VANGUARD 2012 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 3

Editor-in-Chief Joshua Hunt Editors Vanessa Wendland, Erick Bengel, Randall Thiel, Joseph Mantecon, Meredith Meier Art Director Colton Major Production Manager Ben Patterson Copy Chief Kathryn Banks Photo Editor Adam Wickham Graphic Design Ben Patterson, Colton Major, Tom Cober, Elizabeth Thompson Photographers Saria Dy, Drew Martig, Karl Kuchs, Miles Sanguinetti, Corinna Scott Copy Editors Sasha Fahrenkopf, Emily Gravlin Cover Photo Adam Wickham Contributors Desmond Fuller, Randall Theil, Alex Mierjeski, Rosemary Hanson, Isaac 20-23 Hotchkiss, Kali Simmons, Sam Lloyd, Wild Flag Gwen Shaw, Nicholas Kula, Mike Allen, Alex Moore, Nilesh Tendolkar, Holly Laycock, Melinda Guillén, Joshua Hunt Band profiles 13-25 Adviser Judson Randall local music store guide 4-5 Advertising Adviser choose your venue wisely 6 Ann Roman Advertising Manager we dance the body electric 7 Iris Meyers Punk rock and metal 8 Adveritising Sales VANISHING ALL-AGES VENUES 9 Sam Gressett, Erik Weiss, Brittany Land Advertising Designer KPSU LOVES THIS! 10-11 Laura Shea Distributors EAR Splittingly good 12 Brittany Castillo, Brandy Castillo bang the drum as loud as you want! 26-27 so you’re in a band... now what? 28 make your own damn record 29 street beats 30 a fight for fair trade music 31 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 4 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 5 LOCAL MUSIC

STORE GUIDE All photos Saria Dy/Vanguard Staff

If you’re going to be a shameless consumer Online auction sites have now made the “unprecedented deal” obsolete of music, at least do it right! in specialty shops around the world. Perhaps none are affected more than Exiled Records Crossroads Music your friendly neighborhood record store. What once was a Sun Ra col- Nicholas Kula lection that was modestly priced because the clerk on duty never heard 4628 SE Hawthorne St. 3130 SE Hawthorne St. of him is now a treasure trove of expensive wax slices. That said, specialty stores, without the draw of the cheap rare find, RECENT HAUL RECENT HAUL have to rely on other means—specifically, selection and relative pricing. Bruce Haack, Way-out Record for Children repress $11 Pg. 99, Document #7 $12 What one owner might have found for $20 and sells for $40, another Copy, Hair Guitar $4 Books Lie, It a Weapon $8 may have found for far cheaper, and the price reflects that. What follows are, in this writer’s opinion, the best record shops in the city. Copy, Möbius Beard $4 Green Velvet, Genedefekt $2 Rites of Spring, All Through a Life 7” repress $4 Green Velvet, La La Land $2 Frank Zappa, Sheik Yerbouti (Zappa Records) $4 This shop is owned by a guy in stores have. Unlike most of its Panther, Entropy $4 Mississippi Records Eat Skull, one of Portland’s best peers, you won’t find 30 different bands. And because they’re one of versions of The Beatles’ Revolver 5202 N Albina St. the best bands you’ve likely never lining Exiled’s walls. If you’re one of those vinyl ma- are sold by bona fide record nerds, heard of, a record store owned by Instead, you’ll find stuff record vens that get his or her jollies from just like you. That said, if you’re RECENT HAULS one of them must have scads of nerds actually care about—albums the thrill of the hunt and you’ve expecting to find a copy of 13th Lickgoldensky, Lickgoldensky $4 treasures lining its walls. by Nurse with Wound, Sun Ra, never been to Crossroads, go there Floor Elevators’ Easter Everywhere Drowningman, Still Loves You $3 The short answer: Yes. Exiled Jandek and a sealed copy of the right now. No, seriously, put down for $5, look elsewhere. These folks has one of the best selections in understated psych classic, the ’70s this paper and get there before know, but they’re not unreasonable. Still Life, From Angry Heads with Skyward Eyes $4 town crammed into a small space. self-titled effort by Relatively they close. Better yet, go tomor- Great deals can be found every- The perfection extends to the Clean Rivers—sealed, no less—for row and make a day of it. where, but one must search. “expensive wall” that all record close to a grand. As far as record shops go, there is Pro-tip: Ask the person behind By now, I’m sure you’ve heard best record stores in the city, none more cavernous than Cross- the counter for the “special” indie the tale of the Portland vinyl-ite one can regularly find the stellar roads. The shop is set up like an vinyl section. What could make that went to a sidewalk record releases from the record label of antique mall with space allotted to a hunt even more exclusive than sale in NYC and pulled from it a the same name. Plus, they have a vendors. Each vendor may special- secret sections? This hunt is one holy grail—a Velvet Underground “discount punk rock” section. It ize in a certain thing, or they may of the things that keeps us vinyl acetate. This is his shop. doesn’t get much more punk rock branch out into several genres. junkies coming back for more. Aside from being one of the than that! Buyers beware: The records there Tally ho! �

Mississsippi Studios 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 6 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 7

Branx Choose your 320 SE Second Ave.

Likely the most appealing venue in and the low cover charges (no venue wisely Portland’s inner-Southeast ware- upcoming shows charge more than We dance the house district, Branx tends to draw $16 at the door), but be wary of the Avoiding bad concert quite an interesting crowd, especially long lines at the bathroom (there are experiences in Portland given that a good number of its just two single-capacity restrooms Sam Lloyd shows are all-ages (though some are downstairs). 21+). It’s still fairly underground, so Must-see upcoming show: You know what you’re getting when you go to a concert at the Rose you’re unlikely to find many con- Starfucker, May 24, 8 p.m., $15, body electric Garden arena: either a band that released its last good album 20 years cert-goers who are simply there “to all ages/Bar with ID. Put on ago (The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roger Waters) or a band whose songs be seen” or “to say they saw so-and- your dancing shoes and head you’ve already heard so many times on the radio that they’re permanent- so play before they were popular,” out to celebrate Portland’s local ly burned into your brain (Coldplay, Katy Perry). You also know what as is often the case in hipster-haven dance-pop heroes, as well as the you’re getting from a show at the Crystal Ballroom: a band just popu- Portland. Go for the atmosphere FCC’s least likely favorite band. lar enough for casual music fans to like and serious music fans to hate (Snow Patrol, Hot Chip). Elsewhere, though, it gets murky. This is why it’s critical to know which types of bands usually play at A brief user’s guide to After Dark which venues and whether the usual cover charges are worth it, given Roseland Theater Portland’s EDM scene the atmosphere and various other factors. Here’s an introductory guide 440 NW Glisan St. to some lesser-known locales around PDX. 8 NW Sixth Ave. Nicholas Kula If you’re the dancing type, you may have noticed the distinct lack of EDM Groove Suite Bust out One of the bigger venues, the artists that visit, but it’s almost events in Portland. EDM is an all-encompassing genre standing for “elec- Night: Every Saturday, 10 p.m. your dance Roseland Theater has featured impossible not to have a good tronic dance music.” Essentially, it is the catchall term for electro-house, moves and head to the shows on its roster that can com- time there. Plus, all concerts are dubstep, moombahton and everything else people dance to these days. Groove Suite has long boasted This works out very well for Whiskey Bar pete with others of its ilk, like the all-ages, so it’s a perfect place to Navigating Portland EDM is a challenging task. First of all, nobody ever one of the best sound systems in you, the potential dancer, because for sets by Crystal Ballroom and the Wonder either be young or do a dead-on seems to update their websites or social networking representations. Frankly, town, and one would have to be a After Dark is one of the best local DJs Ballroom. Prominent acts such as imitation of it. when one is looking to dance their ass off, the last thing one wants to face is contrarian to disagree. The system nights in town for house and and other Neon Trees, Porter Robinson and Must-see upcoming show: Neon a cyber-jungle of empty event pages. It can be absolutely maddening! itself was built a time ago when electro house. These people know electronic Kaskade are set to play there in Trees, June 5, 8 p.m., $16, All ages/ If you’re freshly 21 or new to town, you may not know that each this place was called π-rem. When their stuff, too, as they’ll regularly artists. upcoming weeks. The Roseland upstairs bar. Don’t lie: When you club has a schedule that usually follows a certain day every month—for it debuted, the audio quality was feature house DJs from Chicago, perhaps strikes the best balance first heard “Animal,” you spent example, “second Friday” or “third Saturday.” Because most of these are stunning, and when the name the birthplace of house music. between low-key concert fun for the next week wishing there was virtual word-of-mouth type events, I’m going to help you cut through switched over, the system came Their vast collections will keep Drew Martig/Vanguard Staff adults (given its single-seating up- an appropriate time and place for that rigmarole and help you see what’s good. with it. you moving all night. per bar area) and kick-ass concert you to scream out “OH! OH! I awesomeness for kids (given its WANT SOME MORE!” as loud as Whiskey Bar vast dance floor area). Tickets are humanly possible. Well, now there is. significantly more expensive at It’s just another part of what makes Rockbox 31 NW First Ave. Roseland than either Whiskey Bar the Roseland so special. � or Branx given the more famous 1001 SE Morrison St. Located just on the edge of not for long, as the place doesn’t Chinatown, Whiskey Bar typically really start hopping until around Holocene features local DJs and dubstep 11–11:30 p.m. See You Next Tuesday Night: Third Fridays, 9 p.m. artists trying to get their foot in Must-see upcoming show: the door of the local scene, which Opiuo, May 31, 10 p.m., $10, 21+. 205 NW Fourth Ave. Rockbox has been doing its thing time on Holocene’s recessed dance usually means that they’ll play Red Cube, one of the West Coast’s for almost three years now and floor: the drinks are fantastic and all of their best crowd-pleasers. best electronic music production Crown Room was an instant success at birth, the people are pretty. You’ll hear a This is good news for audience companies, is sponsoring, and they Night: Every Tuesday, 9 p.m. partly thanks to the appeal of smattering of cuts that aren’t EDM members, as is the fact that cover usually put on fairly exhilarating the term “dance party” within here, but a good chunk of them are charges generally run pretty low shows. Leave your Thirsty Thurs- This night has been doing dubstep Silkie from across the pond. the kind of demographic that newer electro and Baltimore club. (from $5 to, at most, around $15, day calendar open and get ready for longer than you’ve been listen- The rest of the nights feature Holocene caters to—the hip. If As for all the rest, a skilled DJ although you can usually haggle for tracks with titles like “Creamy ing to it, and they’ve been doing great mixes of amateur and pro DJ’s you consider that to be yourself, can wring the good stuff out of the bouncers down to $10). Still, Taco,” “Robo Booty,” and others it well. SYNT always seems to be alike. The sound system is incred- Rockbox offers a trio of resident things you wouldn’t normally like. the bad news for PSU students is that could only exist in the genre pulling in top tier talent from all ible, and the bass can be felt from viynlists: DJs Kez, Matt Nelkin Deft performers mean the mixes the word “bar” in the title; only of electronic funk. around the world for your dancing two blocks away. Best of all, it’s free! (KPSU represent) and Dundiggy. are tight all night, so don’t forget 21-and-uppers get in, and usually pleasure, and acts like Hatcha and So get your bass face on, yo! It’s not difficult to have a good those insoles. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 8 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 9

