Beck, Brubeck, and Bach: Portland Cello Project at the Aladdin Theatre May 4, 2013

Crappy Indie Music tends to get a little experimental with blog post format, so I've decided to publish a chat about the Portland Cello Project show I attended with my friend Steven on May 4th. (This is my second Portland Cello Project review—here is the first.)

Why a chat? Well, as it turns out I've been feeling guilty about the tardiness of this review, but life has been happening with a vengeance these days. I think I enjoyed the show more than the previous Portland Cello Project show I attended (mostly because I was a Radiohead newbie). I found the show a little unbalanced—this evening was chiefly about the "Beck Song Reader," a series of pieces that Beck decided he would release only as sheet music.

Portland Cello Project was joined on many songs by young musicians from the School of Rock.

Here we go!

9:17 PM Heather Andrews: hello!
9:17 PM Steven: yay
9:17 PM Heather Andrews: Hey, thanks for going with me to the Portland Cello Project show. When was that, like a month ago?
9:18 PM Steven: uhm
9:18 PM Steven: lemme check my calendar
9:22 PM Heather Andrews: I found the email! It was May 5th. Not quiiiiite a month ago yet.
9:22 PM Heather Andrews: Did you like the show?
9:27 PM Steven: the 5th or the 4th?
9:27 PM Heather Andrews: The fourth. As in, May the Fourth be with you!
9:27 PM Heather Andrews: Oh yeah, that's the day we went to Things From From Outer Space in Milwaukie.
9:28 PM Heather Andrews: Point is though, did you like the show?
9:28 PM Steven: it was fun
9:28 PM Steven: I thought the two lead cellists on the right were very skilled
9:28 PM Steven: and there was one other cellist who seemed to be the 'rhythm' section, keeping the beat very well
9:29 PM Steven: Clackamas County has decided it won't renew its contract with Portland sex offender treatment clinic
9:30 PM Steven: Clackamas County has decided it won't renew its contract with Portland sex offender treatment clinic | OregonLive.com
9:30 PM Heather Andrews: You know I'm publishing this chat, right?
9:30 PM Heather Andrews: Did you know Zoe Keating was at Portland Cello Project's first rehearsal? That's what Wikipedia says. And if it's on Wikipedia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Portland_Cello_Project
9:31 PM Heather Andrews: I was trying to find their names so I could illuminate the minds that will be reading this
9:32 PM Heather Andrews: So, all the Beck songs they did were from his non-recorded Beck Song Reader. What did you think of that choice?
9:33 PM Heather Andrews: Oh look, as it turns out he has finally performed some of it himself: http://www.nme.com/news/beck--2/70408
9:33 PM Steven: cmdev.com/isbn/193807338X
9:34 PM Heather Andrews: Nice cover design
9:34 PM Steven: As a musician, performing a piece you've never heard performed is a challenge
9:35 PM Steven: the thing about Beck is that his regular stuff is very not my thing, but he can play
9:36 PM Steven: I wouldn't mind having a copy of it
9:36 PM Steven: I'd make Jamie work though one of the songs with me
9:38 PM Heather Andrews: That would be cool, if you like it.
9:39 PM Heather Andrews: Once, my violin teacher brought a Beatles songbook, and it was her idea of "having fun" during my lesson but at the time I only knew a couple of Beatles songs and they weren't the ones she wanted to play...
9:39 PM Steven: I've discovered that with the right interpretation a song can be good or bad
9:39 PM Heather Andrews: So it's probably better if you bring it to her than the other way around
9:39 PM Heather Andrews: To me, those songs sounded unmistakably Beck like his Mutations album, but I don't actually care for the Mutations album very much.
9:39 PM Steven: I already 'discovered' something that she really latched on to
9:40 PM Heather Andrews: And the thing about Portland Cello Project is that I think their most successful pieces are the things that everybody knows already: "pops" tunes
9:40 PM Heather Andrews: Like the one they call "Ninjas in Paris"
9:40 PM Heather Andrews: or when they played "Take Five" (which was one of only two Brubeck pieces in the performance)
9:41 PM Steven: weren't there three?
9:41 PM Heather Andrews: Beck definitely got top billing
9:41 PM Heather Andrews: I only remembered two
9:41 PM Heather Andrews: "Take Five" and..."Blue Rondo a la Turk?"
9:41 PM Steven: ok hmm
9:42 PM Heather Andrews: Oh that's super weird
9:43 PM Heather Andrews: I thought I wrote a review after the first Portland Cello Project show, and I'm not finding it to link to it. I wonder if Jess took it down...
9:45 PM Steven: I-5 bridge collapses over Skagit River, no fatalities reported | KING5.com Seattle
9:46 PM Heather Andrews: : (
9:46 PM Heather Andrews: Well : ) for the no fatalities
9:46 PM Steven:  witnesses reported seeing a semitruck with an oversized load crossing the bridge and striking a girder before the bridge collapsed.
9:46 PM Heather Andrews: D'OH
9:47 PM Heather Andrews: Funny thing, I have crossed over many of those lesser I-5 bridges and thought, "what if this gave way right now?"
9:47 PM Heather Andrews: Glad I didn't find out
9:49 PM Heather Andrews: So tell me more about what you thought about the show
9:51 PM Heather Andrews: What did you think about the School of Rock kids?
9:51 PM Steven: mixed
9:52 PM Heather Andrews: Why?
9:53 PM Steven: I get the impression that there's a bit of Rebecca Black in the program
