Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, November 14th

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday I was unable to blog. I wanted to. I had the time to. But I had people at work who made it so that I could not. Then as it turned out, I had a show to play in Eugene. It was as a part of Sean Flinn & The Royal We. It was a pleasant surprise that we played with And And And. Apparently several members of that band used to live in Eugene and it was the CD release show for local tune smith Leo London. It was a good show. And with the exception of when I accidentally swallowed an entire clove of garlic with out chewing (pizza can be tricky if you eat to quickly), I had a good time. But I left straight from work to Eugene. So basically I left my house at 7:30 am and got home at 4:00 am. I was a bit wiped out. I might not be able to go out tonight if I wan t to start functioning properly. These are the shows that look good should I change my mind:

Valentine's is having a show with Benoit Pioulard, Cinéma Vérité (Quebec), Charles Stanyan, and Pioneer. Benoit Pioulard makes pop music that is a bit dreamy and honestly at times incorporates aspects of ambient music textures or even straight up ambient tracks. It is a really nice balance of influences. Tom Meluch is the man behind the project. He doesn't play much here in Portland but from what I understand is pretty big in other places. What I am saying is that that we should tacked this show for granted. He is going to doing a West Coast tour with Canadians Cinéma Vérité. They sound even more of a pop band. They incorporate minimal electronic textures and some beats to create a sound that is pretty compatible with Benoit Pioulard. Charles Stanyan is a guy who like live sound manipulation. He is friends with Matthew Copper aka Eluvium and creates music with him as Concert Silence. Pretty cool. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Harlowe & Thre Great North Woods, The Shalants (California), and Rey Villalobos. Okay, so I first heard of Harlowe & The Great North Woods from my friend Brittain Ashford. She told me about this band that had moved to Portland from California and were going to be her backing band. She told me that their music was awesome. I was like, "I am totally going to check them out". Britain and Harlowe & The Great North Woods have since formed a new band called Prairie Empire. Fast forward to today. I am finally checking out the band. She was right. They are awesome. It kinda has the feel of a more fleshed out Horse Feathers or something. Shalants is a pop band from California. It is good and really well crafted. It would be a treat to see them. Rey Villalobos is a guy who used to front a band called The Coral Sea. Now he has gone solo and I love it. He recorded in Portland with incorporating some of our best players (see Corey Gray and Brian Wright of Carcrashlander). It reminds me of the late underrated Jeff Hanson. Who reminded me of an elf version of Elliott Smith. Seriously it is really good. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

East End is having a show with The Intelligence (sacto, portland, new orleans, bakersfield), Nucular Aminals, Spurm (Seattle), and Terraform. The Intelligence seem to be from a lot of places. As do their influences. They seem to be influenced by pop, lo-fi, 60's psych pop, and whatever else they could listen to. The results are band with a great energy that could fit in house shows or clubs, or just about anywhere. Nucular Aminals could also use that description sans the surf. They play excellent "mutated pop". Spurm reminds me of the first Panther record if he had chosen to use lo-fi pop instead of electro to use as a bed for his zany vocal freak outs. This music is clearly the work of crazy people. I think you will like it (unless of course you hate it). Terraform create music that has spastic energy of house punk with sax. The show will cost money and start at show time PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". You'd be the coolest kid in school if you did.

-Ben


Binoit Pioulard will play Valentine's TONIGHT!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, November 12th

Hello Dear Readers,

Have I ever mentioned to you how poor I have become recently? I mean I am not too poor. My dollars are in the double digits (but barely). I can afford to attend to go to free shows, but find it difficult to afford to actually make it to and from the shows. Anyway this is temporary soon I will be back to my show going self. Here are the ones that look good to me tonight:

