Lauren K Newman
Lauren K Newman courtesy of the artist

Hello, you fools. We love you. Cā€™mon join the joyride. Itā€™s time for another edition of Press Play, our weekly roundup of Portland-centric music news. But first up, letā€™s pour a little out for Marie Fredriksson, the singer for Swedish pop geniuses Roxette, who passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 61. RIP.


Last week, we reported on the death of Lauren K. Newman, the artist who burned through this cityā€™s music scene behind a mass of black hair and powered by her unbeatable skills as a multi-instrumentalist. In the wake of her passing, Laurenā€™s brother Jamie has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with the expenses of her funeral and the life she left behind here in Portland.

ā€œI did not consider this at first,ā€ he wrote, ā€œbut now getting intoā€¦ out-of-pocket expenses, thereā€™s a lot to deal with here and I am in this alone.ā€

Jamie also says that heā€™s organizing two memorial services for his sister: one here in Portland and the other in her former hometown of Pensacola, Florida. We will be sure to update you with information on the local memorial when we have it.


With their latest album The Accidental Falls set to be released on February 14, Portlandā€™s paisley pop wonders Eyelids have unveiled a new video for ā€œFound at the Scene of a Rendezvous That Failed.ā€

In case you didnā€™t know, Eyelids collaborated with poet Larry Beckett on Accidental Falls, with the latter providing all the lyrics for the new record. This tune, however, dates back to 1966 as it was originally written by Beckett with the help of the late singer/songwriter Tim Buckley. Eyelids have done justice to this lovely anthem, lending it a strings-and-piano-soaked backdrop and a delicate vocal performance by John Moen. The song has been treated equally well by this clip, animated by ex-Decemberists member Rachel Blumberg.


Reed Wallsmith and Joe Cunningham remain 2/5 of the modern jazz ensemble Blue Cranes, but over the years, the saxophonists have spun off to bring their unique chemistry to other recording projects and live performances. This week, the two men offered up a chance to grab a little bit of their bottled lightning for their fans with Sergeant Major Junior, a short collection of pieces that finds them playing with modes of pop, stumblebum jazz, and experimentation.

Head over to the pair's Bandcamp page to snag a digital copy of this EP. But before you do, please take a few minutes to enjoy Wallsmith and Cunninghamā€™s slide into the world of modern dance in the video for the track ā€œItā€™s Hard To Make Friends,ā€ which was released along with the new record. Itā€™s adorable and earnest and a lot of fun.


Reed Wallsmith/JL Cunningham - It's Hard To Make Friends (Sergeant Major Junior EP) from Reed Wallsmith / JL Cunningham on Vimeo.



Pickathon, our favorite summer music festival, announced a two-day ticket sale happening on Sunday December 15 and Monday December 16 where folks can purchase tickets for the 2020 edition of the fest at 2019 prices. Grab a pass for yourself or snag the ultimate holiday gift for someone you clearly care about a great deal. The Pickathon team is also opening up a limited number of spots for RV and car camping.

And if you have the means, donā€™t sleep on their new Patron Passes, as there are a limited number left. That golden ticket allows you backstage access, free food and drinks, a reserved parking space, and express check-in. Thatā€™s the royal rock star treatment right there.


In other live music news, tour announcements have been coming in hot and heavy over the past week. Again, all the better to get folks to buy tickets as a gift for some lucky so-and-so this holiday season. Hereā€™s just a smattering of what is coming up:

Experimental electronic artist Fennesz will be touring North America for the first time in a decade, including a date at Holocene on March 10.

Seattle dream poppers Great Grandpa are setting off on a big tour through the States in support of their brilliant album Four of Arrows. It doesnā€™t get to our town until March 28 at Mississippi Studios but the wait will be worth it.

Sprawling Australian band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is kicking off a new run of North American shows at the Crystal Ballroom on April 19 with support coming from Leah Senior.

Deafheaven, the favorite metal band of the indie set, celebrates their 10th anniversary with a big tour that includes an appearance at Wonder Ballroom on April 30 with Inter Arma and All Your Sisters.

Psych-pop delights Tame Impala is hitting the road with Perfume Genius for a North American tour that stops by Moda Center on August 3.

And, last but not least, the awkwardly-named CMT Next Women of Country
Bring My Flowers Now Tour
hits the Crystal Ballroom on June 10 with a headlining set from country legend Tanya Tucker.


That's that for that. Thanks for reading the Mercury today and everyday. We'll be back again with another edition of Press Play for one and all next week.