Music Blog

Having listened to Mt. Eerie's  new release Wind's Poem, I had high expectations of their set at Backspace. The album is expansive and powerful, moody to the point of being almost sinister, a fine and unusual album - but the album is almost entirely put together by Phil Elevrum - would the transition to a full band with two drummers, bass, two keys, & lead + Elevrum himself work? Yes, indeed it did. Even the stilled passages of erie descriptives didn't phase the swollen crowd and the guest musicians on only their 4th round of ever playing the multi-layered production were magnificent - particularly Karl Blau on bass and the woman (pictured below) on lead guitar, playing from cheat sheets at her feet and adding yet another dimension to this great work.

After Mt Eerie I was pretty much done or so I thought, picking up on a rumor that 'The Thermals' were putting on an impromptu show I set off to... not find it, but I did chance upon 'We're From Japan' http://www.werefromjapan.com/ at Slabtown. Here was the sonic rock hit that should be a part of every festival - eschewing vocals, We're From Japan (who are local to Portland and have been around for five years) stand out as confident musicians in full control of the three guitar & drums format - the drummer (below) in particular is a master, a must see.

My evening had started at Satyricon to catch the oddly named 'Soutern Belle' - oddly named in that they are nothing like any 'Southren' rock style, more a youthful quirky Violent Femmes type. This band is young and still a little raw, but they're putting together some neat and catchy songs that are making them popular with younger audiences. Austin Jackson, who wails a little too much on their recorded work, provides much needed charisma and energy on stage.

I also managed to catch a solid prog-rock performance from Seattle's 'Say Hi', people should quit complaining that there's no good new 'indie-rock' music around, these guys have the sound nailed down.

Saturday Night tip - Don't miss Finn Riggins at The East End, second thoughts - go elsewhere, I want to be able to get in!

Tagged: MFNW 2009