East End Typically books: Aggressive music of all types, a ton VANISHING ALL-AGES VENUES Having Punk of great rock shows Where do the a ball A full crowd I know, I know. You thought I was the dank North Portland base- kids go now to watches EMA going to talk about The Know, ment surprisingly well, without perform at the punk rock staple that predates the water heaters or boxes of see live music? rock and the Crystal Thai food on Alberta. East End, Christmas decorations. Gaytheist Ballroom. Desmond Fuller however, is much more centralized played there recently and set up The Crystal and campus-friendly, if only for in the small stairwell that leads to Over the last 10 years, Portland is one of the proximity. the venue. has seen a rapid decline in all-ages the biggest metal under-21 The shows are about as punk Don’t tell anyone about that, live music venues. Younger col- rock as they come, as they replicate though. It’s our little secret. lege-age kids living on their own venues left A brief connoisseur’s guide in Portland. in the city find that they are veri- Nicholas Kula table outcasts from the live music Everyone knows that Portland is well known for its plethora of haircut culture that defines a huge facet of rock, but our fair city is also host to several punk and metal staples, such Bad the urban experience. Especially in as Poison Idea, Agalloch, Millions of Dead Cops and Tragedy. Portland, a city formerly known as With legends such as these and many up-and-comers, one would think an all-ages music hot spot, where that punk rock and metal venues are flourishing in Portland. Nothing Hawthorne Theatre the field of options has dropped could be further from the truth. Venues like Food Hole, Satyricon and the off significantly. corny-but-still-all-ages Rock and Roll Pizza have all gone out, making Typically books: Almost every death and black metal With the closures of hold-steady way for crappier venues. band you’ve ever wanted to see venues like Berbati’s Pan, the Satyr- “But Nicholas,” you ask, “How do I know what’s good and what’s icon and smaller hidden gems like crap?” Good question. Read on. Hawthorne Theatre is widely re- The last thing us metal-heads need the Artistery, Portland underagers garded as having the worst sound is a harsh sounding band sounding are being left out in the cold. It’s no in the city, second maybe to any even harsher because of an inept wonder that the rise in house-show tiled bathroom anywhere. Maybe. sound engineer. culture has continued to thrive as Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff Good Unfortunately, the fragile nu- Sadly, this seems to happen more teenagers look for alternative ways ances of metal are lost on them. I often than not. Watain and Behe- to see live music. survive on $5–10 door covers or 21+ audiences and a designated Skrillex, Feed Me and Rusko sell say that because a lot of black metal moth both played there recently— So what’s the problem? Why are $20 or less ticket sales. Case in section on the floor for alcohol, the out in minutes, more than offset- Plan B sounds like it was recorded in the two bands that certainly don’t these places closing? One answer, point: Berbati’s, and the long- bouncy floor section closest to the ting the need to sell drinks. aforementioned tiled lavatory. benefit from any further muddying. three words: alcohol and money. since-gone Meow Meow. stage is generally open to all ages. Typically books: Portland’s nascent heshers, stoner Portland doesn’t have laws Venues that can host all-ages With the power to draw big metal bands prohibiting the sale of alcohol in shows are those with the principle acts, the Crystal has a consistent Backspace Every third house in NoPo a venue that hosts mixed-crowd assets to invest in big name acts line up of all-ages shows. Although Nestled snugly in the inner Recently Plan B hosted Helms shows, but state laws require ven- with pricey tickets, which is how the ticket prices are sometimes One of the last small, all-ages venues southeast Industrial District, Plan Alee, Thrones and Norska, and the Typically books: Bad punk rock with the occasional ues to be vigilant about keeping they survive while limiting the po- steep, the Crystal offers a semi- left standing, Backspace also provides B has been booking solid shows sound was excellent. Plan B knows gem; your friend’s crappy band, haircut rock. minors away from drinking areas tential for alcohol sales. Even bigger intimate setting and a chance to one of the more progressive models for a long time now. The space what’s up—they know a stag- and keeping the alcohol con- venues like the Wonder Ballroom see artists on their way into the for an all-ages venue that can still is intimate—that is to say, when geringly heavy band like Helms There is plenty good to be said for might start at 4 p.m. and be over tained. This can be a big issue, and and the Hawthorne Theatre usually higher strata of fame. For example, benefit from selling alcohol. you walk in, you’re mere feet Alee needs a nice crisp mix for Portland’s house show scene, but before you would ever expect to one that forces venues to choose run 60 percent or more of their The Black Keys played the Crystal By selling only beer and wine from the stage. maximum rock. I won’t get into that. What’s not show up. between wet and dry. shows as 21 and over only. in 2010 and just played the Rose and negotiating with the Oregon good is that the people who live Oftentimes you will be jockey- The greater issue lies in rev- So what are the all-ages venues Garden last week. Liquor Control Commission, in these houses (or their friends) ing for space in someone’s leaky enues and how they are generated. left standing? Here are a few that Backspace keeps the entire venue often insist on playing, and their basement and getting pushed into And the bottom line is that booze still offer a wide variety of live open to everyone, regulating alco- bands are usually really awful. someone’s decrepit water heater. sells, so decreasing alcohol- music, if at a higher ticket price. Roseland Theater hol sales and consumption through Since there is no security, While that sounds like one of the consumption space by opening wristbands for drinkers and extra anyone can just show up and act most punk rock things ever, it up a show to an all-ages crowd is Based on a similar model to the staff monitoring the crowd. Back- the fool, and there is a huge vari- only sounds great on paper until it simply not profitable. To put the Crystal Ballroom Crystal Ballroom, the balcony is space offers the rare opportunity ance on timeframe. Some shows actually happens. � issue in perspective, liquor sales in reserved 21+ seating with an all- for teens to see a variety of local Oregon last year totaled $435 mil- Perhaps the most well known ages floor. Though there are more and lesser-known acts. lion, not including beer and wine. venue in Portland, the Crystal has 21+ shows here than at the Crys- A regular stop for local legend This leads to smaller, under- been called the flagship of the tal, the Roseland has staked out a bands like The Thermals, Back- ground venues closing their doors McMenamin’s franchise and is the large chunk of the all-ages market space is one of the most quintes- because they can’t afford to bring hub for the majority of big name recently by bringing a steady sential Portland venues, hosting in big name acts that guarantee acts passing through Portland. stream of high-profile electronic poetry slams, comedy nights and high ticket sales. And they can’t With the balcony reserved for artists to Portland. Shows like open mic nights as well. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 10 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 11

Slabtown offers Portlanders Bunk Bar Grandparents cheap shows Band and a great 1028 SE Water Ave. #130 atmosphere. Venue/Bar Since summer 2009, Grandparents have been playing ever since. “It’s KPSU Free–$8; 21+ have been throwing down psyche- all about the energy of the people,” delic rock and similar music with said Will Fenton, guitar and bass Nestled right against the river on expect quality music for as low an ever-evolving sound. A Portland player. “I’m just happy to get Southeast Portland’s Water Avenue, as $3, and sometimes free, with State artistic success story, the band people dancing, and you can tell it’s Bunk Bar started improbably as national touring acts coming in met while living in The Broadway a good show.” The band recently a sandwich shop. But in the last for covers as low as $8. Part of during their undergraduate years. played at the Doug Fir and other likes year and a half, it has blossomed what makes the experience at They gradually started playing local venues—expect to hear more into a popular part-time venue, Bunk Bar unique is how it tries to together, put out an album and out of them. � in addition to its status as a full- strike that perfect balance between time bar. Owner Matt Brown is being a squared-away, clean club a natural storyteller, and his pace and that more chaotic atmosphere this! quickened and his face became of a house show. The ambiance of animated as he told me about the the place is completed by a mas- Drew Martig/Vanguard Staff nitty-gritty of their operations. As sive mural from the movie Paris, a part-time venue, Bunk Bar only Texas behind the stage by Portland Favorite Portland music offers shows a few nights a week, artist Casey Burns. Swing by Bunk Tender Loving Empire hosting indie shows to crowds of Bar for a show or a beer and try a institutions from PSU’s own 200–250 people. Attendees can famous Bunk Sandwich. Isaac Hotchkiss 412 SW 10th Ave. Slabtown Record label/Shop Rockbox Located in inner downtown selection of CDs and vinyl from 1033 NW 16th Ave. Portland, Tender Loving Empire local bands at reasonable prices. 1001 SE Morrison St. is host to an extremely diverse Go to TLE just for the eye-pop- Venue/Bar mix of everything “Portland,” ping, overwhelming experience of Dance night at Holocene $3–5; 21+ in all the good ways. Featuring browsing all the awesome music. $5; 21+ comics, fiction, crafts, T-shirts and TLE also operates a small record I asked Doug Rogers, owner of try to have something going on,” all of the little DIY knick-knacks label for local and national bands. Hosted at Holocene in inner dancing to Rockbox’s ever- Slabtown, what’s going on at the he said. A part-time music venue, in-between. It also has a very nice Southeast Portland, Rockbox is varying mixes of hip-hop, R&B, bar and venue today, and he told Slabtown hosts independent, punk, a dance night regularly featuring house, disco, electro, dancehall, me that right now he’s hosting garage, slock-rock and more for one of KPSU’s own DJ’s, Matt ’80s and ’90s. Then maybe take a the urban golfers, who are getting low cover charges. “I hate play- Nelkin. Expect every type of break for a drink at Holocene’s ready to knock tennis balls around clap-play shows,” Rogers said. “I’m Green Noise/ crowd you can think of to be out full bar. the city. “My kind of people,” he always trying to have other stuff said. Slabtown carries that kind of going on.” Slabtown has a full bar Dirtnap Records offbeat vibe. “I get bored. I always and all shows are 21+. 3840 SE Gladstone St. Music in the Schools The Record Room Record label/Shop Non-profit education program Dirtnap Records is a local record and mortar location, so be sure to If you attended high school in the tion provides support for music 8 NE Killingsworth St. label whose top-selling band is browse on over to the website if Portland Public School District that is a little closer to the hearts The Exploding Hearts, followed 38th Avenue and Gladstone is too within the last few years, you and minds of high schoolers than Shop/Venue closely by Mean Jeans. And if far out for you. The store features might be familiar with this pro- band class: rock. According to Shows 21+; Free–$5. you purchase records on vinyl, punk rock vinyl in that hard to gram. Established in 2007, Music the non-profit’s website, all of you might have heard of Dirtnap find at a happy-medium price in the Schools is a nonprofit its funding is raised via benefit What’s this? You need to buy in town, and maybe even catch Record’s other operation, Green range with an awesome selection organization that supports music concerts at Portland venues. They vinyl? You need to sell vinyl? And one of the store’s occasional shows Noise Records. An interesting tid- that’s just small enough so you’re education at local public high also host periodic “Battle of the you need a beer? The Record at a low cover. They also offer 30 bit: Dirtnap is actually more well not overwhelmed. schools, which are desperately Bands” events, giving the students Room has got you covered. Sip on percent resale value cash or 50 known online than for its brick- underfunded and understaffed. a chance to show their talents your brew while you sort through percent in-store credit for your More specifically, the organiza- alongside established musicians. one of the largest vinyl collections old records. 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 12 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 13

