portland. The show is also a BBQ. It is also the grand opening for The Biz. The Biz being the new record/tape/clothing store that will most likely be pretty Portland Centric. Basically this is quite an event. The music is very diverse. The people will be diverse. It will be fun. Besides, the price is right. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Archeology, War Pony, The Fling (long Beach), and The Ocean Floor. Apparently this is sponsored by Cazadores and it is part of a thing called The Deer & A Beer Series. I have not heard of this series. I have heard of that tequila before. Certain members of Y La Bamba have been known to be down with it. Archeology is a relatively new pop band on the scene. They have a number of catchy tunes that appear to be based around the core duo who switch off guitar, bass and lead vocals. They are set to put a full length, Memorial, this October on River Seine Records following a string of self released EPs. War Pony might actually be War Pony Dos. If that is the case then you are in store for some a male female folk pop duo. I am a fan of this usually. When I say fan I guess I mean a sucker for this sort of thing. The Fling is a band that makes sleepy rock with hints of county (like some slide here and there). Nice. The Ocean Floor is an incredible duo that arrange and perform the crap out of the songs of Lane Barrington. You may recognize Lane as that guy who used to be in Hosannas when they were a four piece. You may recognize Shannon from Typhoon or Ah Holly Family. But if you see them play you will definitely recognize the beauty of the music. I love it. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Langano Lounge is having a show with The Minders, The Pathogens, Heartbreak Beat, Greedyguts, and DJ Spiltpills. What? I thought The Minders broke up like four years ago. I just checked. They did. Reunion! If you ever listened to the infectious pop stylings of this band you, are probably a fan. One of their most famous fans was Elliott Smith. That guy had pretty good taste. A good idea of what they sound like, would be imagining if Guided by Voices were more consistent in the quality of their output. The Pathogens make high energy rock music that reminds me of something that would be made in the inception of punk music. Heartbreak Beat is a newer band that has The Minders' Martyn Leaper. It kinda follows in that form of pop music. Good stuff. The show is FREE and starts at 9:30 PM.

Backspace is having a show with System & Station, Zoogirl, and Wester Daywick. System & Station is a indie rock band from right here in Portland. They kinda have a classic late 90's NW sound. A lot of cool guitar lines and such. They seem to have been around for quite a while. I don't know why I have not seen them. I swear I could not find any information last time I wrote about Zoogirl, but Backspace had a link right to them. Their recordings I feel do not do them justice of their live show. That being said, if you do not like emo music, and it is completely understandable if you don't, then you probably won't like this band. I personally kind of grew up on the stuff and have a very soft spot in my heart for jagged rhythms, rough vocals, and feelings. The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Dunes is having a show with Desert of Hiatus, Like a Villain, and Duck Little Brother Duck. Desert of Hiatus seems to be some pretty ambient or gentle sounds with a dude either speaking on top or singing with a weak voice on top of it. But I am writing about this show because of the other two bands. Like a Villain is Holland Andrews project. She also sings and plays clarinet in Meyercord, but this is totally different, despite her using the same set up of vocals, clarinet, and glockenspiel. Her songs are way more dramatic showcasing her love of musicals and experimental music simultaneously. Her voice is strong and beautiful. She often records long loops of her clarinet or layers vocal harmonies in a very effective way. The last time I saw her play, I got goose bumps. Duck Little Brother Duck is the super rad band that brings both incredible playing chops and sense of musical arrangement in the compact form of a math-pop band. You need to see this band. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Dekum Manor is having a show with Orca Team, Psychic Feline, Huge Cookies (Seattle), and Ghost Mom. I feel like as soon as I left the area, Dekum Manor started having good shows all the time. Take tonight for instance. You guys know that I love the pop cut with a bit of surf ascetics of Orca Team. I know that I have written about them like a million times. And that is because they play a lot. I think you should see them. And quite honestly, so should I. I promise myself I will see them before I die. The ALL AGES show is at 8 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I don't know why you wouldn't.

