The Ironclads CD Release Show ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

As a person who goes to grippa shows, it’s a hopeless task to put properly put into any meaningful order the favorite shows they’ve been two beyond saying a few were the very best or stand out as special moments and deserve recognition as such for the annals. So I’ve chosen a list of twenty shows and sets from this year that I’ll never forget, presented in chronological order.

Blind Pilot @ The Triple Door (January 2009) - read the full review

The Murder City Devils first show back at the Showbox at the Market (February 2009) - read the full review

Dan Auerbach at the Showbox at the Market (March 2009) - read the full review

The Ironclads CD Release w/ Hands, Whore Moans, What What Now (April 2009) - read the full review

Blue Moon 75th Anniversary Show w/ High Class Wreckage, Thee Emergency, Hopscotch Boys, and The Whore Moans (April 2009) - read the full review

The Lonely Forest CD Release at the Vera Project (April 2009) - read the full review

Bon Iver at Sasquatch (May 2009) - read the full review

Nurses at the South Pole (DIY venue) (June 2009) - read the full review

David Bazan in a Living Room in Edmonds (June 2009) - read the full review

Robin and Josh ::: Photo on Film by Josh Lovseth

Robin Pecknold at Neumos (July 2009) - read the full review

Rural Alberta Advantage at the Sunset Tavern (July 2009) - read the full review

Widower, Pearly Gate Music, Final Spins at Sunset Tavern (July 2009) - read the full review

Doe Bay Fest (August 2009) - read the full review

The Maldives CD Release at the Tractor Tavern w/ The Moondoggies and Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers (August 2009) - read the full review

Macklemore at Bumbershoot (September 2009) - read the full review

Dirty Three at the Crocodile (September 2009) - read the full review

Fanfarlo at Chop Suey (September 2009) - read the full review

Grizzly Bear at the Moore (October 2009) - read the full review

Black Eyes & Neckties Last Show (October 31, 2009) - eulogy never written

Regina Spektor at the Paramount (November 2009) - read the full review

Taking in the Bay at Doe Bay Music Fest ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Laura Viers ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

I wanted to make something strong, an organ pipe in a cathedral, that stays in tune, through a thousand booms, make something good - “Make Something Good” - Laura Viers from July Flame

Wednesday had Neumos in a Portland state of mind, as a three week long Blind Pilot-led tour with Mimicking Birds and Laura Veirs wound down to a close in the freezing over Northwest. In the wake of the strong support of major players like NPR and the Decemberists, Blind Pilot’s been touring on the songs from 3 Rounds and a Sound for more than a year now, to a place where they’re now able to solidly fill Neumos. I irrationally like this band, and their headlining set lived up to expectations with a spot on Gillian Welch cover of “Miss Ohio” they’ve been working on over the course of the tour, but I think we all know it’s time to give them a break to work on some new songs.

Laura Veirs and her band on the other hand are almost singularly debuting songs from her new album July Flame. Even as a huge fan of her other recent album Saltbreakers, it ended up not mattering to me one bit that just one of those songs made an appearance; her new songs are just that good. Supported by a violin, a keyboard and guitarist/percussionist Eric Anderson of Cataldo, both “I Can See Your Tracks” and “Carol Kaye,” the story of one of the most recorded female studio bassists in history (including on the Beach Boys Pet Sounds), were marked early highlights on the night. My favorite song of all though might have been “Life is Good Blues,” which features a bit of the quirky Laura we’ve come to know, while signaling just how good at her craft she’s become now. It’s an example of a song that has a timeless quality, that it could have come from any decade of the last six, in a way achieving the goal she sings just as nimbly about in the final song of July Flame, “Make Something Good.” “When You Give Your Heart” positively stinks of Randy Newman.

