popwreckoning

Block Party is beautiful. Every little thing about it is absolutely fantastic. From security yelling at people to get off the sidewalks, and into the streets, to the endless cacophony of music coming from every direction, it’s all wonderful.

The day started off with a short set by Fucked Up, broadcast by KEXP. There is a lot to be said about Fucked Up, but we’ll get there in a moment. For now, here’s a photo of me with Damian, the singer of the band. Yes, I asked him to take his shirt off for the photo.

Next up, was another KEXP set, this time by beloved Seattle band The Head and the Heart. I hadn’t listened to them up to this point, but I wasn’t going to miss them this time.

It has to be said that the band has an absolutely fanatic following.  The Bean Room reached capacity about fifteen minutes before the set, and there were people milling around in anticipation two hours before they were scheduled to play.  Are they worth the hype?

That depends on taste, but I definitely saw something intriguing in their short set. The band plays enjoyable acoustic music, and I saw enough to understand what the fuss is about. I’ll be watching The Head and the Heart more closely in the future.

Next, it was over to Neumo’s to stand in line for the bathrooms, and to see New York’s Cults. Cults sort of sound like twee pop filtered through Joy Division. The strobe lights hit, the band took the stage, and the sound of dark dance music filtered through the room.

Lead singer Madeline Follin came off something like a Gwen Stefani for the goth set, but the band had a sense of joy around it.  A beach ball hit the stage at least a dozen times during the set, and the crowd seemed extremely happy to be there. The music had plenty of fantastic distortion, and people danced like they were on fire. It was a great show, and up next was the highlight of the evening.

Fucked Up tore the roof off Neumos, in a way that’s rarely seen. The band was noisy, but played extremely well together, even though from the balcony the songs were often indistinguishable from one another. That didn’t matter. Two dozen stage divers cannot be argued with.

Singer Damian Abraham led the crowd in a sweaty, raucous, mess that was absolutely astonishing to witness. At one point he lead the crowd into chanting “I hate summer” during one song, and into “we’re dying on the inside” during the next. It was beautiful. He took off his shirt, and began twirling his microphone during the first song, and the energy did waver for a solid forty-five minutes.

This was punk rock at it’s purest.  Not only did Abraham stage dive but so did one of the guitar players, and the (female) bass player. The latter two did so while they continued playing. The crowd was putty in Abraham’s hands, even when he dove into the crowd during the second to last song, and went to the bar to get a drink.  This kind of ballsy awesomeness is so rarely seen at shows. It was breathtaking to behold, and I cannot wait to see this band again.

After Fucked Up, complete exhaustion set in, but I stayed around for Yuck. The band set up, and by their second song the crowd was enthralled. They played a set of slacker rock that made one nostalgic for the mid-90’s, when bands like Pavement were in their prime.

The set ended, and I struggled my way through the crowd, into the street, and through an exhilarated, completely transformed Capitol Hill. It’s 1 a.m., and I can still hear the drunks partying in the streets from my living room window.

Death Cab For Cutie have announced a fall tour to start September 30th in Cincinnati and go through the end of October. Support includes Telekinesis, The Hold Steady, Explosions In The Sky, and The Head And The Heart. Furthermore, DCFC will also be among the headline acts appearing at Sunrise, Florida’s annual Langerado Music Festival on October 8^th and San Francisco’s Treasure Island Music Festival on October 16^th. Below is a complete list of tour dates. For more information please visit www.deathcabforcutie.com.

AUGUST

1                      Boston, MA                           Bank of America Pavilion

2                      Brooklyn, NY                        Williamsburg Waterfront

5                      Philadelphia, PA                  Mann Center for Performing Arts

6                      Pittsburgh, PA                      Stage AE

7                      Columbia, MD                      Merriweather Post Pavilion

8                      Cary, NC                                Koka Booth Amphitheatre

10                    Nashville, TN                       Bridgestone Arena

11                    Alpharetta, GA                     Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

12                    New Orleans, LA                 Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena

13                    Grand Prairie, TX                 Verizon Theater

15                    Phoenix, AZ                          Comerica Theatre

16                    La Jolla, CA                           RIMAC Arena

18, 19              Los Angeles, CA                  Greek Theater

20                    Las Vegas, NV                      The Pool

22                    West Valley City, UT          Maverik Center

23                    Morrison, CO                        Red Rocks Amphitheatre

25                    Chicago, IL                            UIC Pavilion

26                    St. Paul, MN                          Roy Wilkins Auditorium

SEPTEMBER

30                    Cincinnati, OH                     PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music

OCTOBER

1                      Champaign, IL                      University of Illinois-Assembly

2                      St. Louis, MO                        The Pageant

5                      Memphis, TN                       Mud Island Ampitheatre

6                      Birmingham, AL                  Alabama Theatre

7                      Jacksonville, FL                    Florida Theatre

8                      Sunrise, FL                            Langerado Music Festival

10                    Houston, TX                         Verizon Wireless Theatre

11                    Austin, TX                             Austin Music Hall

15                    Santa Barbara, CA                Santa Barbara Bowl

16                    San Francisco, CA                Treasure Island Music Festival

18                    Boise, ID                                Taco Bell Arena

20                    Portland, OR                         Portland Memorial Coliseum

21                    Vancouver, BC                     Rogers Arena

22                    Seattle, WA                           Key Arena at Seattle Center

Seattle’s newest stars, the Head and the Heart, rocked the house in their first headlining gig at the Showbox at the Market this past Friday. They already had the Showbox scheduled, but when that show sold out in just over 17 minutes, they added a second show at the Moore Theatre the next day.

Needless to say, this band is going places.

