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MYFRIENDKC
PDX Scene
As of late, I've been trying to get my feel of the Portland music scene. It definately has a lot to offer with its countless venues and bands. I think my first show for 2009 was a Sunday show at the Ash Street Saloon. Babies Got Rabies, Teenage Murder School and a couple others played the night. Babies Got Rabies set came off as very ambient and boomy compared to the recordings they give away on their website. And there were dual vocals, but one song, which I can't remember the title for, was just simply amazing with both. Teenage Murder school had two vocalists as well, which were pretty loud and crunchy, but I liked it. Both bands played sick sets and I hope to see them at future shows.
Just recently there was a metal show at the Hawthorne Theatre with locals Stonecreep and Almost is Nothing, and out of towners Across the Sun, The Midnight Society and Dusks Embrace. Across the Sun put on a really high energy set, compared to the last time I saw them in Longview, WA at Reids. And just recently Atticus IV came out with a song by Across the Sun on it. That's something to be proud of, so I'm pretty sure they're stoked about that. I've been following The Midnight Society for a while and know that they've been through a few changes, but I think it's safe to say that their current lineup is their best one so far.
The one venue I find myself coming back to is the Red Room. There's nothing amazing about the place, I think it's just the closest. But the Red Room has put on some pretty good shows. More recently featuring Halophile, This Fair City, and Sallo, with the inclusion of one more, but I left while they were setting up. I got a chance to talk with the singer of Halohile. Nice dude, can't say much else since we were both drinking, but he did make a good deal on some merch and I'm very grateful for that. This Fair City sound just like their recordings on stage. It's not a bad thing, but I do hope they change it up a bit at future shows. Sallo, I would have to say psyched me up more than the previous bands. Sallo is an instrumental duo consisting of drums and keys. The music is very waltzy with a big influence in the classical. The drums are very loud and tight, and compliment the keys so very well. Definately will catch them some other time.
Juno Soundtrack
"Oh and you know what? I bought a Sonic Youth album and it sucked, it's just noise." - Juno I'd be a bit nervous if I ever had a conversation with Ellen Page about music or film. She knows her stuff considering what she also said about Goldfrapp in an earlier film, Hard Candy ("I fucking hate Goldfrapp"). And I can't say I'm a huge fan of Sonic Youth, but their rendition of "Superstar" really sucked. But the more I watch Juno, the easier it is to appreciate the songs on the soundtrack. Kimya Dawsom fills the majority of the record with her songs as well as songs from her other projects, Antsy Pants and the Moldy Peaches. Dawson's tunes are one half pre-school sing-along, one half anti-folk, but it's an excellent fit for a film about "growing up and the bumps along the way." Belle & Sebastian, Cat Power, and the Velvet Underground's songs are also perfect contributions to the album. But the soundtrack makes the list based on the strength of a single song. Michael Cera and Ellen Page's cover of the Moldy Peaches "Anyone else but you" acts as the closer of the film as well the soundtrack. And to make the song even more sweet (and cute), Cera and Page switched vocal duties (Cera sang Dawson's lines, Page sang Adam Green's lines).
The Burning Room is over!
The last show I went to was the burning rooms last show...ever?! Maybe a runion sometime in the near future. From Aphony, Dear Whoever, On The Last Day and TBR played. Pretty good show actually. But this was back in December, I believe. It's just a shock. Before this, the only other time I saw them was at Awesome Fest a couple years ago, Believing In June closed. At least I got my t-shirt!
rock stars
I went to see Willy Mason and Beth Orton at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland on monday. It was pretty fun, an alright show. I got to go back stage with mason and talk to him for a little bit before friends and fans came in and started hanging out. So I left and caught some of Ortons set. A pretty long set even though Orton sounded like crap. Not that she sounds crappy or anything, but you could tell she was sick. She even said so, but it could be something else...uh oh! j/k. The life of a rock star always interests me. You never know what to expect. But, its the music that counts. Some say though that the music should reflect who the person is. Is that true? dam if I know.
