Help me record a HAUNTED ALBUM!!!

photo by Anthony Georgis

Hello everyone, long time no see!  I've been busy with vacations, writing, working, parenting... all the good stuff.  So of course there is a backlog of music submissions and such.  I'll get right on it.  No, really.  And I do have some great things to bring up, but first...

Help me record a HAUNTED ALBUM!!!


From my indiegogo page, here's a little background on the project:

When was the last time music moved you?  It probably happens all the time.  But when was the last time music scared the hell out of you and made you afraid to go to the bathroom at night?  IN YOUR OWN HOUSE?  I would like to spread fear and confusion to a jaded populace, and give them something to play at their Halloween parties that isn't "Monster Mash" or "Ghoul, You'll Be A Woman Soon".  Instead, we'll have songs about and manifesting the spirit of some of the creepiest locations in the world... Aokigahara, Pripyat, The Lalaurie House, and more...

What We Need & What You Get

To be perfectly honest, my recording facilities suck.  I prefer to run lean, like a thief in the night, but that won't be enough for this project.  I mean, I could just sneak into an abandoned warehouse with a length of rebar and a dictaphone- actually, that sounds like a really good idea.  Maybe I'll do that.  BUT IT WON'T BE ENOUGH FOR MY GRAND VISION!!!  To really evoke the dark presence of haunted locations, I'm going to be getting some electronic percussion (to use as a midi controller to "play" my locations), some better microphones and audio equipment to do field recording, and whatever is left will be used to buy random crap that I will hit with a hammer. Come to think of it, I may need to buy a coupla hammers as well.

Now, I really want to do something unique and original.  So, apart from cool, normal stuff like downloads, physical copies, thank-you notes, etc., I have put in the very top support bracket a slightly weird opportunity- I come to your house, set up my stuff, and record the ambient life (or unlife) of your living space.  I will then take what I find and plug it into reverbs and sampling and PLAY YOUR HOUSE on a song.  Okay- and if that wasn't creepy enough, I will then either haunt your house or unhaunt it using a special ritual.  How's that for supporting the arts!?!?!

Other Ways You Can Help

Now, I'd love it if you could help financially, but if you can't, I'd appreciate you getting the word out there.  Indiegogo has some great sharing options, please avail yourself of them. And of course, if you happen to live somewhere haunted and want to send me creepy audio clips, I will most certainly not turn them down.  If I use your audio you will of course receive credit and I will probably give you a download.  Because I am super nice.

I am really stoked about this.  You have no idea.  The inspiration for this hit me the other day, and I'm excited all the time. It's going to be awesome, and I hope you can help.  Portland peeps- do not miss out on the affordable top tier of support.  It's a really unique opportunity.

Thanks for reading, everyone, and I'll be back soon with more reviews and snarky criticism.  Here's a little taste of the project, a little live-ish piece I did with my daughter.  Pretty rough, obviously, but thus the funding campaign.  Bye!

Dyatlov Pass Incident by DJFalsifier

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, January 10th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I actually went to a show. I went to Rontoms and saw Archers and Soft Tags. I had a pretty good time. I really want to see both of these bands in a place with a good sound system.. I love the feel of Rontoms, but those high ceilings are not designed to have live music. Anyway, I picked up Archers 7" and it is great. I can't wait for a full length. It was the first time I saw both bands. It made me want to be in a rock band again. Really badly. Anyway, here are the shows that look good to me:

Doug Fir is having a show with Little Dragon (Gothenburg, Sweden) and Billygoat. Little Dragon is band from Sweden that I have never heard of. They seem to make electro music fronted by a lead woman. I know that this is well worn territory. Little Dragon manages to make is sound pretty fresh. Or maybe I just like that kind of music. They are doing a tour here in the states and are taking Portland's Billygoat with them. I really like the whole Billygoat experience. It is a mixture of detailed animation that matches their live playing. The music has always been cinematic in scope, but I have not seen them with the addition of a drummer. I bet it takes things to the next level. The show is $15 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Team Evil, Paper Upper Cuts, and Port St. Willow. Team Evil is a band that I have not seen despite me knowing about them. It features Skyler Norwood, you know that guy from Point Junture. Lot's of jazzy noodle guitars for post Promising Ring sound. Papper Upper Cuts is David 'Papi' Fimbres. He makes music by using drums keyboards and various live electronics. It is awesome. Port St. Willow is Nick Principe. I have not heard of him before. I but I like it. It has elements of acoustic folk with a beautiful falsetto voice mixed with elements of atmospheric sounds and sometimes epic drums. You can get his name at a name your price sort of deal at his bandcamp. I suggest you check out his tune "Even". I instantly loved it. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

World Famous Kenton Club is having a show with Lana Rebel & The Love Lasers. So I heard that Lana Rebel is not long for Portland. She will be moving to Arizona with her sweet heart. You gotta love that. But at the same time, I have not seen her play, but love her music. Classic sounding country music. I love it. The show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

If you see me at one of the shows please say, "Hi".

