What’s Going On: 05/15 – 05/22
1. The Black Angels w/ Hanni El Khatib & Wall of Death
Where: Wonder Ballroom
How Much: $18
When: Wednesday, May 15th – 8pm
Why: Hot off the heels of performing and curating the 6th Austin Psych Fest, The Black Angels continue on tour in support of their fourth full-length album, Indigo Meadow. You can expect a healthy mix of old and new, swirling psychedelic lights and sounds, and reverbed-drenched guitars.
2. Steve Adamyk w/ Needles//Pins & Youthbitch
Where: The Know
How Much: $5
When: Thursday, May 16th – 8pm
Why: Inspired by 70′s punk, 80′s power pop, and 90′s garage rock, this Ottawa four-piece kicks out the trash-pop jams and they kick ‘em out hard. With Vancouver’s Needles//Pins and Portland’s Youthbitch you can bet your sweet ass you’ll be shimmying and shakin all night long!
3. The Shivas w/ The Beets, Older Women & Awkward Energy
Where: Record Room
How Much: $6
When: Sunday, May 19th – 8pm
Why: It’s a no-brainer, kids! The Shivas have one last show before heading out on a month-long tour with The Dandy Warhols, so come out and show ‘em some love! You won’t want to miss The Beets either! Representing Jackson Heights, NY, the trio features minimalistic drumming, a healthy dose of reverb, and vocals by all three members.
This entry was written by , posted on May 15, 2013 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged Awkward Energy, Eleven, ELEVEN PDX, Hanni El Khatib, Needles//Pins, PDX Live Music, Portland live music, Record Room, Steve Adamyk, The Beets, The Black Angels, The Know, The Shivas, Tour Kickoff, Wall of Death, Wonder Ballroom, Youthbitch. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
The Music Tapes @ Mission Theater 5/7/2013
Last Tuesday night a circus rolled in to McMenamin’s Mission Theater. Calling itself The Traveling Imaginary it was a two-show stop on a tour organized by ringmaster Julian Koster to promote his band The Music Tapes newest album Mary’s Voice.
Last fall Koster, probably best known as a member of The Neutral Milk Hotel, launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund The Traveling Imaginary. The money raised was used to purchase a custom circus tent that the band is playing shows in across the country along with games, stories, films and amusements.
People arrived in the lobby of the theater to find games set up in front of the red and white striped tent. Julian walked around banging a pan lid with a drumstick and announcing games through an electric megaphone: “The Penny and The Bell!” “Flooded The Sailor School!” “Traditional Bag Toss!” Most required a blindfold and winners were promised prizes after the show.
After about 45 minutes of games the tent was opened and the roughly 30 people in attendance sat on the checkered floor in front of instruments and a seven-foot tall metronome. It was the start of a surreal swirl of music, performance art, storytelling and even a magic trick.
This entry was written by , posted on May 10, 2013 at 1:37 am, filed under Live and tagged Eleven, Eleven Magazine, ELEVEN MAGAZINE PDX, ELEVEN PDX, Eleven PDX Magazine, ELEVENPDX, Julian Koster, Kickstarter, McMenamins, Mike Herman, Mission Theater, Neutral Milk Hotel, Neutral Milk Reunion, PDX, PDX Live Music, PDX Music, The Music Tapes, The Traveling Imaginary. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
What’s Going On: 05/08 – 05/15
1. Arrested Development Returns Party!
Where: Holocene
How Much: $6
When: Wednesday, May 8th – 8:30pm
Why: Holy moly, are you as excited as we are for the return of television’s most underrated series of all time?! Tonight! Banana Stand Media presents: Arrested Development Returns Party! With Tango Alpha Tango, Animal Eyes, The We Shared Milk. Just remember: there’s always music in the banana stand!
2. The Dandelyons w/ The Laurels & Miracle Falls
Where: Kelly’s Olympian
How Much: $5
When: Thursday, May 9th, 2013 – 9pm
Why: Portland’s The Dandelyons team up with Miracle Falls, project from ex – Mercury Rev / Sparklehorse / Longwave member Paul Dillon, for a night with Australia’s The Laurels (fresh from Austin Psych Fest). Expect a night of psychedelic shoegazy indie rock goodness!