Alberta Rose is having a show with Bryan Free, The Dimes, and Pancake Breakfast. Bryan Free has been kicking around town for a long time. He is a piano man with a penchant for writing pop songs. The Dimes are a pop band too. Though, they also have folk pop leanings. Their latest album, The King Can Drink the Harbour Dry, has something to do with American History. The main band that caught my eye though, was Pancake Breakfast. This Mike Midlo lead group has really come into its own. I remember seeing them play for the first time at Mississippi Pizza. The band is nine people all of which contribute to passages of high energy group vocals. They have a great new self titled album out. This is what they said regarding said album, "Listen to this record all the way through. It’s a real album, with good songs … like in the old days. There are country songs, and folk songs, and rock songs, and every kind of song. But most of all, you’ll hear good stories about proud truckers and angry birds, magic cars and unfortunate fish." Interesting , no? The show is $12 and starts at 8 PM.


Laurelthirst is having a show with Michael Hurley. Michael Hurley is probably the best at what he does. What does he do? He writes and performs folk songs in a traditional way that is hard not to appreciate. He has influenced quite a few people. I read that Brian Mumford of Dragging an Ox Through Water listens to him. I read that Alela Diane is a fan (she had him sing on her last full length). He recently put out a record with Ida. This impresses me. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Velella Velella (Seattle), Dat'r. and The Bran Flakes (Seattle?). This show is a reminder that Hush Records puts out albums that are not pretty folk albums. Both Velella Velella and Dat'r have but out albums filled with electro funk music. Though, I tend to like Dat'r a bit more. Dat'r is a two piece that uses a bunch of looping software as well as creating a live video thing in addition to making the music. The Bran Flakes are a band that I would like to see. They are on the same label as Girl Talk. And like GT they create sample heavy pop music. Their website is pretty funny. Like what they said about their music, "All of our songs are love songs. Tender, bitter, joyous, sad — all love songs — and like all of the love songs ever written they seem no different then what one might hear while kissing that special loved one on that special night long long ago. You will be enchanted as you hear the strands of fiber caressing your electronics and pouring out layers of love. Let the music take you away to a gentle rain forest where nothing bites. Express your feelings. Let the music dry those tears away. It's okay for all of us to cry now and then. There's an emotion tucked away in every song for you. The Bran Flakes will be that big shoulder you need to let it all out." The show is $7 and starts at 10 PM.

Slabtown is having a show with Ports Will Call, The Friendly Skies, Gunfighter, and Age Sex Occupation. Ports Will Call is a relatively progressive rock band. But I am writing about the show because I like The Friendly Skies. They make live loop based music in the post rock vein. I like them. Especially Jason Drost's drumming. The show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". That would make my night.

-Ben


Dat'r will "sweep the frequencies across all races and creeds" tonight at Mississippi Studios tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, Novemeber 11th

Hello Dear Readers,

It seems that I never go to shows anymore. While part of me thinks that kinda sucks (and it does). The relatively well rested part of me thinks I made some good calls (and I did). Last night instead of going to shows I did an intensive Y La Bamba practice followed by a session of stuffing envelopes full of Y La Bamba tour posters. One good thing about that is that I don't feel bad watching something while I am performing a task. I watched close to three episodes of Mad Men without feeling like I was wasting my time. Anyway, these are the shows that I want to see tonight:

Alberta Rose Theatre is having a show with Blue Giant and Bobby Bare Jr. Blue Giant is one of the two bands that Kevin and Anita Robison front. While Viva Voce is the one that put them on the scene. Blue Giant is kinda taking off. They are on the same label as Shawn "Rockabye" Mullins. The band has a bit more twang than Viva Voce. They still have a bunch of rock elements though. Enough to even tour with The Dandy Warhols (which they just did). Plus I have heard rumours that Blue Giant will serve as Bobby Bare Jr's backing band tonight. If you are not familiar with Mr. Jr.'s music, I suggest you check it out. I mean you like roots rock, right? Also, I am not sure if it is too late but advance ticket buyers also receive an unreleased Bobby Bare, Jr. acoustic EP download. The show is $15 and starts at 9 PM.