-Ben


Billygoat will be doing their thing at Doug Fir tonight.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, December 19th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I was totally going to go out. But then I got called into work and then I had a practice. And then I was exhausted and I decided to go Holiday shopping instead which I also managed to not do. Then this morning I was running late for work and forgot my wallet and phone. Then when I got to work I locked my keys int the vehicle. It has been kinda ridiculous. But tonight I have promised myself to have some fun (that is code for going to see a show). These are the shows that look good to me:

Saturday, December 19th

Blitz is having a show with Super XX Man and Meyercord. Super XX Man is a group or guy or whatever that I have been listening to for a long time. I remember seeing his old band, Silver Scooter, open up for Death Cab For Cutie on the Photo Album tour. His songs are often very personal and sweet. There is this one song called "Gargage Apartment" That I have had stuck in my head probably more than any song ever. I am excited to be playing a show with him. Oh, umm...yeah Meyercord is me. I usually have a band behind me, but they up and left (for the holidays). So tonight I will be playing a rare solo set. I think the songs are strong enough ot stand on their own. I always write the songs with out a band so they should work. The show is FREE and starts at 7 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Climber, Derby, and Blue Skies for Black Hearts. This is a show for fans of indie pop-rock. Power pop? Whatever it is, it is catchy and very melodic. The show is $10 and starts at 9 P

Aladdin Theater is having Live Wire! with John Darnielle, Nurses, and Ralph Huntley & The Mutton Chops. Live Wire! is a crazy mash up of comedy, interviews, music, and fun. Y la Bamba did one a few months ago and it was a blast. This time round they have John from The Mountain Goats. Everyone knows that John Darnielle is an awesome songwriter. Come see what he has to say for himself. Also Nurses will play. They are one of my favorites here in Portland and actually put out one of my favorite records of 2009, Apples Acres. I saw them play recently at Berbati's and they were playing some new material. Nice. The ALL AGES show is $20-$30 and starts at 8 PM.

Doug Fir is having a show with Portugal. The Man, and Jared Mees & The Grown Children. Yesterday I mentioned that Portugal. The Man sound different on every album. I stand behind that statement, but I do want to note that it seems to be a pretty natural progression. I listened to bits of all of their albums in order from their beginnings to their last album and you can see them gradually go from weird cool rock music to soft pop music. And I again I want to stress that it is good soft pop music that they play. Jared Mees is one of my favorite bands to see live. Their energy is high and positive. I always find myself dancing and singing and smiling at their shows. I cannot get enough. The show is $12 and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Pizza is having a show with Dr. Something & The Poppin' Fresh Love Engines and Pokey Twig & The Yuletide Kindling. You may know Dr. Something from blogging here at CIMTB, but did you know that she also has a band and that it is playing tonight? Of course you did. She sings about robots in and out of love and the like. And tonight there is a holiday theme. I can promise you that it will be a fun and lively show. The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

-Ben


Sorry I couldn't find a shorter video, but yeah. This is what you can expect Super XX Man to sound like tonight.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, November 5th

Hello Dear Readers,

I am so proud of myself. Last night I not only went to a show, I went to TWO (pats self on the back). The first one was the Oregon Ballet/Horse Feathers show at Mississippi. It was beautiful. Horse Feathers make gorgeous string heavy folk music. Love it. The dancers were very graceful and were mostly very tasteful. There was one song where they busted some tired regular people dance moves that seemed a little out of place with the song. I guess it was a wink at the audience letting them know it is okay to lighten up, but it was out of place none the less. It was also nice to see Justin play the piano on one song. I have never seen him play a piano song. He then proceeded to climb a latter to the balcony where the rest of the band was located. Which was a very cute, you had to be there, kind of moment. The best part though, was that it started promptly at 8 and ended about 9:30. I quickly realized that I could make the World's Greatest Ghosts CD release show easily. I huffed it over to Holocene and made it in time to see most of Swim Swam Swum's really good set. Then I was able to see Wampire. They played in ponchos and athletic shorts. They are usually pretty good with their wardrobe. It is always weird to see them out of the house show environment, but I still enjoyed myself and got my dance on. Then Worlds Greatest Ghosts took the stage and me and several other people just lost our collective shit. It was so much fun I danced so much. During the last song there was a lot of confetti released upon the crowd both from the band, and several planted people in the audience. Let me just tell you that confetti loves nothing more than a bunch of sweaty people. You might say that it sticks to them like glue. Cause it did. WGG = one of Portland's finest. Anyway here are the shows that look good to me tonight:

Thursday, November 5th

Mississippi Studios is having the final night of Uprising. i.e. Horse Feathers playing with The Dancers of Oregon Ballet Theatre. This is a very high class kinda show. Let's face facts. The Ballet is classy. But I was talking to Catherine O'Dell, cellist/vocalist for Horse Feathers and she told me that this is not the first time Horse Feathers has played while ballerinas danced. Apparently some blog did a very similar thing this Summer with Horse Feathers. She said that it worked out very nicely. I could not find the video though. Oh and if I have not mentioned, I think that their music is very very beautiful. Like I said, I caught the show last night. It was so beautiful. I cannot recommend enough. The show is $15 and starts at 8 PM.

Dunes is having a show with With Eyes Abstract, Duck Little Brother, Duck!, and Bearcubbin. These bands are all very good fiends and therefore are extremely incestuous. Collectively they call themselves The BroFam Collective. This show is three of the five bands that are officially involved in the collective. They mostly play amazing music that is sometimes mathy, sometimes heavy, sometimes instrumental, sometimes jazzy, but always impressive. They are way cool. Duck Little Brother, Duck! is the band I have seen the most and I just think they are so good. They are a high energetic, catchy, math-pop outfit that is not to be missed. With Eyes Abstract is a crazy riff based kinda heavy band that have difficulty staying in the same place for long. The songs can get kinda jammy but stay pretty interesting. Bearcubbin plays instrumental music that I think is somewhere between Tortoise and Pele (a very big compliment). There music is sometimes jazzy and noodle-y. I guess I should also mention that the drummer from Bearcubbin plays that band Smashing Pumpkins or whatever. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with The Brothers Young and BOAT. This is the CD release show for The Brother's Young's new album "The Sun Says He's God". It is fitting that it is at three of the Brothers Young's brother's venue. Y'know keeping it in the family. They have a pretty unique thing going on. There is a lot of unison singing that is pretty cool and has a very cool effect. It recently occurred to me that I am somewhat reminded of Beta Band when I hear them. They were also very eclectic and did a lot of unison singing. BOAT is a great pop band from Seattle. They just recently released an album called "Setting The Paces" I like what I have heard of it. This is what they claim to sound like, "Reptile boy vocals being sung in the same room with many guitars, a bass, two drum sets, a Wurlitzer, several keyboards, mediocre talent, fragile egos, some soft tacos, a piece of pizza, and several Diet Cokes.". All I know is that they have really good melodies and are not afraid to add some "ba ba ba's " as backing vocals. Always a good thing in my book. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at the show, please say "Hi". I will be wearing a green sweater because someone spilled beer on my hoodie and I am too lazy to wash it today.