To open the show was Salt Lake City’s The Devil Whale, who proclaimed to the exuberant audience, “it was a year ago when we played a show with the Head and the Heart at a little place called the Comet Tavern. Look at how far they’ve come!” It is quite a miraculous feat, seeing that the Head and the Heart has only been playing together for just over a year.

But the Devil Whale put on a great show – mixing sunny 60s-tinged pop rock with blues hooks that made you want to sway back and forth to their songs. “Golden” and “Magic Numbers” were two standout tracks, which are equally as good on their CD Teeth, which they were selling at the merch table. “Werewolf Army” was another splendid track, a subdued ballad full of passion and sadness.

After an enjoyable set, Poulsbo, WA natives Lemolo took the stage as the second act of the night.

Lemolo had opened for the Head and the Heart back in January when I saw them at Neumo’s, and I instantly fell in love with their sound, and this time it was no different. While sound check took a while, it was all worth it, because the girls, Meagan Grandall and Kendra Cox, bring so much sound between the two of them. With Grandall on guitar and keyboards and Cox on drums and keyboards, they create a simple sultry Seattle sound. Their sound spams from the upbeat dreamy pop of “Open Air,” the melancholy of “Beautiful Night” and the bluesy and sexy “Who Loves.”

And just as well as their band’s intense stage presence, they girls are charming to speak with, so I suggest the next chance you get to see them, you stop at the merch table and say ‘hey.’

Lemolo left the stage, and several people made their way up to the front where I was standing, making the crowd even denser than before. I didn’t expect there to be as many drunk people as there were, but one girl leaned over to me and slurred to me, “Do you wanna be famous?” as she shook my hand with the wrong hand. At least they were nice enough to let me stand in front of them while I could take photos.

The band took the stage, and you would have thought that Eddie Vedder was standing at the back, because people went nuts. I guess for good reason, because not only is the Head and the Heart an amazing band, they got signed to SubPop this year, they are playing the main stage at the Sasquatch Music Festival, and they’re touring with Iron and Wine. This is a good year for Seattle music.

Singer Josiah Johnson sported a Conor Byrne pub t-shirt, which was fitting, seeing that the band got their start playing open mics at the pub in Ballard. It even sold out earlier this year. An open mic sold out. Seriously.

After a drawn-out intro laden with Beastie Boys music, the band jumped right into “Cats and Dogs,” surrounded by old lamps that lit up the stage. After “Cats and Dogs,” the energy never stopped. The Head and the Heart is one of those bands that genuinely looks like they’re having the time of their life on stage. They make it look so easy, and so much fun. It makes me want to start a band.

While it was awesome to hear all the songs I’ve been listening to non-stop on the album like “Lost in my Mind” and “Down in the Valley,” some of my favorite moments of the night were with new songs – one that I don’t even know the title of. “Josh McBride” was a beautiful ballad that was so moving, that I almost started crying. I loved that song so much, and I wish I’d gotten in on video, just so I could listen to it over and over again since it isn’t on the record. But if you’d like to listen to it, Fuel Friends Blog did record a Chapel Session back in March. Another great moment was when singer Jonathan Russell took the stage solo with his acoustic guitar in a fantastic lament. It was met with a bunch of hoots and hollers as Russell hit the big notes.

In fact, there was plenty of screaming that night. One woman in front of me has noticed the Conor Byrne shirt and made it well known to the rest of the audience, and at another point she shouted out “We love you!” which Johnson replied back with “We love you too.” And the most uproarious applause came during the final part of the amazing track “Rivers and Roads,” one that’s so good that they had to include it on the album when Sub-Pop rereleased it this year. In the bridge of the song, where violinist Charity Rose Thielen starts singing, people screamed, again, like Eddie Vedder had suddenly taken the stage.  Thielen does definitely bring something special to the band, and that’s more than just lovely harmonies.

It had been awhile since I’d felt so much love at a show, and it was well-deserved. I know I’m excited to see what’s next for the Head and the Heart, because I can say I was there before they made it big.

Visit http://www.theheadandtheheart.com/

This weekend, Dr. Dog, The Head and The Heart, Mason Jennings and many more musicians and bands will play at the inaugural Pearl Street Music Festival in Boulder, CO. Although smaller than other two-day festivals, the stellar line-up and humble community makes Pearl Street Music Festival a great primer for the various outdoor summer concerts and festivals coming through Colorado this summer. Festival organizer Travis Albright spoke to PopWreckoning about the festival line-up and the perks of a Pearl Street Music Festival wristband.

PopWreckoning, Brianna Hernandez: How did you decide which artists to feature at the festival?
Travis Albright, Pearl Street Music Festival: I wanted to have a nice mix of local and national acts with a wide array of genres. The genres at this festival include indie, folk, bluegrass, jam, rock, and even late night DJs. Plus, they’re bands that I really love. The Head and the Heart and Dr. Dog are two of my favorites.

PopWreckoning: Aside from Snowball Music Festival, this is really the first music festival in CO this year. Is there any pressure as Pearl Street Music Fest kicks off music festival season in CO?
Travis: There is absolutely no pressure. We have had such strong support from the community since day one. All of the businesses, bands, fans, and the city of Boulder have been so great to work with.

PopWreckoning: How are you working with local businesses to enhance the festival experience?
Travis: Because the festival and local businesses decided to work together on festival logistics, the entire downtown area is benefitting this weekend. With one single festival wristband, patrons can get into seven different venues from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., attend a film premiere, and check out art expos, all while receiving great discounts from local restaurants and retailers.

