Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, October 20th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night, I went to see Typhoon open for Belle & Sebastian at The Schnitz. Unfortuneately, I thought that the Doors were at 8 PM. I was wrong. The music started at 8 PM. I caught about two minutes of Typoon's set. I was pretty upset. I wanted to see them play. It was crazy to see them on a stage that size. Especially since the last time I saw them was on a stage that was so tiny (Amnesia in San Francisco). This was my first time to The Shnitz. It was also my first time to see Typhoon at a relatively quiet volume. Then after a bit of a intermission, it really felt like an intermission (probably because I was in the lobby of a theater), Belle & Sebastian took the stage. They started with "Stars of Track and Field", which was awesome, and followed it with an entire set and encore of B&S greats from their catalogue (including some highlights from the new record). At one point they had a bunch of people go on stage to dance for a few numbers. They were awarded with medals. I loved just about every minute of the show. Then I rushed over to Someday Lounge where DJ Cookie started spinning his soul 45's. Y La Bamba played a short set a little after midnight. I thought it went pretty well. Then Cooky Parker played even more 45's he had the whole of the club dancing. I later found out that another soul DJ totally "stepped" to him. Crazy. He called him a see you next Tuesday. Totally unprovoked. Crazy. All and all it was a good night though. I would also like to note how exhauseted I am right now. It was very difficult to form sentences today. Anyway, here are the shows that look good to me tonight:

Laurelthirst is having a show with Michael Hurley. You have probably seen me write about this fellow before. I have only seen him once but have heard recordings of him and his guest spot on Alela Diane's last album. He crafts folk music that doesn't mess around. It is the real deal. It would appear that he has the coveted Laurelthirst Wednesday happy hour residency for October. I could not be more pleased. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Phosphorescent, Quiet Life, and Celilo. Do you like music that is often tagged Americana? Do you like acoustic guitars backed by full bands? Do you like questions regarding your musical preferences? If so, you might like this show. I make no promises, but I do link to all of the bands to check out. I have been meaning to catch Quiet Life for quite some time now. The show is $4. and starts at 9 PM.

Roseland is having a show with Starfucker, Octopus Project, Strength, and Super XX Man. Starfucker has not, to my limited knowledge, played a Portland show in some time. Welcome back guys. I am glad you have returned to you senses in regards to your name. I am also glad that you signed to a kick ass music label. Polyvinyl is awesome. They are one of the only record labels that I order from on a relatively frequent basis. Oh and I think their music is pretty good. Josh Hodges is a pop mastermind. He creates synth hooks like no one's business. Octopus Project is a band of kinda weirdos from Austin. They used to have electrical outlet masks. I have an ep of theirs. I like it. I also have the collaboration they did with Black Moth Super Rainbow. That album is really good. As you might expect from anyone that collaborates with Black Moth Super Rainbow, they are kinda experimental Strength is a dance rock band. Therefore they are obviously a little cheesy. But you know what? I like cheese. They have disco guitars and beats and loads of synth bass. Check it out. Super XX Man is basically Scott Garred and those that he has assembled around him. I have only seen him play solo, but I bet that at a venue this size he will gather a full band. His songs usually come off as warm and honest. I have liked him since I was in college. The ALL AGES show is at 9 PM.

The White Eagle is having a show with Secret Codes, Heartbreak Beat, and Retake Trio. Secret Codes is that brainchild of one David Kyle. He grew up on math rock and post rock. He makes music that sounds kinda Jazzy. In the way that Tortoise is kinda jazzy. I like it tons. Heartbreak Beat is the new band of Martyn Leaper. You may know his old band The Minders. They were a part of The mother lovin' Elephant Six Crew. Indie Pop lives! Retake Trio sound interesting. This was on their myspace page, "The Retake Trio is an offshoot of Retake Productions, a music production company that was founded in 2007 by Kyle Williams and Adam Fuderer. Their goal is to create music that enhances great films and exposes them to a broad variety of people. They strive to develop a symbiotic relationship between film and music that puts traditional, classical elements in juxtaposition with a post-modern, jazz-based palate." The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". If you tell me your name I can make you Internet famous by mentioning in this very blog.

-Ben


This is a taste of what to expect tonight. Starfucker Forever.