-Ben


Bearcubbin = Jazzy! They play tonight at Dunes.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, November 4th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night was pretty fun. Though I don't mean to gripe or anything but, Berbati's is loud. When you walk in by the entrance is a gumball looking machine that dispenses ear plugs for 50 cents. I chuckled to myself as I passed it. Then when the first band started to play I reconsidered. I could not bring myself to get them but, I was tempted. The band was not like a heavy metal band or anything. I can only imagine what the Fall into Darkness festival must have been like over last weekend which does have a lot of metal bands. Then when the band, Lover Trucker, finished the house music was so loud that me and some friends went over to the restaurant side to talk as it just wasn't going to happen on the venue side. This caused me to miss a big chunk of touring band Hallelujah the Hills. They seemed pretty good, but I could not hear the trumpet (except for in my head, where it sounded great). When St. Frankie Lee came on though, I could hear everything including the trumpet. Apparently Derrick broke a few strings just before the show and ended up winging a lot of guitar in the set which was actually pretty cool. I got their CD, as it was their CD release show, but haven't gotten a chance to listen to it yet. I can't wait the packaging is great and includes several colorful loose threads. Let's get it on, indeed. Here are the shows that look good to me today.

Wednesday, November 4th

Mississippi Studios is having Uprising. i.e. Horse Feathers plays for The Dancers of Oregon Ballet Theatre. This looks like a very high class kinda show. Let's face facts. The Ballet is classy. But I was talking to Katherine O'Dell, cellist/vocalist for Horse Feathers and she told me that this is not the first time Horse Feathers has played while ballerinas danced. Apparently some blog did a very similar thing this Summer with Horse Feathers. She said that it worked out very nicely. I could not find the video though. Oh and if I have not mentioned, I think that their music is very very beautiful. I did not catch it last night, but I am planning on seeing it tonight. But if you cannot catch the performance tonight, they will be doing it one more night this week (Thursday). The show is $15 and starts at 8 PM.

Berbati's is having a show with Big Business (LA), Thrones, and Hot Victory. This is a ROCK show. All my band mates who I play in a ROCK band with are going to this show. Big Business is kinda of a big deal in most rock circles. This is probably because they are awesome. They have killer riffs and cool drum parts and a vocalist that is ummm...rock? All the while it also catchy as hell. Thrones is one of those bands that is a Portland band even though he does not technically live in Portland (Salem is pretty damn close). He is some times super heavy and slow and then sometimes throws in some weird vocoder stuff. He plays by himself usually with a drum machine going through several amps. I have on seen it once, but it was incredible. I have yet to see Hot Victory, but I am a sucker for bands with two drummers. I think it is jest the coolest thing ever. I like what I have heard. The show is $12 and starts at 9 PM.

Berbati's Restaurant is having Matress and Orca Team. This is the first of Mattress' restaurant residency at Berbati's this month. I will admit I didn't get his music at first. It was just him singing over pre-recorded music playing a tape boom box. Apparently Rex (main dude in Mattress) now is playing some guitar and has employed a live drummer to join him and his tape machine. He makes electro soul music. Most of the tapes have kind of simple dirty fat synths. Orca Team make reverb drenched surf pop music for the new millennium. I like it. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Holoceneis having a show with World's Greatest Ghost, Swim Swam Swum, and Wampire. This is the CD release show for World's Greatest Ghost. I have been waiting for their album for a while. I think they are one of the most fun bands to see. They have really catchy songs that consist of many layers of melody of guitar and keyboards and vocals that intertwine usually over a disco beat. But make no mistake, it is rock music. It is pop music. It is some of the best local music we have. I love it. The opening bands are pretty great two. Swim Swam Swum are a solid indie rock band. It has very whiny, not in a bad way, and tight catchy songs. It makes me mourn for the indie rock of the late 90's. Wampire is doing their own thing. It would be easy to say that they are a dance band. This is true. But the dance music they make is probably the most chill dance music I have ever seen performed live. And the guitar lines are so simple but irresistible. They should be seen. The show is $6 and starts at 8:30 PM.

If you see me at the show, please say "Hi".

-Ben


Horse Feathers will be playing at Mississippi Studios with these folks all dressed up.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, November 2nd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night was a lot of fun for me. I sang with Sean Flinn and then got to see Monarques and Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside. Both bands are really fun. Ex-Captain My Captain Josh Spacek leads Monarques in what to me is very reminiscent of perhaps listening to the Grease soundtrack. It is all very retro feeling with the two girl back up singers with tambourines and well...everything else. Sallie Ford's is just great. The more I see her and her band the more I like them. It seems to me that Jeff the guitarist is doing more and more each set. This time he really got to let go in some parts and let out some pretty scorching solos. It was really rad. I am kinda bummed I didn't catch the Valentine's show last night with Sam Cooper, Alameda, and Adrian Hatkins. Did anyone who reads this catch that show? Was it sweet? Anyway, tonight there does not appear to be a whole lot going on. Here is what I found:

Monday, November 2nd

Valentine's is having a show with Stls (with Lisa Schonberg of Explode into Colors and Kickball), Forsorcereres, and more. I could not find out any information about the band Stls except that it is new. I do know that Lisa Schonberg is the drummer of two very cool rhythmic bands. Ask anyone to describe Explode into Colors and I can assure you that the drums will come into conversation. I love every thing about Kickball. I love that band. The drums are crazy good in that band as well. My prediction is that this will be a good band with really cool drums and rhythms. I also predict that the other band members initials are S.T. Forsorcerers are a band that sound like 80's pop metal. But instead of guys sounding like girls, this band utilises actual girls voices to hit those inevitable high notes. Else where there is a barrage of riffs that form a sturdy base for the music. Actually, maybe it isn't 80's metal at all. Maybe it is just rock music. Click the link I provided and see for yourself. The show is FREE at 9 PM.

