Coolest Muisc Video You'll See All Day: Shake The Baron "Crazy Align"

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get this weeks Tuesday Double Feature together in time. But never fear, to make it up to you I give you this sweet jewel of a video. I have to say this is the best music video I've seen in years. So enjoy and I'll make sure next week the Tuesday Double Feature will return.

Shake The Baron - "Crazy Align"

Quick Pick: Saturday June 9th

 

Saturday, June 9th
Truck Stop Darlin' (CD Release Show!)
River Giant
Star Theater
13 NW Sixth Ave
Doors: 8PM/ Show: 9PM
Adv.:$5
21 & Over

Filled with heartbreak, bourbon, and the open road, the sound of the Truckstop Darlin's is an earthy country-rock too sweet to deny. Perpetuated upon the high-desert gravel voice of John Phelan, their music is the embodiment of the Northwest. It's rural honesty is a potent thing that finds fans in anyone that likes callused hands, hard work and good salt of the earth people. This is the music of mill hands working the green chain, of Eastern Oregon cattle ranchers and those of us city dwellers who seem to breath a little easier once the glare of the urban lights have faded in the rear view mirror.
Celebrating the success of their Kickstarter campaign and the release of their sophomore album Hope and the Heart it Breaks, this show at the Star Theater should be big enough to mark this awesome event.  Shearing the stage is the Neil Youngian styled organic rock of Seattle's River Giant. An awesome band of their own with a blue collar sound that will wonderfully compliment the Darlin's  There's no doubt this is where you need to be Saturday night. So whether you're already down town for the Rose Festival  or need a good fix of awesome music this it the show for you.        

Tuesday Double Feature: Eric Hutchinson "Watching You Watch Him" & Dragonette "Let It Go"

To the living room Lindy-hoppers, the shower Skankers, and sidewalk Swingers this Tuesday Double Feature is for you. If you're a closet dancer enslaved by any good rhythm, than this is a pass to set yourself free.

Eric Hutchinson - "Watching You Watch Him"

With moves like this, no wonder he's watching.


Having played the Hawthorn Theater just last week, Eric Hutchinson is busy rapping up his latest tour in support of the new album Moving Up Living Down. 


Dragonette - "Let It Go"

Who needs Prozac when you have dancing.



Let It Go is the latest single from Canada's Dragonette, is due a new album and will be touring the US later this year with September show in our in both California and Washington. There's still time, so hopefully we'll see them add a Portland show.  

Tuesday Double Feature: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour "Major" & IAMDYNAMITE "Stereo"

This weeks Tuesday Double Feature is all about getting the blood pumping so get out from behind that desk and dance.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - "Major"

A little retro-funk to get your groove on.


The unique sound of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is an intriguing mix of funk, soul, psychedelic, jazz and rock. Having blown onto the forefront with use of their songs in international ad campaigns this Copenhagen band is building some great momentum. With the release of their sophomore album Out Of Frequency earlier this year they continue their climb into our collective consciousness.

IAMDYNAMITE - "Stereo"

High energy garage rock fun. 



The powerful grittiness of Garage rock duo IAMDYNAMITE has honed their skills in over the last year and a half in their hometown of Detroit. A fitting place to harness their bold beats and thick guitar sound. With the release of their upcoming LP SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC on June 5th, we can hope that their touring will bring us to our neck of the woods.

The Triple Crown: 05/21-06/03

I thought I'd make it easy on every one and so this Triple Crown showcases three shows at the awesome Doug Fir Lounge. With great food and drinks and a rustically beautiful performance space the Doug Fir is the perfect place to catch some music, so I tried to pick some great bands playing their the next two weeks.  




Tuesday, May 22nd
We Are Serenades
Yards
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors: 8PM/ Show: 9PM
Adv.: $10/ Day Of: $12
21 & Over

You can't help but to feel good listening to the music of Sweden's We Are Serenades. I don't know if I've heard such optimistic music since the synth drenched 80's of my childhood. With a wide range of styles you're sure to find something about this band and their music to love. With instrumental and vocal elements that gravitate with all sincerity towards bands like Big Country and Ah-ha, We are Serenades have chosen to focus on the silver lining. Fortunately the band dose so with an evolved artistic integrity that should provide this duo with a more lasting presence. Touring in support of their debut album Criminal Heaven this pair of highly-regarded Swedish songwriters should charm the masses. Joining them on stage is the sonic tidal-wave of the band Yards.This is certainly a wonderful start to another Triple Crown.    



Thursday, May 31st
Wintersleep
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors: 8PM/ Show: 9PM
Adv.:$10 /Show:$12
21 & Over

The phasing atmospheric sound of Wintersleep is filled with misdirections and audio magic that leaves the listener entranced and amazed. Their heady style of alt-rock perfectly balances energy and artful subtleties that is sure to sound amazing off the earthy wood walls of the Doug Fir Lounge. With a danceable rhythm that is near infectious and vocal harmonies sweetly layered into music that  teeters towards psychedelic madness, this band has made a name for itself. Set to release their third album Hello Hum in early June this show should highlight some of the awesome material off the forthcoming album.       