East End is having a show with Trmrs (Costa Mesa), Guantanamo Baywatch, and Sons of Huns. To me, Trmrs sound like noisy pop punk with a tinge of surf rock guitar. In a good way. Guantanamo Baywatch on the other hand are a surf rock band with a tinge of punk. They have a new tape out on Gnar Tapes it features hits such as Cum Fart Food. Sons of Hunz make dirty Rock and Roll. The name, somehow, seems like the perfect match for the band and their music. I am not always in the mood to hear the music that comprises this bill, but I recognize that it will be a fun show and that the bands are good. The show is at 9 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Hello Electric, The We Shared Milk, and Syran. I have seen the name Hello Electric around town. It is often seen with the phase "Featuring members of Portugal The Man". For some reason I thought the band was going to be like a pop band. Instead it is kinda dark sounding. It reminds me of a place between lite Rob Zombie and Filter (early Filter). There are programed beats and guitars and aggressive vocals. There will also be music by The We Shared Milk, a band featuring a member of the excellent band World's Greatest Ghost. The band is kinda all over the place rock. My favorite track of there's is "Drag" which has guitars similar to WGG. Syran is a band I never heard of. But guess what. It has a member of a more well known band. Ford, their drummer, also plays in Sallie Ford (Perfect, I know). Syran is fronted by Emily Dalsfoist and her singing and guitar playing. Plus there will by comedy by Logan Cale. When I googled that name I found out that Logan is a fictional character on the Jessica Alba vehicle Dark Angel. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

Camellia Lounge at the Tea Zone is having a show with Kites & Crows and Rey Villalobos. This is not exactly a Portland show, but it kinda is. Kites & Crows are actually from Ashland, OR. In an a strange happenstance the lead singer of that band befriended me on facebook today. I am assuming without the knowledge that I was going to write about his band. Hi Mysha. He seems to like or have played with a lot of Portland bands The thing that caught my eye was Rey Villalobos who lived here in Portland for a few months last year. He recorded with Cory Gray and Brian Wright (both of Carcrashlander and Graves). That ep sounds great I love it. His voice is very lite but unique and, for lack of a better word, pretty. I consider him an honorary Portlander. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". Then congratulate me on escaping my house after dark.

-Ben


Blue Giant plays the Alberta Rose tonight (twice. Kinda).

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday November 10th

Hello Dear Readers,

I practiced until 10 and then had to drop off my bandmates at home and ended up not getting home until 11 and felt oh so sleepy. I did not see a show. Speaking of shows, these are the ones that look good tonight:

Laurelthirst is having a show with Parson Red Heads, Priory, and Piano Throwers. You gotta love monthly residencies. They are usually FREE and have bands that are worth seeing three or four times a month. I think about a year ago or so The Parson Redheads did a residency at The White Eagle. It was before they all lived here. I tried to go to one of them but it was too packed. I would imagine that now that the eight person strong country rock band has planted its roots here, that it may even be more crowded. Priory is a electro indie folk band. Or as they said, "Spacious folk rock, with classic rock soul, and just a pinch of casiotone." Piano Throwers sound a bit silly to me. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

