Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, October 1st

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I had stupid work at stupid night which means I could couldn't go to any of the stupid shows that I love so damn much. Does this come off as too whiny? Oh well. I am just telling you folks how it is. Anyway, did you guys go to any shows? Is there some new band I do not know about? I want to communicate with you. Use the comments section of the blog. Here are the shows that look good to me tonight:

The Templeton Building is having a show with Calvin Johnson, Burning Yellows, The Sandwitches (SF), Orca Team, and Kelly Slusher. Apparently this is the last time that there will be a musical performance in this building by Disjecta. There have been many awesome shows. I saw the first Halleluwah festival there. It was awesome. I saw Grails and YACHT and Holy Sons and Vashti Bunyan's first ever appearance in America. Also I remember seeing Menomena and 31 Knots play there once. Anyway they have lined up a great bill. You know Calvin Johnson as the quirky deep voiced co-founder of K records. Burning Yellows is a pop band that judging by the recordings has both a male and a female signer. They like like to put loads of reverb on everything. If you are a fan of lo-fi indie pop, you will be a fan. If you like your indie pop less lo-fi and with out the verb, then the Bay's The Sandwitches should treat you well. Or do you want to see the surf pop (emphasis on pop) band that I keep talking about, Orca Team? They're playing. And kelly Slusher will satisfy any need of minimal indie electro pop. This seems like a quality show. It really is a cool space. Catch the music while you can. The show is $7 and starts at 8 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with Eli Moore, Key Losers, and Neptune Skyline. You probably know Eli better as one of the main people in the band Lake (who is excellent, by the way). People like him cannot be contained in one band though. He cannot be tied down. He is free. This music does not stray to far from the well arranged folk pop of his other band. It is good. Key Losers is the latest outlet for former Dear Nora (also excellent) leader Katy Davidson. I saw their first show and it was pretty cool. Assuming you like weird psychedelic streaks in your pop music. The show is $8 and starts at 8 PM.

Backspace is having a show with The Love Loungers, The Ocean Floor, The Firs of Prey, and Yeah Great Fine. This is a KPSU benefit. So I could not find out much information about the Love Loungers except for this description from The Mercury, "The Love Loungers are Portland's self-proclaimed "Rat Pack," a collective of half a dozen musicians who describe themselves as "sharp-dressing 20-somethings" that hearken back to an era when music was made to make you get down. Featuring a brass section and a backup singer to Ini Akpan's jive-talking lead vocals, the Loungers build upon classic soul sounds with a funky brand of lounge they call "groove-hop," plus there is just a tinge of contemporary hiphop influence audible as well. Joining a trend among local bands—think Sallie Ford or the Builders and the Butchers in their respective ways—the band largely rejects modern tendencies in favor of the soulful, group dynamics of yesteryear. Luckily, there seem to be plenty of Portlanders that want to join them in this aesthetic time travel. MARANDA BISH". Interesting. I am writing about this show because I think that The Ocean Floor and Firs of Prey are both amazing in what they do for expanding pop music. The show is $5 and starts 9 PM.

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


The Firs of Prey will kick it at Backspace tonight.