Mercury Staff

W. Kamau Bell Last time socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell was in town was for his smart CNN travel show United Shades of America. He discussed gentrification—the good and the bad—on N Mississippi, asked a bearded local whether “hipster” was a dirty word, and even met with Black Portlanders‘ Intisar Abioto. Known for using his […]

Alejandro Escovedo You can’t get your paws on legendary songwriter Alejandro Escovedo’s new album, Burn Something Beautiful, until October 28, so think of tonight’s super-intimate show at the White Eagle as a preview of sorts—especially since Escovedo recorded it right here in Portland with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, the Minus 5’s Scott McCaughey, and a bevy […]

Pop Culture Happy Hour After suffering through yet another presidential “debate” between a blathering, pacing, sniffing misogynist and the overqualified woman tasked with acting like he’s a worthy opponent, drown your sorrows in a soothing live episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, featuring the patron saint of level-headed straight-talk, Audie Cornish, co-host of […]

LVL UP, Blowout, Sleeping Blood After helping to build one of the nation’s most promising DIY scenes through their own label, Double Double Whammy, Brooklyn-based indie rock quartet Lvl Up joined the Sub Pop family for their latest release, Return to Love. The album finds the band’s three-songwriters turning inward to confront the existential, while […]

The I, Anonymous Show If you missed the first live episode of the Mercury and Secret Society’s I, Anonymous Show then commence to kicking yourself because it was a goddamned hoot. Hilarious host Bri Pruett and a squad of comedians—this time including the terrific JoAnn Schinderle, Whitney Streed, and Jason Traeger—pick apart some of the […]