With Portland sextet Abronia, you sort of have to listen past the spectacle. Forget about the overtly Jodorowsky-Morricone vibes, the tenor sax and the pedal steel guitar, the contralto vocals, the gigantic bass drum, the legend of co-founder Eric Crespo's desert vision. What's really going on here?
Angels exist, I swear! If you were at the sold out Austra show on Monday, you would have witnessed Portland-born, Berlin-based multidisciplinary artist Colin Self descending from the heavens to bless us mere mortals with their angelic vocals and cherub-like presence. If you're looking for something to believe in, believe in music-it's one of the very few things with ability to unite complete strangers in dialog, movement, and tears.
She released more than 50 albums as a leader or featured guest, including four definitive projects with the witty singer, songwriter and pianist Dave Frishberg. She performed several runs at Feinstein's at Lowes Regency in Manhattan with the Harry Allen Quartet, as well as with pianist Michael Feinstein himself. As the years went by, she performed more frequently at Trad Jazz festivals, on Jazz Cruises, and at events such as the San Diego Jazz Party, where she was named a "Jazz Legend" in 2016.
Underestimate Capricorn and Aquarius season at your own peril, friends. While there are fewer touring acts coming through town this time of year, it's an excellent time to catch up on your locals. But what am I saying? We've got Uniiqu3, Steve Gunn, and Rehash gracing Portland with their presence this week! Plus a bunch of local talent to boot.
This show is organized by David "Papi" Fimbres (of local bands Orquestra Pacífico Tropical, Boink, Friskies, et al.), who will headline as part of his duo Dreckig with his wife Shana "Azúcar" Lindbeck, who make a trippy, groovy blend of Latin dance music informed by cumbia, electronic, and krautrock-infused music with lyrics sung in Spanish, German, and English. Notably, this huge New Year's Eve bash will also see a live performance from Portland-based neo-soul R&B mainstay Blossom,
Since starting at the Portland Mercury in February, I've spoken with dozens of people in various Portland music scenes, all of whom echo the opinion that it feels as though Portland is having a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Everyone is leaning more deeply into their artistic practices, starting bands, and excavating old projects no one ever thought would put music out again.
On Rollercoasters, The Barbaras remind us it's okay-and often more fun-to not have your shit together. Instead, they endorse a lifestyle of falling in and out of love, and falling in and out of lust, while staying in love with yourself, and who you are perpetually becoming. And flashing your boobs! Refreshingly young and femme, The Barbaras' deceptively complex take on twang country-a genre notoriously rife with misogyny, racism, and
By the time tropical dream pop group Caicedo hit the stage at 6:30 pm, nearly every complimentary squiggly straw had found its way into the hands of eager festivalgoers swaying to the band's irresistible Latin grooves and hazy, late summer hooks. In beautifully all-ages PDX Pop Now! fashion, the crowd consisted of scene kids with purple hair nodding their heads, as well as children with giant earmuffs jumping up and down alongside their bigs.
At the time of this column's filing, I am 12 weeks postpartum, potty training a three year old, and exclusively breastfeeding a three month old. As someone who's already overwhelmed with the happenings of my inner world-while also being aware of the atrocities, injustices, genocides, wars, fascism, and disenfranchisement happening globally-I don't have much of an appetite for music "news" these days. Just give me the good stuff, slam it straight into my veins.