PopWreckoning: As Paste Magazine highlighted, this is your inaugural year. What are your goals for this festival?
Travis: We are so honored to named one of Paste Magazine’s “Top 10 Most Interesting Inaugural Music Festival of 2011!” It’s great to be in the company of such festivals as the Dave Matthews Caravan, Escape to New York, Electric Forest, and even Rock A Field in Luxembourg. Our only goal was to logistically get the downtown area to work together for a true Boulder experience. Hopefully next year we will have all of the Pearl Street district involved.

PopWreckoning: 2011 is the inaugural year for both Snowball Music Festival and Pearl Street Music Festival. With a slew of already successful music festivals, and several new music fests (including Pearl Street and Snowball), what does this mean for CO’s music scene?
Travis: I think that the music scene on the front range of Colorado is something that exceeds major markets such as New York, Chicago, and L.A. Our humbly populated area is able to run with the big dogs. That alone speaks volumes.

PopWreckoning: How is Pearl Street Music Festival different from other CO music festivals such as Westword Music Showcase, Underground Music Showcase, Snowball Music Fest, Telluride, etc?
Travis: I think it’s different because even though some of the others are multiple venue festivals, this is the only where you can buy a single festival pass and have access to so much in just a few blocks.

PopWreckoning: How would you describe CO’s music scene?
Travis: I think anyone that loves music already knows about the Colorado music scene. I’m from the east coast. Six years ago, the music scene was one of the main reasons that I moved to Boulder. That and the great beer, outdoor activities, sunny weather…

For more information about Pearl Street Music Festival, visit: www.pearlstreetfestival.com.

Mad Rad, Das Racist and The Thermals brought the house down at the free Sasquatch Launch Party at the Showbox at the Market last night, where the lineup to the now four-day festival would be announced.

Put on by Livenation and Sasquatch creator Adam Zacks, the launch party was MC’d by Comedian Todd Barry, who kept the crowd entertained between sets with dry wit and some fake teaser headliners.

“If you love me now, you’ll love when I play a set between headliners Elvis Presley and the Beatles, and tickets are only $7!” Barry proclaimed sarcastically to the less-than-attentive crowd. But I guess that’s what you get when you have a free show.

After Mad Rad and Das Racist played their sets, the lineup was announced in a video like previous years, which was played twice over, most likely so people could get a second look because they were freaking out too much over the Flaming Lips.

So far the lineup includes:

Death Cab for Cutie, the Decemberists, Modest Mouse, the Foo Fighters, Robyn, Wilco, Flying Lotus, Bright Eyes, Flogging Molly, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Das Racist, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Iron & Wine, The Flaming Lips.Black Mountain, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, the Head and the Heart, Mad Rad, the Moondoggies, Noah & The Whale, Sam Roberts Band, Secret Sisters, Twin Shadow, Wye Oak, Tig Notaro, Smith Westerns, Rival Schools, Foster the People, Alberta Cross, S. Carey, White Denim, Washed Out, Gold Panda, Dan Mangan, Axis of Awesome, The Globes, Cotton Jones, Jaill, Basia Bulat, Other Lives, The Bronx, White Arrows, Pepper Rabbit, Talkdemonic, Rebecca Gates and The Consortium, The Young Evils, Bassnectar, Pink Martini, Cold War Kids, Old 97′s, Ratatat, Wolf Parade, Chromeo, Guided By Voices, Yeasayer, Beach House, Local Natives, Matt & Kim, Deerhunter, Mstrkrft, Trailer Park Boys, Sleigh Bells, Major Lazer, Skrillex, Fitz & The Tantrums, !!!, Archers of Loaf, Against Me!, The Thermals, Best Coast, CSS, Surfer Blood, Jenny & Johnny, Bonobo (DJ Set), City and Colour, Reggie Watts, K-Os, Gayngs, Tim Minchin, The Drums, The Radio Dept., Young the Giant, The Antlers, Sharon Van Etten, Villagers, Stornoway, Aloe Blacc.

Tickets go on sale on Feb. 14th starting at $79.50 per day and $285 for three-day passes.

Go to http://sasquatchfestival.com/ for more information or to purchase tickets.

If you haven’t yet educated yourself about Seattle’s own the Head and the Heart, do it. Well, read this first and then go watch their videos, buy their album, see them live, etc.

After hearing so much good stuff about the Head and the Heart from many of my friends around Seattle, I finally got to see this marvelous band on Friday at their first headlining show at Neumo’s – which was 21+, and sold out. To say that I was proud is an understatement. You see, the Head and the Heart just officially signed to Sub-Pop Records on Jan. 11, even though it was worst kept secret around Seattle for at least a few weeks. You can actually buy their debut album on iTunes now, and it’s being re-released in physical form under Sub-Pop in April.

But enough background. Let’s talk about the awesome night of local music I had on Friday!

Opening the show was Lemolo, a girl duo made up of Meagan Grandall on keyboard and guitar and Kendra Cox on drums and also keyboard. It was Cox’s grandfather’s Casio- I came to find out because her father was standing next to me in the crowd and he could not stop gushing about the band. “That’s my daughter up there,” he kept telling people around us. It was cute.

Lemolo surprised me. You definitely would not expect that much sound to come from just two girls, but the girls’ stage presence is full of so much passion that once you see them, you get it. With Grandall’s sultry voice and confident stance, Cox’s infectious energy at both the keyboard and drums, and their impeccable harmonies, Lemolo brought the house down, even if it wasn’t full at that point. Grandall even said, “Tonight Kendra is playing drums for the first time in heels. I’m proud of her.”

“They’re really tall, see?!” Cox shouted back with glee.

