Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, January 15th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not make out to a show. I believe that I was too tired from playing a show the previous night and having to go to work early in the morning just killed the drive to go out last night. But Tonight, who knows? Maybe I will be crazy and see all the shows. I mean, I won't . But maybe I will see at least one. Here is what looks good to me, show wise:

The food carts at 50th and SE Division is having a show with Padraic Finbar Hagerty-Hammond and Like a Villain. I love both of these acts. Padriac Finbar Hagery-Hammond writes some of the best songs in town. Anytime he writes a new one, I am excited to hear it. He writes songs filled with heart, worry, and self deprecation. What's not to love? Like a Villain is Holland Andrews solo project. You may know her from playing with me in Meyercord, or perhaps you have seen her in the amazing new line up of The Ocean Floor. But Like a Villain is where she truly shines. Her looped vocals, looped clarinet, looped glockenspiel, and looped percussion are all perfectly arranged to make a bed of music for her dramatic vocal outbursts. It is not music that you can ignore. It pulls you in. For real. The ALL AGES show is FREE and starts at 6:30 PM.
The Press Club is having a show with Kelly Blair Bauman and Duover. Press Club shows are great. They are small and intimate. A perfect place to see music like the great acoustic duo of Duover. They make beautiful harmonies and pour out songs as if they weren't even trying. Kelly Blair Bauman is someone that I have yet to see, despite really liking his music. He is definitely of the Americana pop variety of songwriter. His record is usually all fleshed out with wonderful arrangements. I bet it is scaled back a bit tonight. That is always fun to see. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

The Woods is having a show with Themes, James Apollo (Libertyville, AK), and Sexo Tropico. Themes is a guy and a guitar and a girl and piano. But instead of being boring coffee shop music, it is good and dark indie rock. Jasey voice is low and often plays the baritone guitar. Kelsey voice is very sweet. When they sing together, which they often do, it is something special. James Apollo is the fist musician I have ever heard of from Libertyville. I didn't know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised to hear the out of tune piano and shaker driven brush beat on the catchy "Happiness" (the first song on his myspace player). It sounds like promising folk pop. Sexo Tropico sounds really happy. They are almost bouncy in their indie pop tunes. I have never seen them. The jury is still out on them. The show is $8 and starts at 9 PM.

The Knife Shop is having a show with (((In Mono))), What Hearts, and Pluvial. This show does not really make any sense. I am kinda drawn to it for that reason. (((In Mono))) is Paul Lynch. I have heard of his other moniker DJ Tan't. Anyway this project is big beats sometimes distorted with electric guitars also sometimes distorted. I believe it to be a one man band kind of situation and I would be surprised if a laptop was not involved. So of course pair this up with the beautiful all female three part harmonies that What Heart produces. I have wanted to see them since I first heard them. It just sounds so good. So why not round the evening out with the post rock drums and bass duo. Everything David "Papi" Fimbres touches is golden. This band is a great example. It is minimal instrumentation for maximum instrumental post rock that isn't boring (let's be honest a lot of instrumental post rock is really really boring). You can get Pluvial's album for FREE here The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at one of the shows please say, "Hi". I will instantly like you.

-Ben


Padriac Finbar Hagerty-Hammond plays with Like a Villain at 50th and Division Street Carts. Awesome!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Friday, January 14th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I played a show at the Doug Fir. I want to give a shout out to Garth of Old Light for letting me borrow his sweet guitar. I also want to give a shout out to Matt of Don of Division Street for being so dang nice. I was want to mention a friend of mine who showed up during Old Light and went up to Holland (member of Meyercord) and was like, "I can't wait to see Monarques". She explained to him that they were playing at Holocene. Then he was like, "Damn I went to the wrong show. Why are you here?" To which she explained that we had opened the show. He was like "oh. Well I'm going to walk over to Holocene." We totally got his money. Anyway, here are the shows that look good to me:

