This past week was kooky-busy with extraordinary shows, showcasing but a fraction of what Portland, and the world, are on musically. The Mercury’s Music Issue launch party was a great success; the bands—KEEKS, La Isla Electronica, Isabeau Waia’u Walker, and the Barbaras—all crushed their sets. When, not if, you have the chance, check out all these bands live.
The lead Echo & the Bunnymen dude was wasted, muttering Manchester slang for their Revolution Hall show, while Buddy Wynkoop and Nonbinary Girlfriend tore their sets the fuck up at Swan Dive. Carlos Niño made my first Jack London Revue visit special, pulling out two of Portland’s best, Omari Jazz and Harlan Silverman, along with LA’s Aaron Shaw, for two unforgettable sets in Portland’s only underground jazz club.
If that weren’t enough, there’s a whole ’nother week of exceptional music coming up tout suite. But before we get to that, there are two very special girls celebrating two very special birthdays: Massive HBD shouts to Mercury photographer Nic Kielbasa and my cat, Polenta Osterberg Parker. You both shine brightly down on us like so many stage lights.
Lastly, I’ve gotten some heat (but mostly really wonderful feedback, thank you <3) for not including certain people/businesses in the Mercury‘s gorgeous Music Issue, available at hundreds of locations across the tri-county area. And to those haters I say, get so many grips. You think sliding into my inbox like a horny, blown off Sniffies goblin with +2 haste is gonna make me want to include you in any coverage ever? Take a Xanax.
Wednesday, May 20
American Football / Mei Semones
For fans of Minus the Bear, Title Fight, PWRFL Power
I consider American Football vocalist Mike Kinsella a good friend. We both love Danzig, me a little more than him. I once took a few bucks off him throwing snowballs at a Vail, Colorado ski resort. Not to make him sound like some kind of coastal elite—Mike is Midwest nice. I’ve never seen him wear socks. The rest of the guys in the band are also great, I just don’t know them as well. One time I crashed into Mike’s nice new car and broke the mirror and he didn’t even get that mad. Great guys and pretty good music. (Crystal Ballroom 8 pm, more info here, all ages) JAMES DEELEY, publisher, Portland Mercury
Thursday, May 21
Marisa Anderson / Descending Pharaohs
For fans of Lori Goldston, Ilyas Ahmed, Barry Walker Jr.
Marisa Anderson’s American primitive fingerstyle continually transforms, but it’s always infused with bluesy, folksy, drone-y spirit. A longtime Portlander and longer-time adventurer, Anderson’s albums act as reactions—2018’s Cloud Corner responded to Trump’s America, for instance–but also feel timeless. She’s full of subtle contradictions like that. The experimental guitarist-composer’s latest Thrill Jockey release, The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music, keeps plucking at strings with tunes responding to musicologist Harry Smith’s expansive folk archives. Expect Southeast Asian, Soviet, and Islamic world influence at this album release show; Anderson deliberately chose to interpret music from “places that the United States has been in conflict with since 1970,” per her Bandcamp. (Mississippi Studios, 8 pm, more info here, 21+) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Friday, May 22
Melody’s Echo Chamber / Strange Lot
For fans of Broadcast, Stereolab, Cate Le Bon
When the debut self-titled album by Melody’s Echo Chamber came out in 2012, it was played on repeat at Heart Coffee Roasters’ Burnside location, to the extent that owner Rebekah Yli-Luoma told the baristas to stop playing it. It’s thanks to Reebs that I still love this album and Melody’s Echo Chamber period. That 2012 recording was produced by Kevin Parker at the height of Tame Impala’s power; Parker’s fingerprints are deeply felt all over the LP. Melody released Unclouded last year, the prompt for this tour. Unclouded is just that, a beguilingly stripped-back album by an artist intimately familiar with texture. (Revolution Hall, 8 pm, more info here, all ages)
Saturday, May 23
Friends in Low Places
For fans of George Straight Gay, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam
Portland bands bust out their best impressions of banger country hits at this Halloween-style night of ’90s covers. Each act comes dressed as an iconic artist, ready to perform a handful of their most well-known tunes. This quirky event launched last fall and boy howdy was the kickoff a rowdy night! The spaces were wide open for the Neon Prairie Dogs as the Chicks, a neon moon shone bright for Jesco Payne as Brooks & Dunn, and Jacob Howard came out in full Alan Jackson Chattahoochee drag—jeans, life jacket, waterski, and all! This time round Sam Girl performs as Shania Twain, William Surly takes on Tim McGraw, and Mawlee Jones masquerades as the artist behind the event’s namesake, Garth Brooks. Come correct or don’t come at all: fringe, patterned pearl snaps, boots, and teased hair (the higher the hair, the closer to god). Swing on over to FILP’s IG and learn the line dances so you can boot scoot your boogie in unison throughout the night, and get ready to belt along to the best in the wild west. (Showdown Saloon, 8 pm, more info here, 21+) BRI BREY
Sunday, May 24
Juicebox / Wasted Life / Verdant Force / Child Labor
For fans of Dry Socket, Shell Shock, Lab Rat
Leaning into that Kewpie aesthetic à la Cerce and Drain, Juicebox do be pullin’ up to High Limit harder than a soccer mom with afterschool snacks. Hailing from Houston, Texas, stoppin’ their way across the USA, Juicebox claim to be music to dance to—and sister, they are! All the swagger and power of those beatdown meatheads without the blown out testosterone and fragile egos, plus way better riffs. It’s Juicebox, bitch, dance! Recent Mercury covergirls Verdant Force open the pit alongside Wasted Life and Child Labor. (High Limit Room, 7:30 pm, more info here, all ages)
Also very worth it…
Benchscraper / Guilt Tradition / War Hero / All Quiet / Knuckleheads at High Limit Room – May 20, more info here
Danny Brown at Wonder Ballroom – May 21, more info here
Screeching Weasel / Dwarves at Nova PDX – May 21, more info here
Silver Triplets of the Rio Hondo / Old Unconscious / Galen Ballinger at Bunk Bar – May 21, more info here
Altar Girl / Berzerk / False Flowers / Missionary Girls at The Six – May 22, more info here
Ensemble 6 at Leaven Community – May 22, more info here
Family Worship Center / Federale / Smilepile at Polaris Hall – May 22, more info here
From Maxville to Vanport at Lana Miles Performing Arts Center – May 22, more info here
Lucas Gunn / Bob and Lila / Sig Henry / Free Music Ensemble at Kelly’s Olympian – May 23, more info here
Trabants / Celebrity Telethon / Night Spots / DJ Radiodiffusion internasionaal at Kenton Club – May 23, more info here
The Music of Terry Riley at Mono Space – May 24, more info here
U Sco / FO//PO / Angel of the Meadow / T.U.L.O.C. / Mayan Prophecies Revealed at Wyrd Hut – May 24, more info here
Odd Man Out / Reflex / Rise Up / XcaliberX at High Limit Room – May 25, more info here
Seditious Activity / Burnt Out / Fa$t 50, Good For Now, Ayoko NA at Shanghai Tunnel – May 25, more info here
Chapterhouse / The Asteroid No. 4 at Aladdin Theater – May 26, more info here
New Music Portland:
JESUS H, we’re back with the soft re/launch of New Music Portland! Thanks for being cool honey bunnies, I’ve missed a grip of releases since the last NMP, but wipe those tears—we are so back.
Hex Records released their newest zine featuring interviews with Peach, Drug Church, Wipes, Filth Is Eternal, Yellfire, and more.
Have you been keeping up with Ryan Prado’s fortnightly album review column Spin Cycle. It rips, it’s often themed, and always full of surprises. Tune in, turn on, and drop it like its hot.
Named after the cutest Cold War cab, Portland’s Trabants are the PNW surf rock psych-out of our acid dreams, and they’ve got a new record, Mirage, coming out June 12. In the meantime, check out the animated video for “Purple Panther” and catch them live at Kenton Club on May 23.
Ahead of releasing their new album Paradessence on May 22, Visible Cloaks have shared another single and video, this time for the organically glitched “Steel.” Check it out and experience the album in community on May 30 at Mono Space.
Portland Music News
The wild and wooly concert booker-promoters Mammoth are offering BOGO deals on a bunch of their upcoming Portland concerts, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Weird Al, Killswitch Engage, and more. Peep their website for the rest of the lineup, offer good from May 20 – 27.