-Ben


The Minders come back to life tonight at Langano Lounge. Bring your hula-hoop!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, September 3rd

Hello Dear Readers,
I ended up doing back to back practices from 4:30 to 9:30. I then was too pooped to have any more music. I watched a little bit of that Bob Dylan movie I'm Not There (it was weird but beautifully shot) and then fell asleep. For shame really. I am requiered to go out tonight, though. Check out these shows:

Obviously the biggest show tonight is at Edgefield with Pavement and Quasi. Both of these bands are bands that I loved in highshcool. I didn't get into Pavement until Terror Twilight (written mostly in Portland). I was like, "Man, what a cool band. Oh, your breaking up? Lame." I got into Quasi because my friend told me that they used to be the backing band for Elliott Smith. I loved Elliott Smith's music so of course I checked Quasi out. Brilliant. I even once drove from Denton, TX to Austin, TX just to see them play. If you are not familiar with either of these bands a) what is wrong with you and b) CHECK THEM OUT NOW! Quasi's latest is pretty awesome. Pavement's latest, Terror Twilight, is pretty great too. The show is $39 and starts at 6 PM.

The White Eagle is having a show with AristeiA, Helical, and Bruxing. AristeiA is the loud-ish heavy-ish instrumental rock band that I am a part of. We used to have a lot of people write nice things about our band and how good we were. Now that I think we are actually good people have stopped writing about us. Except for me. I write about us. If you are a fan of Mogwai or perhaps Neurosis. If you dig loud tones and their subtle changes, if you are a fan of many many guitar pedals, or of vintage tube amps, then you will find something to love in our band. The show is being described as a post-rock show, while the other bands definately could easily be placed in that genre and do a fine job at doing it, we are trying to distance ourselves a bit from it. We are a rock band that just happens to be missing a singer. On purpose. The show is $6 and starts at 9:30 PM.

Disjecta is having something called Video Musics II. It will feature a performance by Alexis Gideon. Check this out: "“Video Musics II: Sun Wu-Kong” is a one-hour multimedia video opera based on the 16th-century Chinese novel “The Journey to the West,” and is the result of two years of dogged research and collaboration with the brightest lights of contemporary animation and music." That sounds incredible. Plus if you have not heard the quirky flow that Alexis is capable of, then you are missing out. His songs are weird and awesome in equal measure. The show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Holocene is having Strength, Fake Drugs, DJ Copy, and DJ Patricia Furpurse. Until the PDX Pop Now! 2010 CD came out this year, I had not heard from this band for a long time. I thought for sure they had broken up. Wrong! They were just readying their new album, Mind-Reader to come out. Which is coming out tonight at the show. This band is a dance rock band and they are the best at it. In a town full of dance rock, they started doing it first and are just the best at it. They have other people on the bill like Fake Drugs who will also get you dancing and DJ Copy is a knows how to work a crowd, but as I mentioned Strength is the best. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

The The Mission Theater is having a show called Homegrown Doc Fest. It is several short documentaries about many different subjects. One of those subjects is the local band No Kind of Rider who I have written about a few times in this here blog. There will also be a rare performance by Loch Lomond lead man Ritchie Young. I like documentaries. Escpecially when they are short. Like my attention span. Also seeing Richtie play solo is a treat. He generally switches between a vionlin and an acoustic guitar and gets all storyteller between the songs. The show is $7 and starts at 7:30 PM.

Black Rose Infoshop is having a show with Motorbikes (Anacortes), Takhoma (Tacoma), Kusikia, and Fabi. I basically know nothing about these bands except that Kusikia is rad. The two peice is originally from Takoma, whoops I meant to say Tacoma. They play with huge dynamic shifts and keep things intersing by way ofa killer drummer and inventive guitar technique. I love it. The ALL AGES show is $3-$5 and starts at 7 PM.

Mudai Lounge is having a show with Wet Paint DMM (Seattle), Why I Must be Careful, Total Bros, and Besties (this band?). Why I Must be Careful rule it. Assuming that you are down with spazz jazz. If there is a better drums and rhodes duo, I do not know of them. Plus the music of Total Bros is Total sweetness. That is all. The show is $2 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at The White Eagle please say, "Hi". I will give you an AristeiA button or sticker. Maybe even both.

-Ben


Quasi open for mother lovin' Pavement tonight!

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