A good friend of mine, Sue Ball (IMDB her, she's a veteran (she played Larry's sister on Perfect Strangers for fucks sake)), made this incredible video for the the 80's song that never existed: Albino Raindrops.
Watch and enjoy.
Directed by Sue Ball Director of Photography: Gary Turnier Edited by Wendy Peyton Song by Patrick Munson; Performed by The Me
Song Available on iTunes and Amazon MP3
PS. on a seperate, but related note, click through the video and check out Sue's other project, The Rochelle Show. It's a riot!
Last night I was all set to go out and party it up. I was trying to decide where to go and what to do and then....BAM. Laziness hot me fast and hard. I managed to make it over to my friend Adam's house with a plan to eventually make it out to a party, but we ended up watching The Mighty Boosh instead, when we did eventually leave the apartment, it was only about ten blocks to the Hawthorne Carts. Then after that sleepiness hit me even harder than the laziness. I fell asleep on my friends couch. I eventually woke up and went home. Halloween Madness! Next, year. I will do it right. Anyways, here is what looks good to me tonight.
Sunday, November 1st
Rontoms is having a show with Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, The Monarques, and Sean Flinn. Sallie Ford had a very distinct voice. A very good and very strong voice. She could probably do many things with her voice. She has chosen to do a retro-pop thing. It works wonderfully. Her band, The Sound Outside, is super good. It consists of a Stand up bass player, drummer and guitarist. They are all very solid and tasteful. While I am sure that they could totally do some crazy stuff, they let all their focus go towards how the song should sound as a whole. So, if that means the guitar player plays a catchy riff repeatedly instead of shredding that is what happens. It sounds so good. The Monarques is the band that Josh formed when the last incarnation of Oh Captain My Captain split earlier this year. It is dare I say an experiment in Power Pop. The experiment being how many cliches can be put in a song with out it actually sounding bad. They manage quite successfully to stay on the good side of the line that lies between good and bad. There are big choruses, two female back up singers, dramatic key changes near the end of songs etc... All and all it is a lot of fun. Sean Flinn is an amazing songwriter, he has kinda been in the shadow of all the people he has played guitar for. He currently plays for Y La Bamba (hey, I play in that band), Nick Jaina, and Jolie Holland. Many people don't know that he does his own thing as well. He used to front a band called Invisible Rockets (I totally missed that band before it disbanded). Anyway I have had the pleasure of singing back up vocals in his group along with fellow Y La Bamba member Luz Elena. I think it sounds really good. The songs themselves are always carefully arranged and have very interesting chord progressions and rhythms. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.
Valentine's is having a show with Sam Cooper, Alameda, and Adrienne Hatkin (of Autopilot is for Lovers). I know all of these people and they are all great musicians. Sam Copper has probably been at one time or another been connected to any Portland band you can name. Though I believe that currently he has widdled it down to just Horsefeathers and this his solo project. The man can play any stringed instrument with prodigy like skill. Though for his solo shows he relies heavily on the guitar. Last time I saw him play he played a tiny guitar like thing whose name I cannot remember despite the fact that he talked about it a good five minutes before playing the song he used it on. It was one of the only times I think I heard a audience member shout out "Less talk more rock" and somewhat agreeing. But despite Sam's often awkward stage ramblings, I find his songs to be sometimes humorous sometimes sad, but always endearing. Alameda is a new group that was put together by former Strangers Die Every Day member Stirling Myles (currently of Autopilot is for Lovers). I have not seen them yet but I ran into Alameda/Autopilot is for Lover's violinist, Emily Nelson, and she said that it was going to be good. I really liked Strangers strings with post rock rhythm section (electric bass and drums). I am hoping this is maybe along those lines. I know that Autopilot has been mentioned several times already, but its main singer and songwriter, Adrian Hatkins will be playing tonight as well. She has a love it or hate it voice that has a lot of vibrato. I am on the love it side of things. She unlike many many many (myself included) song writers, she does most of her performing either on accordion or piano. Also since she all of the other people have played with Autopilot at one time or another, I am wondering how solo her performance will be. Whatever the case, I believe it will be good. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.
If you see me at the Rontoms show, please say "Hi". I think I will wear black tonight. So look for the guy on stage who is singing and has a beard, cause that would be me.
-Ben
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside plays tonight at Rontoms for FREE.
Happy Halloween! There is a lot going on tonight. Actually there is a mind numbing amount of stuff going on tonight. I am only going to cover the music and just thinking about it makes my mind hurt. Hopefully you have already decided what you are doing. If not, here are some options that involved some PDX tunes in the mix.
Saturday, October 31th
Redeemer Luthernan Church is having a show with Blue Cranes and Claudia Quartet. I love the Blue Cranes and their indie-jazz stylings. They never disappoint, but often go beyond expectations. They are seem to be very stoked about this Claudia Quartet. This is what someone said about the four piece, "The Claudia Quintet's music demonstrates that "Innovative jazz does not have to be harsh, angry, loud, shrill or grating; it can be delicate, witty, ethereal and radiantly lyric, as the Claudia Quintet pointed out..." (Chicago Tribune). Formed by composer/drummer/arranger John Hollenbeck in 1997, this NYC ensemble's sound explores The Edge without alienating the mainstream, proving that genre-defying music can be for everyone. Over the past decade, the group has released four CDs that are critically acclaimed world-wide and whose appeal extends well beyond, as well as including traditional jazz audiences. The group's first album, The Claudia Quintet, was released on the BlueshiftCRI record label. The group has since established a long time relationship with the Cuneiform label." Sounds legit. The show is $8-$15 and starts at 7 PM.
