If we lived in a perfect world, every day we would shut down a giant street and fill it with music and food and performers of all types and drink all day. Sadly we live on Earth, and for some reason, Earthlings only do this on special occasions.

The 9th Annual Mississippi Street Fair – held Saturday, July 10 – was crowded, hot, bright and absolutely fun. For the drinker of alcoholic beverages, all the local spots along the street barricaded the section of the sidewalk in front of their businesses, so we patrons could enjoy the weather and the smoking of fine tobacco products with our drinks in hand, never having to step away from the atmosphere being provided by the collective kiosk vendor chain that ran the expanse of the street.

While walking from one end to the other, various volumes of multiple audio stimulation came pouring out of every nook and cranny. At one point, three musical gypsies were playing street-style over the beat coming from the adjacent art gallery, using the four-on-the-floor thump of electronic drum-and-bass to accompany their fiddle, banjo and upright bass playing without being drowned out. It was an advantageous thing for anyone in ear shot.

The Proust Bar and Grill patio, along with the food cart enclave proved to be my favorite spot. There was plenty of shade and the patio drinking was in full effect. The northernmost musical stage, The Parlour on the Hill, could be viewed and heard very well from that location on North Mississippi and Skidmore. That particular stage featured a lot of around-town folk acts.

Local klezmer folk band Shicky Gnarowitz & The Transparent Wings of Joy took the stage and started their three-piece violin-driven eastern European sound. If you’ve ever seen Everything is Illuminated, you might have a good idea of what that music sounds like. If not, expand your horizons and go check some out – it’s one of my favorite kinds of world music.

Next up was Fenbi International Superstars, a five-piece conglomeration of folk-y zydeco blues, accented by accordian, violin and guitar-based melody structures. They had a stompy feel, with a pseudo-pirate/polka vibe going on and a lot of shanty sing-along lyrical threads.

Finally, I checked out one of my favorite Portland songwriters, Adam Shearer – lead singer/songwriter for Weinland. What can I say? I like what he does, a lot. He has a great voice and prescence, his lyrics are awesome and he writes very well-put-together folk songs. I’ve been a fan since his band came through my hometown and stayed at my house. If you haven’t seen them play yet, I strongly suggest going to a show. They sound really amazing live and provide really good folk tunes that are catchy and thoughtful, with very attentive arrangements. They know what they’re doing; it always feels nice to be in good hands.

All in all the fair was an ultimate success, and I am definitely going again next year. Hope to see you there.

– Paul Valladon

 

 

Mayor Sam Adams must have pulled inspiration from his recently hung portrait of sir Isaac Brock for his newest endeavor.

Adams announced last week the launch of Listen Local, a program that replaces our fine city’s “easy listening” on-hold music with tunes produced by Portland musicians, and by doing so highlights the vibrant, creative culture of Portland to callers both near and far.

“From our entrepreneurs to our artists, what starts in Portland tends to be watched – and bought – around the world,” said Mayor Adams. “Portland’s economic prosperity is being built on our innovation and our creativity. Listen Local showcases both.”

Portland-based music licensing and sonic branding company, Rumblefish, partnered up with the mayor to help develop the two-year pilot program to raise awareness of Portland’s spectacular music scene and reputation for being a thriving creative community.

A Community Listening Panel comprised of Portlander volunteers determines Listen Local’s quarterly playlists. The summer quarter’s selections vary from hip-hop to folk, classical, jazz and electronic, and features a few Deli favorites including Tu Fawning, Derby, Nick Jaina and Loch Lomond (featured in the badass video below).

Listen Local with Loch Lomond from Mayor Sam Adams on Vimeo.

 

 

Listen Local invites all Portlanders to be a part of the program by joining the Panel or submitting their music to Rumblefish.

 

-Katrina Nattress

 

For the first seconds I was skeptical. I began to dread the reverb-y choir and opening guitar plucking preceding Y La Bamba‘s “Juniper.” But lo and behold, the song actually became a song.

Provided with a steady rhythm, Luzelena Mendoza (Y La Bamba herself) sways her voice to a call and response melody both eerie and moving. The tune is from Lupon, Mendoza’s first full-band debut on Portland’s Tender Loving Empire. Produced by the Decemberist’s Chris Funk (who continues his strong résumé), Lupon will be available September 28, 2010.