Friday, June 1st
Redwood Son
Gavin Wahl-Stephens / Cody Beebe & The Crooks/ The Wheeler Brothers
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors:8PM/ Show: 8:30PM
Adv.: $8 /Day Of: $10
21 & Over

This evening of Progressive American should be amazing. From bluesy rock to acoustic storytelling there's a wide range of styles that fall under the the title of Americana and you'll get to see a little bit of them all. Headlined by the rich west coast American-soul of Redwood Son whose songs are ripe with musical emotions. Josh Malm plays music that lies somewhere between rusty blues and  groovy acoustic funk and has the ability to convey the ache of long months of rain and the joy of perfect Oregon summers.
Filling out the rest of the line up is an amazing collection of bands including fellow Pacific Notherwesterns Gavin Wahl-Stephens and Cody Beebe & The Crooks and The Wheeler Brothers all the way from Austin Texas. This should be an awesome night to take in some new music and to start off the new month so come on down and finish out The Triple Crown strong.

Tuesday Double Feature: Lovedrug "Anodyne" & "Wild Blood"

In this week's Tuesday Double Feature, we are presenting a double shot from Ohio based alt-rock outfit Lovedrug. When the band released their latest album Wild Blood in early March, the band took on the daunting task of creating a video for 8 of the ll album tracks. For their hard work we solute them.

Lovedrug - "Anodyne"



Lovedrug - "Wild Blood"



If you liked what you heard make sure you catch the band as they're here in Portland over the next two days.Tonight (May 15th) at 6PM they're playing a free in-store performance at our beloved Music Millenium. While Wednesday night they'll be headlining a show at Someday Lounge. With two opportunities, there's no excuse not to catch this awesome band.

About Last Night: Katie Herzig @ The Aladdin Theater 05/06

Last night I was reminded that part of the joy of live music is the total experience of it; the who's, the what and  the hows of it all. A lot of times I review shows alone, tucked into the crowd just a guy with a camera and a little black book jotting down notes. If  I'm lucky though, sometimes I get to share the experience. In the case of Katie Herzig at the Aladdin Theater my wife and, even more special, my 11 year old daughter. It was neat to experience the show through her eyes. I thought she'd explode when after finding out that we weren't stuck in the balcony, were able to find three seats in the second row. I have to say that a certain joy washed over me at her entranced expression as the house lights dimmed and Andrew Bell took the stage for his opening set.    


 Cheerfully playful with the audience, Andrew Bell had a wonderful performance demeanor. Like a mainland Jack Johnson; but instead of a tropical paradise, Bell's sound was clearly cultivated in a more realistic setting  Filled with songs that  though lyrically sad still express a very comfortable feel. His set started off the night perfectly. Bell's voice washing over the audience in soft waves, his lyrics mingling with our thoughts as all good stories do. Both solo and backed by members of Kaite Herzig's band,(Jordan Hamlin; guitar, Billy Brimblecom; drums, and Greg Lafollette; bass) .  Andrew Bell's opening performance was awesomely executed  leaving those of us unfamiliar with him pleasantly impressed.


In perfect Portland fashion the theater filled in significantly during the intermission, providing a fairly good showing for a Sunday night. A testament to the ground work Katie Herzig has laid in her fairly frequent visits to our city. More accustomed to the Doug Fir Lounge, the acoustics of the Aladdin Theater wonderfully embraced her music like an old friend. Aladdin is an odd venue at times so, it's a wonderful treat when an artists sound fits it perfectly.

Coming out of the gates with a untypical flurry, Herzig pushed through her first three songs with a focused conviction that amped up the energy of the room. It was almost as if she had a monkey to get off her back.

Once the initial burst subsided Herzig settled into a consistently relaxed pace that mixed a showing of her songs from the better part of her last two albums. From the soft ache of "I Hurt Too" to the playful energy of the crowd Favorite "Hey Na Na." the set list highlighted the multiple layers of Herzig's music and the amazing skills of the musicians she surrounds herself with. Jordan Hamlin in particular, who during the stent of their set played the better half of a music store. Not to be over looked, each of the band members displayed multiple instrumental skills which allowed for a uniquely flexible and polished performance. In addition to their remarkable skill, it was apparent that this group of people truly enjoyed each others company. Their genuine comradery was apparent in their on stage comfort and playfulness. From the Erythmics/White Stripes cover smash up, an impromptu rap from bassist Greg Lafollette, to Hamlin's NAMM worthy demonstration of her newest effects petal the play of the band showed that in addition to amazing musician these indiviules were wonderfully human as well.  

A truly awesome show that even my daughter ranks as her all time favorite concert; a big deal since Kaite Herzig rates higher than the Jonas Brothers.