The Press Club is having Michael Hurley play. This is not necessarily an exciting show. But it is a good one. Who knows who might join him? I know he has got some great folks in his corner. They are are folkers of the Appalachian type. Good stuff. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.
WonderBallroomis having a show with Starfucker, DeelayCeelay, Nice Nice, and Wampire. This is a killer lineup. The last show Starfucker will play before officially changing their name to PYRAMIDDD. They have some seriously fun energy live and the catchy numbers to back up the energy. DeelayCeelay is all about the performance. It is essentially two drummers playing to pre-recorded music. Sounds kinda boring right? Well they manage to make i t not boring by doing it to an awesome animation show that synchs up ridiculously well and that they created themselves. Also they usually employ hearty doses of fog not to mention that the pre-recorded music is pretty bomb. Nice Nice is a duo that specializes in making post-everything music via a series of well planned loops. And Wampire makes very chill and groovy lo-fi dance rock. I really like it. It will be very strange to see them in this setting though. I mean I am used to seeing them in very small settings. Wonder Ballroom is relatively huge. This ALL AGES show is $14 and starts at 9 PM.
Disjecta is having a show with Copy, E*Rock, Atole, Guidance Counselor, and DJ Automaton. This is what Disjecta had to say about the event, "Experience the massive and mysterious Disjecta like never before this Halloween. Set design impresario Drew Foster and the Disjecta team have transformed the building into a labyrinth of ghoulish charm. You won't find a more elaborate environment anywhere with Portland's best party bands. We guarantee it will knock your clown nose right off!" This is what I have to say about the event. It's a rad dance party. Some of Portland's finest. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.
The Woods is having BabaYaga Ball with Vagabond Opera. I will be honest and say that I am not that into what Vagabond has to offer, but his sounds kinda interesting. "Halloween in a real mortuary? Vagabond Opera presents a night of haunting music, ritual, art and the sincere honoring of those passed in their second annual Halloween bash! Whether you want to dance, party, pray, or channel your ancestors, this night is for you. The night will feature a stunning interactive altar installation dedicated to honoring the dead, an apothecary and museum of weird objects, a divination table and an ancient fire ritual in honor of BabaYaga, the Slavic Witch! Part event proceeds will support The HeART of Healing project of the Archimedes Movement, a grassroots effort to spark positive health reform in Oregon and beyond. To learn more visit TheHeARTofHealing.us" The Show is $17 and starts at 10 PM.
Doug Fir is having Best Little Horror House in Portland: this includes Red Fang and The Bugs. This is what they are offering," HORRIFYING HAUNTED HOUSE-STYLE TABLEAUS AND SKITS FROM PORTLANDS FUNNIEST COMEDY TROUPES! PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST, THEN PUMPKIN SMASHING CONTEST WITH GALLAGHER AND BILLY CORGAN TO FOLLOW! COSTUME (STRIPPING) CONTEST!" I was sold at Red Fang. Those guys make awesome ROCK music. I saw them play at East End a few months a go and left with prune-y hands because of all the sweat.The show is FREE with a costume and $8 otherwise.
Rontoms has a show with Black Elk and Diamond Tuck & The Privates. Rontoms would be an ideal place to see a show this Halloween. I have been in there recently as last night and it is looking good. There are several dead bodies hanging from the ceilings and even more severed body parts. I hear that there will be loads of fog inside tonight as well. Black Elk music pretty much rules it if you like aggressive metal-ish music. Diamond Trucks etc... seem like an interesting pairing, though they still rock albeit in a completely different way. The show is $5 and starts at 11:59 PM.
If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". I will be the one in the snuggie (yeah I'm gonna buy a snuggie and yeah, I am going to wear it in public).
-Ben
I think I know what Red Fang is going as for Halloween. You can see for yourself tonight at Doug Fir.
I realised recently that I haven't posted for a while. A combination of long distance relationship, early morning work hours, and graduate school have kept me away from the shows and new music. However, one thing I have been doing is sitting around at home and watching music videos. After significant research, I have come to the conclusion that music videos in the 1980's were way more awesome than almost anything else, ever. So please allow me to share some of my favourites. We'll start off today with OMD, (Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark) makers of some of the most delightfully pretentious synth-pop in the universe.
Tesla Girls
cause nobody's ever eaten toast so sexy...
Maid Of Orleans - The Waltz Joan Of Arc
Looking pretentious while reading and playing chess with a historical babe
I really, really wanted to post the video for "If You Leave" 80's tastic awesomness involving OMD's lead singer mooning about and overacting in a tux by a brick wall. But apparently Embedding is Disabled By Request because youtube is lame. You can watch it here though.