So if you see me at this show, please say "Hi". Or if you are not feeling up to it, you can always say hello with your eyes. But anytime I have tried to say hello with my eyes, I tend to creep out the person I am trying communicate with.

-Ben




Forsorcerers play at Valentine's tonight.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, October 30th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night at Mississippi Studios was awesome. Though I missed the first several songs of ioa, I caught that last several and I thought they were very good. Then The Robinsons came on. There were really good too. Just as I predicted they pulled from both Viva Voce and Blue Giant. And then Britt Daniel came on. Lord is he good at what he does, and lord how I love it. He mostly played solo and debuted a new Spoon song called "Mystery Zone". I thought it was good, but with the rest of Spoon backing him I could see it being really good. Speaking of backing him, near the end of the set Janet Weiss came out to back him on the drums. Though it was a little off at times it was very enjoyable they both looked like they were having fun. They did an amazing cover of Kathy's Clown by The Everley Brothers and and ended their encore (yeah they did an encore) with a cover of a Wipers song. It was so sweet. Any way, here is what looks good to me tonight.

Friday, October 30th

Doug Fir is having a show with Church, Run On Sentence, Jared Mees & The Grown Children, and AAN. Tender Loving Empire always puts together the best shows. For real these are all really good acts. Church is one of my absolute favorites for their dark moody and sudden guitar outburst tactics. Run On Sentence is a good story teller and his songs are really good. He always throws together a top notch band. Jared Mees and company are one of the most fun live bands to see. They are super positive people and tonight they will be backed with a horn section. AAN is my latest favorite Portland band (I have many favorites which I realize is contradictory). They also create moody music. But it so good. Every detail seems preordained and necessary. This show is not to be missed. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street Social Club is having a show with Moodring, Carson McWhirter (of the Advantage), Mason Lindhal and +CNCTD. Moodring is a Rollerball spin-off. This is what their myspace said, "Moodring is centered around Rollerball's Monte Allen and Mae Starr. While it’s easy to hear that Moodring is awesome, other words to describe them are a bit harder to come by. The presence of piano and clarinet give a free post-jazz flavor. Mae Starr’s ghostly vocals sound like the lounge music on a sinking ship. The deep groove jams sink in to form some kind of modern American gamelan sound. The music is so raw and infectious and immediate that it feels more proto-everything than post-anything. So just soak it in and sink into the doom." That sounds pretty cool , right? I am also a fan of The Advantage, the Nintendo cover band. +CNCTD as far as I can tell is one guy a lot of reverb a guitar and some made up language. Please correct me if I am wrong. Oddly enough I find it a little compelling. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi".

-Ben


Church plays the Doug Fir Tonight. Hooray!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Thursday, October 29th

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday I was sick. I basically could not think due to a massive sinus head ache. I had most of the post for yesterday done, but I just could not bring myself to do anything. I pretty much checked out for 24 hours while awaited my recovery. I did not make it to any of the shows. Did you? If you did let me know what I missed. Here are the shows that look especially good to me tonight.

Thursday, October 29th

Mississippi Studios is having a PDX Pop Now! benefit with Britt Daniel, The Robinsons, and ioa. Now as many of your may now, I am a huge fan of all things PDX Pop. How cool is it to have a FREE ALL AGES festival with loads of Portland bands? Very. Anyway this show will help them out a bit financially (apparently it is not free to put on) while being a sweet show in general. Britt Daniel is probably best known for his band Spoon. I love that band. They have a sense of rhythm and melody that is unstoppable. I have seen him play as Britt Daniel twice here in Portland. I remember the first one about four years ago a Dante's when he play really solo with the exception of some CD boom box backup drums. It was awesome. Then I also saw him at last years MFNW show at Wonder Ballroom which was way cool because Janet Weiss joined him on a couple of numbers. She is such a good drummer. Rumor has it that he will be recording a solo album eventually. He has at least a couple of non-Spoon songs that he has been known to play at solo gigs. Plus he might play some new Spoon songs from the album coming out next year. The Robinsons are probably better known for their main project Viva Voce, or maybe their side project/super group Blue Giant. Regardless, I am saying you probably know about them. Viva Voce has a bit of a classic rock feel and a whole lot of hooks. Blue Giant has a psychedelic country sound not far off from The Beach Wood Sparks (a band that I really like and that if you have not heard, you should look into). So they will probably pull from both of these and maybe some songs that nobody has heard yet. ioa is also best known for her role in the band Point Juncture, WA. Her solo project definitely has some of the aspects of PJW like lots of members of PJW and therefore lots of trumpet and vibes and such. But these songs are obviously not from the same band. Many of them have a breezy bossanova thing going on. It sounds good. The show is $25 and starts at 8 PM.

Holocene is having a show called Chix w/ Stix. It is a show that celebrates the female drummer. It features Rhinestone Eagle, Palo Verde, Broken Water (Olympia), Hot Victory, and DJ L Train. Purple Rhinestone Eagle play riff laded rock music. They have garnered Black Sabbath comparisons from some, I sort of see that what with all the riffs and fuzz and all. Palo Verde is the Heavy-ish improv group that includes LKN on drums. Though it sometimes feels jammy, it always sounds awesome. Broken Water sound pretty awesome. From the top of the dome it reminds me of both Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. Hot Victory has "Chick" drummer and a "Dude" drummer. They make really beats together and have another guy make weird sounds over with synth type stuff. But the main focus is totally the drums. As far as I know DJ L Train has no drummer female or otherwise. The show is $6 and starts at 8:30 PM.