Further examination of just what’s so compelling about Laura Viers doesn’t yield simple answers, given there is so much songcraft going on. Veirs’ voice almost always carries the heart of the melody, and the strength of it’s high register personality generally dominates at the center of the song, even at its quietest. She’s developed her own meter and signature embellishments to her singing distinguish her from the pack; words that aren’t musical, somehow become so coming from the mouth of Laura Veirs. What may be most intriguing to me though, the X factor that really sets her material apart, is that her music is coming from a place of living outside herself, of storytelling, and of building songs and stories to stand the test of time. Songs that aren’t excuses to wallow in ones own self-pity, but instead excuses to celebrate nature, life and love.

Veirs has a baby due in April, which will no doubt provide a fount of new experience, reasons to celebrate and material to ply her writing skills with. Before then though, she said she’ll be back to the Tractor in March.

When we imagine Portland, we imagine it “a promised land,” of every artist being appreciated and supported in whatever creative endeavor they might dream up that day. Of a place where music is simply one means for any artist to express themselves. A place where being DIY is the point.

Former Seattlite, now Portlander Laura Veirs is no doubt one of those artists who help to perpetuate the vision of an indie utopia. In addition to making her own music and spending some time as a Decemberist, she’s recently offered her services as a songwriting instructor to a few lucky people. It’s a mark of her own confidence (and some would say ego) that she’d do such a thing, yet with Saltbreakers, and now July Flame (being independently released in January of 2010) on her resume, if I wanted to be a serious songwriter I’d plop down more than a few bucks to here what Viers has to say. She’s so serious she grades her own practicing.

Upon hearing her newest effort July Flame, lead Decemberist Colin Meloy dubbed it “best album of 2010.” While that may be a bit premature considering it’s still 2009, without a doubt her newest mines a wide-range of influences that add up to songs that sometimes feel classic Laura Veirs, and sometimes feel right out of another classic American musical songbook. The first single “Wide Eyed, Legless” is a lot of the former, with a quirky PDX orchestra on the side:

MP3: “Wide Eyed, Legless” by Laura Veirs from July Flame (out Jan 2010) courtesy of Laura Veirs

Tonight at Neumos, Laura Viers opens for fellow PDX residents Blind Pilot, with Mimicking Birds kicking things off. Tickets are $12 in advance.

Colin Meloy of the Decemberists ::: Photo by Alex Crick

When Marymoor says 6pm on the ticket, they really mean, 6pm. We rolled up last Friday after navigating rush hour traffic at a reasonable 6.30 and Blind Pilot was into their last song. Damn.

Truth to tell we were there as much for Andrew Bird as for anyone else since we’ve only had the pleasure of seeing him once. We came a little late to the party, a while after The Mysterious Production of Eggs, yet I would contend that Bird hasn’t faltered since and continues to spark the imagination anew with each reinvention. Traveling with three other band mates now that allow him to keep the pace moving, Bird still makes impressive use of his looping pedals, a flurry of motion at the beginning of each song as he swaps between violin, guitar, glockenspiel and countless other sounds. Aside from a lack of the much hoped for rendition “Heretics,” his set was compact and literally pitch perfect, drawing from new and old songs equally for his 45 minutes.

Not unlike Bird, Colin Meloy and his Decemberists have a habit of expanding the definitions of popular music, and their latest rock opus The Hazards of Love may have tilted into the slightly self indulgent side, if I do say so myself. I was hoping a bit more for a Tommy type stage show epic instead of nothing at all. That being said, it’s clear this material is where the band’s enthusiasm lies right now and after working it on the road now for a while, with guests Shara Worden and Becky Stark touring on the roles they assisted on in the recording, the hour plus straight of rock was a polished, powerful and decisive in it’s presentation. Shara Worden who was once a member of Sufjan’s band (and I suppose may still be), has defined herself as a star in her own right as My Brightest Diamond, and in this role she frankly steals the show.

