Youth Lagoon @ Wonder Ballroom 07/22/2012

Youth Lagoon produces a sound that reflects a generation displaced — a sonic experience spliced with many musical influences that culminates in a melting pot of melancholy and joy that so adequately encapsulates the disposition of youth today. Twenty year old Trevor powers, the bedroom virtuoso behind the moniker took the stage with a bashful wave to the crowd, took his place behind his blanket covered keyboard station and let the music transport a sold out wonder ballroom into a place of dance and reflective trance.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:11 am, filed under Live and tagged , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 05/30 – 06/06

1. MFNW KICK-OFF PARTY: Gardens & Villa, Swahili & Grandparents
Where: Holocene
How Much: $10
When: Wednesday, May 30th – 8:30pm
Why: A little taste of what’s to come at MFNW this year with two of Portland’s finest local bands. Swahili’s tribal psychedelic sound, hypnotic drums, and krautrockian patterns will captivate you. Grandparents psych-pop shoegazy delicousness makes your body move without even realizing it. And then there’s Santa Barbara’s art synth-pop group Gardens & Villa, whose sweet Californian vibe will make you ache for summertime.

2. Gospel Music w/ Surfsdrugs & Fine Pets
Where: Ella St. Social Club
How Much: $5
When: Thursday, May 31st – 9pm
Why: Hailing from Jacksonville, FL, the last time we heard from Owen Holmes (aka Gospel Music and Black Kids’ bassist) was his collaboration with members of The Magnetic Fields, Camera Obscura, Vivian Girls, etc for the 2010 Duettes EP. The follow-up How To Get To Heaven From Jacksonville, FL is full of playful indie-pop tunes with friend Madeline Long providing the yin to Holmes’ yang. Show up early to catch Surfsdrugs (members of And And And/Glitter Express) and Fine Pets (members of Best Supporting Actress).

3. Crystal Fighters w/ Is Tropical & Tyler Tastemaker
Where: Wonder Ballroom
How Much: $12/$14
When: Saturday, June 2nd – 9pm
Why: If you leave this show without a stupid smile of pure unadulterated happiness and sweat-dampened clothes, you’re doing it wrong. Formed in London in 2007, the globally influenced electronic group released their debut in October of 2010 in the UK. A year and half later the dynamic, pulsating, electro dance-rock from across the pond was released in the US and has been making waves ever since. Get your ticket now and thank me later.

This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 05/23 – 05/30



1. Starfucker w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra & Wampire
Where: Branx
How Much: $15
When: Thursday, May 24th – 8pm
Why: Taking a little break from hibernation/recording to play a few shows over the next month, Starfucker joins forces with Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Wampire for an all ages show. As a trifecta of such radness might suggest, advanced tickets are sold out. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door so get there early if you wanna dance your butt off.

*1B. TYCHO w/ Active Child
Where: Doug Fir Lounge
How Much: $13/$15
When: Thursday, May 24th – 9pm
Why: If the show it Branx is maxed to the teeth, or if you want a little more subdued-but-still-dance-party action, San Francisco’s Scott Hansen (TYCHO) takes the ambient-electronic and visual-design arts factor up a notch. This one is likely to sell out also, but the Doug Fir usually holds some extra tickets for when the box office opens at 7:30.

2. Spiritualized w/ Nikki Lane
Where: Wonder Ballroom
How Much: $18/$20
When: Friday, May 25th – 9pm
Why: In support of his seventh studio album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, J. Spaceman and company will grace our fair city for the first time in 5 years. I highly suggest picking up tickets if you haven’t already done so, unless you want to wait another 5 years. You can expect a couple of backup singers, swirling projections, and possibly floating in space.

*2B. Deer Tick w/ Turbo Fruits
Where: Mission Theatre
How Much: $20
When: Friday, May 25th – 8pm
Why: Deer Tick is coming to town in support of their acclaimed 2011 record, Divine Providence, and their EP Tim. The EP, released free in February, is four tracks from the same sessions as the full length. The Mission provides an intimate and historic setting for the roots rockers, and they will be accompanied by Nashville four-piece Turbo Fruits. Doors at 7pm

3. Dum Dum Girls w/ Young Prisms & Ghost Animal
Where: Doug Fir
How Much: $13/$15
When: Sunday, May 27th – 9pm
Why: Continuously building buzz over the last couple of years, the sultry garage-pop quartet stops by the Doug Fir their second visit. This time around the love ladies have snatched up the San Francisco dream-pop group Young Prisms for these spring west coast dates. Kicking off this dream party is Ghost Animal, who has recently added Cole Browning (Prescription Pills) to their live shows.