If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi".

-Ben

Boxcar Children by ioa from Weird Tapes on Vimeo.

I think she looks kinda crazy in this video, but ioa sounds good. She plays tonight at Mississippi Studios.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, October 27th

Hello Dear Readers,

One thing I have learned about myself, is that I cannot bring myself to go to a show that has already started. The thought of missing part of the show kills me. I would rather not see any of the show than miss part of it. The only time I go to a show late is if I do not know that I am late or it is an all day festival type thing. That being said last night I got home from AristeiA practice at 10:30 PM. All shows had started. I did not go to any of them. But tonight we start practice earlier so there is a chance of getting out earlier. Here are some shows I am interested in seeing:


Tuesday, October 27th

The Doug Fir has a show with Shonen Knife (Osaka, Japan), Explode into Colors, and Panther. This looks like a very fun show. Shonen Knife is an all female Japanese pop-punk band. I first heard of them because one of my favorite pop-punk bands, The Mr. T Experience, covered them. They write cute and cathchy songs. Explode into to Colors is a band that I have only seen once but because they are every one's radar, they are on my radar. From what I recall there was a lot of cool rhythmic stuff going on and a ridiculous amount of reverb and some dubby delay. They are also an all female band. The thing that I find most impressive though is the amount of creative outlets each member seems to have outside of the band. Check out their myspace for a full list of what these ladies are up to when they are performing. Panther is an all male band. A two man band, if you will. They do not have a "Panther Sound". They are constantly changing and mixing it up. Last time I listened in there was a lot of piano involved. They have a new 12" out that I have yet to listen to (though I read that it comes with 8 bonus mp3s, which I think is pretty cool). The show is $13 and starts at 9 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Southern Belle, Birds & Batteries (San Francisco), and Ravishers. I have never seen Southern Belle proper. I have seen a show where is was mostly acoustic and not at all what they usually sound like. However, over time I have managed to write about them and listen to them online an like what I have heard. There are three distinct Voices in the band. One of which I and probably everybody else will compare to Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade, because honestly he sounds a lot like him. They do the very vague tag of indie rock proud. Birds and Batteries are a band that I played with last time ArtisteiA played in Oakland. I remember thinking they were all right, though a weird fit for us. Speaking of all right, Ravishers are all right. They seem to make the pop-rock music and uh...Well they are not bad at all. But I am not sure if I would recomend them on a weaker bill. The show is $6 and starts at 9 PM.

Rotture is having a show with Struck by Lightning (ex-Mouth of the Architect), Nanda Devi, and Dopesmoker. Over the past couple of years my AristeiA band mates have started listening to heavier music. Over the past year it has started to grow on me. Now I don't claim to like this whole line up, I do really think that Nanda Devi is a really cool band. They make a DOOM/Metal kind of music that is both really dark and epic. I am a fan of any kind of epic music. Quite honestly, I don't to much care for the other acts on this bill, but for real Nanda is really good. They just recorded an album (they are also very prolific) and I bet they will play mostly music off of that tonight. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Why I Must Be Careful, Sedan (Olympia), and A Very Dead Horse (Joe Haege of 31 Knots). This is a no brainer for me. I really like the very organized madness that the drums and Rhodes create in Why I Must Be Careful. It is, dare I say, Genius. Sedan is a band based out of Olympia that has strong ties with many other NW bands. They are also a drum and piano based duo. I want to say that they are heavier, but that is mostly because I see that they have played with Thrones a few times. A Very Dead Horse is the solo piano project of Joe Haege. I think I mentioned his name earlier. Anyway this is his justification for this project, "it’s like classical piano is so ridiculously played out in this day and age, but for me to go and do it in this day and age at an all-ages space that mostly has punk bands, I dress in a suit and play a digital piano through a guitar amp, really loud. I’m trying to capture the magic that I hear, and I feel like a lot of people will hear the intensity and really like it. It’s just more of a contextual thing that keeps people from liking it.” Piano and piano like instruments all around. The show is FREE and starts sometime after 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". Specifically to me. We will have a moment.
-Ben



Panter is playing tonight at Doug Fir. It will be kinda like this.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Monday, October 26th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night was awesome for me. If anyone who reads this was at the show I played last night, thank you. I totally did not regret not seeing the other awesome shows that were going on because of you. If you did not go to Valentine's last night and did go to another show, how was that? Anyway here of couple really good shows I think you guys should check out.


Monday, October 26th

Lola's Room is having a House of Rock Benefit: Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, and Katie Sawicki. The show actually benefits Habitat for Humanity Portland and Metro East's Woman Build. Sallie Ford and her band The Sound Outside are great. They make retro-sounding indie pop with a bit of a bluesy/jazz tinge. Plus I would find it hard to argue that this is not a good cause. And what's more is that it is probably early enough to make it so that one can catch more than one show. Hmmm... The show is $6 and starts at 7 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Mirah, Led to Sea (Seattle?), and Kane Mathis (Seattle). This is kinda of sad. Apparently, Mirah is moving. Next time she plays Portland, it will not be as a local act. She has lived in Portland for a while now and I feel I made the most of it. I have seen her play several times. I think her music is great. It ranges from very intimate to very large scale much like her frequent collaborator Phil Elvrum of Mt. Eerie. Her voice is warm and strong and often writes what seems to be very personal lyrics. I honestly can't get enough. Led by Sea is Mirah-esque but is augmented by the occasional experimental outburst of string craziness. She will be in Mirah's touring band. Kane Mathis makes world-folk incorporating the sounds of West Africa and the Middle East. I am mostly really into Mirah. The show is $13 and starts at 9 PM.