Backspace is having a show with Pigeons, Scrimshander, and Wax Fingers. I have been writing about Pigeons for a while. The band, not the bird. They are, from what I understand (I have managed to miss them every time they play), really good. I have seen the sister band Petosky which shares Pigeons lead man Justin Ready and Pigeons violinist Angie Kuzuma. Pigeons not too long ago put out their debut album The Talking Wire. I believe it is available at shows only. So I have not heard it in it's entirety. Pigeons sound big on record. I don't want to say it, but when I listened to it just now, Arcade Fire jumped into my head. They are not knock offs or anything, I just think it is a good touching point. I have never heard of Scrimshander. They are a rock band that sometimes some very country sounding harmonies. Wax Fingers I have not seen but want to see very badly. They are awesome. I listen to my music mostly on a shuffled mix. Anytime any song from their self titled album, I have check to see who it is because it sounds really cool. They music that is both mathy and catchy, a hard feat to accomplish. You should totally check them out. The ALL AGES show is $5 and starts at 8 PM.

The Press Club is having a show with Justin Power, Sean Flinn, and Dave Camp. I really like Justin Power's songs. To the best of my knowlege he has only put out some songs on the Portland Cello Project thing that also had Thao Nguyen's songs on it. I think the most recent thing he has been a part of musically was contributing vocals and banjo to Horse Feather's cover of Drain You (y'know that Nirvana song). He really is good. Sean Flinn is also really good. He is a song craftsman. His songs are usually little stories about characters or situations that may or may not exist. Plus he has assembled a great band in The Royal We (which I actually spent time in as a backup singer). He always puts on a good show. Dave Camp might be from the band Stereovision. But then again, maybe he isn't. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

The Artistery is having a show with Algernon Cadwaller (Philadelphia), Lee Corey Oswald, Big Kids, and Duck Little Brother Duck. It looks like Algernon Cadwaller and Big Kids are on a West Coast tour together. That is cool. I have learned that going on tour with other bands is awesome. Algernon Cadwaller sound awesome. If you are familiar with the name Kinsella, then you probably would like this band. I think that they are really good fit for my boys in the amazgingly good Duck Little Brother Duck. I have often said they have the energy of Cap n' Jazz (the first Kinsella band). Lee Corey Oswald is the duo that recently parted ways with Monarques presumably to focus on Lee Corey Oswald. I think that's cool to focus on what you want to do. What they do is make better than average punk folk. The Yogi Bear of the genre. Big Kids are from Oakland and make punk rock. Oakland is steeped in punk rock history. They do their best not to tarnish it. The ALL AGES show is $6 and starts at 8 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". Then maybe we can talk.

-Ben


Justin Power plays tonight at Press Club for FREE, y'all.

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music for Thursday, January 13th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night again I did not make it out to any shows. I knew that I had a big day for myself today. I would have loved to have seen wild Flag at Bunk Bar. Also I want to send well wishes to Drew Grow who was scheduled to play that show but couldn't due to a car crash he was involved in on Tuesday. He got banged up pretty bad (a heard mention of broken bones). Ramona Falls stepped up to play the show. I believe it was the first Ramona Falls show since Brent Knoff officially left Menomena. Anyways, here are the shows that look good to me tonight:

Doug Fir is having a show with Don of Division Street, Old Light, and Meyercord. Yeah, I listed the show I am playing first. What are you gonna do about it? That's what I thought. Where was I? Ah yes. Don of Division Street is the moniker of one Matt Cadenelli. You may recognize him as the drummer for Celilo, Fernando, and many other bands. But guess what. He can play guitar and write songs too. Crazy, I know. Some people are just too talented. One of my favorite bands growing up, Centro-matic, was started by a drummer turned front man. It turned out really well for that band. Let's see how Don of Division Street fairs. What I heard reminded me a bit of Fruitbats. Old Light is a band that I saw when Meyercord opened for their CD release show. They killed it then and will probably kill it tonight. They have an auto harp running through a butt load of effects. They also have a good amount of sweet harmonies. There is nothing not to like. Meyercord is my band. I could not think of a band name that didn't suck so I just used my last name. Currently we have clarinet, glockenspiel, harmonies, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and a really good drummer. I think it is a near perfect mix (I am currently missing a few vocals and trombone). Of course I would love you to see this. The show is $7 and starts at 9 PM.

