Music
Why? with Serengeti, Jel @ Club Sound 09.04
The semi-circle set up in the background made plenty of room center-stage, making it clear that Yoni is in command of this game. This isn’t to say that the band adds nothing; one of Why?’s strengths is in their ability to mix indie, hip hop, pop or experimental instrumentation with well crafted lyrics. While the songs embody the attitude typical of a lot of affluent males as a pitiful, lonesome individual, the setup fit. As Yoni started the night with a popular hit from Alopecia, “A Sky for Shoeing Horses Under,” the crowd was quick to warm up to Yoni’s voice that pays solid attention to rhythm and wordplay. … read more
School of Seven Bells @ Urban Lounge 09.01
Unlike most shows at this venue, the crowd was not speaking in the wings, but corralled into “The Holding Pen,” as I like to call the rail-lined dance floor in front of the stage, and hanging on every extended vocal harmony that Deheza began and finished. She is as good as she ever was. … read more
Chelsea Wolfe with Spell Talk and Light Black @ Urban...
I hear and feel dark swelling tones of bass, looped vocals and keys as they open with “Movie Screen.” Fog machine aside, their ominous stage presence creates an element of awe in the room, and the audience is eerily silent and perfectly still. I can feel the energy waiting to burst out of this band. I’m stoked, because just when I think I know where a piece is going, it does the exact opposite. I’m built up by Chelsea Wolfe’s layered vocal loops, then the ambient guitar sounds and deep bass drop me out a trap door and the music halts for a fraction of a second. They are tight and together, executing these rising and falling swells with surgical precision. … read more
The Boards Reunion Show with Avon Calling and Gnawing Suspicion...
As these sages of punk rock strap on their guitars and study their set lists, the crowd of two dozen aged rockers (and a couple young punks like myself) watches anxiously, sensing the nervous energy in the bar. The guys haven’t forgotten how to kick ass, though, and they start with some of the oldies—stripped down punk rock n’ fuckin’ roll. … read more
Strung Out @ Bar Deluxe 08.17
It always seems like a bit of a publicity stunt to see a band rehash old material for a special run—It can come off as exploitative. However, I wholeheartedly embraced when Strung Out came back by with their mid-to-late-’90s albums, Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues and Twisted by Design. So did all my friends from the same era. Almost every song elicited a huge applause, and the good ol-fashioned mosh pit was full of slam dancers practicing the ancient art of controlled collisions. … read more
Iron & Wine, Kathleen Edwards @ Twilight Concert Series 08.16
Beam took the stage with his acoustic guitar and started his 20-song set. He pleased his longtime fans with a good mix of old and new, and solo and accompanied. What impressed me most was his superb vocals. Sure, they are great on CD, but Beam’s voice really thrives in a live setting, attesting to his natural talent. … read more
Heartless Bastards, Little Hurricane @ Urban 08.10
Despite a few technical difficulties before they started, the Bastards played with an unwavering intensity. They came to perform. … read more
The Bouncing Souls @ In the Venue with The Menzingers...
The Bouncing Souls really did take me back to the place where music was the most important thing in my life. It was exactly what I wanted out of a Bouncing Souls show. I was stoked to see so many young kids at the show who were just getting into the band. Angst and anger are a big, important part of punk rock, but The Bouncing Souls represent the part about punk rock that’s all about enjoying your life and the people that are in that. … read more
Aesop Rock @ In the Venue 07.23
Before the king himself took the stage, a team of intimidating bouncers pushed people around until there was a path for him to walk through. It was hot as balls in the room and bumping with fans. Finally, the trio—Aesop, DJ Big Wiz and Rob Sonic—appeared and everyone got their hands in the fucking air. … read more
Dirty Projectors @ In the Venue 07.21
Here’s a fun fact: In The Venue opened doors a full hour before any music started, so show attendees got plenty of time to stand around looking hip or whatever. There were a lot of chicks wearing glasses and mom jean cut-offs, which made me think about how funny Portlandia is, and I was hoping that this show proved to be worth it, because I could be at home watching hilarious hipster satire. As fate had it, the evening redeemed itself and I was even able to celebrate at the end with Mexican food. … read more