9:53 PM Steven: you know about how she got her video made,?
9:54 PM Heather Andrews: Her parents bought it?
9:54 PM Heather Andrews: For her bat mitzvah or something?
9:54 PM Steven: pretty much. You're familiar with vanity presses, right?
9:55 PM Heather Andrews *nonchalantly puts a sheet over her eighteen boxes of "Why I Love the Monkees So Very Much" by Heather Andrews*
9:55 PM Heather Andrews: Nooooooo
9:55 PM Heather Andrews: : )
9:55 PM Steven: Her mother paid $4,000 to have the single and an accompanying music video put out as a vanity label[3] through the record labelARK Music Factory.[4
9:56 PM Heather Andrews: So how do you figure that applies? Oh wait, maybe I don't want to publish that on the internets. Maybe I will not use your last name so all the West Hills parents won't come storming your door...
9:57 PM Steven: Well I wonder how many of the kids in School of Rock really have talent vs. parents just indulging them
9:57 PM Heather Andrews: Fair enough, although arguably you could say that persistence is the key to success, over talent.
9:58 PM Steven: sure
9:58 PM Heather Andrews: If you have talent you may not work as hard
9:58 PM Heather Andrews: And being young, they're just getting their sea legs
9:58 PM Steven: also, the fact that we have a for-pay privatized music school instead of art and music programs in public schools
9:58 PM Heather Andrews: Well yes
9:58 PM Heather Andrews: As an alumna of that system myself, I can still say it is valuable to people in their post-musician world
9:59 PM Steven: yeah there should be art and music in schools
9:59 PM Steven: I got my first exposure to music in elementary school
10:00 PM Steven: I'm being cynical again, aren't I?
10:00 PM Heather Andrews: I was thinking that : )
10:01 PM Heather Andrews: I spoiled your mind by talking too much about depressing news earlier
10:03 PM Steven: oh I wish they'd had more instrumentalist featured
10:04 PM Heather Andrews: Like, the trumpet player?
10:04 PM Steven: the one singer was good but I barely heard the piano or guitar
10:04 PM Heather Andrews: I liked the "Old Shanghai" song. Another Beck Song Reader song...
10:05 PM Steven: What was the audience participation one?
10:07 PM Heather Andrews: Ooooh, I don't even know
10:07 PM Heather Andrews: That's the thing about Portland Cello Project—I feel like I'm never cool enough to know most of the songs they play that everyone else seems to know.
10:07 PM Steven: Do We? We Do
10:07 PM Heather Andrews: Ah yes
10:08 PM Steven: they also played "Last Night You Were a Dream" and "Why Did You Make Me Care?"
10:09 PM Heather Andrews: I'm just lucky (is lucky the right word?) that I now know the "N-words in Paris" song, because that always gets a rise out of people. And you also said you were listening for Parisian references or ninja leitmotifs after they called it "Ninjas in Paris."
10:09 PM Steven: and maybe more
10:10 PM Heather Andrews: Definitely more. I think the show was really about the Beck Song Reader. Which, as it turns out, Portland Cello Project has released as an album, has made YouTube videos about, etc.
10:11 PM Heather Andrews: The Song Reader website is pretty cool
10:11 PM Steven: Yeah I thought it might be something from swing or gypsy jazz of the 30s
10:11 PM Heather Andrews: Very web-savvy
10:11 PM Steven: yeah
10:11 PM Heather Andrews: You're playing it on your computer right now.
10:12 PM Heather Andrews: Not the N-words song
10:12 PM Steven: no
10:12 PM Steven: I thought Ninjas in Paris was going to be an eastern influenced 30s jazz mashup
10:12 PM Heather Andrews: Yeah, so you really have to know the source material
10:12 PM Heather Andrews: to be in on the joke
10:12 PM Heather Andrews: Do you have anything more to say about the show we saw? Would you go to a Portland Cello Project show again?
10:13 PM Steven: I recognized the "Brought to you by the number 5" set
10:13 PM Heather Andrews: Well, that was because it was "Take Five!"
10:13 PM Steven: I would, but I'd like to see them doing their pop covers more
10:13 PM Heather Andrews: Who doesn't recognize "Take Five!?!?"
10:13 PM Heather Andrews: Me too!
10:13 PM Steven: well that wasn't the only one
10:13 PM Heather Andrews: Moar pop covers!
10:14 PM Heather Andrews: They should do more Monkees songs.
10:14 PM Steven: seemed like there was a 3rd song in the 5/4 set
10:14 PM Heather Andrews: Hawaii Five-O? Oh wait, no. You're listening to the Mission Impossible theme now.
10:14 PM Steven: let's find a better version
10:14 PM Heather Andrews: You know what, I didn't even connect that
10:15 PM Heather Andrews: I just thought "the next piece is brought to you by the number five" was just their way of saying that "Take Five" was next. Didn't even realize/notice/whatever the piece(s) after that...probably because I didn't know them.
10:15 PM Heather Andrews: :\
10:15 PM Heather Andrews: Is it safe to say that we went to a hipster concert?
10:16 PM Heather Andrews: Are you about to blow up my house? Because you're playing "Mission Impossible" a lot.
10:19 PM Heather Andrews: Okay, so now for the record, Steven and I are now discussing out loud (as we are sitting across the table from each other) how apparently, I really missed a big inside joke in the show...
10:20 PM Heather Andrews: They apparently took "Take Five" and interspersed the theme from "Mission Impossible" because they're both in 5/4 time, and I totally missed that...?
10:20 PM Steven: 'For all intensive purpose'