Holocene is having a show with Monarques, Arch Cape, and Yours. This might be the best show tonight. I know that I should just talk up my own show, but dang. Have you seen this lineup? Monarques have always been a blast to see. Their music led by Josh Spacek (ex-Oh Captain My Captain) is fun. It begs for you to sing along the very familiar sound of their throw back pop. Plus tonight is the debut of the current (although temporary) line up that includes Scott Magee (Loch Lomond, Y La Bamba, etc...) and Dave Depper (Loch Lomond, Musee Mecanique, etc...) on drums and piano respectively. Arch Cape is the new vehicle for Rachel Blumberg (Norfolk & Western, Sean Flinn & The Royal We) to do her thing. She is joined by the very talented Seth Mankowsi (Sean Flinn & The Royal We, and Oh Captain My Captain) and multi instrumentalist Michael Kitson (Y La Bamba, Oh Captain My Captain). They sound amazing. It is percussive driven dream pop that sometimes reminds me of Stereolab. Yours on the other hand is led by Matthan Minster(ex-Oh Captain My Captain) and Adam Trachsel. It is pop music at it's finest. Matthan probably has the best male vocal in Portland. Also this show is a shining example of how incestuous this town's music scene is. I love it. The show is $7 and starts at 8:30 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Malaikat Dan Singa (Olymopia), Ohioan, Brainstorm, and Ah Holly Fam'ly. Jeez. This is a really good line up too. Malaikat Dan Singa is what Arrington De Dionyso (both names seem crazy to me) has been doing lately. It is experimental. I thought he was living here in Portland but I guess I was wrong. Ohioan is an everchanging band that pushes the boundaries of indie folk. Brainstorm is a playful band that makes quirky pop music that is also really cool (they make tuba cool). Ah Holly Fam'ly used to make orchestral soft pop. Last I saw them it sounded a lot more country. I don't really know what they will sound like now, but I promise you it will be great. I would like to note that both Ohiaon and Ah Holly Fam'ly are part of the Infinate Front collective which includes some other really awesome bands like aan and Ghost to Falco. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

Edgefield is having a show with Celilo. This is a little deceiving. Edgefield is mostly known for it's lawn concerts, where big league bands like Bob Dylan and Pavement play. Celilo is playing in the winery. Which is probably cooler because it is more intimate. To make it even more intimate, Celilo is stripping down to a duo. I am not exactly sure which two members will be playing, but I bet it will be cool. Their songs, which I will say have a folky feel, were probably written on a single guitar. It will be interesting to hear it in a near naked form. The show is FREE and starts at 7 PM.

If you see me at Doug Fir please say, "Hi". I will be the one leading the first band.

-Ben



Yours will play Holocene tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Wednesday, January 12th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I practiced again. I wanted to see No Kind of Rider but I got too tired by the time it started. My friend went to the show and text me that I would have liked it. I know I would have liked it! Jerk. He then suggested that if I took naps I wouldn't have the problem of being too tired to go to shows. I will take it under consideration. Anyways, here are the shows that look good to me:

Roadside Attraction is having a show with WH Walker, Pure Country Gold, Guantanamo Baywatch, and White Fang. It is easy for me to forget that Roadside usually has shows on Wednesday nights for FREE. I generally practice until I am done with music for the day. Also Roadside doesn't usually advertise their shows. It is mostly a word of mouth sort of thing. Well, word got out about this show. I am writing about it because I like what I have heard of Guantanamo Baywatch and White Fang. Both have put out tapes on Gnar Tapes (Eric Gage of White Fang runs the label). Both play music that would be appropriate at parties. Normally I don't advocate shows with more than three bands on the bill, but this is FREE y'all. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

