Introducing the latest addition of By the Light of the Stereo

I'm thankful to announce the latest addition to By the Light of the Stereo is my long time friend and fellow music lover Bob Bemrose. Having recently returned to the Portland area Bob is a lover of Blues, Rock, early 90's Hip Hop and Kereoke. I'm excited for him to bring his love of music and great humor to BLS and look forward to his additions.
He's got great ideas and is already writing some new columns for BLS. Two that I'm particularly excited about are:

Raiders of the Bargain Bin, where he'll be bringing his down and dirty reviews of found treasures from clearance racks and used bins from record stores near and far.

And

The Twisted 10, that will focus on unique musical topics seen through Bob's wonderfully unorthodox perspective.

It's great to have my partner in crime joining me once again for yet another adventure and hope that you followers of BLS will enjoy the new blood too.

Quick Pick: Crushed Out @ Mississippi Studios 01/31

Thursday, January 31st
Crushed Out
Desert Noises / Summer Cannibals
Mississippi Studios
3939 N. Mississippi
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Adv.: $6 / Day Of: $8
21 & Over

The bare bones garage rock of Crushed Out is an energetic whirlwind of building momentum. Ripe with gain lovely guitar and wildly driving beats, their music has all the groove and attitude of Mick Jagger's hips in 1963. Based out of New York this duo should not be underestimated. Powerful and sassy, Frank Hoier and Moselle Spiller make fun sexy songs. Not just another White Stripes,Crushed Out has a classic feel that tributes both two part blues and the Endless Summer sway of 50's beach rock.
Luckily Portland will get the chance to see them live this Thursday, January 31st at Mississippi Studios. Joining them on stage is the thick sultry go-go rock of Portland's own Summer Cannibals and the broad-sky highway rock of the Desert Noises. Combined this should be an awesome night of great music and a wonderful way to get your engines revved up for the weekend. So get your party shoes on and don't forget to support the music with a few buck at the merch booth.       

Tuesday Double Feature: Blood Red Shoes "In Time To Voices" & Crushed Out "Weigh You Down"

This Tuesday Double Feature focuses on some rocking female/male duos. Ripe with crunchy guitars and a sweet garage sound these teams are bursting with power and force. So sit back and let them blow your mind.

Blood Red Shoes - "In Time To Voices"



Brighten, England power duo Blood Red Shoes are loud and brash in all the right ways. With the release of their latest E.P. Water and the reissue of their first two albums here in the US. This band is set for a breakout in the states. Be one of the first to start the craze in your town.

Crushed Out - "Weigh You Down"



Formally Boom Chick this garage rock duo is a study of what happens when you combine the DIY of a skate punk with the drive and discipline of an Olympic athlete. Based out of Brooklyn, New York, Crushed Out is currently on tour in support of their debut album Want to Give. The band will be playing Mississippi Studios this Thursday night. So come and check them out.

Cure for the Mondays: Birds of Chicago "The Moonglow/The Tapeworm"

Birds of Chicago - "The Moonglow/The Tapeworm"

Sometimes music can be as infectious as chickenpox.




Soulful and bluesy the Chicago based folk band of Birds of Chicago are a wonderfully lively crew. Currently on tour in support of their self-titled debut album. They swung through Portland a few weeks ago and they were awesome. So make sure you catch them when they swing through your neck of the woods.

Living Room Performance: Lewis Watson "Once Before"

Lewis Watson - "Once Before"

Exeter Chaple, Oxford England

January 2013



It's odd to see such a deeply soulful voice come out of someone so young. The richly soothing songs that spill forth from London based singer songwriter Lewis Watson are unearthly at times. Building in recognition and success since the release of his debut E.P. Another Four Sad Songs, Watson will finally be gracing the US with a handful of shows next month. Here's to hoping he likes us enough to plan a broader tour in the near future.
If you liked what you heard, below is a link where you can sign up and get a Live E.P. of this show.

From the Shelf: Walk Off The Earth - "R.E.V.O." (2013)

Walk Off the Earth
R.E.V.O.
Columbia Records

Short and sweet, R.E.V.O, the latest E.P. from Walk Off the Earth is a four song treasure. From the bold arena anthem of “Red Hands” to the refreshing island folk of “Summer Vibe” this short-play album is a joy to listen to all the way through.

Infected with a danceable beat that can’t be denied this collection is a celebration of life. Wonderfully arranged this band seems to have perfected the execution of its individual parts. With the strategic use of Sara Blackwell’s lovely voice paired with Ryan Marshall’s own rich gravel tones the lyrics are delivered with a wonderful contrast. While the instrumentally diverse choreography that propels these tracks swim with a wildly vivid strokes of sound. Known for their unique covers this E.P. is proof that their original material is just as interesting and creatively rewarding. With the eclectic heart of a Peter Gabriel album this musical tidbit will have you jonesing for a full length album, that with any luck, is looming in the not too distant future.

Living Room Performance: Katie Herzig "Wish You Well"

Katie Herzig - "Wish You Well"

Fillmore Auditorium, San Fransisco, CA

2011



Nashville transplant Katie Herzig is in my opinion one of the greatest singer songwriter to emerge on the scene in the last 10 years. Propelled by her beautiful voice, her songs can be energetically fun or touchingly honest. Live her sincerity and grace are apparent and the artists she surrounds herself with are of the highest caliber. Having gained well deserved exposure in the last few years Herzig is primed to breakout so discover her now and be part of the success of such an amazing artist.