[Ed. note: I have just asked Steven out loud, "what? where did I say that?"]
10:21 PM Steven: you didn't say it
10:21 PM Steven: I just stumbled across it looking for something else
10:21 PM Heather Andrews: I don't understand
10:21 PM Heather Andrews: I am very confused
10:21 PM Heather Andrews: Aaaaaand
10:21 PM Heather Andrews: tired!
10:21 PM Heather Andrews: I think I should wrap up this riveting interview : )
10:22 PM Steven: the writer meant "for all intents and purposes"
10:22 PM Steven: another piece of music in 5/4
10:22 PM Heather Andrews: (He has now moved on to playing...another piece in 5/4. But he won't say what. I think it may be part of a Star Wars score. Sounds John Williams-ish to me.)
10:22 PM Steven: Oh, very good
10:23 Heather Andrews: Yay!
10:23 PM Heather Andrews: Net score for the whole night for me: ONE!
10:23 PM Steven: Now you know that John Williams ripped off Holst
10:23 PM Steven: Gustav Holst - The Planets - Mars, the Bringer of War
10:23 PM Heather Andrews: Ahhh
10:23 PM Heather Andrews: I think I've heard part of that...once
10:23 PM Heather Andrews: I must be the most horrible reviewer evar
10:24 PM Steven: it's perfectly understandable that you'd think it was from Star Wars
10:24 PM Heather Andrews: Let's talk about Hedda Gabler! Or the homosexual undertones of Tennessee Williams! : )
10:24 PM Heather Andrews: The Planets is much more riveting than the Beck Song Reader.
10:24 PM Heather Andrews: OH, I SAID IT
10:25 PM Heather Andrews: Sorry, Beck. Although maybe it's because Xenu really wrote that piece
10:25 PM Heather Andrews: Those pieces
10:25 PM Heather Andrews: That's not in 5/4
10:26 PM Heather Andrews: (I was hearing a YouTube commercial)
10:26 PM Steven: yes a McDonald's commercial
10:26 PM Heather Andrews: THAT is Star Wars now, yes?
10:26 PM Steven: yep
10:26 PM Heather Andrews: Or just more things John Williams ripped off?
10:26 PM Heather Andrews: Oh good, at least he's ripping off himself
10:27 PM Heather Andrews: Okay, I'm going to end this chat now
10:27 PM Steven: =(
10:27 PM Heather Andrews: Unless you have something more, hugely insightful, you'd like to say about the concert?
10:27 PM Heather Andrews: "I liked the person I went with" maybe?
10:28 PM Steven: I liked getting free admission =)
10:28 PM Heather Andrews: Or at least "the chocolate I bought in the lobby was good?"
10:28 PM Heather Andrews: Would you go to a Portland Cello Project show again?
10:28 PM Heather Andrews: Oh, I knew that piece
10:28 PM Heather Andrews: What it was about to go into
10:28 PM Steven: yes if I knew they were going to pay more of their pop interpretations
10:29 PM Steven: I am a big fan of out-of-genre covers
10:29 PM Heather Andrews: Yes
10:29 PM Heather Andrews: Like Oedipus Tex
10:29 PM Heather Andrews: ?
10:29 PM Steven: well there are bad things
10:29 PM Heather Andrews: Oh no, what is this?
10:30 PM Heather Andrews: Bad things, like me trying to cover Led Zepplin?
10:31 PM Heather Andrews: Zeppelin
10:31 PM Steven: ready for this?
10:31 PM Heather Andrews: (I had to Google that to spell it correctly.)
10:31 PM Heather Andrews: Is this the Lady Zeppelins?
10:32 PM Steven: George Mason U marching band covering Rage Against the Machine
10:32 PM Heather Andrews: Ahhh
10:32 PM Steven: Killing in the Name of/Bulls on Parade medley
10:32 PM Heather Andrews: I've never heard them so again, it's lost
10:33 PM Steven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqG4oSfQYIY
10:33 PM Heather Andrews: But if there was a Rage Against the Machine cover of....Idiot Wind by Bob Dylan? That might work
10:35 PM Heather Andrews: Okay, bye! Thanks for the chat. : )
10:35 PM Steven: =)

