This Week in the Mercury
They Live Here
Friday, April 12, 2013
They Live Here Anne-Marie Sanderson: New EP and Release Show
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Anne-Marie Sanderson is a singer/songwriter who comes from far-off lands—Britain, originally, with time in France and the Swiss Alps. She's in Portland now, which is not nearly as exotic, although Oregon cheese can be quite good. Perhaps even more important than cheese, Anne-Marie is releasing her new EP Eloquence at a show tomorrow, Saturday April 13, at the Waypost (3120 N Williams). Sanderson hand-printed and assembled 300 copies of the EP and did the hand-carved linocut that appears on the cover as well. Take a listen to the EP's fine first track, "Follow You," which exemplifies her songwriting ability and her appealing, self-taught finger-picking guitar style.
Anne-Marie Sanderson w/Denim Wedding at the Waypost, 3120 N Williams, Sat April 13, 8 pm, free, 21 & over
Thursday, February 21, 2013
They Live Here Robin Bacior: A New Voice in Town That's Worth Knowing
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Robin Bacior moved to Portland not long ago. The California native arrived here after living in New York, and she has a new EP of material that came out earlier this month. I Left You, Still in Love is a dazzingly good collection from the songwriter, with Bacior trading off on guitar and piano with subtle backing from Dan Bindschedler on cello and Josh Besserman on drums. Her folk songs seem like they inhabit a variety of rooms, from warm, close quarters to airier passages with crisp, sometimes harsh light. All five tunes are striking, although the most immediately grabby moments are the strumming shuffle of EP opener "Box-a-Bed" and the stacked, rising melody and gorgeous interchange between Bacior's piano and Bindschedler's cello on "Shapes on Seasons."
I Left You, Still in Love is a free download on Bandcamp right now, and is a great introduction to a worthwhile new songwriter in town. Bacior says that she left New York and sold all her furniture in order to make this EP happen, which seems like a raw deal for her, but a great deal for us. At any rate, Portland is her home now, which is terrific news. Bacior is currently wrapping up a West Coast tour, but she returns to home this Sunday, February 24 to perform at the Waypost (3120 N Williams) on a bill with LEO and Donovan Edwards. That show is at 8 pm, and will be eons better than watchng Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars.
Monday, January 14, 2013
They Live Here / News / Video Johnny Marr's New Album, Song, and Video
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Here's the new video from Johnny Marr, who some people know as the legendary UK guitarist from the Smiths. You, however, know Marr as a local face around town—he's been a Portland resident since 2005—and as sometime guitarist for Modest Mouse and the Cribs. "Upstarts" is the first single from his solo debut album, The Messenger, which comes out on February 26. He recorded it in his original hometown of Manchester and also in Berlin, and if this track is any indication, it'll exhibit big, brash pop songwriting with Marr's stylish and influential guitar work.
Friday, August 10, 2012
They Live Here / News / Video New Band in Town: Minden
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Fri, Aug 10, 2012 at 1:04 PM
There's a new band in town, and they're not afraid to use leg warmers. Let me introduce you to Minden, a band that recently relocated here from Kansas City in June, and they've brought with them a fine new record. Exotic Cakes comes out next month, and it's a mellow-gold dance pop record, centered around strong songwriting and a wry sense of humor—evidenced in the spandex dream of their video, for "Gold Standard," above. If you like bearded men in body stockings, acoustic ceiling tile, or just plain sexy, this video is for you.
You can hear another track from Minden over on Bandcamp, as well as nab a glance at their album cover (it includes bush); Minden is already making great sounds, and we're happy to have them here. Get to know Minden in person at Exotic Cakes' release show at the Doug Fir on Thursday, September 13.
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They Live Here / Bust a Move Throw a Summer Party and Play the Lean Team's Mixtape
Posted by Lex Chase on Fri, Aug 10, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Summertime might be half over, but that just means it's the the part of the summer to go fucking big or go home. Don't be a dumbass: throw a party.
Now, DJs are expensive and can be a bit temperamental. But fret no longer, 'cause we have a solution to your bass dillema. Enter: the Lean Team, AKA local producers Stewie Villain and DJ Fatboy (not to be confused with the Mercury own Fatboy Roberts—little known fact: this Fatboy is Kreayshawn's touring DJ). These beat junkies have put together a compilation of inventive heavy-bass mashups featuring names all over the rap game.
Your guests will probably be:
1) WOOOOing
2) Saying "Did they really just do that to that song?"
3) Bobbing back and forth
If parties aren't your thing, it sounds decent in a pair of headphones as well. Either way, get it started.
