Monday, November 30, 2009

brain eno tells you what’s cool

http://tinyurl.com/yck4aa3

Sunday, November 29, 2009

free, live music bonanza : nov 30-dec 6 : the dimes, marv ellis, dj bj, the very foundation, wampire, nick jaina, skip vonkuske, the green pajamas

Issue No. 13 : November 30 – December 6, 2009

With so much free Portland music, the week needs 9 days. That makes 4-day weekends.

30 Monday
Portland Cello Project's Skip vonKuske hosts his weekly The Guest List at McMenamins Edgefield featuring folky, acoustic love from Chris Kokesh, 7 PM. 21 and over.

Smooth jazz guitar with Dan Balmer at Jimmy Mak's, 8 PM. 21 and over.

01 Tuesday
The Dimes get all historical on acoustic guitars at Music Millennium, 7 PM. All ages.

Northwest Hip Hop fusion with Marv Ellis and his live band The Platform at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 8:30 PM. 21 and over.

Funk Night with Julian's Ride at Someday Lounge, 9 PM. 21 and over.

02 Wednesday
Nick Jaina Band plays melodious indie at LaurelThirst Public House, 6 PM. 21 and over.

Reggae Night at Mt. Tabor Theater, 8 PM. 21 and over.

Indie jam band Time To Spare rocks as Shorty Tonedeaf & the Screachers growl and spit at Twilight Cafe, 9:30 PM. 21 and over.

03 Thursday
DJ BJ (aka Atole) and Nate C host Let's Go Crazy (80's Dance Night) at Berbati's Pan, 9:30 PM. 21 and over.

Funky, jazzy Seven Year Tango rock at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 8:30 PM. 21 and over.

04 Friday
Richly picked acoustic business from Joshua Slamp first at his Xmas CD release party at Music Millennium, 6 PM (all ages), then at McMenamins Edgefield, 10 PM. 21 and over.

Poppy songs about the ugly side of sex and heartbreak, plus horns, from The Very Foundation at Langano Lounge, 9:30 PM. 21 and over.

05 Saturday
Electro-dance-love at Berbati's on Solid Gold night two with Nathan Detroit, DJ Rhienna, and Wampire, 10 PM. 21 and over.

Indie-pop at at Music Millennium with The Green Pajamas and Boatclub, 1 PM. All ages.

06 Sunday
The Very Foundation again at Music Millennium, 5 PM. All ages.

Portland Makes Music with Adam Gnade and Castanets at Someday Lounge, 9 PM. 21 and over.

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It is my mission to provide a comprehensive listing of free, local performances in Portland. Please help this compilation grow by contributing your favorite free shows and by spreading this list around.

For more free shows check out the Portland Concert Co-Op.

Almost Chanukah.

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Read this article on Examiner.com.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

the dimes play free music millennium in-store

As December rolls in, it's time to cozy up in your neighborhood record store and enjoy warm, acoustic strumming and whimsical, historical narratives.

On their second album, The King Can Drink the Harbor Dry, The Dimes added some instruments and doubled in size while singer/songwriter Johnny Clay began buffing up on his history of Boston.

Inspired by stories of our founding fathers, specifically strong women, he name drops Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, Clara Barton, and Mary Dyer like calling defendants at a witch trial.

With sunny melodies and floating rhythms, I thought they wouldn't be back so soon after their album release party at Mississippi Studios on November 14th. Yet, The Dimes are playing a free acoustic show at Music Millennium on Tuesday, December 1st at 7 PM and also announced a NYE extravaganza at the Mission Theater with Weinland.

So come soak up the stories inside while The Dimes sow the seeds of history.

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Read this article on The Deli Portland.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

free, live music bonanza : nov 23-29 : mattress, the nightgowns, asa ransom, tony ozier, fall brawl, skip vonkuske

Issue No. 12 : November 23 – 29, 2009

I'm thankful for mattress, nightgowns, brawls. Stuff like that.

23 Monday
Portland Cello Project's Skip vonKuske hosts his weekly The Guest List at McMenamins Edgefield featuring soul singer Tahoe Jackson, 7 PM. 21 and over.

Voltronic jams funky, soul fusion at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 8:30 PM. 21 and over.

Brenden John and The Porcelain Dolls make indie, acoustic at Twilight Cafe, 9 PM. 21 and over.

24 Tuesday
In Music We Trust brings indie, pop, rock to the Doug Fir with From Words to Blows, Chris Tsefalas, and Jon Davidson and Russell Stafford, 9 PM. 21 and over.

Mmmm, Funk Night with Julian's Ride and Barry Hampton and The Triple Grip at Someday Lounge, 9 PM. 21 and over.

25 Wednesday
Reggae Night at Mt. Tabor Theater, 8 PM. 21 and over.

Mattress and Magic Johnson electro-lounge in the Restaurant Residency Series at Berbati's, 10 PM. 21 and over.