Brizbomb The Sarcastic Vancouver, Wash. Sounds like: A Dälek burrowing into your skull Dharma Society Ear Next show: June 30, St. Johns Nofest 2012 Those who have had the pleasure of seeing Brizbomb (a.k.a. “the hu- man”) do his thing remember it vividly. Brizbomb’s shows are memorable because, unlike a lot of noise acts that feature destroyed tape loops and mixer feedback, his setup is a towering Bunyan-esque rack of effects with enough patch cables to split- stretch to Wisconsin. Fixed to the top of his monolith are two law enforcement-grade light beacons, just in case your senses aren’t being assaulted enough. Drew Martig/Vanguard Staff The show consists of “the human” hot-plugging patch cables into various orifices on the tower and letting the effects envelop the listener until he or she cries uncle. tingly His sonic manipulation is quite a show if you’re into sound. And of course Daniel Menche you are: You’re reading an article about harsh noise in a college newspaper. Music for the beasts Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff Joshua Hunt Portland’s elusive indie Portland’s Daniel Menche is a living Menche has sourced, arranged and Pulse Emitter legend in the international avant- amplified the sounds of the throat, sweetheart garde community. As a musician skin, heart, waterfalls, storms, skin, good Portland and performance artist, Menche has drums, piano, organ and even a A crash course in Portland’s Holly Laycock spent more than 20 years crafting children’s choir. harsh noise scene Sounds like: Being physically afloat on an ocean The Sarcastic Dharma Society and your freshly shampooed hair.” a body of work that is both highly With the instincts of a caveman, started out as a dream. Singer- The majority of songs appeal to conceptual and ferociously visceral. the intellect of an artist and the Nicholas Kula you’ve dreamt of Next show: June 30, St. Johns Nofest 2012 songwriter Mat Vuksinich was the agonizing obsession of teenage In a genre often characterized by single-minded determination of on a road trip with Woody Allen love, but in a refreshingly candid sonic extremes, Menche’s music a composer, Menche creates and To those involved with Portland’s alternative electronic scene, Pulse when their car broke down. Dur- and conversational way. “I love assaults the intellect as much as the embodies intensity. Emitter needs no introduction, but you may be surprised to find out ing their trek to the next town, that thing where you love some- physical senses, gripping the listener Learn more by visiting the he’s from Portland. After all, he travels all over the world, delivering lush a dramatic archway loomed, body, ’cause it’s super extreme… in a total body experience. artist’s blog at danielmenchemain. Harsh noise, the genre that moms everywhere have been conflating with soundscapes for all to hear. Sometimes they get a little noisy, which is inscribed with the fateful words It’s like, this is the purpose of my With intense focus and curiosity, blogspot.com. � metal since the ’80s, is a real thing, and it has some history in Portland. only fitting because Pulse Emitter was a Portland harsh noise heavy- that would follow Vuksinich from life,” Vuksinich said. “And you get Although you, the Portland music enthusiast, may be unaware of these weight at one point. Now, he only makes noise that sounds like waves of his hometown in the foothills of really interesting conflicts when artists, you now know that they exist. And you have nobody to blame LSD washing over your cerebrum. northern California to Portland. you know what you want and that but Whitehouse and Smegma. The band was formed in 2003 thing doesn’t want you.” No, I’m not talking about Washington. D.C., or penis goo. I’m talking and has had different lineups over SDS’s appearances in public are about the oddball trio-gone-duo from the U.K. that brought the genre the years, with a lot of collabora- random at best, ranging from venues of “power electronics” and, later, harsh noise to the mainstream forefront Lick tion from Padraic Finbar Hagerty- like Ella Street Social Club to house and the Portland-based noise ensemble, respectively. Hammond. Lately, though, SDS parties and gallery openings to the Simultaneously, other overseas acts like Nurse with Wound and Venetian Portland has been a one-man show. occasional radio spot. Vuksinich is Snares paved the way for artists like Wolf Eyes and Hair Police that helped Portland has become familiar currently working on setting his the genre reach its arguable zenith in the mid-2000s. Sounds like: Audio from a David Lynch movie—including with Vuksinich’s unabashedly frank, newer stuff to a four piece band, Amid that zenith, Portland acts like Yellow Swans, Argumentix and the dialogue—corrupted beyond recognition lovelorn lyrics and plucky guitar which, though known for his solo Subarachnoid Space rose to power. For a while, noise was everywhere, Next show: None scheduled; tour with Defenerate in melodies that match his boyish work, is where he shines melodi- opening metal shows around Portland and grabbing its own piece of exterior. Some of his solo vocal cally. His intentions for the project the musical pie at venues like Food Hole and Satyricon. Local artist the works performances can sound like the are to be as nonspecific as possible Blowupnihilist opened for screamy punk rockers The Plot to Blow Up It’s been a while since Portland had a truly oddball ambient/noise band innocuous musings of Kermit the in order to reach as many people as the Eiffel Tower on their last tour ever. to call its own, and those not yet in the know would be proud to call Frog, but “3am” from Live at the possible—that means no metaphors Sadly, the noise genre fell somewhat out of vogue, leaving local sonic Lick just that. Featuring an army of theremins, bit crushers and a cast of EchoHouse redeems itself in sto- or songs like journal entries. He says: sculptors no options but to join “real” bands. Thankfully, some of these ethereal noisemakers, Lick wants to play your art gallery opening, and rytelling and tunefulness: “I know I “It’s gotta be honest. You gotta be artists are still around. then they want to make your eardrums earn their existence. � should be trying to be a man/But writing something real, but it also I’m too busy trying to think of the has to communicate.” saddest thing I can/Like it’s prob- Listen if you like: Bright Eyes, ably warm in there/Clean pillows Wild Sweet Orange. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 14 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 15