After the conclusion of The Hazards of Love and a short break, the band came back to in Meloy’s words play a “bunch more songs” and “push it” with regard to the curfew. Falling back into the familiar interactive role that their fans love, the band played an assortment of appropriate summer favorites while telling jokes and keeping the mood light. At one point Meloy errantly ended on a jazz chord, and then tried to fix it so he didn’t sound wrong. Scrambling to recover his mistake into a joke, he gets the whole band to play random jazz chords together then howls “You just got jazz piped into your face. Change one vowel and you have a very unfortunate sentence.” Ever Colin Meloy’s foil, Chris Funk replies quickly “I’m having a ball, thanks for inviting us to Microsoft Jazz Fest.”

The funniest moment of the night for me though had to be when Meloy thanked Andrew Bird on stage as Andrew Rich, and then realized his mistake fumbling, revealing he might have been deep into one of boutique winemaker’s Pinot Noir’s prior to playing. Then making me glad I stayed the duration, Shara Worden and Becky Stark came back out and fronted a cover of Heart’s “Crazy on You,” with Worden clearly a natural heir to the Wilson sisters’ massive impression.

After the hitting the Newport Folk Festival, with the Fleet Foxes, Elvis Perkins in Dearland and many more, the Decemberists will be touring for two weeks in August.

Check below the fold for a video of that Heart cover they did.
Read the rest of this entry »

Israel Nebeker of Blind Pilot at Sasquatch ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

[Blind Pilot is opening for The Decemberists and Andrew Bird at Redmond's Marymoor Park on Friday July 17th. Tickets are $35. ]

Just a year ago Portland-based Blind Pilot was releasing their critically acclaimed LP 3 Rounds and A Sound and biking their way down the coast, their instruments fastened to the back of their two-wheelers, playing tiny local stages or busking when there were none available. This spring and summer has found the band in a new role: opening for established bands on some of the worlds biggest stages.

In March at SXSW they were included in an NPR live showcase at Stubb’s, broadcast alongside the Avett Brothers and the Decemberists. In May they were tapped to tour the U.K. opening a stadium tour for The Counting Crows and the Hold Steady. Now they’re currently revving up to spend select dates the rest of this summer splitting their time hitting festivals, supporting Gomez in large rooms or the Decemberists in amphitheaters.

Needless to say I had a few questions regarding this kind of drastic transition, about how the band enjoyed Europe and whether they felt they’ve been able to succeed in this new setting. Lead Singer Israel Nebeker was frank about the challenges, and completely humble in the face of unexpected success.

Yesterday I caught up with Israel via cell phone as the band was driving through the eastern reaches of Oregon on their way back home from a date in Boise.

SOTS (Josh): Let’s start on your recent trip to the U.K. So the last time you were in London, you were busking on the street, right?

Israel Nebeker: Yeah… that was the last time I was in England. That was quite a while ago.

SOTS: Did you find any time to step away from the tour and do a little busking for old time’s sake?

Israel: We did. Yeah. It was really fun. It definitely was a good break from arenas. Those are really fun too, but it was nice to kind of like feel a bit grounded again, and add some perspective to the whole tour. We particularly had a really great time in Scotland in this really small town, that we were not planning on stopping in. It was just really beautiful. There was like one gas station, one hotel and a pub and an antique store and that was the whole town. And we bartered a hotel room in exchange for playing at their bar. So yeah we had some time to branch out.

SOTS: There were just four of you I understand.

Israel: Right, for the Europe tour. And right now we are doing six.

SOTS: Did you feel a little naked in those big rooms without all of your other instruments with you?

Israel: Yeah. I guess, at first. Eventually we made friends with it. It got to be really fun actually. It’s such a massive sound. You hear yourself better coming off the back wall, and that just seems like miles away instead of right up on stage. It’s such a huge space and it echoes so much. But eventually that got to be kinda fun.

SOTS: Do you think there might be an intimate element that might be lost? I think is part of what I like so much about your music, is that there is some intimacy going on. And maybe the bigger rooms don’t really show that as much.

