upcoming in-store performances & events:

ALL IN-STORE PERFORMANCES ARE AT MUSIC MILLENNIUM 32ND & E

BROOKS ROBERTSON
Friday 1/27 – 6 PM
Brooks Robertson just doesn’t need much more than two thumbs, eight fingers and six strings on a wooden box to carry his listeners away. Hailed by prominent exponents of his instrument like Nokie Edwards, Thom Bresh, John Jorgenson and Mason Williams, the young fingerstyle guitarist embodies the creative vision of a postmodern world: It’s the music that counts. Brooks utilizes his superb technical abilities to play bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously and surpass the borders of conventional genres. He merges hauntingly beautiful compositions, country rhythms and jazzy harmonies with funky licks into his very own art form – sometimes delivered with a punch, sometimes with a smile.

THE BLACK SWANS
Saturday 1/28 – 4 PM
Jerry DeCicca and The Black Swans have been winning hearts with their highly unique and beautiful folk sound since the early 2000s. Critically acclaimed by Pitchfork, Dusted, and many others, The Swans are on the road full-time these days – touring over 200 dates a year. Ladies and gentlemen, this is folk rock from the existential capital of the world.

ONE MODEL NATION – DJ SET with COURTNEY TAYLOR-TAYLOR
Tuesday 1/31 – 6 PM
From The Dandy Warhols’ frontman, Courtney Taylor-Taylor, comes a work of historical fiction set in Berlin 1977 during a fascinating period of political and cultural turmoil. Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Donovan Leitch spent many days and nights both in Los Angeles and Portland creating a fantasy band in their heads. Inspired by Kraftwerk, CAN, David Bowie, Tangerine Dream, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Klaus Nomi, Jobriath, and other esoteric Glam and Kraut Rockers, they got together for three sleepless nights and, along with Jon Fell and Elliott Barnes, created the techno/industrial pop group One Model Nation. Free poster with purchase of the album! (while supplies last/in-store purchases only)

LAURA GIBSON
Thursday 2/2 – 6 PM
Born in the small logging town of Coquille, Oregon, Laura Gibson started as an outsider to Portland’s vibrant indie scene, performing solo acoustic shows in unusual venues like AIDS hospices and kindergartens. Her previous record, Beasts of Seasons, was split into two parts (Communion Songs and Funeral Songs), and its confidence and scope caught the ear of a wider audience. Since its release, Gibson has claimed a very special place in the world of modern folk music among critics, and, more importantly, in the hearts of sincere music lovers.

THE RIVER PROJECT
Friday 2/3 – 6 PM
The River Project, comprised of Jay Kennedy, Garth Ankeny, Patrick Brewer and Mateo Bevington, plays smooth acoustic rock that lends itself nicely to long drives in the desert or along a winding stream searching for elusive trout. They take great care in providing songcraft that is wholistic and unpretentious. Their sum is greater than the individuals. When the band is in full swing, it is clear that The River Project are at peace sharing with listeners their laid back brand of tunes. Their music is steeped in acoustics and dreamlike melodies.

The Alabama Shakes have arrived on the scene in a HUGE WAY! After being tapped by Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) as the next big thing the word has quickly spread across the USA! Recently signed to ATO Records, The Alabama Shakes are selling out venues across the country & we are lucky to get a stop at the soon-t0-be-way-t0-small Doug Fir Lounge. Although the advance tix are SOLD OUT, more tickets will be released at the venue around 7:30pm. This promises to be a smoker!

Saturday January 28

An evening with head-turning soul revivalists The Alabama Shakes Quiet Life Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm $9 advance, $10 day of show

We’re still two months away from South by Southwest 2012, but today the schedule for the music portion went live, adding a slew of new names to the bill. Previously confirmed acts include Built to Spill, The Magnetic Fields, Talib Kweli, Against Me!, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Cloud Nothings, and a keynote speech by Bruce Springsteen.

Now joining them are Best Coast, M. Ward, of Montreal, ASAP Rocky, Danny Brown, Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Dan Deacon, The Drums, Astronautalis, Bear In Heaven, Ceremony, Chairlift, Crystal Antlers, Little Boots, Deerhoof, Dragonette, Gossip, Matthew Dear, Miike Snow, SBTRKT, Sharon Van Etten, Zola Jesus, Nicolas Jaar, Oneohtrix Point Never, Thundercat, The War on Drugs, Youth Lagoon, and Tennis.