The transfiguration psychedelic quality of Ahmed’s of Portland’s most guitar playing is utterly hypnotic, And so, while his loss seems to psychedelic son but it is without the heavy-handed have pared the band into a semi- execution that often accompanies coherent genre, one wonders if that’s Joshua Hunt this kind of music. really desirable for a band that has so This is not simple music, and yet successfully evaded categorization. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, and Ahmed’s powerfully bare, sincere What does consistently charac- raised in New Jersey and Min- presentation makes it immediately terize the band is a sense of locale. nesota, Ilyas Ahmed came to accessible. This is the antithesis They’re Oregon. The video for Portland on an uncommon path. of the false earnestness of most “Is It Any Wonder” depicts the If Ahmed’s life is anywhere near so-called singer songwriters, but band playing on what appears to as interesting as his music is, it’s a Ahmed does share some of the be the banks of the Clackamas story that I’d like to hear. same roots with these musicians, River, Baumgartner singing into On records like Towards the as he continues a long tradi- the handle of a Bowie knife, guys Night and Between Two Skies, tion of folk-based protest music. throwing big rocks into the water. Ahmed has achieved what few Granted, this brand of folk is more The “I Want More Alcohol” artists can aspire to: absolute informed by traditional Pakistani video was filmed in a snowy old- transfiguration of influence into music than by Dock Boggs. growth oak forest and features a truly unique expression. While On albums like Century of picnic table tea party followed by one can hear shades of John Fahey Moonlight, Ahmed used long, drunken mobile home debauch. and Keiji Haino within Ahmed’s drawn out, extended structures Hot valley summers and cold sparse, acoustic guitar composi- and constant repetition to express Tyler Kohlhoff/The Windish Agency mountain winters are the back- tions, his music is anything but the shallow thinking and mo- drop for And And And’s rock ‘n’ derivative. This feat is all the more notony of war. On The Vertigo of roll existence. impressive when one considers Dawn, he paid tribute to his heri- That existence includes forever how singular and unique these tage with percussive, psychedelic putting out free downloads, play- influences are. transmutations of the music of his ing free shows and hosting a While Ahmed released one birthplace. And And And roving basketball tournament with Ilyas record consisting of nothing more Ilyas Ahmed’s music creates its You can’t hide from of alienation, concealment and lead singer—and some Wurlitzer a minivan-roof mounted hoop. than field recordings of trees, grass own language, and in that tongue this music, but why becoming ‘lost’ in the confusion keyboard. Now what? They played a show at a Burger- and fields, his girlfriend and a dog, it seems to express a mythology all would you want to? surrounding everyday life,” which A lot of their work has been ville. They drop recordings like most of his albums contain layers its own. He is the rare artist whose sounds straightforward enough. categorized as folk. Fair enough, the sky drops rain, ceaselessly and Mike Allen of acoustic guitar, with percus- fluency is immediately apparent, But oh the tacks one can take. since that word is so loosely ap- indiscriminately. Ahmed sion and vocals making occa- even to those who don’t under- You know how most rock musi- The first track, “I Want More plied to everything that it really The discography—“corpus” Corinna Scott/Vanguard Staff sional appearances. The dreamlike, stand him. � cians’ careers have an arc that Alcohol,” is a driven and angrily doesn’t mean anything anymore. seems a better word, as there are generally travels from frenetic, regretful sing-along that finds lead Let’s call it jangle folk. That means precious few “discs” of And And aggressive youthfulness to a singer Nathan Baumgartner and it’s not all cheek-to-cheek, serious And’s work to be had—is immense. reflective, subdued adulthood? company drowning their sorrows sincerity, like Peter, Paul and Mary They make prog-rockers Yes look Like how Paul Westerburg went over spurned advances and wasted or those neo-folk milksops like like lazy stoners (did you know that from shouting “I Need a God- time. “I want more alcohol,” they Mumford and Sons, or even angry Yes released 19 studio albums?). I’m Grouper damn Job” in 1981, to crooning shout up the tonal scale, “cause I and overtly political like all those not sure how many songs they’ve Portland’s solo act mixes ambient sounds “Here Comes a Regular” by ’85, hate this town, I just been fuckin’ folk punkers. released, but it includes at least two with soothing vocals. to looking utterly despondent around, and it makes me sadder,” It’s more incidentally folk. It full-length albums and six EPs with and confused while twanging out finishes Baumgartner in his little happens to sound folksy by way possibly some demo singles thrown Nilesh Tendolkar “It’s a Wonderful Lie” (as if he was bit indie, little bit country falsetto. of its nonchalance and informal- in for good cheer. Grouper is a one-woman project Observer,” “Vapor Trails” and work for which projects. this album and her some of her country all along)—in ’08? His voice wavers and shudders ity. Like, “Hey, why not hit that Lost is available for download or featuring electro acoustic music “She loves me that way” from her In 2005, she self-released her songs from Dragging A Dead Deer Well, Portland quintet And And (distortion notwithstanding) but chord again on the upstroke? I’m purchase at the Exploding Green by Liz Harris of Portland. Harris 2011 album A I A: Dream Loss/ self-titled first album on a full- up A Hill under Type Records. And has shotgun sprayed an entire never cracks, always driving true. drinkin’. Tambourines are fun!” Records site (www.exploding- grew up on the northern Cali- Alien Observer. Music blog Gorilla length CD-R. In 2006, she fol- Her 2011 effort was an expansive career, with no semblance of a ma- But by the very next track, “You Then you dig up something green.com). Their Life Ruiner split fornia coast. Her music combines vs. Bear ranked her 2008 album lowed it with EP He Knows and double album. Grouper was a turity arc, in just over two years. Can’t Hide,” they’re drunk-on-the- really strange, like former member cassette is available from Apes Tapes soft guitars and keys with ethereal at number two among the best in 2007 Wide, a 12-inch single. supporting act for hipster favorite Which is not to say there’s been front-porch alt-country crooners Run4yoLyfe’s remix/cover-thingy (apestapes.goodsie.com). All of vocals. This, along with the use of albums of the year. The album She collaborated with Xiu Xiu Animal Collective in spring 2009. no growth in the band’s creative singing about burning down the of rapper Wale’s hit “Pretty Girls,” And And And’s previous record- reverb and tape delay results in a was also featured at number 38 of in 2006 for the album Creepshow Harris found the experience output. Their latest album, Lost, re- woods if you try to go hide there. included on 2011’s Life Ruiner ings were, legitimately it seems, unique, spooky and surreal musical Pitchfork Media’s 50 best albums of and with Tiny Vipers in March with that music world intimidat- leased early this year on Exploding They’ve even got a harmonica, so EP, and throw up your hands in available on megaupload.com, but experience. 2008. this year for the album Foreign ing because she says that she isn’t Green Records, is their first on you know how serious they are. despair. Run4yoLyfe (gone, but the government put the kibosh on Some of her top hits include Harris has been mercurial Body. motivated by contract, money vinyl. The material isn’t entirely Confused enough yet? Well there’s not forgotten, as they say) seems that site. So if you want the music, “Heavy Water/I’d Rather Be when it comes to releasing music, Grouper signed with Free or expectations. On stage, Harris newly released. Think of it as also trumpet-driven, bass heavy like a pretty strange dude judging you’re going to have to see them Sleeping” from her 2008 al- employing various formats and Porcupine in 2005 and released appears to be shy and distant, wrought from the rich ore of their psych-pop—imagine a ska Interpol by his solo work, with a slantwise live. Or buy a tape deck. But hurry, bum Dragging A Dead Deer up A collaborations. She relies on her the critically acclaimed album making the audience pay more recent past. The release notes say with the Ass Ponys’ Chuck Cleaver hip-hop influence, but still all up I hear Goodwill’s running out of Hill, “Moon Is Sharp,” “Alien instinct to decide which songs Way Their Crept. She re-released attention to her music. � that the album focuses on “themes instead of that Morrisey-wannabe in his own head. those steam-era contraptions. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 16 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 17

bring their songs back to earth. the world in South America. This effing band will make Berk’s voice is a haunting, heart- Lovers has grown as a band both broken croon that blends seamless- musically and lyrically since their you fall in love ly in three-part harmony with the first incarnation. While Berk’s first Starfucker voices of Kingan and Ferris. works still carry the same lovesick Alex Moore “Carolyn generally comes to the lyrical depth, the band has moved How can you not like a band with hit song “Rawnald Gregory loversarelovers.com band with song ideas, in various toward a more electronically influ- that name? Erickson the Second.” The track stages of completion,” Kingan enced sound. Straight out of Portland, Star- starred in a Target commercial wrote in an email. “The three “Being an ‘adult’ artist is chal- fucker is a band with more than for pink pepto in 2009. As good of us together will work on the lenging, interesting and excit- a great name. Of course, having as their old stuff was, their new instrumentation and arrangement. ing,” Kingan said, when asked to profanity in your band’s name album, Reptilians, which came Carolyn is primarily responsible consider the experience about has its downsides. Starfucker has out in 2011, might be even bet- for the lyrics.” musicianship right now. “As you struggled to get its music out ter. Reptilians’ tracks are catchy Mostly lyrically driven, Lovers’ get older you become more confi- through radio play and concerts. while sounding nothing like the songs explore themes of female love, dent with your choices, the stakes The quality of their music shines trash that makes it on the radio. lovers sexuality and friendship. “We are are higher, and you are more through, however. It is sad that with a band name loversarelovers.com like sisters. We are sisters,” Berk said. intentional about how you affect Starfucker offers a love-at-first- like Starfucker, they don’t get the Local trio brings Carolyn Berk, synthesizer and pro- While the band’s music may be the listener,” she said. sight brand of sound that’s difficult recognition they deserve. This together electronica, grammer Kerby Ferris and percus- soft and melodic, their beginning The band has been touring con- to get tired of. Their feel is a fine- band is one of the leaders in the pride and sisterly love sion player Emily Kingan, Lovers was anything but quiet. The three sistently since the release of Dark line mix between indie and pop electronica genre, and one of the mesh together well on 2010’s Dark met after a dangerous and nearly Light, finishing up a leg of their styles, which doesn’t fall into the best representatives in the style Kali Simmons Light, their first studio release as deadly bus crash involving Berk North American tour this year. traps presented by either. Portland could hope for. “They try to shame us out of a group. The album was recorded and former members of the band. Now, the group has gone inter- Even if you aren’t yet fa- Starfucker will be playing at loving darling,” begins the song locally at the Type Foundry studio After the incident, Berk joined national for a stint in Europe. The miliar with the band’s sound, Branx May 24. The show is al- “Figure 8” by local Portland band with the help of owner Dylan Kingan and Ferris while they were band says they are glad to be back you might have heard of their ready sold out. � Lovers. The band, self-described as Magierek, who has also recorded on tour with local act The Hag- in Europe for the tour, having last Tyler Kohlhoff/The Windish Agency “loud and proud” blends together local act Starfucker. gard. Kingan was a member of the seen the shores in December 2010. female harmonies with friendly Lovers’ sounds are spacey group The Haggard and Ferris was They are set to perform in Ger- electro pop. and mystical with just the right working as a roadie for the band. many, France and Spain before they Composed of singer-songwriter amount of guitar and drums to Later, the women reunited across return stateside later this month. � Lebenden Toten Why have you never heard Blitzen of Lebenden Toten? Nicholas Kula Portland is a great town to be in releases credited to the band, only three shows. So far this year, the What can one expect from the Trapper a band. There is no shortage of two of them have been released band is on pace to best that by at band itself? Apart from the usual Country-fried fun in sound is Bob Dylan fucked Neil people lining up to see you, and on a U.S. label. least one, having played near the crowd eruptions, expect lots of the ‘no pity’ city Young at a county fair country- the community is very tight-knit. To Portland’s credit, the one end of March with a May show downbeats, feedback and shriek-y fried meets early-’70s psychedelic. Unless you play punk rock. U.S. label with any Lebenden on the horizon. (sometimes downright scary) vo- Randall Theil The permutations make for inter- Lebenden Toten plays punk Toten releases is local punk label A typical LT performance is cals from Chanel, the band’s singer. Folk music probably isn’t the first esting results. rock—the good kind. The rip- Feral Ward, run by former His an experience to remember, as Because LT’s fan-base knows an sound you associate with Portland. The group was formed in your-guts-out and piss-all-over- Hero Is Gone and current Tragedy whatever venue hosts the show awful lot about punk rock, expect Despite the recent tide of inter- 2000 and self-released their your-dead-body kind. The band member Yannick Lorrain. will look like a DMZ afterward. comparisons to many bands est coalescing around groups like first three albums. They hit the performs all over the world, have Everything else by LT has either What’s more, the biggest venue LT you’ve never heard of, but I can Mumford and Sons, Portland’s big time with that third album, plenty of international support and been self-released or released by has played in the last four years is offer at least one: a more explosive zeitgeist still seems to be barreling Wild Mountain Nation, and were Tyler Kohlhoff/ Blitzen Trapper released several records. So why smaller punk labels in countries Branx, and the next biggest holds Melt-Banana. down into the electronic-alternative signed to “devourer of all things lot of chefs for a folk kitchen, and American Goldwing, in September have you never heard of them? such as Japan, the Czech Republic just over a hundred. Because the And if you’re not familiar with pit we all know and love. independent but marketable” each member handles multiple of last year, and they’ll be spend- Almost every record LT has re- and the Netherlands. venues are so small, only the most Melt-Banana, just go to a LT show. Blitzen Trapper doesn’t Sub Pop records in 2007. instruments, but the overall effect ing the rest of the spring touring leased has been in other countries While LT usually packs the dedicated LT fans will make it in- It’ll be more fun that way. seem aware of such waves. The Their current line-up is five is more clean than chaotic. the West Coast and Midwest. that have historically supported house when they play in Portland, side. And if that somehow includes Next show: May 30 at Blackwater Portland-native four-to-five man strong: Eric Earley, Erik Menteer, After 12 years, Blitzen Trap- Locations for their shows can their endeavors in ways Port- it is only because their appearances you, they will make sure to make Records (1925 SE Morrison St.), acoustic band is real deal folk Brian Adrian Koch, Michael Van- per is still going strong. They be found on the band’s website, land never could. Of the myriad are so sporadic. In 2011, LT played it an event for you. 8 p.m., all ages. � authenticity with a twist. Their Pelt and Marty Marquis. That’s a released their newest album, blitzentrapper.net. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 18 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 19