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Show Review: Portland Cello Project Performs Radiohead's "OK Computer"

"Ten kinds of amazing."
"Fuck yeah!"
"I can enjoy a good wine even if it's poured in a different glass."

The people have spoken: Portland Cello Project's Saturday evening performance at the Aladdin Theater was by all accounts great. Erik Henriksen at the Mercury even wrote an adulating Open Letter to the Portland Cello Project that started circulating the internet on Sunday morning.

I've been puzzling. It seems like Radiohead is a band that people "get" or they don't, and a couple weeks worth of attempting to "get" them got me nowhere. Friends recommended starting with The Bends and OK Computer. I listened to both, but found little to get me hooked. The band's attempt to emulate Phil Spector's "wall of sound" approach just left my head achy and overloaded. Then I asked a friend who was a fan if she'd like to go with me, to get a fan's perspective on the performance—but she was more excited to go on a bike ride that night.

(That's not a terribly high praise for a fan, is it?)

Classical performance is something I'm no stranger to though, and I can appreciate Portland Cello Project's aim to demystify classical instruments and diversify their audience. Their modus operandi involves performing in places you wouldn't expect (in a field near the Fremont Bridge, perhaps?), and performing pieces you wouldn't expect. Like Missy Elliott*. Or the theme to Princess Mononoke. They collaborate with guest artists frequently (at this performance, their guests included The City of Tomorrow, Disassemble the Widget, Adam Shearer, and a percussionist known as "Night Dawg"), but the cellists always take center stage.

And just like with this performance of "OK Computer," the group peppers in little tastes of more classical fare—Saturday's performance included J.S. Bach's Sarabande, and a brief introduction to the musical compositions of Hildegard of Bingen.

Why were these pieces interspersed between the OK Computer songs? I'm not sure, but I'd love to hear your theories. I'm of the mindset that bands deliberately put albums together in a certain order, so throwing a piece by a postmodern Estonian composer (Summa by Arvo Pärt) in the middle is slightly confusing.

One thing I will say: while a classical treatment of Radiohead didn't bring any new revelations about OK Computer, it was significantly more interesting to listen to. Arrangements were interesting and diverse, and using a small men's chorus provided some depth to the vocal parts (although the sound balance still made it difficult to catch the lyrics). Adam Shearer's featured solo on "Exit Music (for a Film)" was a great moment as well.