Israel: Yeah, I think that was part of it at the very beginning, is feeling that loss. We had to approach it a little differently, and just kind of make friends with the space, and just kind of keep it intimate at least for us on stage. I think you’re right though. Once you get to that level, you lose a lot of intimacy, and everything you do feels telegraphed, like your one a play stage, rather than just bringing honest music to people. It’s just hard to get away from on that level.

SOTS: It seemed that you started the band and you were riding around, and you were probably able to look into every single persons eyes that you were playing to.

Israel: Completely.

SOTS: Now it’s a sea of people.

Israel: I miss that a lot. But I’m always really impressed when sometimes certain bands or certain performers are able to make you feel like it is an intimate space, and there is and exchange that is an intimate thing going. With the people make the music and people listening to it. I think it’s totally possible to do on that level, but I think we’re still getting used to it.

SOTS: What sort of element of your music do you think resonates with people. Why do you think you guys have started to get some attention?

Read the rest of this entry »

Just in time for the band’s return to these parts, today Blind Pilot’s Daytrotter session went up. It’s a full band session even, as seems to be the trend with the Daytrotter sessions I’ve heard lately.

This Friday Blind Pilot will be in support of the Decemberists and Andrew Bird at Redmond’s Marymoor Park. Tickets are $35. The time stated on the ticket is 6pm, so it’s recommended you get there much earlier than you might otherwise expect. Google’s forecast says it’ll be 81 and sunny on Friday, so it should be a perfect evening in the park.

Black Eyes & Neckties Play The Comet July 19th ::: Photo by Abbey

Remember when I said not every week would have seven nights of recommended shows…? This is one of those weeks.

However, for most of the night’s that have recommendations, there are numerous pleasing possibilities. Looks like another week for some heated internal debates on which shows to attend.

Who - So Many Dynamos, Police Teeth, Cast Spells
Where - VERA Project
How (Much) - 8$/7$ with Club Card
Why- So Many Dynamos mathematic, energetic, angular, and infinitely danceable approach to indie rock is a perfect way to start the week with momentum.

Who - The Girls Guide To Rocking
Where - VERA Project, 7:30pm
How (Much) - Free
Why - Because in 2009, rock’n'roll is still a boys club. Books like The Girls Guide to Rocking and places like the VERA Project help encourage and teach girls to find their rightful place in rock.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone at HTFC
Team Gina at Chop Suey

Who - Jack Wilson and the Wife Stealers 
Where - The Comet, 6pm  
How (Much) - ?
Why - If you like what bands like The Maldives and Widower are doing, it’s time for you to check out Jack Wilson and the Wife Stealers. Wilson is a pleasant addition to the burgeoning bearded Seattle-Twang song-writer sound.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
GMK at Nectar Lounge
Tea Cozies, Devices at Tractor Tavern

Who - WE Prom Featuring: We Wrote The Book On Connectors, M. Bison, Tennis Pro
Where - The Crocodile
How (Much) - 10$
Why - Because this is what Sweet Dreams are made of. Or at least, that’s the theme of this prom, which is guaranteed to suck 100x less than your actual Prom. There will be photos, formal wear, a balloon arch, and  few great local bands playing from their own catchy catalogs, as well as the promise of some classic Prom songs. Slow dance, anyone?

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
The Metal Shakespeare Company at The Blue Moon
The Sea Navy at The Comet Tavern
The Decemberists, Andrew Bird, Blind Pilot at Marymoor Park

Who - Laura Veirs, Cataldo
Where - The Crocodile
How (Much) -  15$
Why - To spend a night with one of the Pacific Northwest’s most gifted lyricists and song-writers, Laura Veirs.  2007’s Saltbreakers is a quintessential Pacific Northwest album, so evocative of the surroundings that inspired the album, you can almost smell the damp salty cedar air.

Equally Awesome Alternatives:
What What Now at Cafe Racer
Death Cab for Cutie, the New Pornographers, Ra Ra Riot at Marymoor Park

Who - Helms Alee, Black Eyes & Neckties, Red Fang
Where - The Comet Tavern, 9pm
How (Much) - 8$
Why - You’d be hard pressed to find a stronger all-local hard rock bill. In spite of being on a Sunday, the sheer weight of rock and spectacle of this line up may actually leave The Comet in ruins.