3. KPSU Presents: The KPSU Kruise 2!
Where: Portland Spirit
How Much: $10/$15
When: Friday, May 10th – 10:30pm boarding
Why: Presented by KPSU’s 2013 Radio Revival & PSPS–hop aboard the Portland Spirit for a midnight cruise with Onuinu & Grandparents! Proceeds benefit KPSU’s efforts to bring freeform, student-run college radio back to Portland’s FM airwaves. All ages and a full bar for those 21+. Tickets available online or call 503-224-3900
This entry was written by , posted on May 8, 2013 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged Animals Eyes, Arrested Development Returns Party, Banana Stand Media, Eleven, ELEVEN PDX, Grandparents, Holocene, Kelly's Olympian, Kim Baxter, KPSU, KPSU Kruise 2, Miracle Falls, Onuinu, PDX Live Music, Portland live music, Portland Spirit, Tango Alpha Tango, The Dandelyons, The Laurels, The We Shared Milk. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
What’s Going On: 05/01 – 05/08
1. May Day Music Festival
Where: Alhambra Theatre (formerly Mt. Tabor Theatre)
How Much: $15/$20, $50 all-fest pass
When: Wednesday, May 1st – Sunday, May 5th
Why: May Day Music Fest kicks off tonight with RED FANG. Tomorrow is May Day Music Fest Day 2- Eleven Magazine and Deli showcase [FREE!], additional headliners: Day3 Black Prairie, Day4 Y La Bamba, Day5 Sage Francis. Discounted 5 day passes still available! Get more details here!
2. METZ w/ White Lung & WL
Where: Holocene
How Much: $10/$12
When: Thursday, May 2nd – 9pm
Why: Hailing from Toronto, this power rock trio brings it, and they bring it hard. I happened to catch METZ at a pre-Austin Psych Fest show last week and woah! Add Vancouver B.C.’s White Lung and hot damn, y’all are in for a treat–it’s a match made in music heaven!
3. Vietnam w/ Gap Dream & Small Arms
Where: Dante’s
How Much: $10
When: Saturday, May 4th – 9pm
Why: Mexican Summer’s Vietnam teams up with Burger Record’s Gap Dream for one heck of show you’re not going to want to miss! Here’s one of my favorite tracks from Gap Dream: 58th St. Fingers. Highly recommended! Definitely bring some extra dollars to pick up both of these bands’ records.
This entry was written by , posted on May 1, 2013 at 11:11 am, filed under ELEVEN, Upcoming and tagged Alhambra Theatre, Black Prairie, BURGER RECORDS, Catherine Feeny, Chris Pureka, Dante's, Deli Portland, Device Grips, Dog Shredder, Eleven, ELEVEN PDX, Eleven PDX Magazine, Gap Dream, Glass Bones, Holocene, Hook & Anchor, Hustle + Drone, Jollif, METZ, Mexican Summer, Old Light, PDX Live Music, Pheasant, Portland live music, Prolyphic, Red Fang, Sage Francis, Sams Dams, Small Arms, Social Studies, Sons of Huns, Sub Pop Records, Summer Cannibals, The Lower 48, Toronto, Vietnam, White Lung, WL, Y La Bamba. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Local Natives @ The Crystal Ballroom 4/25/2013
Sold out weeks in advance, there was restlessness in the air at the Crystal Ballroom on Thursday night as the crowd waited for headliner Local Natives to take the stage. So many fans have been waiting to get a piece of Local Natives but it’s been a while. The five-piece indie rock outfit is known for their satiable live performances but haven’t been through Portland in nearly three years. Their debut release, Gorilla Manor, was received with praise but the band remained under the radar to the average fan.
Queue Hummingbird. Nearly three years after the release of Gorilla Manor, Hummingbird was perhaps one of the most anticipated albums of the 2012. Whether or not the album delivered and fulfilled the hype, Local Natives took the stage to one of the most uproarious crowds seen at the Crystal Ballroom in recent memory.