Mississippi Studios is having a show with Al James, Liz Janes, Greylag, and Bridges. Let's consider the facts: Al James aka Al James the Unfazed is best known for leading the Americana group Doloreon. Dolorean has a new album about to come out entitled The Unfazed. I don't know what's going on with this guy but whatever it is, it is not fazing him. I think of Portland having two very solid Americana bands that are like the kings or whatever. Richmond Fontaine and Doloreon. Not that there are other great Americana bands in Portland (Celilo, I didn't forget you). Liz Janes is part of the Asthmatic Kitty Family. Asthmatic Kitty has something to do with Sujan Stevens, who is great. Not everyone on the label is great. That being said Liz is pretty good. Greylag is a band that I have not seen but is definitely on my radar. I say that they have a similar feel to Blind Pilot or something like that. I immediately liked what I heard of their music. The show is $8 and starts at 8 PM.

Bunk Bar is having a show with Wild Flag and Drew Grow & The Pastors Wives. Wild Flag is a band with some very familair names. Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss? Whoah you almost have Sleater Kinney. Mary Timony? She was in Helium and also put out some stuff under her own name on Matador Records. Plus there is Rebecca Cole who was in The Minders. I guess what I am trying to say is...SUPERGROUP! The band is pretty new, but are off to a good start from what I hear anyway. I could not find any recordings, but there are youtube videos. High Energy rock and roll. Two guitars, keyboards and drums. Who needs bass? Drew Grow & The Pastor's Wives sounds totally different. They are kinda all over the place actually. But they are really good. You should check out their label Amigo/Amiga which puts out the equally as good if not better Kelli Schafer recordings. The show is $10 and starts at 9 PM.

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I would get a kick out of it.

-Ben


Wild Flag plays Bunk Bar Tonight!

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Tuesday, January 11th

Hello Dear Readers,

Last night I did not make out to a show. I had a band practice instead. Followed by a much needed grocery run. Exciting as seeing a show? Nope. But I gotta eat. Anyway, in a bizarre set of circumstances, I only saw one show that looks good to me:

Bunk Bar is having a show with No Kind of Rider and Black Whales (Seattle). I have known about No Kind of Rider for a while. All of the dudes are super nice. Their music is good. Why have I not seen them? I don't know. They are difficult to right about. They are indie rock. They have a dark sleek sensibility. I feel like their t-shirts would be black. This is not a yellow t-shirt kind of band. They have cool rhythmic sensibilities that lead to several moments that make you go, "That was cool. That thing that they just did there." If you have listen one song I would check out synth lead heavy "Away Colors". I love that song. Oh and I found this pretty funny little documentary type thing that Jen Moon of Jen Moon made. Check it out. Black Whales are a psychedelic pop band band from Seattle that manage not to be all that psychedelic. But that doesn't mean bad. I guess that means they are a rock band. The show is FREE and starts at 10 PM.

If you see me at one of the shows please say, "Hi". Cause I am not going to recognize you.

-Ben

No Kind Of Rider from ::MAGNETIC ARCHIVES:: on Vimeo.

No Kind of Rider play Bun Bar tonight!

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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 Sunday, January 9th

Hello Dear Readers,

So today I had to work super early in the morning. I had to be there at 7. So I did all of this last night. I did not see any shows either. I went to an art opening at Together Gallery. I t was cool a lot of piece for a show called the Family Quilt. There did end up being a drone piece by that dude from White Hinterland and one of the artists It was cool, but I cut out early to write this thing. Here are the shows that look good to me:

Lounge is having a show with Soap Collectors, Alameda, and Plum Sutra Trio. What is the link that ties all of these bands together? Besides the obvious that they are all Portland bands. They all have members that work at The Original a newish restaurant here in Portland. I am not familiar with most of these bands except for Alameda. They I have seen before and I liked their first release, The Floating Hospital. Recently Sterling (leader of Alameda) sent me their recently finished album, Seasons/Spectres. It sounds great. This might because it was recorded by Skyler Norwood at Miracle Lake. He is the guy who also recorded that other band that has a string section with acoustic guitars (Horse Feathers). I am unsure if the album will be available tonight or not. You should check out the show just in case. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

Rontoms is having a show with Soft Tags and Archers. I have been a supporter of The Soft Tags for a long time. They are great and have consistently self released great records. I seem to always forget how good they are. It is a perfect blend of lo-fi aesthetics brit-pop and shoegaze. I love it. I still have not seen Archers, but I think I really want to. There has been a lot of talk about their 4 song 7" (which I desperately need to get). I am in love with their song "Door to All Marvels". They sound like 90's band or something. Don't listen to me. I don't know what I'm saying. Listen to Archers. The show is FREE and starts at 9 PM.

East End is having a Kitty Kat benefit show with Billions and Billions, Swim Swam Swum, Drag Queen, Gorilla Monsoon, and The Messy Jacksons. Billions & Billions canceled their slot at Someday Lounge to play this benefit. Kudos for them. They love cats more than ummm...that other show. They paly prog-psych rock. I really like Swim Swam Swum and their classic indie rock sound. The Messy Jacksons sound messy. They remind me of sloppy punk folk band or maybe just a sloppy folk band. Not really that sloppy on second listen. The show is a $6 sliding scale and the show starts at 9 PM (this is the first time I have ever had details on the price or time of a show at East End).

If you see me at any of these shows please say, "Hi". I would be much obliged.

-Ben


Archers are probably going to kill it tonight at Rontoms

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Ben Meyercord's Live Music Picks for Saturday, January 8th

Hello Dear Readers,

I am at a loss for words. Why have I seemingly been unable to break my winter hibernation mode? I think I need your help. Make me go to shows. Harass me until I do. That being said I do NOT want to go out tonight. I have to work at 7 in the F'in morning and walk around in the F'n cold (F'in is short for Freaking). Anyway here are the shows that look good to me happening tonight:

Hungry Tiger Too is having a show with Youth, Leo Charles Gelbhart IV (Seattle), and Orca Team. Charles Leo Gebhardt IV is a mouthful of a name. I am not sure if it is real or not, but I know that the melodies of his songs are real good. He put out a record last month and will probably playing lots of songs of it. Orca Team is why I am writing about this show. I still have not seen them yet. I love the their take on pop music. It sounds great. The show might cost some money and starts at sometime PM (I am not sure how Hungry Tiger Too does their shows).

Press Club is having a show with Afterlife Revival and Y La Bamba (kinda). I think that Afterlife Revival has something to do with local artist Evan B. Harris. I seen shows listed for E.B. Harris and the Afterlife Revival. Luzelena Mendoza and Paul Cameron both of Y La Bamba are going to be playing some songs as a duo. The songs work really well when they are stripped down. Just saying. The show is FREE and starts at 8:30 PM.

The Knife Shop is having a show with New Century Schoolbook, Stories for Money, and Transistors & Brothers. New Century Schoolbook is a indie pop band that is great. I have played with them before. I have their first album. I think it is solid. Plus it features CIMTB contributor Amber Dawn. Stories For Money is a rock band. They have a name that pretty much sums up the music industry from the point of view of some songwriters. No my point of view. I don't get money for songs. Not that I'm jealous. Whatever. The show is $4 and starts at 9 PM.

Slabtown is having a show with Westfold, Tall as Rasputin, and Old North. Westfold is a band that I have been watching since their inception. They are always evolving. Getting better. I have not seen them in a long time. I expect that they no longer play any songs that I recognize. I couldn't figure out if the band I found called Old North is the one playing tonight, but if it is then here is download to their album. The show is $5 and starts at 9 PM.

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

-Ben


This was filmed when I saw Westfold play all the time. They are playing again tonight at Slabtown

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