Also set to appear are Lana Del Rey, The Ting Tings, Action Bronson, Apparat, Buraka Som Sistema, Spank Rock, Corrosion of Conformity, Jimmy Cliff, Rye Rye, K’naan, YACHT, Band of Skulls, White Rabbits, Beth Jeans Houghton and The Hooves of Destiny, Supreme Dicks, Caveman, Cerebral Ballzy, Freelance Whales, Here We Go Magic, Free Energy,  Eleanor Friedberger, The Black Angels, Blondes, Busdriver, Ezra Furman, Friends, Memoryhouse, Mikal Cronin, Miniature Tigers, Zechs Marquise, and Purity Ring.

The massive bill also includes Counting Crows, Tommy Stinson, The Wedding Present, Andrew WK, Brendan Benson, Hot Water Music, Gauntlet Hair, Grieves and Budo, Imogen Heap, Ingrid Michaelson, Michael Franti and Spearhead, The Henry Clay People, Justin Townes Earle, The Love Language, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Micachu & the Shapes, The Fresh & Onlys, Gardens & Villa, P.O.S., Anika, And So I Watch You From Afar, Fake Problems, Azari & III, Sleepy Sun, Bahamas, Japanther, The Knux, Carter Tanton, Cassettes Won’t Listen, Jacuzzi Boys, CHALI 2NA, Cities Aviv, Is Tropical, Javelin, Kids These Days, Living Things, Scattered Trees, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

The music portion of South by Southwest 2012 runs March 13-18th in Austin Texas. Registration is now ongoing, with various types of badges to chose from. Click here for all the details.

URL > http://sxsw.com/

upcoming in-store performances & events:

All in-store performances are at Music Millennium 32nd & E Burnside, 503-231-8926.

JACKSTRAW
Wednesday 1/18 – 6 PM
Jackstraw has been the flagship of Portland’s bluegrass and roots music scene since the group formed in 1997. They know their bluegrass history and don’t hesitate to pay homage to their heroes, but this ain’t your standard bluegrass band. These boys have a cutting edge take on bluegrass picking that they’ve developed over years of touring the United States, and their original songs can sound as much country as old-timey. This is bluegrass that belongs in a dusty honky-tonk, country twang as rooted in Bill Monroe as George Jones, an old sound for a new age.

RAGS & RIBBONS
Thursday 1/19 – 6 PM
Rags & Ribbons play melodic rock anthems driven by classically-inspired piano. Progressive and post-rock influences by way of Queen, Muse, Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros color these intricate pop songs, expressing desire, yearning, regret and joy like only pop can. The Glass Masses is a debut album of elaborately structured songs with rich harmonies and dramatic hooks.

NAOMI LAVIOLETTE
Sunday 1/22 – 3 PM
Naomi LaViolette, songwriter, pianist, and vocalist, has found an acoustic niche between the worlds of folk singer-songwriters and jazz soulstresses. Her music takes two parts Sarah MacLachlan, one part Joni Mitchell, and adds a dash of Madeleine Peyroux’s understated elegance for a concoction that is extremely palatable, sweet, and soulful.

MARK LANEGAN LISTENING PARTY
Monday 1/23 – 6 PM
Blues Funeral, out 2/7/12, is the new Mark Lanegan Band record, the first since 2004’s Bubblegum. It was recorded in Hollywood, California by Alain Johannes and features guest appearances from the likes of Josh Homme, Greg Dulli and Jack Irons. Music Millennium will play one of the Blues Funeral vinyl test pressings on Jauary 23rd at 6:00. At the conclusion of the party, one lucky customer will win that test pressing to take home with them! In addition, anyone who preorders the album will get a 7″ single of “The Gravedigger’s Song” signed by Mark Lanegan (while supplies last).

SUNBEARS!
Wednesday 1/25 – 6 PM
On first listen, You Will Live Forever, the debut full-length album from Sunbears! fools you. On the whole, each of the thirteen songs morph into a heart-achingly beautiful psychedelic rock opus – tantalizing your ears and soul. Lush harmonies play alongside striking orchestral arrangements, creating an epically huge sound from what must be an epically huge band. But surprise, Sunbears! are a duo. Since 2008, Jacksonville, FL’s Jonathan Berlin (vocals, bass, guitar, keys, synth) and Jared Bowser (drums, percussion) have been wowing audiences with their ability to do so much with so little. To date, the band has released a handful of EPs and singles and most recently, were asked to record a song for the hit children’s television show, Yo Gabba Gabba.