This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on May 23, 2012 at 11:11 am, filed under Upcoming and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

The Blue Angel Lounge @ Wonder Ballroom 05/04/2012

First rule of The Wonder Ballroom: get there early or have your tickets in hand. Waiting in line for will-call and jumping over to the main entrance line is no fun, especially when it’s a 21+ show and no one has their IDs ready. Now that I’ve had my peace, let’s get down to business.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:10 pm, filed under ELEVEN, Live and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 05/02 – 05/09

1. White Fence w/ Ty Segall, Nucular Aminals & Youthbitch
Where: Star Theater
How Much: $12
When: Thursday, May 3rd – 9pm
Why: California invades Portland this weekend and what better way to kick things off than with two of the Bay area’s youngest and brightest. With multiple releases already under their belts, Ty Segall and White Fence’s Tim Presley recently released an eight-song collaborative record last month, Hair. How they managed to squeeze out that little gem amongst their individual releases (White Fence’s Family Perfume Vol. 1 & Vol. 2; Segall’s tour split with The Feeling of Love and the upcoming Ty Segall Band release, Slaughterhouse) this year is ambitious to say the least. Get it while the going is good.

2. The Brian Jonestown Massacre w/ The Blue Angel Lounge
Where: Wonder Ballroom
How Much: $18/$20
When: Friday, May 4th – 9pm
Why: Eclectic psychedelic rockers The Brian Jonestown Massacre recently started somewhat of a world tour in support of their anticipated 13th studio album, Aufheben, released May 1st. Originally formed in San Francisco in the early 1990s, Anton Newcombe has been BJM’s only consistent member assisted by a revolving door of musicians. Currently based in Berlin, Newcombe has enlisted Hagen, Germany’s psychedelic experimental group The Blue Angel Lounge for the American leg of the tour.

3. ELEVEN PDX and Dig A Pony Present: The Official Delta Spirit Afterparty 
Where: Dig A Pony
How Much: Free
When: Saturday, May 5th – 12am
Why: Your Saturday should look like this: sleep in, brunch, appearance at your friend/co-worker/neighbor’s Cinco de Mayo party, nap (optional), and Delta Spirit at the Wonder Ballroom. But wait, that’s not all…after you’re done rockin to the tunes of this soulful San Diego multi-instrumental group, head over to Dig A Pony for a DJ set with Delta Spirit’s Brandon Young. Although this event is free, please consider a small donation to support Invisible Children/KARA (Kids At Risk Action). Come shake ya tail feather!

This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:11 am, filed under Live, Upcoming and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

DJ Shadow @ The Wonder Ballroom 04/26/2012

DJ motherfuckin’ Shadow, aka Josh Davis, seized the trip hop scene by building up steam through the earlier years of the 90’s to unleash his mastery in ’96 with Endtroducing. His 20+ year career took him to the Wonder Ballroom Thursday night, where he continued to channel the music that has always flowed through him, and audibly undressed a full house. He’s been on tour for a while now promoting his latest album, The Less You Know, The Better (2011), which involves playing inside a white Shadowsphere that can rotate.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:11 pm, filed under Live and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Say Anything @ The Wonder Ballroom 3/25/12

 

I won’t beat around the bush on this one: I have been waiting to see Say Anything for a very long time. Since they first rocked my junior high sensibilities with …Is A Real Boy, up until their latest release, Anarchy, My Dear, Max Bemis (vocalist) and his merry band of troubadours have found a way to march into my heart—sharp wit and sass in tow.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:48 pm, filed under Live and tagged , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

City and Colour @ The Wonder Ballroom 01/16/12

After an unexpectedly long shift at work, and a cramped Max ride followed by a chilly walk through the neighborhoods of North Portland, not much about my day seemed redeemable. Happy to finally arrive at the Wonder Ballroom, but sadly missing most of opener The Low Anthem’s set (which sounded like it was very enjoyable, from the crowd’s response at the end), the night quickly proved to make up for the average Monday’s lackluster.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on January 18, 2012 at 3:40 pm, filed under Live and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

The Wombats w/ The Postelles @ Wonder Ballroom 11/10/11


The Wonder Ballroom is quickly becoming my favorite place to go to shows. Thursday November 10th was The Static Jacks, The Postelles, and The Wombats.

The Static Jacks opened up the show with an energetic set, yelling away teenage inhibition and angst on stage. The quartet from Jersey is slowly gaining momentum in the indie rock scene, newly signed to Fearless Records last summer, and their debut on Fuel TV’s The Daily Habit. The Static Jacks are catchy and full of aggression.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:33 pm, filed under Live and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Thrice w/ La Dispute @ Wonder Ballroom 11/4/2011

If you’ve been following Thrice’s career for any amount of time, you know that they’ve amassed more than a few fans over more than a decade spent crafting their own particular brand of post-hardcore. Through the different seasons of their time as band, they’ve incorporated many different genres into their sound, leaving them in a place all their own now. And the fans know it.

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This entry was written by elevenpdx, posted on November 30, 2011 at 9:16 pm, filed under Live and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

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