Rotture is having a show with Tomutonttu (Finland), Grouper, James Ferraro (Venice Beach), Eye Myths, DJ Charels Berlitz, and DJ Rocco Martini. I will fess up I know nothing about this show except for Grouper. Grouper plays very pretty music that sounds like it is half asleep. There is a lot of delay and reverb and other pedals that make her voice and guitar sound like a gentle wave of sound that washes over the audience. As for everything else I could not find much information but The Mercury's Ned Lannamann said this regarding the Finnish guys, "Finnish experimental artist Jan Anderzén records under the name Tomutonttu, and the music he makes is utterly fucked-up, psychedelic, homebrewed noise. Animal growls, primitive folk plucks, shamanistic howls, and burping synths all find their way into Tomutonttu's bloody fray. It's jarring, unsettling, disquieting music—rhythms are not tied to any particular beat, instruments are bashed seemingly without technique, melodic tones are smeared all over the sonic canvas like muddy boots across a carpet—but it's also riveting and at times hypnotically beautiful. Anderzén is also the leader of Kemialliset Ystävät project, and remains one of the experimental music world's true weirdos. The chance to see him in a Portland venue doesn't come along very often, so for a certain type of music fan this show is absolutely unmissable. Other types would be happier to stay far, far away." The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Petosky, Bryan John Appleby (Seattle), and Siren & The Sea (Cristina Cano). I like Petosky. They are the sister band to Pigeons. Both prominently feature Angie Kuzman and Justin Ready. Angie fronts this one, though. She plays guitar as well as the violin and uses her very jazzy voice to create a very nice feel. She is backed by Justin on guitar and also has a cello, bass and drummer in the band to create a full folk sound. I was excited to see that there is an EP on the horizon for this band. And I'll be. The other two bands here are fine examples of folk pop as well. They apparently have played shows together before. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Goodfoot is having a show with The Man Dies, School (Brooklyn), Whoarfrost (Baltimore), and On The Stairs. The Man Dies sounds like an experiment in sound. I bet they play loud. My guess is that they like to play loud. I bet Baltimore's Whoarfrost play their grungy psychedelic thrash loudly as well. Which makes it an interesting pairing with On The Stairs. A guy who does not thrash or create walls of sound. He rather plays it a little more oh I don't know. Folk rock instead of noise or thrash rock. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I am a reasonably nice person.

-Ben


Grouper will kinda be like this tonight at Rotture.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, November 9th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not see any shows. I will be honest, I do not have a lot of funds right now. I just spent two days with out phone service because of that lack of funds. But guess what happens on Wednesday? It is my payday, whoooo! Tonight may be different, though. I mean there are a couple of freebies mixed in my picks. These are the shows that look good:

Valentine's is having a show with Kele Goodwin, Galveston, and Duover. Kele Goodwin doesn't play out that much. Perhaps now that he has put out a record, Hymns, out on Hush Records he will play out more often. I have always liked him from the frost time I saw him. Which incidentally was the first time I saw Luzelena of Y La Bamba at this very venue. His songs are delicately finger picked and sung beautifully. It is gentle as a lullaby. In a slightly different different way and often backed by a female voice, Chris Ashby plays folk as the project Galveston. I have not seen him play but have heard that it is wonderful. Duover is a more upbeat folk pop duo of Rebecca and Nathan Jr. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having a benefit for a KARP documentary called KARP Lives. If you don't know about Karp, you should get with it. The wikipedia page is right here. Let me tell the short story. Karp was a kick ass band from a small town in Washington. Later members went on to form one of the best loud rock bands, Big Business. There will be all Karp covers by local heavy bands, Fist Fite, Lord Dying, Black Elk (LA), Rapids and Thrones (Salem). If you are a fan of loud and or heavy rock music, you must attend. If you are curious about loud and or heavy rock music, this is a nice introduction. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street is having a show with Wishyunu, The Harvey Girls, and Terwilliger Curves. I like Wishyunu. They are electro pop duo that has some musical chops. The breathy female vocals are provided by Bei. What you may not know is that she is doing all sorts of crazy feats and sometimes looping several keyboards. Also if you want to download their latest ep or prior album for free, check this out. That means that Tony the guy on drums and guitar (yeah, he does both) has to be super good. Which of course, he is. The Harvey Girls is a band that I have yet to see (and also one of the only bands I have heard Goldie admit to liking). They are a pop band for sure, but they are no afraid to use everything at their disposal to make good music. Their description of themselves, "a cross between Prince Paul's production work and the songs of the Shangri-Las". I am not sure about that, but whatever it is it sounds cool. Also I found out that Hiram from Harvey Girls actually interviewed Wishyunu for Circle into Square the online magazine/label (The Harvey Girl's ar on the label). You can read it here. Also a fun fact. That not only are both Wishyunu and The Harvey Girls both male/female duos, but they are both male/female married duos. Terwillger Curves is, to my knowledge, an unmarried male/male duo. They play kinda weird rock music. I really like the chorus of their song "Echo Valley Voices". You should listen to that song. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Glass Candy, Reporter, Soft Metals, and Liger & Quiet. Okay so sometimes I have to give it up to the people who write for real websites. And sometimes I have to copy and paste their descriptions. Like if it is totally accurate, "Holocene and NIGHTCLUBBING are thrilled to welcome back NIGHTCLUBBING's very first guests. Four years ago murmurs traveled around the world about Glass Candy's new label, Italians Do It Better, and their forthcoming singles and full-length LP. What followed was an unprecedented level of cult, critical, and mass acclaim that put Glass Candy and Portland at the forefront of the discussion over the seemingly abrupt cultural swing away from sad indie rock and toward a heartfelt, thoughtful and inspired dance floor resurgence. At this same time Linger & Quiet had the idea for a party that couldn't easily be pinned down, that would break through the safety zone of the ho-hum top-40 dance nights all over town with a truly eclectic mix of great dance music in all its many forms. And what we've witnessed since is the rise of an undoubtedly new Portland. Glass Candy may have been the spark, but today in Portland the fire burns brighter than ever. So... who better to share this special night with than two torchbearers of the Nu-Portland sound. Reporter's new album on Holocene Music has set a new standard for what a traditionally rock lineup (guitar, bass, drums) can do to a dance floor. Their perfectly dark pop songs, disguised as four-on-the-floor dance floor fillers, have been on display at Portland's most talked about live shows all year long. They've also made a name for themselves as the undisputed queens of the West Coast house party and their infamously mobile sound system has had the cops called more times than Lindsey Lohan's ankle bracelet. Another top album of 2010 contender is Captured Tracks' Soft Metals. Along with label mates Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils, Soft Metals has added a perfect synth edge to the most talked about record label of the year. Their recent tours of the West Coast, Mexico and New York City have proved that they transcend the hype around 2010's synth craze and should be a strong contender for Portland's best new band in 2011." That was directly from the holocene website. Oh and if you get to Holocene earlier you can catch InFARMation for free at 6:30 PM. The show is $7 and starts at 9:30 PM.

Bunk Bar is having a show with Monarques and Yours. Last year Monarques put out a great little early 60's pop record (which you can get for free by signing up for their mailing list on their myspace). It was not long before people started paying attention. They are great. And even where on Prairie Home Companion. Crazy. They recently recorded with Paul Laxer (Typhoon) and I can't wait to hear what they produced. Yours is the band formed by Matthan Minster with Adam Trachsel. It is a pop purists dream. It is so good. I first saw Matthan play in Oh Captain My Captain (fun fact: Josh Spacek of Monarques also used to be in that band) on keys and backing vocals. I always thought to myself that he voice was so good that he deserved to front his own band. Well I am not let down. Also Lee Ellis of Monarques and Lee Corey Oswald's birthday. It will be a party. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I am not going to make you, but that would be something you could do. If you wanted.

-Ben


Monarques at the bunk bar tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 8th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not see any shows. I just was not feeling going out. But may be different and if it is, these shows look good:

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Trans Am, Nice Nice (Maryland), and Jonas Reinhardt (Monaco). Trans Am is a great band. They have been making music for a bout 15 years and have gotten good at it. Mostly they create electro rock. It is awesome. There is the kinds of jams that they produce. Nice Nice also make a unique kinda of music. It is centered around two dudes, a bunch of gear, and a very strong sense of groove. They are the perfect match for Trans Am. Whoops, I am mistaken. I just listened to Jonas Reinhardt. He is the perfect match for Trans Am. Playing the same sort of sic fi kinda of electro rock that is so easy to dance to. So I didn't mention it, but yeah. There should be a lot of body moving at this show. Bring your dancing shoes. The show is $13 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with White Rainbow & Stag Hare, Diamond Catalog, and Rene Bell. White Rainbow is a musical loop artist. I think Stag Hare makes pretty sounding not quite ambient but soothing music. This show is the release celebration for a joint effort 12" they made on Marriage RecordsThis is to celebrate the release of the new White Rainbow and Stag Hare split release. You can listen to the whole thing here. As you can hear it is a bit more beat (although organic beats instead of programmed) driven so you can actually dance while you are trancing out. Diamond Catalog is the "alien techno band" of Pat Maherr aka Indignant Senility and many other monikers. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