Rotture's Fall Brawl DJ battle with Rude Dudes, Holla ‘N Oates, Club Crooks, and Matt Nelkin + Dundiggy, 9 PM. 21 and over.

Tony Ozier's Dookie Jam with funk-rock-soul-jazz-blues-impromptu at Someday Lounge, 9 PM. 21 and over.

26 Thursday : Thanksgiving
Mellow folk and acoustic strumming from Aundria and Richard at McMenamins Edgefield, 7 PM. 21 and over.

Dance to the darkwave at the Fez Ballroom's Shadowplay while DJ Ghoulunatic, DJ Horrid, and DJ Paradox spin at 9 PM. 21 and over.

27 Friday
Wicked guitar work from Gavin Wahl Stephens at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern, 9 PM. All ages until 10 PM.

Indie-pop with The Nightgowns and Terra Firma at Twilight Cafe, 9:30 PM. 21 and over.

28 Saturday
Odd ball, indie mash-ups with Asa Ransom, Crosstide, and Reverse Dotty & The Candy Cane Shivs at Berbati's Pan, 10 PM. 21 and over.

Folk, strings jam with Shannon Tower Band at the Sellwood Public House, 9 PM. 21 and over.

29 Sunday
Brittany Shane plays pop-rock at Music Millennium, 5 PM. All ages.

Eye Candy with VJ Norto and The Phantom Hillbilly spinning classic MTV videos and dance at Beulahland, 9 PM. 21 and over.

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It is my mission to provide a comprehensive listing of free, local performances in Portland. Please help this compilation grow by contributing your favorite free shows and by spreading this list around.

For more free shows check out the Portland Concert Co-Op.

Mimosa.

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Read this article on Examiner.com.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

fanfarlo just sounds sooo good

Sometimes you forget just how good live music can sound. Crisp horns, whispering strings, and even clanking watering cans.

When about halfway though Fanfarlo's set, you have a "Wow!" moment. And you look around the Doug Fir to the rest of the 20 and 30-somethings tapping along, smiling blissfully. They're thinking exactly the same thing.

On Fanfarlo's first jaunt to PDX, they got their van broken into but that didn't subdue their set. Rather, they took the stage as a trio with a mandolin, guitar and drums to gently strum into the calming darkness.

Then the white Xmas lights were flipped and the band became six, complete with sleek harmonization and a lone horner on "I'm A Pilot." Percussionist Amos Memon delicately generated rolling thunder on the cymbals with his white-tipped mallets while multi-instrumentalist Cathy Lucas twanged a hand saw along with her performance of lullaby oooh-ooooh vocals and on the violin, guitar, and keys.

With a foot stomping, a cappella opening to "The Walls Are Coming Down," Fanfarlo produced a tight, precise sound that was perfumed by the whiskey drifting from my neighbor's plastic Dixie cup.

Trumpeter Leon Beckenham also picked up the world's smallest, red tambourine while co-lead singer Simon Balthazar snatched as many instruments as he could including a clarinet towards the end of the set.

The London sextet appeared very prim and proper, more like proper-hip, onstage building up to a super-synthy rendition of "Luna" with a calming interlude where Beckenham swapped his horn for a melodica to close the night.

New York's Freelance Whales opened the night with Jónsi-style bowing of the guitar strings and xylophone chimes. Banjos strummed. Electro-inclined synths chirruped. And all five members blended vocals into indubitable, indie pop.

Foggy echoes of drawn out moans and aaaahhs floated around portable harmonium pumps and the bow was employed on something that looked like a cross between a birdcage-hamster wheel-giant whisk, but turned out to be a waterphone. Obviously.

Freelance Whales even beat a tin watering can in a "Do-Re-Mi"-esque jam leaving behind a serene, familial vibe.

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Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Fanfarlo
Freelance Whales
Doug Fir Lounge

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Read this article on CWG Live And Direct.
Read this article on Examiner.com.

Friday, November 20, 2009

the dimes historify indie rock

Beantown, Red Sox, Harvard, Irish immigrants, and Paul Revere. What does any of this have to do with Portland indie-rock outfit The Dimes.

Everything, my friend. Everything.

On their sophomore release The King Can Drink The Harbor Dry, the quartet (recently multiplied to an octet) tackles the theme of Boston conjuring up images of Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, Red Cross founder Clara Barton, Mary Dyer, and the great fire of 1872.

With crafty ingenuity and cleverness, the band accomplished to create love songs and story-telling tales rather than history lessons, a la Sufjan Stevens' poignant tributes to Michigan and Illinois.

Powerful females dominate the personalized odes, and the tunes are lovely gentle and full-spirited. Plus you getta sail through the Boston Harbor discovering the details behind the tracks.

The album came out this week and if you missed their listening party at Mississippi Studios you can still catch release parties in Eugene and Ashland in mid-December.