However (yes there is more), if waiting until fall is too heavy a burden, might one advise a string of shows, including an artist’s residency at the Laurelthirst Public House? Yes, it has been advised.

7/14- Portland, OR – Laurelthirst Public House (Laurelthirst Artist Residency)

7/18- Salem, OR – Miller Brothers Ranch – EMRG+N+SEE 2010

7/21- Portland, OR – Laurelthirst Public House (Laurelthirst Artist Residency)

7/28- Portland, OR – Laurelthirst Public House (Laurelthirst Artist Residency)

9/10 – Portland, OR – Someday Lounge (Musicfest NW)

9/23 – Corvallis OR – BS Music Fest

The band also just announced today that their album release show will be September 17 at Mississippi Studios, so clear your calendar.

Check out "Juniper" below:

 

 

 – Nick Walker

 

 

Tonight at Berbati’s there will be celebration of multiple magnitudes.

The boys of Housefire will not only be returning home from their first ever west coast tour, but they will be returning with the release of their debut record. The five-song album, entitled Housefire EP, showcases the sextet’s intricate shoegaze sound that the band so skillfully demonstrates with each live performance. Joseph Craig’s wavering vocals atop morose minor guitar/piano chords and sharp, high-hat driven percussion, pierce its listeners with a masterfully melancholy soundscape, which translates beautifully both recorded and live.

Fellow Portland duo, Wishyunu, also celebrates the release of a 5-song EP, entitled A Day No How. The two-piece’s delivery of ethereal electro-pop takes its listeners to a far off dreamworld. It’s easy to lose yourself in Bei Yan’s cathartic, wispy lyrics, which glide weightlessly over spacey synth, pedal-laden guitar, and brushed percussion.

Show starts at 9 pm. $8. All ages.

-Katrina Nattress

 

 

Too often these days, I find that in trying to produce an accurate description of a band’s sound, I end up beating my head against a figurative wall, not especially sure where they might fit in to the vast expanse of available music these days. And although Blue Giant isn’t particularly difficult to classify, the best, most accurate and most succinct description comes from the band itself: “Rock and grass served with blues and sass." I literally could not have said it better.

The influence of country music is undeniable, but it isn’t really prevalent enough for Blue Giant to fall under a “country” label. Formed from members of Swords, The Decemberists and Viva Voce, it would seem that this eclectic group is poised on the edge of something big. Lead vocalist Kevin Robinson possesses an even, smooth voice which is showcased especially well in the anthem-like “Blue Sunshine” and undeniably catchy “Wesley” – both from the band’s self-titled debut album.

Robinson’s wife Anita provides much of the aforementioned sass, with her sweet voice and incredible guitar work providing an interesting layer to this smorgasbord of a band. Kevin Robinson took some time out of his busy schedule for the Deli Portland to discuss Coast To Coast AM, The Black Keys and the future of Blue Giant.

How did Blue Giant come to be?

2008, Anita and I started Blue Giant, mainly as an excuse to play with other people. Start a "proper" band. The results were insanely rewarding so we fired on all cylinders.

Any meaning or story behind the name?
We mashed up Blue Oyster Cult and Gentle Giant. Blue Giant sounded cooler than The Gentle Oysters.

What’s the ultimate goal that you’d all like to see this band progress to?

Touring in a bus would be an attainable goal to aspire to. I don’t know if that’s "ultimate" but it would be really cool to let someone else drive for a change.

What have been the standout high and low moments on tour so far?

High moments on tour: the 45 min to 1 hour you get to play for people who paid to see you perform your songs. Low moments on tour: trying to pay bills.

Where can your fans expect you to progress to as a group?

I think if people like the trajectory we’re aiming at, then they’ll dig the trip that we’ll take em’ on.

What do you listen to in the van on tour?

The usual iPod madness. Every band your fingers can type. Lots of Coast to Coast AM with Art Bell.

Most underrated band of 2010?

The Black Keys. People really need to listen to them. I think they’re really good and could catch on!

What projects do you have in the works that we can look forward to?