VG: The Thermals sometimes get described as a Portland super- group. How do you feel about that label? The Thermals HH: Well, we are the most Danava famous, best-looking band in Portland super- Portland, so we don’t mind it. VG: There’s an arc to your group plans to discography, and it aims toward revert to their cleaner production, less noise, a more nuanced and adult sound. Is noisy past this the direction you’ll be head- Mike Allen ing? Is cleaner, more intelligible, more nuanced inevitable? Was there ever a band that began as a polished, symphonic producer of masterpieces that devolved into a three-piece cacophony of chaos? Danava/Facebook.com Alicia Rose/Barsuk Records HH: We are currently regress- Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff ing back to a less polished, more Crowd-slaying medieval ’70s style rock with chaotic sound. This is what people heavy guitar jams The Thermals made their mark looking and nice—a trifecta not HH: We try not to describe expect from us. It’s how they like with noisy, adolescent, urgent often found. They’re also predict- TBTBTM as a political record. us to be. Well, if it’s what you Desmond Fuller Menomena post-pop-punk (their term) on ably succinct. Here’s what guitarist/ It’s a fantasy about how reli- want, it’s what you’ll get. Who knew the siring of Black emulating their influences. Their 2003’s More Parts Per Million LP vocalist Hutch Harris had to say. gion influences power. We try VG: What’s the deal with keep- Sabbath and Led Zeppelin was band portrait photo is straight off Longing lyrics, airy vocals dotted released on Sub Pop. My rambling, over-elaborate ques- to give each of our records a ing a drummer around? hiding out in Portland, brewing the back cover of Zeppelin One. throughout newest release “Hardly art hardly garbage,” the tions have been edited for length different theme, but there’s not HH: Drumming for The up cosmic epics and ’70s guitar But Danava makes the retro sound refrain from that album’s standout and clarity, as have their answers. always a bridge from one to the Thermals is not an easy job! It’s Sam Lloyd jams? Apparently, enough people fresh and avoids the tribute band rock-a-long, “No Culture Icons,” Vanguard: How was Paris? next. There definitely was from incredibly taxing on your mind to spur Danava into success outside branding by infusing their classic Here are the two most important and “BOTE” are perfect examples pretty much sums it up. It eschews Hutch Harris: Paris was great. TBTBTM to our next LP Now and body. We’ve had a lot of great of the local scene where they fit heavy metal sound with spaced- things to know about Portland- of this and stand out as album three chords for two and clean We have toured Europe a ton in We Can See in that, at the end drummers. Westin [Glass, our cur- alongside acts like Red Fang. The out jams that don’t shy away from based experimental indie rock highlights. production for a heard-up-the- the past nine years. We love it. It of TBTBTM, we “died,” and on rent and permanent drummer] has band is currently embarking on a stewing in thick guitar fuzz and band Menomena: 1) Pitchfork loves Hardcore, long-time fans of the cellar-stairs sound. Tracks don’t was surreal having so many friends NWCS we were “dead.” There’s been with us for over three years grueling tour of Europe, playing tribal drum mantras. Most songs them, and 2) no one person in band will likely lament Menomena’s exceed three minutes (as indeed from Portland there—Brainstorm, not really a bridge from NWCS now, and he’s not going anywhere, shows heavy on dragon-slaying- hit the 5–10 minute range, leaning the band is the primary song- scaling back of the haphazard they still rarely do), which—along Nurses, Helio Sequence, Mirah, to Personal Life. We just wanted to I don’t think. He’s here to stay. duel-guitar spectacle almost every more toward mini epics than classic writer; rather, every band member experimentation that defined with that production quality and etc. Crazy! do something different. VG: Why is Hutch’s house called night this spring. Having toured rock radio, with long instrumental submits their own portion of each the group’s early work, but don’t borderline nonsense lyrics— VG: I was reading up on some VG: What’s your view of the the Moss Motel? in support of big name rock acts interludes that sometimes fall away song electronically, and then they let them fool you; Mines was prompt numerous comparisons to old reviews of Thermals albums, political landscape today? Bleak HH: Because it was covered in like Down and the Melvins, it’s to ethereal Doors-like keyboard all get together to combine them. definitely Menomena’s most ac- early Guided by Voices. and a sentiment that I heard as ever? moss. I moved out in 2005. They no surprise Danava is continuing breaks, only to surge back with So yes, that bearded guy living cessible album—and don’t confuse Things have changed a lot again and again was “childish,” or HH: Yes, the political landscape tore it down! It was seriously sink- on its trajectory toward success via Wolfmother-size riffs. Songs like in the downstairs bedroom who “accessible” with “bad.” The lyrics since then. Their latest full length maybe “childlike,” or something is usually pretty bleak. It’s a scary ing into the dirt. I miss it! incessant touring and a sound that “Spinning Temple Shifting” range wears beanies in July probably discuss deep, often-tragic topics album, Personal Life, was released in like that, especially about Fuckin’ world. VG: It seems like everyone has a is at once prog-metal and accessible from Kill ‘em All-era Metallica loves them. (among them loss and depression, 2010 by Kill Rock Stars. Personal A. Do you agree with that “child- VG: Many artists of various question they want to ask famous to classic rock enthusiasts. to ’60s psychedelic jam sections, In this case, though, he has good on many of the tracks) in layman’s Life boasts the same urgency that like” assessment? persuasions are against the idea musicians. What’s the dumbest Formed in 2003 by Illinois culminating in the reincarnation reason to. Menomena has matured terms, which is a remarkable feat if marked their earlier work, a quality HH: Fuckin’ A is definitely a of providing explicit context or question you’ve been asked in an transplants Gregory Meleney, of “War Pigs.” quite substantially from their 2003 executed properly, and it definitely created as much by super-tight in- childish record. It’s the sophomore explanations for their work, of interview? Feel free to say if it Monte Mattsson and Zachariah In short, Danava is a heavy debut I Am the Fun Blame Monster! is. And as for the instrumenta- strumentation as by singer/guitarist record, get it? The title says it all. saying what it’s “about.” That was one of these questions, even Dellorto-Blackwell, Danava psychedelic rock band that knows (which was boldly creative at best tion…well, you can decide for Hutch Harris’s nasal caterwaul, Other records we’ve done have doesn’t seem to bother you much. this one. released their first single demo in what they’re doing, and they’re and uncomfortably disorganized yourself if you enjoy structured, with cleaner production and some- been more “mature” or whatever. Is there a reason you make it all so HH: Too many stupid questions 2004 and have since put out three doing it well. Such intentional at worst), with their latest album, well-designed songs more than what more intelligible lyrics. So there’s something for everyone explicit? to remember! Good thing I always full-length albums. The lineup reconstruction of styles gone by 2010’s Mines, turning out to be unrestrained experimentation. In The three-piece—Kathy Foster in our catalog. HH: People often misinterpret have a stupid answer ready. now consists of Gregory Meleney often comes across as superficial, one of the best indie rock albums all, Mines represents a new direc- plays bass and Westin Glass is VG: On your site and in the press, things, so sometimes you have to VG: Also, Eli at Trade Up Music on vocals, guitar and synthesizers, and Danava doesn’t avoid that released in recent memory. The tion for the band, and one that their fourth drummer—just you describe The Body, The Blood, set them straight. Not always. We wanted me to let Hutch know Zachariah Dellorto-Blackwell on entirely. But for the most part, their songs are brilliantly layered with could win them a lot of new fans returned from playing with Helio The Machine as a political album, so try not to be overly explicit. You that they have more tube scream- bass guitar, Matt Oliver on drums sound seems to inhabit the skin of waves of keyboards and guitar riffs, if they choose to pursue it. Sequence and Nurses in Paris, it’s safe to call it that. Personal Life is shouldn’t have to explain art to ers in. Apparently, he goes through and Andrew Forgash on guitar. their influences so fully that it cre- managing to swell to a fever pitch For more information about the and they were kind enough to described as…well, about personal people, but sometimes you need them like socks. It’s hard not to hear all the ates a sense of authenticity, if only one moment and then dip into band and their upcoming plans, make it a priority to answer some stuff. Was it a conscious decision to to correct them—or let someone HH: Thanks. It’s true—I change Zeppelin riffs being recycled here, through sheer will or black magic a laid-back downtempo section you can visit their official website questions for the Vanguard. tackle that dichotomy and maybe, else correct them—if they’re get- tube screamers more often than I and the band is not shy about of some kind. � the next. “TAOS,” “Lunchmeat” at menomena.com. � The Thermals are famous, good- in a sense, bridge it? ting it wrong. change my underwear. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 20 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 21

David Torch/Merge Records Rock and roll romantics “Ultimately, I want this to be about Joshua Hunt something,” Wild Flag drummer Janet Weiss said over coffee at Stumptown. “I want music to be about something. It’s not just a party.”