And while we're at it, why not watch The Dimes perform in a cupcakery.

The Dimes at St. Cupcake from The Penny Jam on Vimeo.

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Read this article on The Deli Portland.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

playing portland's workshops, retail + grocery outlets

The Penny Jam makes awesome videos of PDX artists playing under bridges and on overpasses, in empty museums and cupcakeries. They've got a whole host of stuff including The Dimes, Explode Into Colors, Mattress, The Ascetic Junkies, Celilo and more.

They're up to 26 videos that you can download while checking out photos from the shoots. (Some of them even did that sweet May Ling video I posted yesterday although it wasn't meant to be that public, yet.)

A year ago, Starfucker (now PYRAMIDDD) performed "Dance Face" at Rudy's Barbershop.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

very international love plays free concert with parallels this wednesday

These boys will make you shake your ass to their sleek, electro-thumping and throaty, echoing lyrics. Very International Love is the electro-dance and live experimentation of Joe Turner (tall) and Connor Dudley (small). VIL takes the stage at Peter’s Room at the Roseland Theater on Wednesday, November 18th. And it’s free to you, the electro-noise consumer.

With synths that glitter sonically and a gold-speckled guitar that sparkles physically, VIL throbs with disco-mojo as quick and catchy as any of their Aussie dance club influences (Cut Copy, The Presets, Empire of the Sun).

The pair creates an aural electro-landscape coupled with the rollercoaster climaxes and troughs of a wicked rock show.

And it gets better. Headlining, Toronto’s Parallels brings a calming wave of tranquilizing dance-ambiance. Sway to and fro with Holly Dodson’s icy-sweet vocals and faultless drumming from Cameron Findlay (who used to keep the beat on tour with Crystal Castles). New wave love stays high as we roll into another century. Show starts at 9 p.m. with DJ-duo Rude Dudes and poppy-rockers Diamond Liars. 21+

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Read this article on The Deli Portland.

Friday, November 13, 2009

free, live music bonanza : nov 16-22 : fanfarlo, parallels, very international love, girls, michalangela, nico vega, just lions

Issue No. 11 : November 16 – 22, 2009

We start giving a week before Thanksgiving.

16 Monday
The Mood of Monday Jazz Series with Chance Hayden and Michalangela at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 8:30 PM. 21 and over.

Community Day & Songwriter's Circle at Music Millennium featuring Craig Carothers and Don Henry. Hosted by Jack McMahon at 7 PM. All ages.

17 Tuesday
Rock'n'roll/electro gang bang at Ash Street Saloon with The Hand That Bleeds, Mr. Frederick, Boozer, and Saucy Yoda, 9 PM. 21 and over.

Costello-esque singer/songwriting from Grant Hart at Music Millennium, 5 PM. All ages.

18 Wednesday
Parallels and Very International Love electrify Peter’s Room at the Roseland Theater while Diamond Liars rock and DJ-duo Rude Dudes spin at 9 PM. 21 and over.

Girls give indie love at their instore performance at Jackpot Records, 6 PM. All ages.

Banjo'd bluegrassin' ha-ha with Hillstomp at the LaurelThirst Public House at 6 PM. 21 and over.

Unfiltered: Indie-Rock Showcase means non-confrontational tunes from Just Lions, Yoyodyne, and Almost Dark at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 8:30 PM. 21 and over.

19 Thursday
Not Beirut but Fanfarlo!!! Free instore at Music Millennium before their evening gig at the Doug Fir, 6 PM. All ages.

What's that you say? A massive-electro Boogie Down! Branx and Rotture make a great team for all you 21'ers bringing you hot dance/rock at Branx from :
Dangerous Boys Club
Howie and the Hotknives
DJ Vibecop
The Baron
DJ White Stag

And at Rotture :
Vinnie the Squid
Cory O
Mr. Wu

20 Friday
Donate a book to SMART and you'll get Nico Vega live in Lola's Room at the Crystal Ballroom, 7 PM. 21 and over.

Strong blues with Redwood Son at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern at 9 PM. 21 and over.

21 Saturday
PDX Jazz At The ArtBar presents sultry Shelly Rudolph at the Antoinette Hatfield Hall Rotunda Lobby, 8 PM. All ages.

Instrumental rock with Ninth Moon Black, Life Coach, and Wizard Rifleat at Berbati's Pan, 9 PM. 21 and over.

22 Sunday
Bluestar Express plays melodious rock at Music Millennium, 5 PM. All ages.

Blues and rock with Sonny Hess and Lisa Mann at McMenamins Edgefield, 5 PM. 21 and over.

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It is my mission to provide a comprehensive listing of free, local performances in Portland. Please help this compilation grow by contributing your favorite free shows and by spreading this list around.

For more free shows check out the Portland Concert Co-Op.