The Secret Society is having a show with Mike Apinyakul. You probably know Mike Apinakul better as Shoeshine Blue. I like his brand of blue country folk Americana whatever. He does it well. I have seen him play solo once and it impressed me. It was the first time I saw him. Since then I have been spoiled by him really good band that backs him. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Kenton Club is having Lana Rebel & The Love Lasers. This is what I said last time she had this show come up, "I have yet to make it out to one of these shows. I know that one day I will though. I really enjoy what I have heard of her music. I would I would enjoy it even more in a live setting. I mean I not a huge country, but I do really like it when it is done well. Lana Rebel does it really well. It is sad music about drinking and such. I love it." Sadly I still have not see her. But maybe tonight? The show is FREE and starts at 9:30 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I am not going to make you, but that would be something you could do. If you wanted.

-Ben


Nice Nice at Mississippi Studios TONIGHT!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, November 7th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I played at the Wonder Ballroom. The stage was big. There were fog machines. There were lights. And there were many many people. I had good time and then I saw The Yard Dogs Road Show and I was having a great time. They had everything: music, theatrics, confetti, shooting streamers, onstage costume changes, scantily clad dancers, tap dancing, sword swallowing, magic, and at one point they had sparks fly out of a the head of a flying v guitar that was being played. It was awesome. Anyway, here are some shows that look good to me tonight:

Rontoms is having as how with Ok Sweatheart and Oh Captain My Captain. Ok Sweatheart is a polished pop band fronted by Erin Austin. They have done some worked with members of one of my favorite Denton, TX bands Midlake. I went to college in Denton so I think it is cool when other people are familiar with that tiny ass town. Oh Captain My Captain is a great band. They are constantly changing their line up. It is centered around the above average songs of Jesse Bettis. He is currently backed by two thirds of Arch Cape ie Michael Kitson and Seth Mankowski. They are both great. Mike is able to play drums, toy piano, bells, and sing often at the same time. Seth is one of the best bass players in town and has been starting to add some vocals to the harmonies. Listening to their music some influences are not veiled at all. Clearly they are fans of David Bazan, The Beach Boys, and Queen. They also often remind me of Dr. Dog. I think the songs and arrangements are just so good. They have one ep with the current line up called The Body. All five of the songs are great. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Alessi's Ark (London), Greylag, and Bright Archer. Alessi's Ark is the project of one Alessi Laurent-Marke. Her story is kinda incredible. She basically dropped out of school at 16 to do music full time and ended up signing a record deal with Virgin Records by her 17th birthday. The best part is that when the major label asked who she wanted to produce she picked Mike Mogis the Saddle Creek/Bright Eyes recording guy. I love it. It should be noted that she is now on more independent labels (Yep Rock in the US and Bella Union in UK). The music is actually pretty good to boot. Her voice is breathy and very familiar sounding. Seening as to how there were many Saddle Creek/ Omaha players on the record it sounds like a Saddle Creek release. I am generally a fan of the label. Greylag is a Portland band that I have not heard before, but I really like what I have just heard. It is based on the songwriting of Andrew Stonestreet and Daniel Dixon. It has a indie folk feel in the same realm of Blind Pilot. I think it is pretty cool. Bright Archer is the name of Johanna Kunin. She is actually the reason I am writing about the show. I remember finding out about her when searching Seattle musicians back when I when thinking I could book a tour for Meyercord. I remember instantly liking her music and being too intimidated to ask if she would want to play a show with me. About a year ago she moved to Portland and since then has joined Loch Lomond and changed her performing name to Bright Archer (she has kept her regular name for regular purposes). The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Sedan, Tara Jane O'Neil, Jung Sleaths, and Helll (Japan). I couldn't find out any information about Sedan, but you guys know I like TJO. She just played the Siren Nation Festival a few days ago, but I like seeing her in smaller spaces. Valentine's is an especially perfect size for her. I feel like her music has an intimate feel and I know that Valentine's is hard to not feel intimate. Jung Sleaths is a band. All I know is that Brian Mumford of Dragging an Ox Through Water has something to do with the band. Since he is awesome, I am foxing to go ahead and assume that Jung Sleaths is also awesome. Helll is from Japan and tagged itself as psychedelic and experimental. Most of the bands that I have heard from Japan that were psychedelic and experimental were loud as hell. Helll is actually quite chill. And good. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Tim Kasher (LA?), Darren Hanlon (Australia), and Themes. Cursive and The Good Life are both great bands that Tim Kasher fronts and puts out records with. I am not exactly sure why he needed to put out a record under his own name. But I am glad he did. Because I like his music. As sad and mopey and angry as it can be at times. Darren Hanlon is from down under. I heard of him because local musician Gory Gray (of Carcrashlander and many many local records) has gone on tour with them a few times. I did not listen to him until rather recently though. It is really good. Some where I read a reference to Jonathan Richman. I can see that. They both write clever clever songs. Themes is a local moody piano/guitar duo with male/female vocals. I have not seen them play which is ridiculous because I know them both. I actually use to share a practice space with them. So dumb that I have not seen them. The show is $14 and starts at 9 PM.