You can see Stewart Villain tonight at Crown Room and at Rotture on Saturday, August 18. You can maybe see DJ Fat Boy on Jimmy Kimmel next month?
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
They Live Here / News Listen to the First Episode of PDXOXO with Anya Marina
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 10:06 AM
For episode one, Marina invited Austin songwriter Bob Schneider into her house top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art recording studio here in Portland for an hour of conversation about life, love, music, sex, and why Schneider likes to draw dicks on everything. (Actually, I'm not sure if we get to the bottom of that one.) It sees Marina, who's now a full-time singer/songwriter, going back to her roots as a radio DJ and putting on her interview cap—check it out over on Anya's site, or listen to it below:
PDXOXO with Anya Marina, epi. 1 Bob Schneider (6.10.12) by AnyaMarina
Monday, February 6, 2012
They Live Here / News Horse Feathers Announce the Details of Their Fourth Album
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:13 PM
That there is the cover of the new Horse Feathers album, which comes out on April 17 on Kill Rock Stars. As you can see, the record is called Cynic's New Year, and as you might not be able to see, it is "by Horse Feathers with help from some various other folks." (That's the small print on the cover.)
Cynic's New Year—which one is that again? Doesn't that one come between the Year of the Rat and the Year of the Bearded Toad?—is the Portland group's fourth full-length. It's a 12-song collection produced by Point Juncture, WA's Skyler Norwood, whose recent credits include Blind Pilot and Talkdemonic. The album sees Horse Feathers, based around the duo of songwriter Justin Ringle and violinist Nathan Crockett, augmented by 11 other musicians, giving their stark, haunting folk sound a lush backdrop, including French horn, bells, banjo, and electric-chainsaw feedback other stringed instruments. You can hear a track off the album, "Fit Against the Country," by moseying on over to Horse Feathers' site and getting on their mailing list.
Full tracklist after the jump!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
They Live Here / Upcoming Interview with Wow & Flutter
Posted by Charlie Swanson on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 6:30 AM
Perennial Portland rock trio Wow & Flutter know a thing or two about craft beer. Living in the land of small brews, the band took it upon themselves to get into the mix with a brand new EP/Imperial ale called "Double Deuce." It goes like this: Buy a 22 oz. bottle of the specially made beer from Alameda Brewing either at local stores or shows, and get a code for a download of the band's new five-song EP.
As far as ingenious ideas go, this one takes the keg. But, it does leave me with a few questions. Luckily, Wow & Flutter were happy to provide the answers. Read on to find out the inspiration for and benefits of a beer-centric release. And get your hands on the new EP at Wow & Flutter's upcoming release show January 28 at Kelly's Olympian.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
They Live Here / MP3 Pancake Breakfast Sing About the City Where You Live
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Our city's most festive collective, Pancake Breakfast, has a new single for this young, new year, and hey! It's about the city where you live!
"PortlandtownUSA" (my spellcheck does not recognize "PortlandtownUSA" as a word—however, my spellcheck also does not recognize the word "spellcheck") is a one-off from Mike Midlo and the Pancakers. ("Pancakers" too? Jesus, spellcheck.) After a hymn-like intro, it turns into a rowdy boot-stomper with folk, country, and mariachi influences. True to the nature of its Portland subject, clouds and rain play starring roles.
The "PortlandtownUSA" single is up on Bandcamp right now and will be available via other digital retailers on January 17. In the meantime, Pancake Breakfast play a release show at downtown jazz club Jimmy Mak's (221 NW 10th) on Friday, January 13 and then embark on a national tour, where presumably Midlo will, nightly, be singing this song that's about wanting to come home.
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Friday, December 9, 2011
They Live Here / Video Here's Video of Blitzen Trapper on Letterman
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 11:48 AM
David Letterman loves Portland.
Actually, judging by his intro, I believe that he does! And he apparently loves Mount Hood, too.Blitzen Trapper played on his pretty famous television program yesterday evening, and this is what it looked like. Fun fact: Blitzen Trapper did indeed play their first show on Mount Hood, although unlike Dave says, it's only a bit over 11,000 feet (not 14,000). The local lads kick out some good ol' fashioned rock jams here, in front of all of America. It's good stuff.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
They Live Here RIYL: Grandparents
Posted by Chris Cantino on Thu, Dec 8, 2011 at 2:27 PM
For our newest edition of RIYL (that's an acronym for "recommended if you like"), we're turning over control of End Hits to the sons and daughters of Grandparents, one of Portland's most promising up and coming acts. Their outstanding new record Sugar Beach is a banquet of experimental rock motifs, with representation from five musical food groups: shoegaze, krautrock, garage, tropicalia, and all things psychedelic. Because each member brings such a variety of ingredients to the table, End Hits asked them to share some favorites from their eclectic recipe books.