If you see me at either of these shows please say "Hi". Then be all like, "I read the blog." I would love that


-Ben



Mirah plays for the last times as Porland resident tonight at Mississippi Studios.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Sunday, October 25th

Hello Dear Readers,

Did you guys notice that other people started posting on the blog? Pretty cool, right? Anyway, I ended up staying in last night. I wanted to get my rest because there are some good shows happening tonight. More on that now:

Sunday, October 25th

I am playing at Valentine's on Sunday for FREE with the new line up of Meyercord which includes Perry Pfister (of Black Heart Moon) on stand up bass, glockenspiel and vocals and Holland Andrews (of Like a Villian) on vocals, clarinet and glockenspiel. Also the wonderful Lindsay Clark who just moved from Nevada City will be playing a set. Hearing that she is from Nevada City conjured up the folk sounds of Alela Diane and Joanna Newsome in my head. And I am happy to report she is in the same ballpark. Mike Elias is the guy with the huge mustache that usually asks to see your id when you enter Valentine's tonight you can hear his music. I have only seen him a couple times, when his good friend Kele Goodwin played, but I remember liking what I heard. Folk music forever! The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Doug Fir is having Le Loup (D.C.)and Nurses play. This is totally the show I would be at if I were not playing tonight. Seriously I love both of these bands. Nurses play very infectious off kilter pop music that incorporates the very tasteful and almost tribal drumming and harmonies and a lot of looping and even more reverb. The guys of this band are great and seem to love making their music, assuming their herky-jerky dancing is an indication that they are enjoying themselves. They have been touring for a while now so I bet that are super tight so that will be cool to see as well. Le Loup is D.C. band who I fell in love with when they dropped their first album The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millennium General Assembly. They now have another album under their belt , the first that was written as a band, and therefore there is no relying on electronic elements as often happens when someone is recording an album all by themselves as Sam Simkoff did on the debut record. That album was kind of darker but had unlike many people who are making a dark album by themselves, it was also very big if not epic sounding. This time around it is less dark but it retains the big sound. Also I want to add what they said they sound like because I really like it, "SELF-INDULGENT ORGASTIC DECADENT FLOWERY DELICATE SATURNINE INTRICATE BOMBAST EXPLOSIONS SCRATCHING HOWLING HEDONISTS BROKEN PIECEMEAL GLUED BACK TOGETHER AND PARANOID FULL AND FRAGILE FLOATING AND FERAL AND FUTILE AND BORN OF CITIES AND SKYSCRAPERS LIKE OBSIDIAN MOUNTAINS AND SOOT-BLACK BILLOWY PLUMES FROM CHIMNEYS STABBING SKYWARD LE LOUP." The show is $10 and starts at 9 :30 PM.

Rotture is having a show with Ugly Colors, Housefire, and Duck Little Brother Duck. I am writing about this show because of the openers, Duck Little Brother Duck. They are amazing. To me it feels like if Cap N' Jazz was mathier and faster. The songs are absolutely insane in the best way possible. Each song has a million parts that rarely if ever repeat themselves. All the members are phenomenal at their instruments. I cannot say enough good things. I briefly checked out the other bands and formed some thoughts. Ugly Colors sounds like an emo band with some very emo vocals that sometimes does some cool guitar stuff. Housefire seem to have a bit of a Radiohead thing going on. But unlike most bands that have a Radiohead thing going on, this band does not completely blow. In fact I liked what I heard and will try to catch them in the future. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at my shows please say "Hi". I will be the one with the beard singing. If you go to these other shows, enjoey them for me.

-Ben


Nurses play the Doug Fir tonight. Welcome them home.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, October 24th

Hello Dear Readers,

So I want to talk about this one show that I did not list because a) it happened before I posted this and b) because it was sold out. The Kennedy School had something called You Who. It featured the The Decemberists, The Phantom Hillbilly, Hooliganship/Cartoon Exprez, DJ Anjali, hosted by Eric Stern (Vagabond Opera). Basically it was a rock show for kids. It included skits and sing alongs and a Halloween parade . Apparently it will be a monthly thing. So if you have kids keep a look out for more of the You Who on the horizon. Anyway here are some shows that haven't happened yet.

Saturday, October 24th

Doug Fir is having a show with Blitzen Trapper and Wye Oak (Baltimore). So essentially Blitzen Trapper blew my socks off last night. They are a real rock band for sure. How do I know? The bassist wears a leather wrist band. There are a lot of guitar solos and even more guitarmonies. There was a acoustic set in the middle of the regular set. It was awesome. I imagine tonight it will be similar. The openers have been on tour with them for several weeks now. They are a duo and listening to their recordings which are very rich with instruments, it will be interesting to see how they pull off their music as a two piece. The show is $15 and starts at 9 PM.