On the surface, at least, Wild Flag’s debut self-titled album is just that: a party on vinyl. Great rock ‘n’ roll records just aren’t made so often these days, and it’s tempting to embrace this rather fun notion of the band. But there’s much more to this story. The legacy of each member of the band speaks for itself: Weiss and Carrie Brownstein, both formerly of Sleater-Kinney, Rebecca Cole of the Minders and Helium’s Mary Timony. If that isn’t impressive enough, Weiss has also recorded with Quasi, Elliott Smith, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks and The Shins. “All of us are experienced,” Weiss said. “We’ve all sort of explored our- selves musically. We’ve gone down some rabbit holes. It’s hard not to come out of that, years of playing and touring, without some self-awareness and confidence—and with a desire to be heard and to reach people.” And Wild Flag are reaching people. Lots of people. While singer and guitarist Carrie Brownstein took a break from filming her popular tele- vision series Portlandia, the band embarked on a successful tour, which took them to Australia and across the United States, culminating with performances at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in April. This whirlwind ride that took Wild Flag from a 7” vinyl EP to a full-length album on Merge Records to a world tour, all in a relatively short period of time, was entirely spontaneous. “After taking five to six years off Sleater-Kinney, Carrie called me to collaborate with her on a soundtrack,” Weiss said. “We hadn’t played together for so long, it was kind of refreshing to be with someone who you had this shorthand with.” During the recording sessions, Weiss called in her friend Rebecca Cole to play keyboards for the project, followed by guitarist and vocalist Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff Mary Timony. “We didn’t think we were starting a band,” Weiss said. Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 22 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 23 Wild Flag’s Janet Weiss Speaks

ON Beginnings ON Collaboration

“After taking five to six years “I’ve played in a lot of bands with different ways of collaborating. The Jicks were an interesting band, off Sleater-Kinney, Carrie because Steve [Malkmus] will bring in a complete called me to collaborate with song, but he’ll want to try it with a bunch of different feels or tempos. I think that’s part of what’s her on a film soundtrack. interesting about being in a band, the choices that you make. Some people don’t want to collaborate, We just went down to the practice space and kind they want to tell you what to do, and that’s fine if of worked on some ideas. We hadn’t played together they know what they’re talking about. It depends for so long, it was kind of refreshing to be with on what you want. Sometimes more choice is a someone who you had this shorthand with. So we good thing; sometimes it’s not. Sleater-Kinney was a just goofed around, and then we called Rebecca in, unique thing, with two people kind of completing because I knew her and thought she’d be great for each other’s sentences. That’s rare. There’s no right or the soundtrack. We needed vocals, so we called Mary wrong. It’s just what works best.” and she put some vocals on. It was very organic. It just sort of came together.”

ON THE FANS ON Women’s issues “We’ve somehow connected “I guess I felt that things were changing by the end of Sleater-Kinney. I didn’t hear a whole lot of people to really young girls. talking about us as a ‘girl band’ anymore, you know. All photos: Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff I do remember feeling like there was a certain shift, Lots of moms tell us ‘our little girls are obsessed with because we had been around and made so many you guys.’ Maybe it’s because of our videos, which are records and accomplished so many things, so we had really goofy. I don’t know. I like to think they have a just become a band. In the mid- to late-’90s, it had little superhero quality to them. But a lot of our fans been a lot different, we had been in the ‘women’s are like 50-year-old men. Honestly. Vinyl-collecting issue’ of a lot of magazines, which really annoyed 50-year-old men who want to hear rock music, me. It’s like a ghetto that we left in the ’90s. Good which isn’t being played by a lot of new bands.” riddance.” “We just thought we were having fun. We needed vocals, so we called powers, demonstrating not only excellence but also an utterly sincere Mary and she put some vocals on. It was very organic, it just sort of desire to play music with one another, all for you. came together.” Brownstein begins filming new episodes of Portlandia later this month, But don’t let easy beginnings suggest that this is music that just hap- which means the band will take a break after playing some music festi- pens. There is a rare quality to Wild Flag’s music that is seldom seen; a vals. In the meantime, they are doing their best to enjoy the moment. ON Portlandia coalescing of instrumentation where each member is active but none “We have four new songs, but I couldn’t say whether we’ll do a new kills the groove. It’s widely assumed that all bands play together, but record, really,” Weiss said. “That’s sort of the fun thing about it. When the ON Coachella when bands like Fugazi and Wild Flag do their thing, it becomes power- fall rolls around, we’ll decide what we want to do. It’s exciting. It’s very “The interesting thing is that, because Carrie is on fully clear what playing together really means. At a Wild Flag show, each much a joyous thing.” “Coachella was okay. I’m not a big Coachella fan. It TV, lots of people come up to her now. I get a kick of these four women drives the song equally. Wild Flag’s music is definitely more than just a party; there is a power was weird to be there for the second weekend. That out of it. I would not be able to handle it personally. Wild Flag are a rock ‘n’ roll band, but unlike almost every band of and intensity that is irresistible. It is indeed a joyous thing, but like all of seems sort of anti-climactic. We played right at sunset, I think Portlandia has gone way further than she which this can be said, they actually write rock ‘n’ roll songs. That is to the best things, this experience takes work. and it was 106 degrees when we played that second thought it would. There’s something nice about say, they do not simply re-construct the same old thing, but instead craft “Being in a band seems really carefree,” Weiss said. “But it’s a lot of weekend. That was challenging. I thought I was going something that takes off in such an organic way. It songs that are unique, collaborative and full of power. And as effortless work, and I personally hope that every record I played on achieves to pass out.” was more of a challenge for scheduling our tour, but as they make it seem, this cannot be easy. Like Fugazi before them, Wild something. I want music to be about something. It’s not just a party. I’ll it ended up working out fine.” � Flag have achieved the rarest of feats: Four musicians at the peak of their leave that to Prince.” � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 24 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 25

If there’s one thing this country endless amounts of bands with needs more of, it’s family-like staggering amounts of musical bands that people see as cultish resources and minimal deploy- institutions. AgesandAges fit the ment, AgesandAges actually bill rather nicely, but in a good utilizes its stable of crooners, way, and not so much a Heaven’s often all at the same time—a feat Gate kind of way. not usually pulled off well when The band plays a very esoteric it’s attempted. nuance of indie folk, the kind That isn’t to say that AgesandAges’ that sounds like it was recorded army of vocalists is exploited maybe in the early ’70s. One might once or twice. Instead, the platoon compare the band to a younger, of singers is at the forefront for the WILD ONES hipper Fleetwood Mac, but it bulk of AgesandAges tracks. Take Mike Harper/Wild Ones has a few tricks up its sleeve that the band’s single “Souvenir,” for ex- Wild Ones bring engaging, while quieter acoustic Stevie Nicks and company never ample. The entire track is laden with tracks like “Earthquakes” are not as attempted. any and all melody-equipped mem- fresh new sound to memorable. Corinna Scott/Vanguard Staff For starters, the band features bers, and the song ends up sounding Portland indie scene In “Forever Jam,” a lush dance eight members and an array of like a kindergarten sing-along in the Desmond Fuller number built on cascading multiple noisemakers more reminiscent of best, most moving way possible. keyboard melodies, Sullivan sings, AgesandAges Latin percussion than any kind If you’d like to see all this for Wild Ones are that band that you “You can’t stave me off.” The same of throwback rock. Well, that and yourself, come on out to an Ag- may not have heard yet, but you will could be said of Wild Ones at their There’s no shortage of sound when this eight the fact that the band features esandAges show. The band would soon. Occupying that space of “best catchy moments. With their current piece band takes the stage seven vocalists. be more than happy to induct you kept secret soon to be known to EP and upcoming full length release, Nicholas Kula Yes, that’s correct. And unlike into its family. � the world,” Wild Ones create catchy it seems like Wild Ones are just get- experimental songs that exemplify ting started, gearing up to become Portland’s musical sensibility with a a household name in the Portland sound that has the potential to foster music scene. Alicia Rose/Talkdemonic a broader appeal. Now a five piece, Wild Ones Citing a range in influence from formed in 2009 by Sullivan and ’90s grunge and punk to St. Vincent multi-instrumentalist Thomas and Bonnie “Prince” Billie, Wild Himes. In fall 2011, Wild Ones Talkdemonic Ones exude a playful eclectic sound. took part in the BFF tour with There is a strong presence of new Youth and Typhoon, more or less wave influence, and experimental a definitive indie music delegation, Dreamy beats from a Much like the band’s name im- Theatre and Ty Segall at Star electronic, all culminating into a representing Portland for a string plies, Youthbitch just doesn’t give Theater. There are more shows in fresh take on indie pop. Dominated of West Coast dates. Northwestern duo a shit. The band plays fuzzed-out, the works, as being in a punk band Randall Theil Youthbitch by layers of synth pop melodies and In an email to the Vanguard, grimy garage punk, and that’s just in Portland practically spawns folk-americana style vocal harmo- Sullivan described the songwriting Fun punk rock to get your feet moving how it is. Got a problem with it? them. And while it’s those kinds of Nicholas Kula nies, Wild Ones recent EP You’re process as “a very democratic way Acoustic and electronic met hard driven panoramas of broken Nobody cares, wussy. shows that cause lesser punk bands A Winner showcases a handful of of songwriting, and it works well like chocolate and peanut butter synthesizer and wilting drum There aren’t many bands in our to kick back on a bed of laurels, catchy songs that propel the vintage for us.” While the impetus for most in 2002, when Talkdemonic’s patterns. microcosm as undeniably punk as that just isn’t Youthbitch’s style. ambient synths over danceable, songs comes from Himes, ideas for tandem of Kevin O’Connor Their newest album, Ruins, is an Youthbitch, and the band oozes The band is planning a West textured beats. Vocalist Danielle songs are passed around, each mem- and Lisa Molinaro met to record evolution of the sound that made the mentality without even trying. Coast tour in June and has a new Sullivan’s melodies ride the song’s ber adding something new until the tracks for the band’s inaugural them Willamette Week’s best new It’s that delicious nonchalance that vinyl release soon. Since you swell with an easy playfulness that collective of the band is satisfied. work. The pair, who flew up onto band of 2005. For the first time, makes the music so attractive, and don’t have to wait for Youthbitch never betrays the songs’ indie pop Wild Ones are currently working the scene after the release of their the duo allowed a third party to when a band sounds like the best to come around to your neck sensibility. on their debut LP, out later this first studio album, recently came mix their tracks, and the result is of the Ramones mixed with an of the woods like the suckers in Songs like “Do the Right Thing” summer. off tours with Modest Mouse and a clearer, more cohesive and more undeniably alluring ’50s voice, it’s California do, take full advantage and “You’re a Winner” evoke the “It will be a bit darker and more The Flaming Lips, but they never professional sounding mix. something to notice. of the band’s Portland residency mellow ambience of a summer dynamic than the You’re A Winner lost the key to their style. Ruins was released by Glacial And take notice Portland has. before it becomes so big that it afternoon, while at the same time EP and truer to where we’re at That key lies in the mix of Pace Recordings, the group’s third There is no shortage of gigs for only plays huge venues once a moving like a great basement dance now,” Sullivan said. A shift toward synthesizer, drums, piano and viola distributor, late last year. In addition Youthbitch to play around these year, like so many other Portland party. Sullivan’s voice has a child- darker territory would be a boon that O’Connor and Molinaro use to their studio albums, Talkdemonic parts, which is more than the city bands-done-good do these days. ish, joyful quality, at times almost for a band that has already made to create the electronic/acoustic can frequently be found on tour. can say for so many other of its Capitalize on this coincidence emulating bird song, and can be a lot of creative headway within a pastiche. There’s a clear demarcation They’ve done several West Coast deserving bands. while you can, because Youth- reminiscent of early Rilo Kiley or lighter sound. “We are pumped!” in their work between slow, almost tours in the last few years, and Just recently, Youthbitch opened bitch may not be playing the Nouvelle Vague. The upbeat tracks she added. � solipsistic tracks with dreamy piano they’re expected to announce new for such high profile acts as crusty punk rock bar scene for Miles Sanguinetti/Vanguard Staff stand out as stronger and more played over viola arpeggios and the showings soon for 2012. � Peelander-Z at the Hawthorne long. � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 26 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 27