This entry was written by , posted on April 26, 2013 at 10:07 pm, filed under ELEVEN, Live and tagged 2013, Crystal Ballroom, Eleven, ELEVENPDX, Gabriel Granach, hummingbird, Indie, Live, live performances, Local Natives, McMenamins, PDX EVENTS, PDX Live Music, PDX Music, Portland, rock, Show. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
James Blake @ The Wonder Ballroom 4/24/2013
Coming off of recent shows at Coachella, James Blake headed up to Portland Wednesday night for a sold out show at the Wonder Ballroom. The 24 year old Londoner had a minimalistic stage set up: a few white circle backdrops with a pseudo candle like flame/light brightly lit in front of them. Blake was joined by a live guitarist and drummer that rounded out his sound. It was a pleasure to listen to James sing acapella at times and to be soothed by his mature voice. The new album is definitely more attuned to vocals and sends the listener on a nice trip through the songs. The young kids were all nestled together for slow grinding action to the electronic, soul, dubstep jam session.
This entry was written by , posted on April 25, 2013 at 11:43 pm, filed under Live and tagged 2013, acapella, April's Overgrown, Coachella, Dubstep, Electronic, Eleven, Eleven Magazine, ELEVEN MAGAZINE PDX, ELEVEN PDX, Eleven PDX Magazine, ELEVENPDX, Gabriel Granach, guitarist, James Blake, Kelly Kovl, Live, London, music, PDX EVENTS, PDX Live Music, PDX Music, Portland, Show, Wonder Ballroom. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
What’s Going On: 04/24 – 05/01
1. Palma Violets w/ Guards & Eidolons
Where: Holocene
How Much: $10/$12
When: Thursday, April 25th – 9pm
Why: London-based quartet, Palma Violets, have carved a name for themselves across the pond and it’s only a matter of time before they do the same here in the States. Their sound evokes the similar feeling of urgency you get from a cocktail of Kings of Leon and The Arcade Fire—driving, pulsating, and contagiously raucous.
2. Lil Ass Boom Box Festival
Where: Kelly’s Olympian
How Much: Free!
When: Friday, April 26th – 9pm
Why: An absolutely free mini version of Big Ass Boom Box fest with some of Portland’s finest! Catch Souvenir Driver, The Autonomics, The Century, and Outer Space Heaters. And as if one night of free music wasn’t enough, come back Saturday night with The We Shared Milk, A Happy Death, and Boing!
2b. Infected Mushroom w/ Randy Seidman & Sidestep
Where: Roseland Theater
How Much: $22.50
When: Friday, April 26th – 9pm
Why: The visual experience alone is worth the price of admission. Besides, who doesn’t love a sweaty grinder?
3. White Fang w/ Love Cop & BOOM!
Where: Hawthorne Burgerville
How Much: Free!
When: Sunday, April 28th – 4pm
Why: KPSU’s 2013 Radio Revival and Burger Records presents: White Fang with Love Cop and BOOM! After you come out of your post-brunch food coma, head to Burgerville at their Hawthorne location for an afternoon of burgers and booty shakin! Proceeds of Burgerville sales go to KPSU. Highly recommended!
This entry was written by , posted on April 24, 2013 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged A Happy Death, Boing, Boom!, BURGER RECORDS, Eidolons, Eleven, ELEVEN PDX. PDX Live Music, Guards, Hawthorne Burgerville, Holocene, Infected Mushroom, Kelly's Olympian, KPSU, Lil Ass Boom Box Festival, Love Cop, Outer Space Heaters, Palma Violets, Portland live music, Roseland Theater, Souvenir Driver, The Autonomics, The Century, The We Shared Milk, White Fang. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
What’s Going On: 04/17 – 04/24
1. The Moondoggies w/ Mirah & Shenandoah Davis
Where: Doug Fir
How Much: $12/$15
When: Friday, April 19th – ppm
Why: Settle in for night of indie-folk Americana from Seattle five-piece, The Moondoggies. The band’s next album, Adios I’m A Ghost, is slated for release this August on Hardly Art. With very special guest, Mirah, you’ll want to snag your tickets soon!
2. The Thermals w/ Wampire & The Woolen Men
Where: Branx
How Much: $12
When: Saturday, April 20th – 9pm
Why: The post-punk power pop band we all know and love! With such a super solid line up, you’re not going to want to miss a minute! If you need a double dose, hit up Music Millennium for an intimate in-store performance from The Thermals at 2pm. All ages!
