Posts from — May 2010

New York jazz legends, Soulive, come to the Doug Fir for a 2 night stand this week! The band is currently touring behind it’s new release, Up Here, and celebrating a ten year mark as a band.In his recent book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell says it takes ten years of experience before anyone can really hit their stride. If he is right, then Soulive fans better watch the hell out. Soulive will spend the rest of May previewing their forthcoming Beatles tribute record, Rubber Soulive!

BIO: The Royal Family is the evolution of the Soulive story and all its many chapters. It’s a community and movement of musicians and fans that have been growing together for over a decade. March 2009 marks Soulive’s 10th Anniversary – ten years since Eric Krasno, Alan Evans and his brother Neal Evans got together for the first time at a home studio just outside of Woodstock, NY and recorded Get Down.

URL: http://www.soulive.com

PRESS: Lime Wire / Glide Magazine

MP3/Downloads: Soulive – Joyful Girl
MP3/Downloads: Soulive – “Prototype” (Feat. Nigel Hall)

Doug Fir
Thursday May 20 & Friday May 21
Soulive
Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm / $17 advance, $18 day of show

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq2APm1be30]

BIO: Ask Landon Pigg about his formative years and he’ll be the first to tell you he escaped from the clutches of normalcy. He tends to get a nosebleed more often than most, but he likes it when life happens naturally, and for him, it has seemed to flow that way from his very first day – August 6th, 1983. Born in Nashville, TN, he moved to Chicago as a child and it was there he learned to appreciate that flow; to read and write and ride a bike, and eventually, to have that bike stolen by a gang of ruffians from the city along with other typical childhood setbacks and milestones.

With all these threads in hand, Landon Pigg has fastened together his own mercurial outlook on life which he effortlessly and magically captures on his debut album. Yet, he’ll also be the first to tell you it does no good to equate all these disparate strands with ‘figuring him out.’ Those who try to solve him like a puzzle end up confused. He likes to keep his thoughts to himself. Likes to keep even ‘himself’ guessing. Fortunately, a faithful listen to his new CD reveals he’s really not that different from any of us. The songs, which Landon says are ‘about things like losing love and finding hope – about how life will start to make sense and then stop again,’- reflect an uncanny ability to cobble his own confusion into unforgettable music.

Guided by a host of maverick producers, Dan Brodbeck (Dolores O’ Riordan), Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down), and Clif Magness (Avril Lavigne, The Calling), he fuses his own raw edges into subtle and rollicking pop gems, like the plaintive ‘Sailed On,’ or the sparse but scrappy ‘Last Stop,’ which brandishes ripe examples of what can only be described as musical Pigg-speak – ‘I pick up all the pieces of the chords I didn’t use…’.

The hint we’ve been waiting for about solving at least part of the musical puzzle?

‘Maybe there is a naiveté in my approach,’ he says. ‘I never had a guitar lesson when I started out. I’ve always felt that when you don’t learn all the rules you’re much more inclined to break them with a smile.’ Which dovetails nicely into another inclination of his: You might not always get to hear Landon speak his mind – but you’ll always hear him sing it.

URL: http://www.landonpigg.com

PRESS: Tennessean / Denver Westward

MP3/Downloads: Landon Pigg – Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop

Doug Fir
Sunday May 23
Landon Pigg
Madi Diaz
Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm / $10 advance, $12 day of show

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLfjhSmvFjM]

New Orleans legend, Anders Osborne, returns to Portland for a show on Friday night @ Dante’s! Armed with a new album and a new band including Stanton Moore, Will Bernard & Robert Walters this promises to be a hot night. The new album, American Patchwork, was released during Jazzfest and this is the 1st national tour in support of the new release.