It seems like the real key for Portland Cello Project performances is to have a good working knowledge of their source material. Even after the Radiohead was over, the group performed three songs as an encore, one of which seemed familiar, but the giggles and claps around me meant I was clearly not in on the joke.

Next time though, maybe they'll play "Subterranean Homesick Blues" rather than "Subterranean Homesick Alien." And that is what is likely to keep me coming back for more.


*=You should really watch that Missy Elliott video!

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Portland Cello Project tackles Radiohead this Saturday!



Lloyd Bentsen is watching you poop.

 Remember, I have been demanding tributes like this forever, so keep 'em coming!

Yes, like the fabled chocolate and peanut butter, there is going to be a sublime menage of two great things... local heroes the Portland Cello Project, and non-Doctor-Who-British-spacemen Radiohead.  It's coming up this Saturday at the Aladdin Theater!

I'm not sure if I've stated my position on Radiohead before.  My first exposure to them was "Creep," like it was for so many others.  That was the summer I also discovered Urge Overkill, but that's another story.  I felt like the promise of their big single from Pablo Honey was not lived up to in their subsequent releases, and I put Radiohead aside for many years until I met my wife and raided her ipod, discovering Kid A in the process.  I've been a fan of all their work since that groundbreakingly weird album, and it sounds like I am a minority in that view.

A lot of people- like, billions, man- treasure OK Computer as Radiohead's finest hour.  It's considered the Cadillac of Pink Floyd.  Or, wait, "Radiohead's Dark Side of the Moon".  Well, to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, "That's no moon."  I can't deny the influence it's had, however, or its stature among fans and critics alike.
So, it is with totally unreserved hibbly-jibblies that I announce this really awesome show.  You need to hop up and get your tickets NOW Now now! SATURDAY Saturday saturday!  BE THERE Be There be there!

From the press release:

Radiohead's classic album performed in its entirety by a cello ensemble,

with a wind ensemble, and an 8-piece choir.

Featuring: Chicago's City of Tomorrow wind quintet, a new Portland men's choir under the direction of Stephen Marc Beaudoin, with a cameo from Adam Shearer

Where: Aladdin Theater, 3017 Southeast Milwaukie Avenue, Portland, OR

Details: Doors 7pm
Show 8pm

Cost: $15

Portland Cello Project Artistic Director Douglas Jenkins always said that he would never score out any Radiohead arrangements for PCP, because the originals were perfect enough soundscapes as they are.

However, the serendipity of a simultaneous collaboration with the world-class wind quintet, City of Tomorrow (the only wind ensemble for the last ten years to win the gold medal in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition), and a top-notch new men's choir led by Stephen Marc Beaudoin (recorded and toured with Pink Martini, soloist with Fear no Music, and Executive Director of PHAME), made the temptation to take on this legendary album unavoidable.

The performance of OK Computer will be interspersed with a unique assortment of contrasting and complementary classical music.

Adam Shearer (Alialujah Choir, Weinland) will sing "Exit Music (For a Film)," but otherwise, the vocals will always come en masse from the choir.

Websites:

Portland Cello Project: http://portlandcelloproject.com/

City of Tomorrow: http://thecityoftomorrow.org/

Alialujah Choir: http://alialujah.com/

PCP High-Resolution Photos and Bio: http://portlandcelloproject.com/highres

So yeah!  Get thee to this show!  Crappy will be sending out intrepid Bookish Heather to do some of her patented review magic.  Check that article out in a few days.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for April 7th -13th

Hello Dear readers,

First off, I would like to apologize for omitting a pretty kick ass show that occurred on Friday. Some of you may have been there. I was not. I am of course referencing the FREE Kill Rock Stars Showcase that went down at Holocene. It featured Panther, New Bloods, and Horse Feathers (all of whom recently signed to the label). Do not fret I am sure they will play again soon (this week for Panther).

But enough dwelling in the past, let us look forward. There are a lot of ridiculously good shows this week, so look alive!