White Eagle is having a show with Blue Cranes and Round Mountain (Santa Fe). I think the Blue Cranes version of Jazz for the kids who grew up on indie rock is great. Their two records are good but do not reach the greatness of seeing them live. They have very firm grip on how to utilize dynamic shifts to evoke a response in me that I find quite impressive. Round Mountain is a sibling folk group that features the brothers Rothschild. It seems pretty good. The show is $6 and starts at 9:30 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Norfolk and Western, The Golden Bears, ans The Low Lows. I last saw Norfolk and Western at PDX Pop 2008. They were a rock band. Which surprised me because I recalled them being a folk-rock band. It had seemed that they had dropped the folk for electric guitars and loud choruses. It was super fun. The Golden Bears are a band that I think I have written about several times, but have yet to make it out to one of their shows. They are a duo that have been in several bands together and seem to have developed some chemistry together. I really don't know how to describe it though. It is not rock. It is not folk. It is not country. It is not hip-hop. It is not dance. I don't know...just click on the link I provided to see what they sound like. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with Neal Morgan, Why I Must Be Careful, and ASSS. This is a somewhat experimental show. Not that it is really far out there, but it is a little farther out there than most shows. Neal Morgan is a drummer. He is also a singer in this project he has combined these two abilities. He has been getting some help in the singing department by Damris Peterson. He has just released a record called Drum and Voice Record. It is pretty straight forward. But do not be mistaken both the drums and the voice are really good. Why I Must Be Careful is made up of two pretty amazing musicians, John Niekrasz and Seth Brown. They play drums and Rhodes piano respectively. And they both play very fast and with very calculated precision. It is kinda math-y and really interesting. The music progresses in very organic ways that still seem unpredictable. ASSS is an experimental band. The experiment? To try to make a band as a drum and oscillator duo. Granted that also use vocals, but this is not your normal band. It is kinda cool though. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Berbati's is having a show with Times New Viking (Columbus, OH), Eat Skull, and Hey Lover. Times New Viking makes very loud and noise laden pop music. Wait a minute...so does Eat Skull (although maybe not as noise laden). Hey Lover's garage pop has its louder moments. What does all this mean? I guess it means that if you need both your pop needs and your noise needs fulfilled tonight, that this is the show for you. The show is $10 and starts at 8: 30 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say "Hi". I will be all like, "Hi." and we can take it from there.

-Ben


Why I Must Be Careful will play at the Artistery tonight. Cool, right?

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music for Friday, October 23rd

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I didn't make it out to any shows. Did you? Did I totally drop the ball on any major shows or anything? I was at a Y La Bamba practice until late. Which leads me to the following:

Friday, October 23rd

Doug Fir is having a show with Blitzen Trapper and Y La Bamba. There is no shame in my game. I feel like this is one of the best shows going on tonight. I think Blitzen Trapper seems to be getting better with every release. If you have not heard their latest, Black River Killer, I suggest that you do. I have been listening to it all morning and it is good. To be fair, I guess the lead/ title track is from their last full length Fur, but the other six tracks are new. The thing I like the most about the band is their melodies. It seems like the vocal melody is a wave that kind of goes where ever it will and the music kind of rides it out. Y La Bamba is a female led six piece folk pop band that makes the most out of all the voices that the band contains. There are a lot of three part and even some four part vocal harmonies. The songs can range from stark arrangements to full on rock songs. From English to Spanish. From Spiritual to lost love. The one unifying element is Luz Elena's distinct and quite beautiful voice. The show is $13-$15 and starts at 9 PM.

The Banana Stand is having a show with Southern Belle, Bohdi, and Padriac Finbar Hagerty-Hammond. If I were not playing a show tonight this is the show I would be attending. Mostly because of Padriac Finbar Haggerty-Hammond and his wonderful songs. He is a really clever lyricist and has a really good sense of melody too. I think he has said that he wish he could write show tunes. Which makes sense because most of his sings are pretty narrative. Most of his songs are very sweet but some have a sense of longing that often hits a little too close to home for me. Whatevs. He is great. I swear I almost cry every time I hear his "X-Mas" song. Southern Belle is a band that seems well versed in indie pop and indie rock. I am not sure which one, but one of the band members has a voice that is a dead ringer for Spencer Krug (of Wolf Parade/ Sunset Rubdown). But there are two other vocalists which makes them pretty interesting. I am a fan of bands that have multiple songwriters (like Wolf Parade). Bohdi is a rock band. They seem to have a wide variety of influences and blend them very well. Maybe some Cars, I don't know...some other new wave-y bands. Oldies rock and roll? Whatever it is. It sounds good. Plus their keyboardist is Padriac Finbar Haggerty-Hammond. Over all this seems like a very fun show. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 8 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with Rose Melberg (Vancouver, BC), Kellarissa (Vancouver, BC), and The Fall Colors. One of my favorite kinds of music growing up was female led indie pop bands. Guess what this show is. Glorious female led indie pop all around. The Fall Colors are a band that have gotten comparisons to Cannanes or The Clean (both very good compliments). Does that help you at all? If not you can always click on the link I have provided for you. Rose Melberg was in the group Tiger Trap and The Softies. Remember those bands? They were pretty cool. I especially liked The Softies. I must have listened to their album, Holiday In Rhode Island a million times. It was soft music with very pretty sleepy female harmonies. Rose Melberg's solo output is very similar to the Softies feel. Kellirissa sounds like lo-fi electro pop. It is not very dance-y, but seems to incorporate a lot synths and some beats. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

Rotture is having Supernature with Breakfast Mountain, May Ling, DJ Copy, E*Rock, and DJ BJ (one of the dudes from Atole). So the deal with Supernature is that it is a dance party that occurs every month that is made up some live bands and the three resident DJ's (Copy, E*Rock, and DJ BJ). This is the 19th installment. Breakfast Mountain is the result of someone who loves dance music and hip hop and mixing them in to something upbeat and exciting. May Ling is basically Reporter sans a member and even more dance oriented. The resident DJ's are very experienced in keeping the audience dancing. So if you want to do a little or even a lot of booty shaking I suggest you go to this show. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Ella Street Social Club is having a show with Hillfolk Noir, and Shoeshine Blue. You know what. There is a lot of folk music. Honestly sometimes I feel like it is maybe too much folk music? But at the same time I really like it. When did everyone else decide that this was going to be the predominant form of music? It seems like an unlikely genre to champion. Whatever. Future Historians are very good at it adding a very nice touch of pop sensibilities to their folk. Hillfolk Noir are very country and blues leaning in their folk. Actually so is Shoeshine Blues. The last time I saw Shoeshine he was backed by two girls providing very beautiful backing harmonies and sometimes some flute. It was really nice. Jeez. I guess this is a really good show too. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at the show please say "Hi". If you go to any of the other shows have a good time.