BIO: “I’m in the promised land,” says proud American immigrant and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Anders Osborne. The Swedish-born, longtime New Orleans resident is among the most original and visionary musicians performing today. In a city overflowing with stellar artists, bands and performers, Osborne is one of the Big Easy’s favorite musical heroes. His Alligator Records debut, American Patchwork, is a moving collection of soul-baring rock, blues and ballads. Many of the songs on American Patchwork deal with healing and redemption, spirituality and acceptance. It is about rebuilding what has been destroyed, not only a ravaged city, but also a hollow man. Often compared to Townes Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison, Osborne is an exceptional and singular talent. Paste Magazine says, “Osborne has an impossibly great, soulful voice and the songs to match.” Living Blues adds, “Osborne is a songwriter of enormous depth and an incredibly passionate musician.”

Osborne and friend Stanton Moore (Galactic) produced American Patchwork, with co-production by Pepper Keenan (of Down and Corrosion Of Conformity). Osborne wrote all ten songs, all imbued with serious lyrical depth, unforgettable melodies and performed with soul muscle. The guitar work is simply spectacular. His vocals soar with natural, emotional power. With musical assistance from Moore on drums, Keenan on percussion and guitar, and Robert Walter on keyboards, American Patchwork is nothing short of a career-defining release for Osborne, and a bright new chapter in his remarkable journey. As far as Osborne is concerned, American Patchwork is a triumphant achievement. “Every note has a purpose, a serious focus. As I was writing it and recording it, everything fell right into place.”

Live, Osborne is a force to behold. His wildly energetic, physical live performances find him ripping notes out of his guitar, forcing out riveting steel-on-steel slide solos, pouring his entire soul into his vocals. His ability to ignite an audience is legendary. Past gigs include repeated appearances at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, stops at Bonnaroo, The High Sierra Festival, The Telluride Blues Festival, The Hollowbaloo Music & Arts Festival in Honolulu, The Voice Of The Wetlands and even an appearance at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. He has toured North America and Europe extensively, and has performed with The Meters, Randy Newman, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and Little Feat among many others.

As a songwriter and singer, Osborne stands tall. Since his recording debut in 1989, he has written virtually all of his own material and contributed memorable songs to a wide variety of artists. Two tunes co-written by Osborne appear on blues great Keb Mo’s Grammy-winning 1999 release, Slow Down. Country superstar Tim McGraw scored a 1 hit with Anders’ song “Watch The Wind Blow By.” Osborne’s compositions have been covered by artists as diverse as Brad Paisley, Tab Benoit, Jonny Lang and Kim Carnes. His song “What’s Going On Here” appeared in the 1996 feature film Fled, and Osborne, along with Ivan Neville, wrote and recorded the title track for the 2010 Kate Hudson film Earthbound.

But it is not just his live performances and songwriting that make Osborne such a success. He is also revered for his jaw-dropping guitar playing. His piercing slide-work and fluid finger picking (oftentimes happening simultaneously) are simply unmatched. His use of Open D tuning (a rare choice for a guitar virtuoso) gives his fretwork a signature sound and feel. “I first heard Open D on Joni Mitchell’s Blue,” he says, “and my fingers just fit the tuning.” His influences range from Ry Cooder and Robert Johnson to the great horn players like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Always an in-demand guitarist, Osborne has appeared on a host of recordings by Keb Mo, Tab Benoit, Mike Zito and others. Most recently, Anders lent his guitar talents to Dark Water, Galactic’s first single from their new Ya-Ka-May CD.

URL: http://www.andersosborne.com/

PRESS: Offbeat / Billboard / NOLA.com

MP3/Downloads: Anders Osborne – Lucky One

Dante’s
Friday, May 14
Anders Osborne
w/ Stanton Moore Trio: Robert Walters, Will Bernard
Time: 9pm / Tix: $15

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vAS3GEwGow]

It’s May which means there is another new song from our friends at The Baseball Project that was debuted this week at ESPN.com . Steve Wynn and company think Roy “Doc” Halladay has the best chance of any Major League Pitcher to get to 30 wins since Denny McClain did it in 1968 (even with a no decision last night in Colorado). Check out the story and download the song HERE.