Backspace is having a show with Just Like Vinyl (Seattle), Hollie Pollock, and Zoogirl. Just Like Vinyl is not really my thing, but the guitars sound pretty awesome. Plus I read that just three days ago the got into an accident head on with a drunk driver going the wrong way on an Interstate. Yet they are still playing on the road. That is bad ass. I am mostly writing about the show regarding Zoogirl though. I think they are pretty great. It is definitely emo sounding. But I like it. I can't explain it. I can''t justify it. I just like it and you might not. Or you may be like me and be like, "that sounds awesome. I want to sing along". Plus I love a lot of the guitar playing. The show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I am not going to make you, but that would be the civil thing to do.

-Ben


This is Bright Archer before she was Bright Archer. She will play at The Woods tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, November 6th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not see shows. I worked for 15.5 hours and then went home and slept. I know I know. Mr. Excitement. Well today I will see music. If only because I am playing out tonight (look below in the post). But there are few things going on. This what they are:

Wonder Ballroom is having The Yard Dogs Road Show with Y La Bamba. I have never actually heard the music of the Yard Dogs before. Despite having met a few band members and knowing that Luz Elena from Y La Bamba is down with them (I'm in Y La Bamba too!). That being said they give off a gypsy circus burner type vibe. Oh! Look what I found on the Wonder Ballroom site, "Yard Dogs Road Show: In 2005 the Yard Dogs embarked on their first full fledged national tour (25 shows in 35 days). Seven shows sold out, including a magical homecoming show at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The Yard Dogs started out seven years earlier as a three piece jug band performing in road houses and dance halls. Most notably here in Oregon where they partook in modern day acid tests with the likes of Ken Kesey and The Merry Pranksters. After many sleepless nights they moved on. For the next year they traveled up and down the west coast, with a trunk full of instruments and props. A 1967 Ford Galaxy 500 was their tour vehicle. One cold night they pulled off Interstate 5 at a place called Dog Creek Road. After situating themselves - laying out sleeping bags, building a campfire - they fell into conversation. The possibilities were discussed. Spirits revealed themselves in the fire: dancing girls with feather fans, a man in silver sunglasses eating fire, a dreamy guitar boy with big hair, a bearded swami swallowing swords. And it was from this night of fantasy that the Yard Dogs Road Show was born. One by one these apparitions climbed aboard. Eventually the Ford was replaced with a fleet of vans. The original three were now thirteen. And the offspring of that night by the fire was a wicked and mobile cabaret. They told their stories minutes after they were lived. This was the new vaudeville, as portrayed by professional misfits and creative thrill seekers". The sword follower for that band, Tobias, also played musical saw on Y La Bamba's album. He may have brought his saw with him. If he did, Y La Bamba might have a secret special guest. And if you are not familiar with Y La Bamba, I would describe us as a vocal heavy group that tries to house the haunting voice and songs of Luz Elena Mendoza. Oh and we sing in Spanish more frequently now. Oh and the Wonder Ballroom is huge. I am excited. The show is $18 and starts at 9 PM.