I’ve got an ever growing stack of Blue Giant songs – that when we get the green light, we’ll fire that up for the follow up album. It’s been really rewarding writing songs for the band, so I’m well into the third or fourth records’ worth of tunes right now. Just storing them up like a musical squirrel.

—Catch Blue Giant live at the following dates next week:

July 13: On TV! KATU Channel 2 at 9 a.m.

July 13: Music Millenium at 7 p.m.

July 14: Jackpot Records at 6 p.m.

– Arielle Mullen

 

"Now is time a for darker stuff!" yells Henry Kammerer, one-half of the Portland-based duo Hillstomp on the second track of their new album Darker the Night. And dark stuff is exactly what they give the listener.

The duo’s third studio release – which will be available in stores July 20 – is crammed with 14 driving and dirty ballads of debauchery, and loaded with tales of embracing late night bouts of drinking, waking and repeating the process without the blink of an eye. The whole album has a very consistent brooding mood, with unique banjo rythms that take the forefront unashamed and relentless..

While firmly grounded in the blues, Hillstomp departs and adds many different influences, from folk to garage-punk, all expressed through a soulful intensity. Considering the band is known for its captivating live performances – replete with foot-stomping slide guitar riffs and John Johnson’s ramshackle percussion hammering away on plastic buckets or whatever he can grab nearby, Darker the Night does not dissapoint, and invites everyone listening to join in and sing the songs of kissing the bottle and losing love without regret.

– Stirling Myles

 

Friday night’s show at The Artistery marks the last performance of Hosannas as Portland loves and knows it. The band is not technically breaking up, but keyboardist Cristof Hendrickson and percussionist Lane Barrington have decided to leave the group to pursue other endeavors (Best of luck, boys!).

Although the brothers Brandon and Richard Laws will continue to play under the same moniker as a two-piece, Brandon made it clear that the music will change drastically in the future, and they will not be playing the same songs they played as a foursome.

Multi-Chamber American Future at Rontoms from hosannas portland on Vimeo.

So this, my friends, will be the last time an audience’s ears will be graced with the experimental pop masterpieces that comprise the quartet’s debut, Then & Now & Then.

Show starts at 8 p.m. $6. All ages, so bring the kiddies!

-Katrina Nattress

 

Holocene will play host to a three-pronged easy-does-it rock block this Thursday July 1. If you’re looking to start the new month off on the right foot, try this lineup on for size:

Quiet Life will open the show with a greased-up, slick and sputterin’ Americana sheen, and no doubt lay a fine foundation with which to coax your drinking (and dancing) shoes. The band enjoyed a stint as back-up band for Port O’Brien earlier this year, before getting back to Portland to scour the Northwest wilderness, and release their brand new full-length – the excellent good-time rock ‘n’ roll acumen of Big Green – sometime in July.

Newer Portland group Alameda will occupy the second slot on this supple bill. The band is currently enjoying the release of their EP The Floating Hospital, a stoic four-song set of moving, minimalist acoustic-based tunes. Vocalist/guitarist Stirling Myles (also of Autopilot is for Lovers, also a contributor to The Deli Portland) stirs lush melodies with ample yet subdued accompaniment from bass clarinet, violin, viola, cello and other various effects-laced gadgets that, when dialed in correctly, evoke a melancholy, though cathartic kind of slow-burn orchestral-folk.

Rounding it all out will be the affable, affecting brood of Sean Flinn and the Royal We. Flinn’s organic compositions hold both child-like cadence and a predilection for ever-maturing musical magic, like a wild-eyed tramp crooning pure truth, injecting finite detail, leaving nothing unverified and everything real in every note, every pluck of the string, every measured melody. His is a musical palate ingratiated not only by the wiles of the ubiquitous, rambling, road-weary minstrel, but also by more contemporary visions of first wave rock ‘n’ roll and R&B, not unlike the wide swath M. Ward casts – though that comparison is admittedly a stretch. Flinn and his Royal We (featuring members of Y La Bamba, and Meyercord among other notable local acts) are in a class all their own, and you can sponge up your lesson tomorrow night.

Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Cover is $5. 21 and over.