Last week, we were out of town at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which unfortunately meant we were not able to attend the fabulous PDX Pop Now! Benefit known as Make it Pop!. Our friend Ed Thanhouser was kind enough to provide us with the recap:

Last week the folks at PDX Pop Now! hosted their annual fund-raising get-together at the Ace Hotel’s “The Cleaners” event space. With only 150 tickets total, the event was that which could be accurately characterized as “intimate.” Yes intimate: what an entirely appropriate adjective. PDX Pop Now! loves Portland and her music. Portland, for her part, loves PPN in return… joyus romance. To celebrate this love, all the elements of a perfect date were accounted for:

First, there were “sweets for my sweet,” including fare from the fabulous St. Cupcake, ice cream from 50 Licks (including the infamous maple bacon, which includes ACTUAL BACON BITS!) and this incredible custom cake from Bakery Bar featuring the 2010 artwork, immaculately replicated:

Second, there were the drinks. What would a good date be, after all, without copious amounts of boozy booze? Captured By Porches once again brought fabulous home crafted brews, which were paired up with a wonderful selection of donated wines.

Third, and perhaps the most exciting part of this charming night on the town, was the entertainment. Ah Holly Fam’ly opened up the room as it was still light. The trio played entirely off-mic. Sitting in the center of the room amidst a rapt crowd, they crooned away without need of amplification. We might as well have all been barefoot in a sunny meadow…

Next, Museé Mechanique brought in what amounted to a small orchestra of instruments and displayed a fabulous talent for multi-tasking. I watched as songwriter Sean Ogilvie somehow managed to (competently!) play keys with one hand, hit a glockenspiel with the other, and sing… all while tapping out a rhythm on a high hat & tambourine with his spare foot. The result was a gorgeously lush and layered affair that filled the room with a kind of warm glow.

Following them was one of Portlands newer “local super groups.” Composed of well known musicians from other local outfits, The Alialujah Choir contains members of Norfolk & Western, Weinland, and M. Ward’s band… and the combined talent is really an incredible thing to witness. Perfect harmonies soared over effortless, sturdy folk-pop.

The grand finale of the evening was a rare solo performance by Colin Meloy, frontman for local folk-rock heroes The Decemberists. Meloy’s set was made even more special by the debut of several songs he’s currently sharpening up for the next big Decemberists release. Oh the swooning! Such a thoroughly wooed audience I have never before seen.

It is thanks to this copious wooing, with it’s auction and raffle items (not to mention the ticket proceeds), that this big night (like any good date) is sure to yield marvelous little miracles in the months to come… Only these miracles don’t wake you up at 2 am screaming, wont spit up on your favorite shirt, and you don’t even have to endure nine months on the hormone rollercoaster… Bonus!

Thanks for the report Ed!!

In other PDX Pop Now! News the 2010 compilation track listing has officially been announced:

Disc 1
1) The Basics – Tope & Epp ft. Illmaculate
2) No Nostalgia – AgesandAges**
3) Oooh Kill Ooooh – Nucular Aminals
4) Tange Rine – Deelay Ceelay**
5) City Morgue – Kelli Schaefer
6) Five Little Rooms – Menomena**
7) El Ranchero Tejano – paper/upper/cuts**
8) The Letters – Light for Fire**
9) The Upheaval on Titan – JonnyX & the Groadies
10) Never Again – Fruition
11) My Hip Hop Is Breathing – Beyoung, Empire, Lost Poet, Mr. Flea
12)
Starting Over (Bad Habits) – Typhoon
13) bodyblood – the angry orts**
14) Bombast – Trio Subtonic
15) Let This Body Go – Death Songs
16) Steve Don’t Party No More – Mean Jeans
17) Flatlands – Mike Coykendall
18) Bad Buzz – The Mint Chicks
19) Wet & Dripping – Aan
20) Patient Heart – Sean Flinn & the Royal We

