CD Baby reported a very good 2011 this morning on their DIY Musician blog. The report is decidedly heartening, bucking the trend of virtually every bit of other music-biz news, which typically indicates a dire state of affairs. That’s not the case with the Portland-based music distributor (now owned by out-of-town company Discmakers), which reports […]
Conflict of Interest
Posted inConflict of Interest
Me Doing Something with The Liberators!
Here’s some more conflict of interest! I am very lucky to be appearing with The Liberators—hands down Portland’s funniest comedy troupe—this Sunday at 8 pm at Mississippi Studios (3939 N Mississippi). They’re doing this crazy thing where I get a suggestion from the audience, tell a true story about it, and then The Liberators do […]
Posted inArtsy
Mercury Covers: Time for Some Horn Tootin’!
We don’t like to toot our own horn very often—mostly because it hurts our neck. That’s an oral sex joke. Anyway! Guess which local alternative paper got #3 in the “Top Ten Best Alternative Newsweekly Covers of 2011” as awarded by the Society of Professional Designers? THIS GUY! (I’m pointing my thumbs at the Mercury.) […]
Posted inComic Books
Tonight! Comics Underground!
From The Sabertooth Vampire by Mike Russell. Via. As seen in My, What a Busy Week!… NERD PARTY—Conflict-of-interest alert! Mercury Editors Alison Hallett and Erik Henriksen put together a monthly night (well, semimonthly. Slackers.) combining two excellent local pastimes: comics and drinking in a basement. It’s really fun! Tonight’s Comics Underground hosts Dylan Meconis, Mike […]
Posted inConflict of Interest
Taking The Next Step (Backwards)
I was first hired by the Mercury in 1912 as a delivery boy. Us Newsies always got a thrill from delivering the paper each and every week, especially ‘ol One Leggy Petey here. That kid loved it when Dan Savage would write about “pegging.” I’m taking the next step in my career after four 11 […]
Posted inComic Books
Tomorrow Night: Comics Underground!
CONFLICT OF INTEREST! CONFLICT OF INTEREST! But eh… whatever. Onward! So a few months ago, Alison and I put on an event called Comics Underground. Held at the newish bar the Jack London, located in the basement of the Rialto (529 SW 4th), it featured readings/performances from local comics creators, impromptu live musical accompaniment, and […]
Posted inSports
And the Winner of the Sunday Softball Championship is…
…us! Team Old Gold—the squad formerly known as Team Portland Mercury—took home the Sunday Softball championship this past weekend by defeating lovable dive bar The Matador 17-4, and then toppled artspace Disjecta 13-11 in the final game. More importantly, the trophy no longer belongs to last year’s winner, who were the envy of the senior […]
Posted inSports
My Apologies to the Willamette Week Softball Team
From this week’s issue of the Willamette Week, the official paper of record when it comes to getting their ass handed to them in softball: SOFTBALL, HARD LOSS: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. WW’s defending-champion bar league softball team lost in the second round of the playoffs to Old Gold, the team formerly known […]
Posted inConflict of Interest
What Is it Like to Work With Wm.™ Steve Humphrey?
A little something like this: This was filmed last week during Steve’s designated “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” dance. Unlike other PB&J incidents, no Mercury staffers were harmed/impregnated during this performance. Sadly, the same thing can’t be said for that leather sofa. After being aggressively freaked by Mr. Humphrey for the last time, that sad piece […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Dirty Hands, Clean Hearts (Can’t Lose?): Working Hands Farm
Our office manager Brad Buckner just before he hogged all the effing blueberries Back in March, as part of our Get To Know A Farmer series, I asked Brian Martin about the Working Hands Farm CSA. Today we got a chance to sample their goods. Working Hands Farm, in collaboration with Juliet Zulu (full disclosure: […]
Posted inBooks
Scott Sparling Reading Tonight
Local author Scott Sparling reads from his debut novel Wire to Wire at Powell’s tonight. As mentioned in my review in this week’s issue, it’s a gripping, unique book, reminiscent of crime and noir and drug fiction, but also none of those; like Cormac McCarthy or Robert Stone or Denis Johnson, but also none of […]
Posted inMusic
PBR and End Hits Present ’70s night at Mississippi Studios
I’m not one to tell you how to spend your Thursday night, but this evening is your only chance to witness the splendor that is ’70s night at Mississippi Studios. Sponsored by PBR and End Hits, this unique cover night takes ten of the finest local bands (including a few that have formed exclusively for […]