Check out Grandparents' new single "HeadCleaner" below. Then, after the jump, you can read about and listen to some of your Grandparents' favorite music, including Comus, Caetano Veloso, and Belong.
Monday, November 21, 2011
They Live Here Interview With Sun Angle
Posted by Charlie Swanson on Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 10:40 AM
The psyched-out sounds that define Portland's Sun Angle have been steadily evolving over the course of the last year. The diffusive combination of longtime locals Charlie Salas Humara (Panther), Papi Fimbres (paper-upper-cuts), and Marius Libman (Copy) have lead to an improv- and effects-laden trip through cracked coastal rhythms and dynamically visceral experimentation.
Coming off their impressive self-titled debut EP, released two weeks ago, the band has been busy bringing their bent and wildly celebratory style around town, culminating in next week's Into the Woods Fall Party at Mississippi Studios on Sunday, November 27, alongside other favorites Hosannas and Log Across the Washer. Expect new videos and some of the most festive face shredding of the season.
We got the chance to shoot a couple of questions over to the band about what's led them up to now, and where they're headed from here. Check 'em out after the jump and then take a listen to the EP's opening track, "Timesnakes."
Friday, October 14, 2011
They Live Here / Thank You, Internet! / MP3 Download Benoit Pioulard's New Acoustic EP Lyon
Posted by Alex Lewis on Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 1:28 PM
Thomas Meluch has silently become one of Portland's most prolific producers of hushed, blissed out pop music under his pseudonym, Benoit Pioulard. It's worth checking on the the project's website at least once a month. I made my habitual round today and found out that he just released a short acoustic EP earlier this month called Lyon after the French city where it was recorded. The four songs on the record have all appeared in more expansive settings on previous releases, but here we find Meluch performing just with his voice and an acoustic guitar. It's available as a pay-what-you-want download on Pioulard's Bandcamp page.
They Live Here Matt Love on Nevermind
Posted by Alison Hallett on Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Oregon writer Matt Love recently posted his personal liner notes to Nevermind on the Powell's blog, inspired by the album's 20th anniversary rerelease:
Cut to 1989: Portland was cheap. I was a high school social studies teacher living in a spacious $350-a-month, two bedroom apartment (with balcony and a yard!) in the Belmont neighborhood. It was the good gray time in Portland, before the invasion of irony and long conversations about beer in dive taverns. I could afford to drink cheap Pacific Northwest lagers then still brewed in the Pacific Northwest by union men, and watch band after band and contract hangover after hangover in the exquisitely seedy rock club Satyricon, (don't go there, it's not there anymore) waiting for a sonic Red Sea to wash away all the leather-clad hair metalers. I remember seeing Nirvana at least a half-dozen times and thinking, well... nothing. I never once had any interaction with the band or their various hangers on, or with anything connected to the burgeoning scene at the time. I just went there to get drunk, listen to loud rock and roll, and throw glasses against the wall.
Read the whole thing.
In the same post, Love links to the YouTube channel for the "Newport High Friday Lunch Jam," which is an open mic he hosts in his classroom every Friday. It is adorable. Newport!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
They Live Here / News / Video Footage Fight! Ryland Bouchard vs. Lana Del Rey, and One Really Good Song
Posted by Ned Lannamann on Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 4:09 PM
Portland artist/musician Ryland Bouchard attracted a fair amount of attention recently—not from his music, which he often releases under the moniker the Robot Ate Me, or from anything released on his label Swim Slowly Records, but for footage that was plundered (or "found") for use in the attention-grabbing video for LA singer Lana Del Rey's upcoming debut single "Video Games." Along with plenty of other sources, the Del Rey video apparently made liberal use of Bouchard's short film "Good Life #2." Bouchard sent a request to Del Rey's people to cease and desist; they didn't because (as some sources indicate) it would draw too much attention to the fact that the footage was stolen. The video has since been re-edited without Bouchard's footage, and the video's current YouTube page credits where all the remaining footage came from.
A few things: As you can hear above, Del Rey's "Video Games" is stunning. It's a remarkable debut for an unknown artist, and while she looks totally glammed-out to the point of artificiality (is that collagen? I'm just asking), that's never stopped a pop star before. "Video Games" is a dreamy, swooning song with real teeth to it, making the single's release date on October 10 eagerly anticipated. (I haven't found mention of any forthcoming album.) Time—and more songs—will prove if Del Rey has what it takes to stick around, but the other songs on her YouTube page are boring, pot-boiling pop, so it's probably best to enjoy "Video Games" for what it is before making any judgment calls.
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