Disc 2
1) Mercenary Days – Hockey
2) Boxcar Children – ioa
3) Dalvik Tide – Ocean Age
4) Hoop & Wire – Boy Eats Drum Machine
5) Tramm – Breakfast Mountain**
6) Sleep, Child – Nick Jaina
7) Marianne – Strength**
8) Only A Quality Lime for Eric Gruber – Andrew Oliver Sextet
9) Look My Way – Blitzen Trapper**
10) Don’t Look Down on Me – MY-G
11) Pythia Misunderstood – Transient
12) Battling Giants – Brainstorm
13) Too Many Days Gone – Dharma Bums**
14) Wide-Eyed, Legless – Laura Veirs
15) Midcentury Motion – Talkdemonic**
16) Pulling Weeds – The Great Mundane**
17) Juniper – Y La Bamba**
18) Peacock Dreams – Peacock Dreams
19) See Waves – Nice Nice
20) Giant Stairs – A Weather

**Previously Unreleased Tracks

The compilation is slated to drop on June 3rd at a CD release Party at Holocene and the 2010 festival dates are July 30th-August 1st at Rotture.

Austin favorites & veterans of the touring circuit, Reckless Kelly, return to the Doug Fir this week! The band is on tour in support of their most recent release, Somewhere in Time. You can stream all the tracks from Somewhere in Time HERE.

From The Band: “I don’t remember ever having so much fun in the studio as we did making Somewhere In Time. This is a record we have been talking about making for over ten years and are so excited to have finally gotten it done. These ” Hardcore Cowboy ” songs are what Willy and I grew up listening to and were some of the first tunes we learned as Reckless Kelly. This record truly took us back to our roots and reminded us how cool “true country music” can be. With a lifetime of songs to choose from it was nearly impossible for us to narrow it down to 10 songs so we recorded 14. Every one of the songs on this record have a true story behind them and that is what makes Pinto Bennett songs so powerful and timeless. We hope you have as much fun listening to these songs as we have had playing and recording them. This record is a tip of our hats to Pinto Bennett and The Famous Motel Cowboys for teaching us to be true to our music and ourselves.”

URL: http://www.recklesskelly.com/

PRESS: Standard / Artisan Guitar Works / Sound of Spring Interview

MP3/Downloads: Steve Earle and Reckless Kelly – Reconsider Me (Warren Zevon)

Doug Fir
Wednesday May 05
Reckless Kelly
w/ Miranda Vettrus
Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm / $15 advance, $17 day of show
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI]

Inaugural KBOO Raffle -

Ticket Cost: $25 (Only 2000 total tickets) - call Sun Lee to purchase tickets at 503.231.8032 or stop by KBOO Community Radio M-F 9AM-5PM at 20 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR

Grand Prize- Week for two in Bucerias, Mexico 12 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Includes 7 nights at Casa Tranquila, a $800 airline voucher and a 4 hour marine excursion, where you may see a clumsy blue footed booby.

Second Prize- $300 Gift Certificate to CityBikes

Third Prize- $100 Gift Certificate to Portland Farmers’ Market

Fourth Prize- KBOO Public Affairs CD and book combo (retail value $50)

Fifth Prize- KBOO T-Shirt and KBOO Coffee Mug (retail value $25)

Drawing will be head at 10AM, June 1, 2010, at KBOO Community Radio located at 20 SE 8th Ave Portland, OR 97214.

For more information please call Sun Lee, KBOO Development Director at 503.231.8032 ext 222 or email at development (at) kboo (dot) org or you can buy tickets by coming down to the station at 20 SE 8th Ave.

Thanks to Casa Tranquila, CityBike COOP and Portland Farmers’ Market for donating prizes.

KBOO Staff and Board Members and their immediate fmaily (i.e. parents, kids and partners) are not eligible to win.