Monday, April 7th

Here is some of the good stuff:

• Exit Only has only been open a short time, but it has already, in my book, developed itself as one of the more notable ALL AGES venues. Tonight they having some really good bands play. Carcrashlander, Ohioan & Circleville Squaring Co. (formerly Ohioan & Kin), Down South Sallie, and Nadine Mooney all perform. I have heard good things about Ohioan & Circleville Squaring Co., and I have been a very gracious witness to both Carcrashlander and Down South Sallie. Trust me. This is a very good show. The cover is $5 for the ALL AGES show. It starts at 8 PM.
• Holocene is having a pretty sweet show tonight, that is if you like rock music (let's be honest, some of you don't). Danava, Portland's answer to Black Sabbath, is opening for Acid Mothers Temple who apparently is a Japanese psychedelic noise freak group. Sound good? There is a $10 cover. The doors are at 9 PM.
• Also, Valentines is having a show by Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly! an experimental post-punk group who have likened their sound to "God Screaming". Better Homes and Gardens (indie Jazz improv group with members of Blue Cranes, The Decemberists and The Evolutionary Jass Band) and Tunnels are also on the bill. Does this interest you? The show is FREE and starts sometime after 9 PM.
• Tube is putting on one of its super crammed but usually good shows tonight. This one features Modernstate and Bodhi. Local Portland indie-rock. The FREE show starts at 10 PM.
  

Tuesday, April 8th

Here is some more goodness for you ears and eyes (if applicable):

• The can't miss show for Tuesday night is taking place at the Artistery in the form of a Parenthetical Girls/Pwrfl Power bill (get it, power bill...Ah, I kill me). The two bands are both have albums out on Slendor Means Society label and appear to be going on tour together in May. This should be a good preview. AAN and Dominique Leone (San Fran) also play. Parenthetical Girls are hands down one of the best bands in Portland and they do not play too often. Maybe that would change if more people went to their shows. I have friends say that Pwrfl Power from Seattle is really good. They are playing later this week, but this is when you should catch them. The Show is $6 and ALL AGES. The doors are at 7:30PM.
• Also in the group that doesn't play to often, is Corrina Repp. To be fair it is because of her new band Tu Fawning ( with Joe Haege 0f 31 Knots) who does play a fair amount of shows. Regardles she is playing a show with David Karsten (Seatlle) and Matt Sheehy at Mississippi Studios. The cover is $7-$8. The show begins at 8 PM.
• Valentines has some good bands playing on Tuesday too. Ora Cogan (Vancouver, B.C.), Ah Holly Fam'ly, Gabriel Soloman and Aja Rose (San Fran?), and Matress are playing. FREE? The show starts at 9 PM.
• The Portland Center Stage is having an after Party for their production of Sometime a Greta Notion at The Gerding Theater Armory. They were kind enough to ask Bark Hide & Horn to play too. Basically the the Theater is doing a bundled deal where you pay $20 and get to see the play and attend the after party with the previously mentioned music plus cocktails and d’oeuvres and such. Very good deal. The play starts at 7:30. The music is at 9 PM.
  
• Plus there is the Open Mic that occurs every Tuesday at Zilla Sake on Alberta. Y La Bamba hosts and plays. It is worth it just to see her. The sign-up is at 7:30 PM; music starts at 8 PM.

Wednesday, April 9th

There are so many good shows on Wednesday:

• The best show for your money (bias alert!) is going to be at Holocene. We're From Japan!, and AristeiA are some of Portland's finest. They are playing with touring Silian Rail from San Francisco. The music will be beautiful and epic and largely instrumental. Warning: it will also rock HARD at times too. The cover is $5. The doors are at 9 PM.
• Doug Fir also has pretty good line up too. Scout Niblett is playing with Holy Sons (Emil of Grails, OM, and Dolorean fame) and Oregon Painting Society. Holy Sons doesn't play out very often, so it is kinda of a special occasion. Turns out Holy Sons is going to be touring with Scout for a bit. The cover is $10. The music starts promptly at 9 PM.
• The Chaos Cafe has a good show to offer as well. David Evan's New Band will be playing along with a few of their friends Julie Rose and The Hand That Bleeds. They should all put on exceptional performances. And its FREE. The ALL AGES show is scheduled to start at 8 PM.
• I will darned if Mississippi Pizza doesn't also have a good local line up. This one consists of Barons in Trees, Miwa Gemini, Shelby Sifers, and Nathan Moomaw. Though I can only vouch for Shelby Sifers, she is good enough to check out the whole show. There is no cover that I am aware of, but you should bring some money anyway to buy cds from those who have them available. The show starts at 9 PM.
• Someday Lounge has some good music they you may have already seen this week. They will reprise the Pwrfl Power (Seattle) and Dominique Leone (San Fran) pairing along with local staple Modernstate and New Zealand's Bachelorette. If you did not see Modernstate earlier in the week, nows your second chance. There is a $6 cover. The show starts at 9 PM.