– Ryan J. Prado

 

The inaugural Portland Folk Festival released its preliminary lineup last week, and if the preliminary nature of this information is any indication, the fully blossomed lineup is going to set your heart to twangin’.

Being held at various outdoor and indoor venues, as well as neighborhood outdoor spaces throughout Portland from August 19 to 22, the Portland Folk Festival will feature some familiar PDX folk firepower alongside national and international acts who hold only the most special places in our collective hearts (Sea of Bees!, ahem). We’re not talking indie-folk exclusivity here (as the term might most readily be attributed), but real, honest, gritty, goopy acoustic ruminations from the likes of Celso Machado, Jim Page and Earl White Band. Rounding out the younger set will be Portland’s own Loch Lomond, Freak Mountain Ramblers and Future Historians.

A fuller list of the preliminary lineup is available here.

Some additional schematics on this exciting, new Slim Moon-helmed music, art, craft, film, folk adventure:

"Portland Folk Festival will be held over four days, with a different neighborhood focus each day. Music venues, pubs, galleries and interesting spaces throughout Downtown Portland, Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Avenue and Southeast Portland will host events through the day and night all weekend.

The Portland Folk Festival is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the world’s folk and traditional music, and to the vibrant community, forward-thinking quality of life, and spectacular natural beauty of our treasured home of Portland. With one foot firmly rooted in preserving and celebrating the lessons of the past, and one in working toward a sustainable future, we are dedicated to the study, evolution, expression and celebration of the music of the people.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the community of Portland to come together and discover a world of music that’s happening in their own backyard.

Tickets for Portland Folk Festival are being sold online for $45. You will receive a badge that will get you into every show and event during the festival. Tickets for individual concerts will be available through each venue’s online box office or at the door day of show."

The Festival has also been holding monthly showcases in anticipation of the August kick-off. The next one will be held at the Mississippi Street Fair on Saturday, July 10 noon – 8 p.m. at the Parlour on the Hill stage, and will feature the likes of Stefan Jecusco and the Godless Moravians, mbilly, and more.

– Ryan J. Prado

 

Alexis Gideon – the wizard of hip-hop, animation, guitar strumming and storytelling – has just posted a trailer to his next (very ambitious looking) video album titled Video Musics II: Sun Wu-Kong. The project is being described as a “one hour multimedia video opera based on the 16th century Chinese novel ‘The Journey to the West’."

A wide variety of musical and animation contributors are credited, including Rachel Blumberg (M. Ward) and Cynthia Star (Coraline, Moral Orel, Robot Chicken). Video Musics, his previous audio/visual endeavor, had a run length of around 25 minutes while it followed ancient Hungarian Folk tales.

You can check out multiple clips from Video Musics here. The release date is slated for Fall of 2010.

Check out the preview clip below; looks weird (and cool):

Gideon has also released a cool mixtape titled Move Your Shit, Man via the folks over at African Tape Group that features an interesting remix of White Hinterland’s "Begin Again". You can stream or download the mixtape here.

– Joel Sommer

 

PDX favorite Kelli Schaefer is playing this Thursday the 17th along with Aan, My Flag is on Fire and Oblio’s Arrow at Mississippi Studios! This show marks not only the release of another single, but also the kickoff to a 10-date tour for Schaefer.

This new release is especially exciting because it has two B-sides, including one with a special hip-hop collaboration (keep reading to find out who) that is, frankly, quite rad.  Schaefer recently posted some of her singles on her MySpace page, most of which have been released at previous shows, and through her own record label Amigo/Amiga Recordings.

In anticipation of her big tour send-off, Schaefer graciously agreed to answer a few questions for The Deli Portland via email for your delight. Please enjoy.

Deli Portland: When are you going to release a full album?

Kelli Schaefer: We’re shooting for November.

Do you like breakfast cereal, and if so what is your favorite?

I’m not a huge cereal fan. My roommate has this super blender that supposedly can blend gravel. Not that I want to eat gravel for breakfast, but I’ve been really into making smoothies.

Are there any places in town that you can buy your music?

If anyone wants a hard copy, they have to come to a show. Either that or you can get any of the singles or B-sides on Band Camp or iTunes.

What’s your favorite breakfast spot, coffee spot and bar?