On the lookout History sophomore Kevin Hartman, who plays in the Vernons, Bang the scans the Mercury for potential practice drum As locations.

loud Corinna Scott/Vanguard Staff as you want! and Hendrix-style guitar wailing. Portland’s alternative print backline. Check out the studio’s as many other aspects of music, is So what do you do? publications the Portland Mercury Facebook page at facebook.com/ word of mouth. Knowing someone How to find and book Walking down the street, we’ve all doesn’t count), you might be aston- There are myths on both sides and Willamette Week often have ads DiGRESS.Studios. that knows someone whose cousin heard it at some point: the crash ished at the numbers alone. of the fence: Finding practice for practice and rehearsal place, LionsRoehr Recording Studio works at a warehouse out in some practice space for of symbols, the thump of a bass However, one pitfall of having space is like finding a four-leaf and both also list ads for spaces on has been in Portland since 1995, unknown part of the Northwest your band drum, the staccato rhythm of an such a prodigious and prolific mu- clover; finding practice space is as their websites: portlandmercury. and bands can book the space for industrial area is a great source for intricate guitar solo. sic scene is that available practice easy as making a PB&J. Despite com and wweek.com. recording or rehearsing. The stu- finding a space. Getting word out Gwen Shaw Garage band takes on a whole space is disproportionately small the myths, finding and booking Then there’s the brick-and- dio has a large amount of equip- to friends and posting online is the Meredith Meier new meaning in Portland. It’s no compared to the number of bands. a place to practice can be a fairly mortar places. Troubadour Studio, ment available to users as well as smart thing to do. Attending shows longer the simple branding of Finding gigs can be hard, but what easy process if you know where located in Southeast Portland just a ton of recording experience. at various local venues around the amateur, teenage-angsty set goes on beyond playing out is what and how to look. The Vanguard is blocks off Hawthorne Boulevard, LionsRoehr is located in South- town is something most bands do but rather a moniker ascribed counts. That means practice. And here to help. offers rehearsal spaces as well as east Portland, and its equipment already, but feeling out the room to anyone of any age who bangs practice means finding space. The Internet is usually the recording studios. Troubadour’s list and rates are available online at and surreptitiously asking around drums or taps out a heavy bass line Many bands face the major issue go-to source for everything, and a Facebook page describes the lionsroehr.com while you’re there is a clever way in their basement, living room, of where to practice. It does, after all, simple search can produce many studio as a “multi-use music venue Studio Infinity Recording, to get info. Getting other audience bedroom and, yes, garage. And it’s make perfect, right? But often many resources for finding all sorts of with a stage, vaulted ceilings, located in Southwest Portland off members to disclose their practice no longer about defining the band band members have other jobs practice spaces. Google, Yahoo!, ambient lighting, PA, spacious Barber Boulevard offers record- space secret or picking the brains of as genre-less or avant-garde, or (sometimes two or three), and so Yelp, etc. all pop out enough re- lockers and a 16 channel control ing services with or without an the bar folk might be more fruitful the “newest” undefined sound. It’s the band is forced to practice late at sults to have your head swimming room for recording.” You can also engineer but also offers rehearsal than you’d expect. about space—or the lack thereof. night or at random times through- with options. check out Troubadour’s website, space. The studio furnishes its So if your neighbor’s already filed Music is a big thing in Portland. out the day—or­ not at all. And Craigslist is another good strategy. reverbnation.com. instruments and recording equip- noise complaints with the city or Really big. There are so many bands, banging your drums in your garage Under the community heading, DiGRESS Studios, a Portland ment for bands that need them, left flaming bags of poo on your venues and music shops all around at 3 a.m. is bound to bring the cops click on musicians and narrow the newbie, offers hourly as well as and the staff has a ton of profes- doorstep, it might be time to get out the city that music is ingrained in to your door. Maybe you don’t even search down to rehearsal space. Of- monthly rates. Located on South- sional experience. Their website is of the garage. Who knows, with the the city’s ambiance. If you aren’t a have a garage. Maybe none of your ten you’ll find at least a few different east Madison Street right near the infinityrecording.com right search, you might even be able part of the music scene (listening to band members lives in a place con- ads that offer practice space, and it river, DiGRESS offers a prac- Another major part of finding to pull down the padded Styrofoam your iPod or downloading MP3s ducive to foundation-shaking bass all depends on your band’s needs. tice studio complete with a full and booking practice space, as well from your apartment walls. � � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 28 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 29 So you’re in a band… Make your own damn record now what? The record industry is dying, A guide to getting shows and it’s up to you to help kill it Alex Mierjeski Joshua Hunt