Lemolo played through a strong set of songs off their couple EPs, including the incredibly catchy “Open Air” and the understated and sexy “Whale Song.” It was both Lemolo’s strong local connection and their obvious friendship that made their performance so enjoyable, and that theme led throughout the night as Curtains For You took the stage.

Turning up the energy, retro-pop band Curtains for You brought smiles across the faces of the whole crowd, most certainly. Fronted by brothers Matthew and Mike Gervais, Curtains for You has a sound familial to Kay Kay and the Weathered Underground, Rufus Wainwright, perhaps the Beach Boys, and even a bit of vaudevillian charm in there.

Seriously, during toe-tapper ragtime track “Small Change,” we not only had the drums, guitar, bass, and keyboard on stage, but also the saxophone and sousaphone. It’s a wonder that Curtains for You has been around since 2004 and I’ve never heard of them, because they have enough energy for venues three times the size of Neumo’s. They played songs off their 2009 album What A Lovely Surprise To Wake Up Here as well as their 2010 EP Heaven’s Waiting, all of which had earnest and lovely lyrics but powerful arrangements that filled up the crowded room.

Just when I thought the night could not get any better, guests of honor the Head and the Heart took the stage to a wild round of applause, and jumped right into the sweet little ditties “Popsicle” and the gospel-tinged “Cats & Dogs.” I can say, I’ve never seen so much love in one room before. It made me proud to be a Seattleite, seeing how much this band had accomplished in less than a year and how much the Seattle music community supported them.

“Some of us are from Virginia, and every time we leave, it makes us realize how fucking lucky you are,” said guitarist Jonathan Russell, which was met with more applause. “I mean, we like Virginia too, it’s nice.”

“We love Virginia!” Chimed in violinist Charity Rose Thielen.

There was not a down moment during that performance, as they started the unbelievably catchy “Ghosts,” which ended in a giant sing-along of “ba-da-ba-da-ba-ba! I’d seriously never been to a sold-out 21+ show, but it may be my new favorite thing. You’ve got all the love and energy of an all-ages show without all the precocious teenagers stinking up the place with their bad weed.

The middle of their set was the so-called “low-energy” songs, but they were no less beautiful, with “Sounds Like Hallelujah,” “Lost In My Mind,” “Seat Beside Me” and “Winter Song.”

“You see, what’s great about headlining is that the stage is for all intents and purposes yours for the night. You get to choose the awesome bands to play with, and because of Derek right over there,” and Josiah Johnson pointed over at a tall man shoved in a corner of the room and he waved, “you get to have people come up on stage with you if you want.” So instantly the women who were crowded up front near me shuffled their way to the tiny staircase and I’d say at least a couple dozen people on that stage singing and dancing along to “Lost In My Mind.”

What I love so much about the Head and the Heart is that they mix southern charm, northwest passion, and a whole heck of a lot of talent between the five of them. Seriously, I will drive up to Ballard on Sunday nights just for a chance to see any of them play at the Conor Byrne open mic night, which, from what I’ve heard is quite a good time.

After Johnson inquired if anyone in the audience was from a state that started with “T” and people started spouting out random states, the band played a great cover of Johnny Cash’s “T is for Texas.” As the hour passed midnight, I was already on a musical high, but then they closed the night out with a goosebump-inducing performance of my favourite song “Down in the Valley,” and an even more moving version of “Rivers and Roads,” which wasn’t even on the first printing of their debut album.

After the amazing extended version of “Rivers and Roads,” the band exited the stage while the crowd already started chanting for an encore. But the problem was this – they’re a new band. They’d already played all their songs, so they were out of songs to play for an encore, and it took the audience quite a long to figure that out. Honestly, they wouldn’t leave.

But who would, really? You wouldn’t want to leave that high behind. The Head and the Heart was that good, so good that you didn’t want to leave even when the show was over.

Setlist: (There was one song they added in at some point that wasn’t on the setlist, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was.)

1. Popsicle
2. Cats & Dogs
3. Coeur d’Alene
4. Ghost
5. Love You Long Time
6. Sounds like Hallelujah
7. Honey
8. Seat Beside Me
9. Heaven
10. Lost in my mind
11. T is for Texas
12. Winter Song
13. New Jam
14. Down in the Valley
15. Rivers and Roads

Sure, you’ve all heard of English folk band Mumford and Sons, especially in light of their Grammy nomination. But have you heard of Stornoway? No? You soon will.

Named after a coastal town in Scotland far away from their hometown of Oxford, England, Stornoway, like Mumford and Sons, has four principal members and play folk pop. But Stornoway also have a violinist, Rahul Satija, as well as a trumpeter, Adam Briggs, brother of main songwriter and lead singer Brian Briggs. Having compared Mumford’s Sigh No More against Stornoway‘s debut album Beachcomber’s Windowsill released on 4AD, I think Stornoway has the upper hand in terms of song preciousness; that is, their album cuts you deeper emotionally, bringing out feelings you never thought you had. So I’m not embarrassed to admit seeing them live practically reduced me to tears.

Sunday night’s show at the smaller of the two Black Cat stages, Backstage, was also the last date on the tour with Franz Nicolay and Major General as support. This year, the famously cool and mustachioed Nicolay left the Hold Steady in favor of a solo career and also released a new album, Luck and Courage. Nicolay’s material runs the gamut from emotional folk to more up-tempo numbers. “Dead Sailors,” introduced by an enthused Nicolay as “this is a tango!” did not disappoint, nor did the dramatic “Have Mercy” or the set closer “Jeff Penalty,” a song he explained was about “a friend who got his dream job in the end.” The song could be about Nicolay himself, as he and his three-piece backing band were having a ball onstage. They even said we were the best crowd they played to on this tour. Excellent.