I’ve been really broke soooo, for breakfast? …Fred Meyer. It’s a block from my house and I can use my food stamps. Coffee? I go to Peet’s. It’s two blocks from my house, and I’ve got the hook up there. And if I happen to save enough money for a drink, I’d go to the Sapphire.

Do you like to write lyrics or music first?

I would prefer to write the lyrics first, but as far as a method goes, I haven’t got one. Sometimes the lyrics come years before the melody. Sometimes the other way around. And sometimes I’ll have one line, write an entire song for that one line, and then no more lyrics come. Forced lyrics are the worst. I’d rather record myself barfing before I put out a track with forced lyrics.

If you ever left Portland, where would you want to move?

A big city, maybe New York or London. I just want to try out a big city, that’s all. See how long I can last before I come crying back to Portland.

What’s your favorite animal?

I’m a huge fan of the pig. Just a big old giant sow.

Do you have a favorite word?

I don’t have a favorite word of all time, no. But I will get stuck on one or two particular words for weeks at a time. Lately, I’ve been using the word ”conglomeration” and ”integrate.” Ha!

What’s a question you would ask someone if you wanted to make them feel truly uncomfortable?

I would ask someone standing next to me in line at the grocery store, in a whisper voice, "Hey, is my fly down?" Then when they look down, I would have my finger sticking out of my fly like a fake wiener. Gotcha!

Why should people come see you play this Thursday at Mississippi Studios?

It’s our tour kickoff! Also, I recently collaborated with Portland hip-hop artist Tope on a song that we will be performing that night. Should be a lot of fun!

Doors at 8 p.m. and the cover is $6. See you there.

– Joel Sommer

 

Every Northwestern popster’s wet dream is back at Rotture July 30 – August 1 when PDX Pop Now! 2010 releases its aural assualt in the Southeast industrial district. Lo and behold, organizers have just released the lineup for this local music advocacy group’s 7th Annual festival. You ready? You sure? Okay, here it is:

Aan, AgesAndAges, AndAndAnd, Asss, Atriarch, AU, Autistic Youth, Ben Darwish, Billygoat, Blue Cranes, Blue Horns, Brainstorm, Cloudy October, Da’Rel Junior, Defect Defect, Eternal Tapestry, Fear No Music, Get Hustle, Grey Anne, Guantanamo Baywatch, Hockey, Hosannas, I Can Lick Any Son of A Bitch In The House, Jackie-O Motherfucker, Joey Casio, Joggers, Krebsic Orkestar, Kung Pao Chickens, Kusikia, Lewi Longmire, Luck One, Michael The Blind, Operative, Parenthetical Girls, Please Step Out of The Vehicle, Reporter, Rollerball, Shoeshine Blue, Skeletron, Soup Purse, SubArachnoid Space, Tiny Knives, Tu Fawning, The Tumblers, Typhoon, Wampire, Why I Must Be Careful, and Ylang Ylang.

It would take me damn near an hour to link to all those bands here, but rest assured; happiness is found in digging a little deeper, people. I know it.

Don’t forget that these sets are both indoors and outdoors, volleying audiences back and forth like some kind of fucked-up pop-rock pinball game. Only you get as many balls as you can handle for three straight days (SEXUAL INNUENDO OVERLOAD). Also, the whole damn thing is FREE, and ALL AGES.

The 2010 PDX Pop Now! compilation album is available for sale at local retail outlets and online here.

Press release excerpt (i.e. important stuff):

"Proceeds from sales of the album go towards funding the festival and the rest of organization’s activities. The 7th installment of the heralded compilation features 40 tracks, including music from Typhoon, Mean Jeans, Nick Jaina, Laura Veirs, A Weather and Tope, as well as rare or previously unreleased tracks by Menomena, Blitzen Trapper, Dharma Bums, Talkdemonic, Y La Bamba, and more."

There’s also a song called "City Morgue" on there by Kelli Schaeffer, which means you need to get it right now. Like now. Now now. Or you could listen to it at her MySpace site here. But would you really wanna do that when there’s all that other great music on there? Not to mention the fact that PDX Pop Now! is a volunteer-driven, 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to celebrating and promoting Portland’s vital music community? That’s what we thought.

– Ryan J. Prado