When it comes to the history of punk rock, but if it’s cheap and records, so I’ll keep this simple: other unique productions. United recorded music, only one medium is represents your vision, well that’s A good mastering engineer will Record Pressing plant, on the guaranteed any kind of permanence. punk enough. make sure that you’re 7” sounds other hand, is not flashy, and isn’t The vinyl record brought music loud, clear and crisp, without any the best at any one particular out of the concert hall and into the REHEARSING distortion that wasn’t already pres- thing, but they are reliable, high homes of real working class people. ent in the final mix. quality, cheaper and very easy Vinyl’s blue-collar roots don’t When you’re in the recording Mastering is essential in the to deal with. This is a popular So you and your friends have compilation of relevant infor- mon sense. For example, a jazz lot of people and bands are find- end there. The American hardcore studio, you’re paying for the space, process of plating and produc- resource for 7” vinyl in particular. colonized an old house in North mation for venue bookers to group with a large follow- ing creative ways to circumvent bands of the early ‘80’s used the tape and the engineer. The ing vinyl records, and there’s no 1,000 copies is going to be the Portland with a perfect-sized examine in order to determine ing would probably not have the challenges of the coveted gig cheaply produced 7” vinyl records more rehearsed a band is, the less getting around that. Most vinyl most economical number of 7” basement for your gaggle of if your band is the one they’re much luck with a small metal at the Doug Fir or the Wonder to circumvent the mainstream money they’re going to spend get- pressing plants offer in-house records to be pressed for most instruments and close friends to looking for. bar–venue like The Know on Ballroom and instead hold shows recording industry and reach ting the recording they want. mastering services, but I would bands, but most pressing plants co-inhabit. But playing to your Usually, a press kit comprises Northeast Alberta Street, just as a in their basements and makeshift a young audience that wanted strongly recommend against it. A will press as few as 200 copies. friends in your own house can the following: some sort of gen- metal band with a small follow- venues. If the often-frustrating something different. Black Flag, MIXING 7” mastering job from someone become a stale activity in little to eral biography, a recording (don’t ing would be a mismatch for the process of obtaining a show at Minor Threat, Negative Approach, who really knows their stuff will ARTWORK no time. So, we at the Vanguard are necessarily worry about sound Arlene Schnitzer downtown. venue is too much for you, sim- S.O.A., Big Boys, Poison Idea and Mixing is a crucial part of the cost a few hundred dollars and here to help you and your fledg- quality here; as long as the demo Now that you have the essen- ply ask around. the Dicks all started with a call to recording process. It’s important to will make your record sound like Depending on the pressing plant ling band take the next step and represents the sound of the band, tial tools, what comes next? Well, If you have friends in bands arms pressed to vinyl and pack- not only choose an engineer that something you want to hear on that you choose, sleeves may or make the leap from basement to it will suffice), a band photo or once you’ve preened and pruned or friends of friends in bands, aged in a cheap paper sleeve. knows what they’re doing, but the jukebox at your local watering may not be included with the cost stage, from unknown to known. logo, contact information and a your press kit and compiled a following some of the same The 7” vinyl EP is more than a also to have some notion of what hole. John Golden Mastering is of your record. For bands doing Unfortunately, there is no list of equipment. If you have the list of appropriate venues, get in procedures outlined above with historical artifact or a fetish product you want the record to sound the industry standard in America, small runs of a 7”, particularly if easy, one-step solution to begin option, as the icing on the cake, contact. Most small venues in these more face-to-face avenues for collectors. And while it is no like. Choosing an engineer who but I personally think that George there’s an art major in the band, playing around town—it is a include any press coverage your Portland do in-house booking, may produce more successful re- longer the cheapest way for young has recorded or mixed a record Horn at Fantasy Studios is even it may be best to silkscreen your process that requires hard work band has gotten so far. If you so find a number, give a call and sults in securing an opening gig bands to announce themselves, it is that you liked is one great way to better, for the same cost. own sleeves. and dedication, but don’t let this haven’t quite made it into the ask to speak to the person in or being added to a house show still, and always will be, the best. avoid regret. truth act as a deterrent. Below Mercury or Willamette Week yet, charge of booking. It’s impor- bill. Another benefit of starting Here’s how your band can do it. Each and every member of the VINYL PRESSING THE BIG DAY are some easy steps to follow to ask a friend with a blog to write tant to keep in mind that many small is that you are able to build band should be present for the get set down the right path. a short review of your demo venues tend to book shows a fan base and a name around RECORDING mixing of the record, if possible. Once the record is mastered, the After 2-4 weeks you’ll receive test Something to get out of the and include that. Any critical re- 1–3 months in advance, so be the city—things promoters look This can’t be overstated. Each engineer who cut the record will pressings of your record from the way first is the choice between sponse to your band’s music will prepared to be turned down or for when booking bands. If you have the money to spend, member of a band is going to send the parts to the pressing plant pressing plant. Listen to these test DIY booking and promotion or serve to boost both credibility asked to inquire again in the fu- In a city many consider to be Jackpot! Recording or Mississippi think that their instrument should of your choice for production. pressings carefully. Play the record hiring a company to promote and professionalism. ture. Again, don’t let roadblocks the Northwest’s mecca of music Studios are just two options for a be higher in the mix, and if all RecordTech Inc. is the best on a variety of different sound sys- your band. Any Google search Next, determine what sort like this deter you, be persistent. and music culture, bands have the high quality recording. Vinyl is an members are not there to advocate pressing plant in the United tems of varying quality. Once you for Portland promoters will of venue you think your band Portland is a big town with a unique opportunity to participate analog medium, so analog record- for themselves, it’s entirely possible States for audiophile quality vinyl approve the test pressings, it should result in a list of resources, but would be best suited for. This huge music scene. This means in a scene open and willing to ac- ing to either 1” or 2” tape is ideal. that the mix will be uneven. records, hands down. They take take 6-10 weeks for the record to for students living cheaply, self- decision can take into account that the relatively small number cept and include new groups into Of course, music, and DIY music longer, cost more and can be be delivered to your front door. If promotion is the way to go. things like crowd demographic, of venues get a lot of inquiries. its folds. One need only apply the in particular, isn’t about ideal situ- MASTERING difficult to deal with at times, but you follow this primer carefully, After that, the first essential genre and the types of other Luckily, the nature of the music old paradigm of hard work and ations or perfect outcomes. they are the best. Erika Records this is going to be one of the most tool any band needs is a press kit. bands that play at a given venue. scene here in Portland has a perseverance to enact that inclu- Recording your 7” using Mastering is one of the least is the best pressing plant for exciting days of your life. Don’t A press kit provides a convenient Most of this step is pretty com- strong DIY tilt. This means that a sion—and rock on. � ProTools might not seem very understood aspects of producing colored vinyl, picture discs and fuck it up � 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 30 2012 LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE 31 Street A fight for fair trade music Campaign raising beats awareness about A look inside Portland’s busker subculture importance of musicians Saria Dy/Vanguard Staff Melinda Guillén Funkplastic and guitarist Schillonious are regular Rosemary Hanson performers on the streets of Portland. Fair trade is a term many people Six large white buckets sit under to overlook become more promi- Not only do street performers particular location. The basic rule have heard in reference to coffee, Skidmore Fountain. Some read nent,” he said. “Those buckets have to take into consideration is if a “spanger” (a person just ask- clothes or other tangible goods. “Clout Laundry Detergent” and suddenly began to look like drums their audience, the weather and ing for money) holds a spot that The Fair Trade Music campaign “Kikkoman Soy Sauce,” oth- to me, and playing them has been events occurring around them; a street performer would like, the brings that idea of fair wages for ers contain a multitude of coins, my passion since day one.” they also have to be aware of each musician gives the spanger more products into a new realm—liv- and one is full of $1 bills. A small Will Scriven, known as Chill other and the subculture that this money than the spanger would able wages for the service, of frying pan with a broken handle Will, who has been playing guitar awareness has formed. make in that particular location providing music. The campaign lies nearby. for more than 40 years, sometimes “There are unwritten rules that during a certain time period. This was started in Portland a handful The owner of this percussive ar- plays alongside Funkplastic. His the market, events or the streets happens frequently. of years ago, and now, with the ray is named Funkplastic, and it is solo gigs can be seen heard week- don’t have,” Funkplastic said. “I have to save money from the support of the Musicians Union, with these items that he manages days on Northwest 25th Avenue “We’re in constant communica- night before for this because I just Local 99, it has begun to raise to make a living each day. and Irving Street and near the tion with each other, though, so don’t know what’ll happen the awareness of the importance of Adam Wickham/Vanguard Staff Every Saturday and Sunday the food carts on Fifth Avenue during we understand those rules.” next day,” he said. “It’s rude to set venues paying musicians a stan- Graham Smith of Fair Trade Music works a booth at the May Day events in the Park Blocks. Ankeny Square section of First the lunch hour. Zacharias, who has traveled up in front or in the vicinity of a dard wage. Street becomes home to the tents, Scriven’s situation, however, is a across the U.S. and Europe, said spanger. As a street performer, you The campaign is not some- own managers but, rather, the because it is fighting for the musi- Pegg commented that the cam- crafts and entertainment of the rarity in the streets. that this subculture is prominent have to tap into the energy around thing designed to put venues out local bands working their way up cian’s ability to sustain music as a paign strives to erase the concept Portland Saturday Market. In the “I have a day job, and most street in other parts of the world as well. you or you don’t get paid.” of business but, as coordinator and working for a daily wage. He job and not let it become a hobby. of what he calls “the myth of midst of the artistry and cuisine, performers don’t” he said. “I do it “It ebbs and flows and changes Typical street performers make Jake Pegg said, a way to ad- said that this especially applies to “It adds an element of transpar- exposure,” or the idea that a musi- the sounds, beats and melodies because of the money, not because at mostly the same pace,” he said. 80 percent of their profits on the equately compensate musicians university music students, so that ency to the music scene, which cian should agree to a gig because of buskers, including Funkplastic, I have to. It’s more of a labor of One unwritten rule of this weekends and some make around for their work. they can graduate educated in will benefit everyone. It aims to of promised exposure to the resonate through the area. love than a necessity.” culture is that playing within a $300 a week, depending on the “The main goal is to support both the talent side and the busi- support the whole scene: bands, public without the venue agreeing He, and most other Portland The passion and love involved block from each other is consid- location, weather and atmo- the creation of great music by ness side of music. fans and venues. It doesn’t dis- to compensate that musician in street musicians, is part of a com- in this type of musical career is ered unethical. Street musicians sphere. To protect his instruments, establishing a minimum wage for “Musicians should be paid a fair criminate by style or audience,” any other way. mon system that is not obvious to vital, according to Funkplastic. In also communicate with each other Funkplastic has “stash spots in musicians,” Pegg said. wage so that they can spend their Smith-White said. “It’s sort of a “Musicians are awash in a red the untrained eye. order to become a good musi- if they are being too loud. The each city he plays in,” not unlike He said the campaign is focused time making music for people to road map for how to begin mak- sea of misguided cultural values,” Funkplastic, who has been cian, he believes practicing for 20 “grapevine” of the street musi- most street musicians, so that he on improving the relationship enjoy,” Lucas said. “I think some ing a living as a musician, in a way. Pegg said. “We can part those seas, playing street percussion for minutes a day for five years will cians helps communicate other doesn’t have to carry his buckets between venue owners and musi- people don’t realize what it takes It’s also a response to over 30 years but we’re not Moses. We’re just the almost 14 years, began playing make someone an expert. That information as well. wherever he goes. cians so a smooth and fair business to really play an instrument well. of backslide in wages for musi- people handing out buckets. We in the streets out of necessity. expertise is crucial when playing “There’s certain places where “To bet everything in your ex- transaction can occur. It takes thousands of hours of cians, so it’s long overdue.” all have to start bailing water if we He, like many street perform- for one’s survival. the police will harass us, so when istence on the weather and where FTM hopes that, in the future, dedicated practice and proper The campaign is centered on want to see the music improve.” ers, has performed all over the Zacharias, another street musi- we come across those, we’ll pass you’ll be situated is crazy, but Portland venues will agree to their instruction from good teachers. three key elements: education, Interested members can join the nation, and he can be found at cian who has been singing and that information on,” Funkplastic this is what we’ve been called to sliding-scale method of payment, Quality instruments and good advocacy and recognition. Smith campaign by visiting fairtrademu- the Saturday Market and between playing percussion, guitar and said. “We make sure we look out do,” he said. “Businessmen come with smaller-scale venues such as teachers don’t come cheap.” White said the education element sicpdx.org or facebook.com/Fair. Southwest Oak Street and Stark harmonica for decades, agrees. for each other, and we’ll turn up to us and tell us they’ve had a coffee shops or restaurants without FTM Co-chair Graham Smith- is about reminding the public Trade.Music. Street from noon to 1 p.m. “You have to be riveting with each other on to other places horrible week and that listening bars paying less than a club charg- White has been involved in the that musicians are professionals Disclaimer: The Fair Trade He describes his instrument of the audience and connect with the and events where we know we to us has been the best part of it. ing a cover and offering a full bar. campaign for three and a half and their work deserves adequate Music campaign is currently choice as an unwilled action. people who can pay you,” he said. can all thrive.” I believe we’re a vital element to FTM supporter and musician years, focusing mainly on commu- compensation; advocacy is the acting as a community partner “The buckets chose me. When “You have to be good at what you Then there’s the notion of everyone who hears us, and you Simon Lucas said that the cam- nity outreach and partnering roles fight for living wages and rec- for reporter Rosemary Hanson’s you’re at a place of desperation in do, and people have to like you— “buying out.” Funkplastic de- will find some of the best musi- paign is not focused on nationally with youth and the public. He said ognition of the local people and community development col- your life, the things that you used this job is not for the faint of heart.” scribed it as buying your spot in a cians on the streets.” � touring musicians who have their the campaign is important partially businesses that support FTM. loquium project. �