-Ben


Padriac Finbar Haggert-Hammond plays for FREE at Banana Stand tonight.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, October 21st

stHello Dear Readers,

I missed out on all the shows last night. Did anyone go to any of the shows I mentioned? Did anyone go to any of the shows I didn't mention? I am looking for some interaction with you who reads this. Especially those who make it out to the shows. Shows? I got your shows right here:

Wednesday, October 21st

Doug Fir is having a show with Thao & The Get Down Stay Down (SF,Richmond, NYC), Weinland, and David Schultz (Richmond). I have seen Thao and her band once, and I was skeptical. For what ever reason I was just feeling like I was going to like it, but by the end of the set I was dancing with everyone else. The three piece is really good ad creating very catchy music with really cool music parts led by Thao and her distinct vulnerable sounding voice. I have not seen Weinland in a long time, but they make really well arranged Americana music. It kinda sounds like if Neil Young and the ghost of Elliot Smith's gentler music had a love child. I have never heard of David Shultz before. He apparently makes America or Folk Rock or whatever. It don't sound bad at all. He is going to go on tour with Thao & The Get Down Stay Down and the Portland Cello Project very soon. Maybe will be hearing more about him in the future. The show is $13-$15 and starts at 9 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with These Are Powers (Brooklyn/ Chicago), Reporter, Sex Worker and . These Are Powers makes cool sounding electronic based music. It seems the kinda post-everything kind of music. I like it but it hard to describe. It seems aggressive, but it is not fast. It seems like it would work best at loud volumes. I have a confession to make. I have not really listened to Reporter in a long time. I just checked out their myspace page and they seemed to have turned into a full fledged electro-rock band when I wasn't looking. It sounds awesome. I found no information on Sex Worker, but one can guess how it might sound. Don Hellions seems like perhaps the odd man out on this bill, but I can guarantee you that they hold their own. I saw them for the first time at PDX Pop this summer and was quite impressed. What really makes this band stand out is the combination of lead singers yelp and organ playing with the sax players wail and the drummer keeping it together. Basically if I had to describe, and I am making myself do just that, I would say that they play new wave soul music. I really like it. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 7:30 PM.

Berbati's is having a show with Leonard Mynx and John Heart Jackie. Last week I talked about how I thought that Leonard might have changed his name because of Leonard Cohen. Guess what. Leonard is his middle name. Boy did I feel foolish. What made me feel even more foolish is that I missed the first installment of his residency at Berbati's restaurant. I have mention John Hear Jackie once before. I think that they make very pretty music. They have only one release under their belt, the Women & Money ep, but it is very good. They are a girl/ boy duo that employs both the feminine and masculine vocals mixed acoustic guitars and some piano, or banjo or whatever other folk instruments are laying about. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

Laurelthirst is having the return of Two Beer Veirs with Laura Veirs and her friends. I believe that her friends tonight will be Annalisa Tornfelt and Jon Neufeld (Brooklyn). From what I recall in these events, Laura sings traditional old country songs and encourages you to drink beer? The show is FREE and starts at 6 PM.

The Know is having a show with Stiffwiff and Tom Heinl. Stiffwiff are a jam band. I hate to say because, that leaves a bad taste in most respectable people's mouths (mine included). But from what I understand, the band performs improv most of the time. Because they have a revolving cast of very good players, I hear that it mostly works. And they have a record out on Arena Rock that is pretty cool sounding if you like slightly funky grooves. Tom Heinl seems to be a strange pairing to go with Stiffwiff, but I think I like his traditional sounding county. He honestly has a voice that reminds me if Johnny Cash. Plus many of his songs are funny. The show is FREE and starts at 7 PM.

If you see me at this show please say "Hi". Cause then I will like you. And you want to be liked, right?

-Ben


John Heart Jackie play at Berbati's tonight.

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

Hello Dear Readers,

Today AristeiA returns to the studio. This might mean no show for Benny tonight. But if I were to go a show, I can guarantee you it would be one of these.


Tuesday, October 20th

Crystal Ballroom is having Yo La Tengo play, and Jackie-o Motherfucker is opening. Sweet. Do I really have to write about Yo La Tengo? Probably not. Do I need to write about JOMF? Maybe. They make experimental music that is often folk and drone. It has a revolving cast of members who often have other experimental projects. Honestly not who you'd think of immediately to open for Yo La Tengo (Point Juncture, WA) but probably a really good mix. The ALL AGES show is $18 and starts at 8 PM.

Holocene is having a show with White Rainbow, Nice Nice, Bobby Birdman, and Juice Team DJs. This is the album release show for White Rainbow's "New Clouds" which came out today. White Rainbow performances are really cool. He weaves layers in an out creating an ambient yet totally interesting and sometimes banging and not ambient music. Does that make sense? Nice Nice makes loop based music as well, except theirs is always banging. And I love Bobby Birdman and his ex-Portland croon. He is like if electo-pop had a rat pack of one. The show is $5 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Ellas Street Social Club is having Prairie, A Leaf (Tacoma, Seattle), and Jacob Ruth (London) play a show. Awe shucks. What can I say, Prairie is originally from where I am from (North Texas). They have my same musical history so of course I like them. Americana! Actually, I suppose there is a log of that here too. Whatevs! The show is $2 and starts at 9 PM.

Valentine's is having a show with Hammer of Hathor, Sade Sade (ex-Yellow Swans), Plankton Wat, and DJ Jello Prism. Experimental! I think that from now on, instead of racking my brain to find ways describe music I well just shout out very very broad genres. But seriously, Hammer of Hathor make really cool sax (or other brass) and drum based music, which is why I am listing the show. I don't know much about the others playing and I would feel like a phony pretending otherwise. So check out links I provided, or that video at the bottom of the post to decide if this is something you might be into. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at this show please say "Hi". I will then be like, "Hi. What's your name? Wanna high five?". And then we will high five. If you're into it.


-Ben


Hammer of Hathor will tear it up at Valentine's tonight.

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