Beyond the music, Nicolay is hilarious and has great rapport with an audience, making us chuckle, warning us “no texting in the front row!” and how their set would feature accordion solos, advising those of weak heart and constitution to leave the premises if they could not handle his squeeze-box shenanigans. But I have to say, after only hearing a couple songs on his MySpace like “This is Not a Pipe” and a humorous collaboration he did with Dresden Dolls, “New England,” I was not prepared for as a spirited set as he delivered. This might be heresy to some, but I think I like Nicolay’s solo stuff better than the Hold Steady.

Franz Nicolay and Major General Set List:
The Ballad of Hollis Wadsworth Mason Jr.
Dead Sailors
Have Mercy
This is Not a Pipe
Rock Rinse (what it looks like on the handwritten set list)
Z is for Zachariah
Luck and Courage
Felix and Adelita
Frankie
Jeff Penalty

But the breathless crowd assembled was waiting for Stornoway to appear. The Black Cat gig, like most gigs at the venue, was an all-ages show, which meant quite a few youngsters had come far away for it: a mother, daughter and friends from Wilmington, Delaware, drove nearly 3 hours for this – talk about dedication. The show began with a plaintive violin solo by Satija before the band came out to thunderous applause and launched into “The Coldharbour Road,” a song in which Briggs draws metaphors for himself and the woman he loved, like the relationship between a seabird and the cold, unfeeling ocean, and the mind of a man that a memory of a woman once lived in. This is deep, deep stuff and definitely stuff that touches my heart. The recording features what can only be described industrial clanking, which in the live setting is achieved by extra band members hitting on, amazingly, an antique TV set and a beer keg. Briggs’s voice and his band members’ harmonies were spot on and gorgeous. It set the stage for a monumental evening.

Before the show, Briggs described “Fuel Up” (my favorite song on Beachcomber’s Windowsill) to me as a song about the pains of growing up. The words of the chorus are so simple yet powerful: “so fuel up your mind and fire up your heart and drive on / drive on, drive on / and when your days are darker / put your foot down harder / drive on, drive on.” It seems to say, life goes on and so do we, so soldier on for there are brighter days ahead. Just as I do every time I hear the song on my headphones, I could feel tears pricking my eyes hearing this live. I don’t cry at gigs; I just don’t. But the beauty of Stornoway‘s music was so moving, I couldn’t help myself.

I don’t want you to think that all this band does are slow ballads. Songs like “Watching Birds” (a song which makes total sense now that I know Briggs got his degree in zoology and studied birds at university) and a particularly joyous version of “We Are the Battery Human,” featuring keyboardist Jonathan Ouin playing a banjo emblazoned with a rainbow-colored nautilus and done completely unmiked and acoustically, were so energetic. They got the audience stamping their feet and clapping their hands to the beat. This was an unforgettable evening that tugged at the heartstrings as well as made the heart sing. I was so glad I was there to experience it.

Stornoway Set List:
The Coldharbour Road
Boats and Trains
Beachcomber’s Windowsill
Fuel Up
I Saw You Blink
On the Rocks
November Song (acoustic)
Watching Birds
Long Distance Lullaby
Zorbing
//
End of the Movie (acoustic)
We Are the Battery Human (acoustic)

Tour Dates
Dec 08 – Biltmore Cabaret / Vancouver^
Dec 09 – Crocodile / Seattle^
Dec 10 – Doug Fir / Portland^
Dec 12 – Independent / San Francisco^
Dec 13 – Troubadour / Los Angeles^
^with the Head and the Heart

Stornoway: website | myspace
Franz Nicolay and Major General: website | myspace

Oxford, England folk pop band Stornoway have announced their first headlining tour of America for this December. The 4AD group will be hitting both coasts on this 9-date jaunt. If you’ve never heard of this great band before, the video below will impress you. It’s a “Watch, Listen, Tell” acoustic version of their song, “I Saw You Blink.” It’s really lovely.

Tour Dates
Dec 02 – Bowery Ballroom / New York City*
Dec 03 – TT the Bear’s / Cambridge, MA*
Dec 04 – Johnny Brenda’s / Philadelphia*
Dec 05 – Black Cat Backstage / Washington, DC*
Dec 08 – Biltmore / Vancouver^
Dec 09 - Crocodile / Seattle
Dec 10 – Doug Fir / Portland^
Dec 12 – Independent / San Francisco^
Dec 13 – Troubadour / Los Angeles^
*with Franz Nicolay and Major General
^with the Head and the Heart

Stornoway: website | myspace

On the first of a two-night run at the Paramount in Seattle, Vampire Weekend redeemed themselves Wednesday after a last-minute cancellation last month at Marymoor Park. While it may not have been a summer Sunday night at an outdoor amphitheater, the show was still lovely in the recently remodeled classic Paramount Theater with its phenomenal acoustics and towering ceilings.

While I haven’t been to the Paramount in over a year, I completely forgot that when the Paramount says the show starts at 7:30, it doesn’t actually mean that’s when the doors open, so I arrived literally during the Head and the Heart. Hearing some friends gushing about them afterward, I felt terrible that I didn’t get to see more of their performance.  But I did go home to listen to the the local six-piece’s soft piano-laden pop harmonies, and I strongly suggest you look them up. I didn’t get the chance to see them for more than a few minutes, so learn from my mistakes. I mean, most of the crowd didn’t give them nearly the love they deserved, because they were just anxious to see Vampire Weekend, take two.

Shortly before 8:45, Vampire Weekend took the stage, decorated with floating chandeliers ascending and descending high above the band, like their first album cover come to life. Starting right into their new single “Holiday,” the band played their hearts out with the 18-song set and a 4-song encore.

