New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Nothing makes me happier than an all-ages show. Honestly, nothing. We, Portland, of all places, should have them a plenty, but somehow we don’t. Thankfully, music collectives like the wonderful house-venue Badlands are here to remedy our unintentionally agist live music scene. What do they have to offer this week? The softly angle-grinding harmonies of Aan, the synthy and beautiful cooing of Wild Ones, and the lo-fi mellow meltiness of Ties to the Branches. Need I say free to beckon your Friday night to such a perfect show? – Mike Harper
Superhumanoids makes dreamy pop that shouts summery ’60s harmonies, garage rock’s raw tonality, slick new-wave electronics, and the adventurous dissonance of ’90s indie rock. Originally a solo bedroom project, the LA band quickly evolved into a multifaceted foursome. The band released a new EP in March and is about to release a new 7" scheduled for June 21, including the song "Mikelah", streaming here. If dreamy electro is your thing don’t miss their show at Skirball Center on July 8.
Well, shit. As if And And And didn’t have enough on their plates from last year, the chainmaille slingin’, bemohawked drummer Bim Ditson has rigged up the Van Van Van with a hoop of gloriously ghetto proportions. Welcome to Rigsketball 2011, Portland. 32 bands over the next four weeks playing street ball like you’ve probably literally never seen it. It will drive you crazy. It could actually drive you somewhere – the hoop is on the back of And And And’s van. The games started Monday and are already forming some furious feuds and joyous moments. Catch a game, come hang out, place your bets, drink some beer. Welcome to summer, Portland. Finally. – Mike Harper
Check out the Rigsketball 2011 Kickstarter for the full schedule.
Well, shit. As if And And And didn’t have enough on their plates from last year, the chainmaille slingin’, bemohawked drummer Bim Ditson has rigged up the Van Van Van with a hoop of gloriously ghetto proportions. Welcome to Rigsketball 2011, Portland. 32 bands over the next four weeks playing street ball like you’ve probably literally never seen it. It will drive you crazy. It could actually drive you somewhere – the hoop is on the back of And And And’s van. The games started Monday and are already forming some furious feuds and joyous moments. Catch a game, come hang out, place your bets.
Check out the Rigsketball 2011 Kickstarter for the full schedule.
For Brooklyn based songwriter and vocalist Beth Wawerna, the path to the stage was not assured. While the Altanta rasied musician had early exposure to both songwriting luminaries such as Elvis Costello and Southern Indie icons such as R.E.M, Wawerna wrote for years perfecting her craft. It took the journalist encouragement from well-established friends such as Timothy Bracy (ex-Mendoza Line) to finally form a group and bring the songs to light. The culmination of the effort is Defender, the debut record from her group Bird of Youth. The band combines the guitar-driven pop sounds of 90s rock with Wawerna’s clever lyrics and authoritative delivery. Produced by Will Sheff of Okkervil River and Phil Palazzolo (The New Pornographers, Ted Leo, Neko Case), Defender was recorded with the help of a cast of players that includes members of The Wrens, Nada Surf, The National, Okkervil River and the Mendoza Line. Following a home town record release show on June 9th at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn, Bird Of Youth join Kathryn Calder of The New Pornographers for east coast dates. – Jason Bertone (photo by A Horse With No Name)
Alternative electro rock band The Aviation Orange is playing L Magazine’s Northside Festival on June 16 at Spike Hill, starting off a summer tour from New York to DC to Cincinnati. Things look pretty exciting for them, and their music offers a lot to be excited about: vocals comparable to Caleb Followill and Zooey Deschanel, a strong guitar section and ambient synthesizer accent. They’re preparing to release their newest album “East of Here” on August 9 – see the band’s latest video here). – Caitlin Clive
Dexter Tortoriello of Houses and Dawn Golden & Rosy Cross has released a free collection of a ll of the remixes his has done over the past year. The collection can be streamed or downloaded below and includes tracks by Sun Airway, Active Child, A Lull, and more.
Evan Thomas Weiss (aka Into It. Over It) has released a new split 7" single with Such Gold through No Sleep Records. Later this month he will be in the studio recording his debut full-length album for No Sleep.
Into It. Over It also has a project coming out this fall with that was recorded here in Chicago at Drasik Studios with Koji.
Tonight (Thursday 06.09), Bowery Electric will be sweltering in the summer heat and the sultry slide guitars, devilish distortion, and burning blues of The Dead Exs. The NYC-based duo are celebrating their album, “The Resurrection,” released by vocalist/guitarist David Patillo’s revival rock label, Bang Bang Boogaloo, highlighting tracks, such as the ominous “Whole Lotta Nothin,” sexy “Shut Up and Love Me,” and grooving instrumental, “Nolita Strut.” The gig will also showcase artists handpicked by BBB, who were featured on the label’s latest compilation, “New York Rock and Roll 1:” Golden Animals, The Dirty Glamour, The Fieros, and Only Living Boy. Co-sponsored by "The Devil and Me" radio show and The Passenger Newspaper, the show is as New York as it gets. Doors are at 7:30pm, so get there early to experience NY rock to the fullest. www.thedeadexs.com – Meijin Bruttomesso
We did Bonnaroo last year with a severe sinus infection, so naturally, we’re determined to make 2011 waaayyyy better, and try and catch as many artists as we can. We’re also pretty pumped up about the number of local acts performing this year. For those of you who aren’t going for the entire thing, here are some of our highlights, according to each day:
Thursday:
Uncle Skeleton (1pm), Kopecky Family Band (2pm AND 5:30pm), The David Mayfield Parade (11:30pm)
Friday:
Chancellor Warhol (12pm), Jessica Lea Mayfield (12:15pm), Justin Townes Earle (2:30pm), Matt & Kim (3:15pm), Abigail Washburn (4pm), GIVERS (NOLA–5:20), Wanda Jackson (5:45pm), Futurebirds (Atlanta–9:15), JEFF the Brotherhood (10:40pm)
Saturday:
Cheer Up Charlie Daniels (12pm), Abigail Washburn & The Village (1:30pm), Old Crow Medicine Show (2pm), Alison Krauss & Union Station (4pm), Tristen (9:20pm), Dr. John w/ the original Meters & Allen Toussaint (NOLA–12:30am)
Sunday:
Robert Plant & The Band of Joy (6pm), The Apache Relay (8pm)
ALL OF THESE BANDS ARE GREAT. GO LISTEN TO THEM. They rarely interfere with the headliners so unless you’re just spending all of your time on the gigantic waterslide–(that’s where I’ll be), you have no excuse. Make sure to stay in the shade, wear your sunscreen, and stay hydrated with liquids other than booze. Catch ya on the slide!–Erin Manning