3. The Men w/ CCR Headcleaner & The Protons
Where: Mississippi Studios
How Much: $12
When: Sunday, April 21st – 9pm
Why: The Men are back at Mississippi Studios, and if you were there you know you’ll be rocking out to their brand of New York noise punk’n'roll tunes. On tour in support of their latest release, New Moon, this Brooklyn band rips!
3b. Disclosure w/ Danny Corn + Ben Tactic + Funktion One Sound System
Where: Branx
How Much: $15
When: Sunday, April 21st – 9pm
Why: Electronic dance groove, but actually using live instruments? I didn’t know that could happen! (Disclosure did)
This entry was written by , posted on April 17, 2013 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged Branx, CCR Headcleaner, Disclosure, Doug Fir, Eleven, ELEVEN PDX, Hardly Art, Mirah, Mississippi Studios, Music Millennium, PDX Live Music, Portland live music, Shenandoah Davis, The Men, The Moondoggies, The Protons, The Thermals, The Woolen Men, Wampire. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
What’s Going On: 04/10 – 04/17
1. Bender 2013!
Where: Star Theater
How Much: $12-$30
When: Friday-Sunday, April 12-14th
Why: Bender Bender Bender! Three Days to Live! This year’s bender is at a bigger and badder location to accommodate all the rock and rollers. Get your wristbands for a special VIP wristband only party on Sunday. A little bit of food, a little bit of drink, and a whole lot of surprises.
2. The Shivas w/ Hooded Hags & Mister Tang
Where: Bunk Bar
How Much: $5
When: Saturday, April 13th – 9pm
Why: In between the hustle and bustle of playing shows at SXSW and Austin Psych Fest, The Shivas found some time to squeeze out album release party! With Hooded Hags and Mister Tang warming up your ears, this will be a good night indeed.
3. Savages w/ No Bra
Where: Bunk Bar
How Much: $10/$12
When: Monday, April 15th – 9pm
Why: A primal post-punk act from London, Savages first show was an impromptu performance supporting British Sea Power last year. The quartet evoke a Birthday Party-era Nick Cave and their thrashing live shows are the talk of the town. Dig it.
This entry was written by , posted on April 10, 2013 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged Album Release, Bender, Bender Bender Bender, Big Eyes, Black Bananas, Bunk Bar, Cheater Slicks, Courtney & The Crushers, Eleven, ELEVEN PDX, Glitz, Guantanamo Baywatch, Head, Hooded Hags, James Arthur's Manhunt, King Louie, Life Stinks, London, M.O.T.O., Mister Tang, Monoshock, Moyster, MUSK, No Bra, No Tomorrow Boys, Paradise, PDX Live Music, Piss Test, Portland live music, Rhett & Dean, Savages, Sex Crime, Slabtown Bender, Star Theater, The Bad Tats, The Bloodtypes, The Cynics, The DT's, The Missing Monuments, The Pity Fucks, The Pynnacles, The Satin Chaps, The Shivas, The Suicide Notes, The Wimps, Thee Headliners, Therapists, Warm Soda, White Mystery, Youthbitch. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Jamie Lidell @ Doug Fir Lounge 3/30/13
A few people were donning their spring best for the Easter Eve show at the Doug Fir Lounge. After all, it was the warmest weekend so far and we were all feeling ready to revel in some sweet soul from the angelic voice of Jamie Lidell. After musingly viewing the openers and wandering the watering holes of Lower East Burnside, a sold-out crowd encroached upon the stage.
What is different about this tour is that it is much more of a DJ set. There was a huge spaceship of a soundboard, with jutting, mirrored angles. There was no band this time. Jamie was solo, face lit by the glow of a laptop, sans spectacles and wearing a splattered trench coat, looking like a time traveler navigating techno with flecks of neon geometrics and lasers that made me wish for 3D glasses as part of the program.
This entry was written by , posted on April 5, 2013 at 12:06 am, filed under Live and tagged 2013, club music, Doug Fir Lounge, electro funk, Eleven, ELEVEN MAGAZINE PDX, ELEVEN MUSIC, ELEVEN PDX, Eleven PDX Magazine, ELEVENPDX, funk groove, Jamie Lidell, Live, music, PDX, Portland, Show. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.