Equally Awesome Alternative:
Death Cab for Cutie, the New Pornographers, Ra Ra Riot at Marymoor Park

Blind Pilot at Sasquatch 2009 ::: Photo by Josh

Aside from the festivals, there aren’t too many big bills this summer that I would cast as memorable. On the other hand the Decemberists stop by Marymoor Park on July 17, with Andrew Bird and Blind Pilot in support is in our opinion not only memorable, but probably the single bill I’m most excited about this summer. All three of these bands are worthy of your time as headliners by themselves, but all together this group three bands can safely be termed a can’t miss bill.

Courtesy of STG Presents we’ve got a pair of tickets to this show to give away to one lucky reader. Drop your name and real email address in the comments by Wednesday June 17 at 5pm after which we’ll randomly pick a winner. It really is that simple. If you’re comment get’s held for moderation, don’t worry, we’ll make sure it get’s approved in a timely manner. First time commenters are especially encouraged to participate. I’ll note it here and contact the winner when they are chosen.

Should you not win, as of right now tickets for the show can still be had at Ticketmaster for $35, not counting fees.

The Builders and the Butchers ::: Photo by Josh

Last year Sasquatch showed Seattle’s up and comer’s a whole lot of love, and this year Portland is the local city with the honor of the most performers. In fact it’s a veritable who’s who of notables coming out of PDX: Hockey, Blind Pilot, Loch Lomond, M Ward, The Decemberists, Viva Voce, Pt. Juncture, WA, The Builders and the Butchers, Blitzen Trapper, Horse Feathers. We can honestly say there’s not a bad one in the bunch and something for everyone, with a small gripe that maybe a little more female representation from the Rose city might’ve been nice (Laura Viers, Mirah, Explode into Colors… the list is lengthy).

To help you decide about which of these distinguished Oregonian bands you should see, I’ve assembled a nice list of free tracks from each of these bands (except one band who keeps a tight grip on their tracks online) for you to evaluate on the long drive to the Gorge. Enjoy and make sure to pick up these band’s albums should you like what you hear. A number of these bands including the Decemberists and Blind Pilot will be signing their albums at the Easy Street Booth throughout the festival, so take a look at that schedule too.

MP3: “Go On Say It” by Blind Pilot courtesy of SXSW 2009

MP3: “Blue Lead Fences” by Loch Lomond courtesy of SXSW 2009

MP3: “Never Had No One Like You” by M Ward courtesy of Merge Records

MP3: “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect” by The Decemberists courtesy of Kill Rock Stars

MP3: “Devotion” by Viva Voce courtesy of Barsuk Records

MP3: “Sick on Sugar” by Pt. Juncture, WA
courtesy of Pt. Juncture, WA

MP3: “Devil Town” by The Builders and the Butchers

MP3: “Gold For Bread” by Blitzen Trapper courtesy of Sub Pop Records

MP3: “Curs in the Weeds” by Horse Feathers courtesy of Kill Rock Stars

Video: “Too Fake” by Hockey

Blind Pilot at the Triple Door ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Tomorrow May 14, Portland band Blind Pilot is supporting the counting Crows and the Hold Steady at Wembley Stadium in London. Wembley stadium?! It’s a far cry from just two years ago when they were biking from campground to bar, toting their instruments along behind them, willing to play for anyone who would listen. They return to the States later this month to play Sasquatch, after which they’ll be in support of fellow Portlanders the Decemberists in large theaters throughout the summer.

Monday a HearYa Live Session that the band did recently that’s chocked full of the hits was posted, so you might want to check that out.

Blind Pilot is on the Wookie stage at Sasquatch on Saturday May 23, at 1:30pm. If you aren’t making it to Sasquatch they’ll be back at Marymoor Park supporting the Decemberists and Andrew Bird on July 17.