BROOKS ROBERTSON
Friday 1/27 – 6 PM
Brooks Robertson just doesn’t need much more than two thumbs, eight fingers and six strings on a wooden box to carry his listeners away. Hailed by prominent exponents of his instrument like Nokie Edwards, Thom Bresh, John Jorgenson and Mason Williams, the young fingerstyle guitarist embodies the creative vision of a postmodern world: It’s the music that counts. Brooks utilizes his superb technical abilities to play bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously and surpass the borders of conventional genres. He merges hauntingly beautiful compositions, country rhythms and jazzy harmonies with funky licks into his very own art form – sometimes delivered with a punch, sometimes with a smile.

ONE MODEL NATION – DJ SET with COURTNEY TAYLOR-TAYLOR
Tuesday 1/31 – 6 PM
From The Dandy Warhols’ frontman, Courtney Taylor-Taylor, comes a work of historical fiction set in Berlin 1977 during a fascinating period of political and cultural turmoil. Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Donovan Leitch spent many days and nights both in Los Angeles and Portland creating a fantasy band in their heads. Inspired by Kraftwerk, CAN, David Bowie, Tangerine Dream, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Klaus Nomi, Jobriath, and other esoteric Glam and Kraut Rockers, they got together for three sleepless nights and, along with Jon Fell and Elliott Barnes, created the techno/industrial pop group One Model Nation. Free poster with purchase of the album! (while supplies last/in-store purchases only)

Recording engineer: Steven Kray, with technical assistance from Randy Layton
Video production: Jarratt Taylor
Video shooters: Jarratt Taylor / Anthony DelCalzo / David Christensen
Photos: David Christensen / Jeremy Petersen
Interview: Jeremy Petersen

Past Life Martyred Saints, the 2011 debut from EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson), doesn’t always make for easy listening. The imagery is often dark, ranging from violent to anxiety-riddled, and the hooks (of the musical variety) aren’t necessarily identifiable upon a first or second listen. Anderson’s voice often seethes with rage, before turning on a beat to a whispered sweetness– thus creating the cathartic crux of many of these intense and personal songs. A little more quality time spent with the music begins to reveal its pop sensiblities, especially in comparison to Anderson’s past work as part of the experiemental noise duo Gowns. “It’s not all like minor chords just strummed slowly through reverb,” she told us, “I feel like there’s a lot of triumph on it…even if it’s dealing with heavy themes.”

EMA stopped by our studios with her band (Leif Shackelford on keys and viola, Nicole Anderson on drums, and Nicky Mao on guitar) for a faithfully passionate set of songs from the debut. Let the record show she was also enagaging and downright cheery (she told us that interviewers are often surprised that she isn’t “suicidal and crying in a corner”) as she talked about her music, the cultivation of her visual image, and her small-town South Dakota roots.

1/18 – Jeff Ross

1/21 – MythBusters “Behind The Myths” Tour (Keller Auditorium) – 2 Shows!

1/21 – Jake Shimabukuro - SOLD OUT!

1/27 – Martin Sexton

1/28 – Paula Poundstone - SOLD OUT!

1/28 – Paula Poundstone (9:30PM – 2nd show added!)

2/2 – Soul Salvation featuring Ruthie Foster and Paul Thorn

2/3 – The Wood Brothers

2/4 – Sisters of the Road presents Winterfolk 24

2/10 – Jackie Greene

2/11 – LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends

2/17 – Mat Kearney @ Roseland Theater

2/18 – Andy McKee

2/24 – Richard Marx

2/25 – Keller Williams

3/2+3 – Railroad Earth @ Crystal Ballroom

3/4 – Solas

3/7 – Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile @ Wonder Ballroom

3/13 – Guster Present a Night of Acoustic Music featuring the Guster string players

3/15 – Hapa

3/16 – 3rd Annual St. Patricks Day Celebration w/ Kevin Burke & Cal Scott featuring Tim O’Brien

3/21 – The Magnetic Fields @ Roseland Theater

3/23 – Umphreys McGee @ Roseland Theater

3/23 – Sharon Van Etten/The War On Drugs

3/25 – Tyrone Wells

3/31 – Ani Difranco @ Roseland Theater

3/31 – Dark Star Orchestra @ Crystal Ballroom

3/31 – Cheryl Wheeler

4/5+6 – Young The Giant @ Roseland Theater

4/6 – Uncle Kracker’s Hometown Tour

4/7 – The Motet

4/11 – Andrew Bird @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

4/11 – Arlo Guthrie

4/20 – Dar Williams

5/17 – U.K.

Join Aladdin Theater E-List HERE.

URL: http://www.aladdin-theater.com/