Someday Lounge is having night two of the Siren Nation Festival. Siren Nation is art and crafts and film and music and strong women. Their mission? "to inspire and empower women of all ages to create their own art and to highlight the many achievements of women in the arts." Tonight they will have Annie Bethancourt, Erin McKeown, Shelly Short, and Zoe Muth (Ballard, WA). I really like Annie Bethancourt. The sometimes Portland sometimes Costa Rica based musician knows how do write a darned good tune. I saw most of the songs on her latest album, Thee Hundred Suns, in their infancy. On the record, they are have been fleshed out quite a bit thanks to producer Dallas Kruse. But still it is the beautiful voice and words of Annie that gets me every time. Erin McKeown is a name that I recognize. She is on a tour celebrating her 10 year anniversary of her debut album Distillation. She plays out a lot (200 shows a year is a lot). She plays many instruments and is a in demand session player. Shelly Short has one of the best voices in Portland. I love it. I also love her music. Her latest album has this song called "Time Machine/Submarine". It is the perfect music to listen to on a rainy Sunday when you first wake up. It also doesn't hurt that she enlists her very talented partner Alexis Gidieon doing really cool textural guitar and backing vocals. Zoe Muth makes great country Tunes. I feel like Seattle knows how to make good country music. Look at other Seattle contemporaries Sera Cahoone or The Maldives. Great great stuff. The show is $15 and starts at 7 PM.

Backspace is having a show with Iretsu, Brownish/Black, and Skip Roxy. I have written about Iretsu before. They make modern rock music. They don't play in town too much and release their music on an Australian label. None of their music is very high energy. That is not to say that it doesn't have energy because it does. But I am hard pressed to articulate what kind of energy it is. Brownish/Black makes garage soul or post R&B rock or something along those lines. Skip Roxy is a band that I have not seen (I guess I actually haven't seen any of these bands) but I met Joe Holiday from that band and he said he was in Skip Roxy and I was like I have seen your band's name around. They put out an ep that Paul Laxer had recorded and mixed. Paul is getting to be the go to recording guy for all my friends. He recorded Typhoon, he might be recording Y La Bamba, Monarques, and many more. Anyway were was I? Ah yes, the the Skip Roxy EP is rock and roll. Well executed rock and roll. Umm…just check out the link I provided. They are selling the EP for just a dollar. The show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

Saratoga is having a show with Wet Paint Dmm (Seattle), Nucular Aminals, and Total Bros. Wet Paint Dmm is not my thing. The super pop band Nucular Aminals is my thing. There is so much to like. I suggest you give it a listen. One of the guys in that band, Wiley, is also in another band called Total Bros. They are playing too. They are a bit different. It is a duo that manages to be noisy and a bit farther "out there" than Nucular Aminals while still maintaining a catchy feel. Also a lot to like. The show is by donation and starts at 8:30 PM.

If you see me at the Wonder Ballroom show please say, "Hi". I am not going to make you, but I will judge you if you don't.

-Ben


Total Bros play at Saratoga Tonight!

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