Just as folks were getting used to crowds again, this week reminded us of a whole other reason to fear public spaces: our nation's ongoing plague of gun violence. That's a dark opener for a fun music news column, but it's on our minds—no point in faking. We're living with the fear of being shot at a hospital, church, grocery store, dance club, mall, or school for absolutely no reason.
But we cannot let domestic terrorists make us afraid to leave our houses—and letting them rob us of the togetherness that we missed and we need is nothing they deserve. Resisting fear is rebellion and this week we're rebelling HARD and LOUD with rock/doom band Blackwater Holylight’s homecoming tour, Rochelle Jordan and Blossom’s Holocene takeover, a new single from The Last Artful, Dodgr, and Ice Cube headlining JAM’N 107.5’s Boo Bomb 8.
MUST-SEE:
Two can’t miss upcoming shows.
Blackwater Holylight
Portland-based all-girl rock band Blackwater Holylight put out a great EP back in October titled Silence/Motion, which explores feelings of grief, recovering from sexual assault, and ushering in hope. The album's seven tracks showcase their dynamism: naturally flowing from prog and krautrock, to Black Metal, to softer acoustics and shoegaze elements. In May, the group kicked off a two-month, North American tour and added a new second guitarist, Erika Osterhout, to play with them live. Starting off in San Diego, Blackwater Holylight have trekked through the Southern states and all the way up to Canada; now they’re gearing up for a homecoming show in Portland, before wrapping up with some more California dates the following week. Head to Rev Hall for an unmissable evening of empowering, contrast-heavy rock. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, Sun June 12, 8 pm, $17, tickets here)
Rochelle Jordan, Blossom
Holocene's expansive dance floor, colorful lighting, and expert sound quality are a perfect settling to showcase R&B singer Rochelle Jordan live. The Toronto-raised/LA-based singer-songwriter puts on an upbeat, danceable production that pulls in atmospheric house and gleaming garage music made popular in the UK, as well as electronic late-night anthems and buoyant drum-and-bass. We're hoping to hear “Everywoman,” along with stand-out songs “All Along,” “Got Em,” and “Already” from her most recent project, Play With the Changes, which dropped via TOKiMONSTA’s Young Art Records last April. Even better: Portland-based soul singer Blossom will open up the show, and maybe even give concert-goers a taste of some new material. (Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, Thurs June 9, 8 pm, $16, tickets here)
MUST-LISTEN:
One great new release from a locally relevant artist.
“IT,” The Last Artful, Dodgr
One-time Portlander The Last Artful, Dodgr—or simply Dodgr to those who are familiar—released a new single on May 20 titled “IT,” the first song she’s dropped since February’s upbeat and poppy “Hullabaloo.” The exceedingly sultry new song sees Dodgr darkening her vocals throughout, especially when she sings the chorus: “Right between those knees/ Want me to slow down but/ I can handle it” and “More for me, please/ Want more of it.” She also gets a rap verse off in the middle that’s steamy enough to make you go sheesh!: “Legs open wide like the Ys on my Goyard/ Look, Imma go hard as you say I should go/ fighting temptations/ be ruff n' steady/ line you up and then slow fuck ya/ Pretty lil thing I’m in no rush.” The rapper/singer also provided a racy new music video to go along with it. Lots of sensual, car-centric scenes abound… including (oh my!) Dodgr fingering a juicy orange! Watch below.
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.
Boo Bomb: Ice Cube, Ja Rule, Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Ying Yang Twins, MC Magic, Amanda Perez
Local radio station JAM’N 107.5’s annual throwback show is back with a new iteration: Boo Bomb 8. Let’s be honest, the biggest draw here is Ice Cube, who will certainly be busting out classics like “It Was A Good Day”—even if he won’t be performing some of his best, raunchiest, politically incorrect songs à la “Vaseline.” But catching other major hip-hop acts like Warren G performing “Regulate,” Ja Rule rocking to “Put It On Me,” and the Ying Yang Twins’ “Salt Shaker” will no doubt also be entertaining. Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg collaborators The Dogg Pound also give the bill some solid support, as well as MC Magic, and Amanda Perez, the singer behind the somber 2002 hit “Angel.” Tickets go on sale today, Friday, June 3, at 10 am via Ticketmaster. (Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct, Sat Oct 1, 7:30 pm, $49.50 and up, all ages, tickets here)