Thursday, April 10th

This is whats the what for Thursday:

• Stump Club is having a benefit show. They have lined up The Gentry (Hillsboro), The Hand That Bleeds, and The Vindicators (Beaverton) to play. The show is, of course, ALL AGES. Be sure to remember to donate. At least pick up a copy of the Stump Club compilation. The show will take place at Westview High there is a $4. The show starts at 6:46 PM.
• Holocene is hosting an interesting event on Thursday too. It is called Electrogals, and as you might have gathered, it will feature several women creating electronic based music. I know there has been talk on this blog about females rocking. Perhaps this could start a discussion regarding females programing? Anyway, There are women from all over the West coast performing. Including some from Portland. The performers are Ayako Kataoka, Suzanne Thorpe, Lyn Goeringer, Sugar Shortwave, Marianne Messina, Mireaya Medina/Cheetah Fitness(Portland), Rasheeda Ameera(Portland), Molly Pettit, and Bonnie Miksch (Portland). There is a $7 cover. The doors are at 8 PM.
• There is also a Newspapers show at Clinton Street Brewing. Nelson Kempf (of The Old Believers) and Ross McLeron (of Southern Belle) are also playing the show. This will be a special all acoustic set. It is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

Friday, April 11th

Fridays have been full of good shows lately. Take for example the seven shows (that is one weeks worth of shows in one night, folks) I want to attend this Friday:

• The one I will end up going to, I am very pleased to say, is the Grails/31 Knots show at Doug Fir. Both of these Portland bands are amazing. When I first learned of this show forever ago the excitement started. I am unsure if I will make it to Friday before I lose my shit. But if I do then I most assuredly will lose my shit at the show. Experimental Dental School, a portland band who I had never heard of until now is opening up the show. The cover is $10. The show starts at 9 PM.
• It kinda sucks though, because there are some benefits that I would like to support. Like the MF Magazine show at Red Room that will benefit abused women. CIMTB mastermind, Ste. Goldie made a post about this a little while back. The bands playing are Hymns For The Drowning, ROLLERBALL, and Abigail Adams. There is no cover, so you should drink your ass off for the cause. Or just order a lot of Food again, for the cause.
  
• The other benefit tonight is taking place at Someday Lounge and benefits The Portland Rescue Mission who in turn benefit the homeless of Portland. The bands scheduled to play tonight are OHIOAN, TRACTOR OPERATOR, THE MORALS, ZETAMAN, and more. There is a $5 cover. The show starts at 9 PM.
• There are also some ALL AGES shows happening tonight. For instance, The Portland Cello Project is performing at The Aladdin Theater. As per usual they have several Portland songwriters/bands in tow. This time around they will be backing Stephanie Schneiderman, Rick Emerson, Weindland, and The Builders and The Butchers. The tickets are $10-$12. The show starts at 8 PM.
• The other ALL AGES show is at Backspace in Old Town. Panther, Starfucker, and White Fang will all be playing. This will in all likelihood be awesome. Just so you know. There is a $7 cover. The show starts at 9 PM.
• East End also has a show brewing on Friday. It involves King Brothers (Japan), Shellshag (NYC), and local rocker LKN. The show probably has a cover, though it is not listed. The show time is 9 PM.

Saturday, April 12th

Another day another list of shows. Are you guys seeing a pattern here? (so many good shows, rejoice the fact that you live in a town with good music):