“It’s not a Sunday in the Park but thanks for being here,” Koenig exclaimed to the crowd. “We can pretend it’s a nice summer day.” The theme of redemption rang throughout the night, with Koenig actively including the people in the show. In fact, at one point during “Giving Up The Gun,” a fan got up on stage with a homemade sign with the resounding chorus line “Go on,” and she flailed it around wildly next to keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij.

“Good for her!” Koenig said, as she jumped off the stage at the end of the song.

As I stood to the right of the stage, I couldn’t help but notice how light Chris Baio is on his feet. Seriously, once you see his fancy footwork, it’s hard to pay attention to anything else during the show. I mean, “Cousins” and “A-Punk” already made me want to dance, but seeing Baio’s moves made it impossible to resist shaking my hips just a bit.

Who am I kidding? I didn’t stop dancing. Well, except during the slow and ethereal “I Think Ur A Contra,” which I was so pleased to hear, because they didn’t play it at Sasquatch back in May, and it’s one of my favorites off Contra. It was a nice break from the otherwise effervescent hits.

Another nice surprise of the night was a Springsteen cover. I’m sure plenty of the kids in the house had never heard Springsteen’s “I’m Goin’ Down,” but Vampire Weekend did the song great justice. Hopefully it isn’t a one-time thing.

After their cheeky hit “Oxford Comma,” the band stepped off stage the first time, which was short-lived as they jumped back on stage with “Horchata.” Naturally everyone went a little nuts.

“We haven’t played this song in a long time, but someone on Twitter requested it, saying ‘You owe us!’” Koenig said, and then agreed with said tweeter, starting into the riffs of “The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance.” It wasn’t nearly as energetic as one would expect in an encore, but it was so charming that the guys tried their hardest to redeem themselves after the disappointing cancellation last month. In case you aren’t familiar, it was August 31, and the Dum Dum Girls and Beach House had both finished their opening sets, the crowd sat around for an hour before the band announced that the show was cancelled. Koenig’s voice had been strained that day and when he saw a doctor he recommended Koenig not sing because of inflamed vocal chords.

Needless to say, the crowd was less than enthused that they had to drive home without seeing Vampire Weekend. So three weeks later, all the Marymoor Park tickets were honored at the two-night run at the Paramount.

“I don’t want to apologize too many times, so I’ll say thank you,” Koenig said. “We couldn’t ask for anything better than for you guys to give us a second chance…and then plus to get to play with Seattle’s own the Head and the Heart. We’ll never give you the run-around again.”

Finishing out the lengthy set, for “Mansard Roof,” Koenig instructed the crowd, “the only way to dance to this song, just go with it,” is to do spirit fingers. Spirit fingers, you ask? Why yes, actual spirit fingers. “And your arms may get tired, but this is a short song!” So everyone’s hands went up, with their fingers wiggling up to the sky as the quick song built to the final song of the night – “Walcott.”

As the second song referencing Cape Cod, it was quite an epic sing-along with Baio on an upright bass and Koenig shouting out jubilantly “Don’t you wanna get outta Cape Cod tonight?” over and over again until I feared his voice may give out again.

Going back to what Koenig said about never giving Seattle the run-around, I can’t help but agree with an inexplicably loud guy from the crowd:

“You’re forgiven!”

Set list:

“Holiday”
“White Sky”
“Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa”
“I Stand Corrected”
“M79″
“Bryn”
“California English”
“Cousins”
“Taxi Cab”
“Run”
“A-Punk”
“One (Blake’s Got a New Face)”
“I’m Going Down” (Bruce Springsteen cover)
“Diplomat’s Son”
“I Think UR a Contra”
“Giving Up the Gun”
“Campus”
“Oxford Comma”

Encore
“Horchata”
“The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance”
“Mansard Roof”
“Walcott”

We all love a good Columbia River backdrop or acres and acres of open field at our music festivals, but what makes MusicFest Northwest different than most festivals is that it takes places within the city – at all the Portland venues you know and love. It’s not just a celebration of music but also a celebration of Portland in general.

In just under two weeks’ time, Portland’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning alt-weekly newspaper Willamette Week will be hosting its 10th annual MusicFest Northwest, which has grown to be the third-largest indoor music festival in the country.

At no other festival else can you park for free in suburbia, take a light rail downtown, then pick up an orange Tang doughnut (yes, I said Tang), and walk a block down at 1 a.m. to catch The Builders and the Butchers at Berbati’s Pan.

Voodoo Doughnuts and Berbati’s Pan are very conveniently placed literally 125 away from each other. Just a tip.

Because of this indoor, inner city set-up, you won’t have to empty your bank account for festival food, or use smelly port-a-potties. But I’d never expect anything different coming from Portland, with the casual, low-key vibe that I love about it so much.

Here’s what I’m planning on doing, but trust me – with the MAX light rail running at full capacity over the 5-day festival, you’ll have the opportunity to see so much more, whether it be a 21+ show, or an all-ages (AA) show.