Dirty bird.

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Read this article on Examiner.com.

q/a : neon indian rekindles summer heat at mississippi studios

http://tinyurl.com/y98nzwp

Thursday, November 12, 2009

the cribs

I first heard about The Cribs back in 2005 or so when they were palling around with the Kaiser Chiefs, opening some shows in the UK and on the Chiefs first trip to the US. Little did I know what these indie scenesters were capable of and how close they'd come to home.

Then in 2007, the brothers Jarman* wizened up (but I dare not say grew up) and released the brilliant, breakthrough album Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever, which scored them a #13 spot on the UK charts. This was still before Gary Jarman relocated to our fair Rose City, but about the same time Johnny Marr** (yes, you can close your drooling, gaping mouth now) joined the fraternity.

Now the tunes are still sing-a-long ready tingling with punky rawness and dance rhythms that make good indie rockers smile. And the Portland connection just grew deeper. Recently, The Cribs decided there are only three cities in the world worthy of their Ignore the Ignorant: The Roses Edition. That's right: Portland, Yorkshire and Lancashire, the Jarman’s and Marr’s respective hometowns.

The special edition includes a live disc of The Cribs at The Ritz in Manchester, a DVD documentary of the album’s recording, and The Serpent and the Peach–a silent short mostly filmed on a hand-held camera. Snatch it up at Jackpot Records (where they played a free in store performance last Sunday afternoon)...if they're still around.

Some background for those that don’t know, because I’m not that pretentious. I don’t expect you to know it all.

*The Cribs is comprised of the three Jarman brothers, twins Ryan (guitar, vox) and Gary (bass, vox) and youngin’ Ross on wee-kiddie drums.

**Johnny Marr is the ex-The Smiths guitarist, former member of Electronic with Bernard Sumner (New Order, Joy Division), and possibly in his post-Modest Mouse phase, although he’s yet to openly declare this. Regardless, he’s reveling in his position as part of The Cribs’ “two-headed beast” alongside Ryan on guitar.

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Read this article on The Deli Portland, and vote for The Cribs in the Band of the Month poll.

keep the new year’s party alive at all ages superfresh w/ glass candy, atole, deelay ceelay, may ling and more

http://tinyurl.com/yfm3wzp

Friday, November 6, 2009

free, live music bonanza : nov 9-15 : ian mouser, wayward vessel, the glib, dixon bendejo trash, poncho luxurio


Ian Mouser rocks TeaZone on Thursday.

Issue No. 10 : November 9 – 15, 2009

Stay indoors. Listen to warming noise.

09 Monday
Jazz with Randy Porter at Jimmy Mak's, 8:30 PM. 21 and over.

Electro-ambiance at Ash Street Saloon with Mortal Engines, Gemini Mars, and Sad Music For Happy Humans, 9 PM. 21 and over.

On PBR Industry Night, The Glib rocks at Berbati's Pan, 10 PM. 21 and over.

10 Tuesday
Dixon Bendejo Trash and The Weak Knees jam indie folk at Ash Street Saloon, 9:15 PM. 21 and over.

Open Bluegrass Jam at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern at 7 PM. All ages.

11 Wednesday
Low-fi, electro-experimentation with Mattress and freaky experimental from Don Hellions at Berbati's Pan, 10:00 PM. 21 and over.

Poppy rock with Matt Hires at Music Millennium, 6 PM. All ages.

12 Thursday
Poncho Luxurio funk up R&B at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 8:30 PM. 21 and over. With blues, americana before from Redwood Son at 5:30 PM. All ages.

Ian Mouser plays indie tunes at Camellia Lounge @ TeaZone, 9 PM. All ages.

13 Friday
Blues with Steve Cheseborough at Camellia Lounge @ TeaZone, 9 PM. All ages.

Lulling acoustic with Kathryn Claire at McMenamins Edgefield, 7 PM. 21 and over.

14 Saturday
Wayward Vessel plays the violin, harmonicas and guitars at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, 4:30 PM. All ages.

Rock, blues, experimental at Berbati's with The Martyrs, Tango Alpha Tango, and Symmetry/Symmetry, 9 PM. 21 and over.

15 Sunday
Freak Mountain Ramblers jam at the LaurelThirst Public House at 6 PM. Followed by folk from Billy Kennedy with Tim Acott at 9:30 PM. 21 and over.

Acoustic, pop-folk with Elke Robitaille in the lounge at the Hawthorne Theatre, 9 PM. 21 and over.

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It is my mission to provide a comprehensive listing of free, local performances in Portland. Please help this compilation grow by contributing your favorite free shows and by spreading this list around.

For more free shows check out the Portland Concert Co-Op.

Smash it good.

---
Read this article on Examiner.com.

q/a : very international love + nathan detroit before tomorrow's free show at berbati's

http://tinyurl.com/yfbqus5