• The show I will attend if I get that opportunity is most definitely the A Weather/Carcrashlander show. I most likey will not be able to catch Carcrashlander on Monday, so the chance to see them on Saturday excites me. As does the fact that they are playing with A Weather. I listen to their album, Cove, a lot (because its so good). This is the official album release show for them. It will be a blast. The show is happening at Mississippi Studios. There will be a $7-$8 cover. The music starts at 10 PM.
• Another undoubtedly good show is taking place at The Aladdin Theater as they host another installment of the OPB broadcast Live Wire! radio program. This one is headlined by Portland's own Laura Veirs and has Seattle's Grand Archives performing as well as other things non-musical (for instance FREDERICK SHILLING - Founder of Dagoba Chocolates from Ashland). You can click on the webpage for all of the details. To be in the audience will cost you $15. Otherwise just tune in on your radio or computer. The ALL AGES show starts at 8 PM.
• There is a more energetic show occurring at Towne Lounge, if that is more your thing. Reporter, Vanashing Kids, and Fist Fite will be rocking the joint. There is a $5 cover. The music starts at 9:30 PM.
• While there are no benefit shows on Saturday, I know of at least one fund raising show. I am referencing the show at Someday Lounge. Bark Hide & Horn are playing with Andy Combs and the Moth in order to raise money for Belmont, The Movie. It is a feature length narrative that is set somewhere in Portland (Belmont?). I have heard good things about Bark Hide & Horn's live show. I know for a fact that Andy Combs and the Moth are really fun to watch and hear play in a live setting. There is a $7 cover, with the show starting at 9 PM.

Sunday, April 13th

Most of you will probably want to to go to the Cat Power show at The Roseland (I know I will want to go). But, there is always the chance that the show might sell out. Or that you might not like Cat Power. Either way, these are the local shows for Sunday:

• Shelly Short is playing her CD release party at Someday Lounge. She makes good folk-pop music, which probably means that the CD she is releasing (or that Hush is releasing on the 22nd) will also be good. Two Sheds (CA) and Minmae open. The show costs $6. The doors are at 9 PM.
• It looks like East End is having a pretty good show involving Ah Holly Fam'ly and Justin Power. Both make folk influenced music of the good variety. There is no indication of a cover fee. The doors are at 9 PM.
• Or you could go to Valentines for the Cassette release party for Hammer of Hathor. They will be playing as well as Problems? and Why Must I be Careful. It is refreshing for someone to have a cassette release (or is that just my nostalgia for cassettes?). Regardless, the show is FREE. It will get started some time after 9 PM.

So there you go. Another Awesome week of shows. I hope to make some. I hope you have a good week regardless of how many shows you do or do not attend. But if you do go to a show and you see me there, make sure you say hi.

-Ben


31 Knots play the Doug Fir on Friday with Grails and Experimental Dental School. Sweet.
Photo by Bagelradio

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks For This Week

Damn my inability to be everywhere at once!

There are too many shows in Portland.

If I could I would be at two or three show every night. Unfortunately I have a lack of money and time. Plus my body tends to slow down and eventually fall asleep on me. But I guess the question is, "is that a bad thing?" It depends I suppose.

So I guess what I am getting at is this:

Wednesday December 5th, 2007

• The Portland Cello Project playing at the Holocene with the Horse Feathers (recent kill rock stars recruits) and others including my good friend Fall of Snow (aka Stephanie Casey).
• Also that night over at the Doug Fir Don Coballero is playing. I am not sure which I will go to. it all depends on if I am too exhausted from AristeiA practice.

Thursday December 6th, 2007

• Portland Cello Project playing again at the Holocene with the Horse Feathers and Fall of Snow. (No you are not crazy, it is the exactly the same line up as last night. Which can be a good thing. You have two chances to see it.)
• But at the same time there is The Graves and Boat playing over at the Doug Fir. Sigh.

Friday December 7th, 2007

• Here is where it gets really good. Friday night I want to see Shannon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Doug Fir.
• Over at the Holocene Prefuse 73 is playing.
• But deciding between these two show is a non issue as I am Playing a house show at my friend Annie's house. So that show will be Annie Bethancourt, Dave Lowensohn, Meyercord, and Westfold.
• But if you are not on the east side you should go and check out Ah Holy Fam'ly at the Towne Lounge.

Saturday December 8th, 2007:

• Saturday is easy. I want to go to the Doug Fir to see Laura Gibson who is playing a show with the Cave Singers. I have missed both of these peoples last shows and regretted it. Something that I plan to rectify this Saturday.

Sunday December 9th, 2007:

• Sunday an old acquaintance from Denton, TX, Fishboy is playing a show at Slabtown. So if I am in the mood for some indiepop opera I might go check that out.

But alas I do believe that I will be unable to attend the majority of these excellent shows because my wallet is just not fat enough. But you should try to. I figure that if we put our minds to it we can make sure that every good show is attended.


Brain Wright from The Graves -- photo by Ste. Goldie

PS -- Don't forget you can get your jam on at Someday Lounge Incubator TONIGHT!

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