Wednesday, September 8^th:

Act: Panda Bear
Time: 10 p.m.
Location: Comcast and opbmusic stage at the Crystal Ballroom

Ever since seeing Animal Collective play live over a year ago, I’ve been holding out for another chance to see any of the guys in a live capacity. To coincide with the release of his highly awaited album Tomboy, Noah “Panda Bear” Lennox will be gracing Portland with his mesmerizing presence on the first night of the festival at the Crystal Ballroom (which has floors with a bit of bounce in them). AA

Thursday, September 9^th:

Act: Ra Ra Riot
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Nike Sportswear Stage at the Wonder Ballroom

In the past, Ra Ra Riot has opened for such amazing acts as Editors, Art Brut, and Tokyo Police Club, but now as part of their headlining tour for their new album The Orchard, Ra Ra Riot will be taking the stage at the Wonder Ballroom. I’m intrigued to see their unique brand of baroque pop live. Plus if you have time afterward, circle the block to get some pizza at Sparky’s or if you feel more adventurous, Ethiopian at Queen of Sheba.  AA

Act: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Comcast and KNRK Stage at the Crystal Ballroom

For something with a bit more attitude, you can head back over to the bouncy floors of the Crystal Ballroom for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. You’re sure to have a good time with these old school punks, and you’ll still have enough energy to go for the rest of the night afterwards. Heck, walk a few blocks down Burnside and you can still browse around Powell’s Books until 11 p.m. AA

Act: The Thermals
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Location: Comcast and KNRK Stage at the Crystal Ballroom
Local darlings The Thermals will have literally released their fifth album two days before when it comes time for their show at the Crystal Ballroom. They’ve been working with Chris Walla again on Personal Life, so I’m anxious to hear what these pioneers of Portland rock of the ‘00s have put together with Mr. Walla. AA

Act: Major Lazer
Time: 11 p.m.
Location: The Roseland Theater

For the most part, I probably won’t be heading to the Roseland too much just because there are so many great bands playing everyone, and it’s already hard to choose. But I’m going to make it a priority to see Major Lazer’s reggae/hip-hop hybrid. You’ll be sure that you won’t see any other act like them at the festival, and as far as I know, there won’t be another chance to see them in the northwest for a while. AA

Act: Justin Townes Earles
Times: 11:55 p.m.
Location: Jack Daniels and opbmusic stage at Berbati’s Pan

Four blocks away, you’ll find yourself back at Berbati’s Pan (and maybe after another round of Voodoo Doughnuts) for the considerably less hyphy Justin Townes Earle. It’ll be the nice way to end the night after burning all your energy at the last show. Maybe you could get a drink and relax to Earle’s mandolin-laden country folk. Earle’s blend of deep-south vintage country is so far from today’s mainstream country that you almost expect someone to be playing a water jug and a washboard.  21+

Friday, September 10^th:

Act: Surfer Blood
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Nike Sportswear Stage at the Wonder Ballroom

As the start of a ridiculously full two-month tour, Surfer Blood will get to bring their beachy indie rock to the Wonder Ballroom. A friend of mine put their song “Swim” on a mix tape for me earlier this year, and ever since I saw Pitchfork give the song spot number 37 on the lost of the 100 Best Songs of 2009, I’ve been wanting to see them play live. Now you have that chance too.  AA

Act: Black Lips
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Nike Sportswear Stage at the Wonder Ballroom

When going through the list of bands playing at this year’s festival, I immediately put Black Lips on my “list to see,” because of their extensive history, guitarist Cole Alexander’s work with Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox, as well as what I’ve heard of their chaotic stage antics (including nudity, fireworks, band members kissing, and vomiting). AA

Act: Sara Jackson-Holman
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Ash St. Saloon

Mixing classically-influenced piano, soft and longing strings, and winsome vocals, Portland native Sara Jackson-Holman falls into the ever-growing “melancholy piano songstress” genre, but her smoky voice and strange bent harmonies make her worth seeing. Within a couple blocks of the saloon you could also hit up Esan Thai or Kells Irish Pub for dinner if you like. 21+

Act: People Eating People
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Mississippi Studios

After the disbanding of her band Mon Frere in 2007, Seattle native Nouela Johnston decided to record some of her own stuff under the moniker People Eating People. Her powerful piano pop will be perfect for one of my favorite venues ever – Mississippi Studios, which was built for musicians, by musicians. It’s located in a residential neighborhood and you can literally park in front of someone’s house. The floor is small, but the wraparound balcony provides just as good a view. 21+

Act: Morning Teleportation
Time: 10 p.m.
Location: Hawthorne Theater

I saw Morning Teleportation in June, and they had the most inexplicably enjoyable set that it’s impossible to explain. Psychedelic, rootsy jam-band, electro-indie rock is one way I could describe it. If you’re still confused, I recommend that you make time to go see them at the Hawthorne Theater. Lead vocalist Tiger uses a Talk Box. That’s worth it enough just to see that. AA

Act: Okkervil River
Time: 11 p.m.
Location: Comcast and KNRK Stage at the Crystal Ballroom

I’m not sure whether or not Roky Erickson will be gracing the stage with Okkervil River in this instance, since they just released True Love Cast Out All Evil with Erickson, but either way, the critically acclaimed Austin band is surely not one to miss. AA

Act: The Tallest Man On Earth
Time: 11:55 p.m.
Location: Toyota Antics and KEXP stage at the Doug Fir

Performing at the most comfortable venue I’ve ever been to, The Tallest Man On Earth will be bringing his bluesy brand of acoustic folk to the Doug Fir. When I first heard Kristian Matsson’s music, I didn’t realize that he was Swedish for awhile, until I eventually got how clever Matsson’s moniker is (people of Scandinavia are predominantly over 6 feet tall). 21+

Saturday, September 11^th:

Act: The Builders and the Butchers
Time: 1 a.m. (yes I just said 1 a.m.)
Location: Jack Daniels and opbmusic stage at Berbati’s Pan

Seeing the instruments that the Builders and the Butchers play, you wouldn’t expect to essentially rock out at one of their shows, but they defy all stereotypes and bring massive amounts of energy to their acoustic guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Seeing that the Builders and the Butchers are from Portland, I’m expecting this particular show to be crazy awesome. Having seen then 2 short months ago, I can back up that claim. 21+

Act: Laura Veirs
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Levi’s Pioneer Stage at Pioneer Courthouse Square

Laura Veirs will be the first of a few shows that you should absolutely check out on the main stage at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The neo-folk songstress returned to her roots with July Flame this year, her 6^th studio album, putting out hauntingly beautiful songs full of odd instrumentation and Veirs understated vocals. AA

Act: The Decemberists
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Levi’s Pioneer Stage at Pioneer Courthouse Square

I’ll just be sticking around at Pioneer Courthouse Square for The Decemberists after Laura Veirs, because it will surely be one of the best shows of the weekend. Even when they aren’t playing for hometown crowd, The Decemberists are awesome live, but in this instance I can only imagine. The last time I saw them, it was on the Hazards of Love tour, so this time we’ll get to hear songs from all throughout their catalogue. AA

Act: The Globes
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Backspace

Playing at one of best coffee houses in Portland, Seattle’s own The Globes will be bringing their experimential ambient indie rock to the tiny venue. I saw them play a show in Seattle back in November with Telekinesis and The Lonely Forest, and with how much they downplay the energy, The Globes put on a great show. Think My Bloody Valentine with harder riffs and a rainy-day ready wall of sound. AA

Act: The Head and the Heart
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Jack Daniels and opbmusic stage at Berbati’s Pan

Bluesy folk with soft harmonies and bubbly beats permeate through Seattle’s own The Head and the Heart’s music, and it should be quite delightful to see them in Berbati’s Pan’s small room. Plus if you haven’t had dinner yet, you can get yourself some Greek cuisine while you’re there. 21+

Act: The Smashing Pumpkins
Time: 10:15 p.m.
Location: MusicFest Northwest and KUFO stage at The Wonder Ballroom

I honestly had no idea that the Smashing Pumpkins were playing until about five days ago, and I’m surprised that they’re playing The Wonder Ballroom, because it’s not that big. So if you want to get in at all, I suggest getting there relatively early, even if you have a wristband, because this will undoubtedly be one of the most attended shows of the festival. I can’t remember the last time they toured, so I’m pumped. AA

Act: Suckers
Time: 11 p.m.
Location: Jack Daniels and opbmusic stage at Berbati’s Pan

What’s funny is that right after playing up against each other at separate venues at MusicFest Northwest, Suckers will be going on a month-long national tour with Menomena. Employing Talking Heads-esque multi-layered vocals with the passion of former tourmates Local Natives, Suckers will definitely fill the small room with fervor. 21+

Act: Menomena
Time: 11 p.m.
Location: Comcast and KNRK Stage at the Crystal Ballroom

I have to be honest, I haven’t listened to Menomena’s new record yet, but Friend And Foe was one of my favorite records of 2007, and it’ll be interesting to see how the band’s eerie experimental indie rock will play out to their hometown crowd. Also, the band members always shuffle around who sings and who plays certain instruments, so that always makes for a more intriguing show. AA

Act: Champagne Champagne
Time: 11 p.m.
Location: Jimmy Mak’s

Seattle hip-hop favorites Champagne Champagne mixes traditional hip-hop with peppier electro-pop, and I love it. Again, I’ll reiterate my normal dislike for hip-hop, but when locals sing and rap about Molly Ringwald, I’m sold. But again, I’ll have a hard time deciding which show to hit up at 11 p.m. 21+

Act: The Dodos
Time: 11:55 p.m.
Location: Jack Daniels and opbmusic stage at Berbati’s Pan

Even though The Dodos are probably best known for having two of their songs in two separate television commercials, their albums are rich with offbeat instrumentation like toy piano and pulsating drums. And you can’t deny that if a band has their songs on television, the songs are undeniably catchy. 21+

Act: Japandroids
Time: 11:55 p.m.
Location: Toyota Antics and KEXP stage at the Doug Fir

Having two guys on stage, you wouldn’t expect them to create the sound that Japandroids manage, but the raw and fuzzy guitars will be a great way to end out the penultimate night of the festival. And while you’re there, definitely check out the restaurant upstairs. Also there’s free parking around the corner, so that’s another plus. 21+

Sunday, September 12^th:

Act: The Walkmen
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Levi’s Pioneer Stage at Pioneer Courthouse Square

It seems like it’s been way longer than 2 years since The Walkmen put out new music, but this performance will be two days before their new album Lisbon is released, so I’m happy. One of only a select few shows on the last day of the festival, The Walkmen’s drowsy surf rock should carry well through the outdoor amphitheater. AA

Act: The National
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Levi’s Pioneer Stage at Pioneer Courthouse Square

After having seen The National play at the Columbia River Gorge back in May, I was anxious to see them again. Although I think The National is one of those bands that you may or may not like live. Lead singer Matt Berninger has an oddly intense stage presence, but the energy might turn some people off. If you haven’t seen them play live though, I strongly recommend giving them a shot, because they sound fantastic live. AA

However long this preview is, it’s still just a taste of what’s coming to the tenth annual MusicFest Northwest. I mean, I’m going to try to see all these bands, but who knows how full the venues will get or how quick the public transportation will run that weekend? To see the full lineup or purchase tickets, go to http://www.musicfestnw.com. General admission wristbands are still available for purchase that will guarantee entry to all club shows and all shows at Pioneer Square (however you must choose to see either The Decemberists or The National with this ticket). All show wristbands are also still available, which guarantees you entry to all shows, no exceptions. If you don’t wish to purchase a wristband, you can buy tickets at the individual venues the night of the show.