Music Blog

Each year as we move closer to the holiday season, the local concern calendar usually begins to diminish. Like many of us, bands tend this time of year to take a break from touring and playing shows. Lucky for us in Portland, this Saturday is full of awesome local shows despite the upcoming holidays.

Starting on november 5th and going until the 8th is the annual Siren Nation Festival which showcases and creates performance and exhibition opportunities for women. Along with arts and crafts exhibits, Siren Nation will be hosting a week of music kicking off tonight with performances by Grey Anne, Star Anna, Emily Wells, and Lovers at the Someday Lounge.  Judging from our past in-studio visits with Grey Anne and Lovers, the kick off show should be an excellent start to a week of women empowerment through artistic endeavours. Be sure to check out the Saturday show, also at the Someday Lounge, featuring female-fronted Portland outfits Tender Forever, Y la Bamba and Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside.

If you're looking for rowdier show action on Saturday then you're forced to make a tough choice between Dinosaur Jr. at the Wonder Ballroom and The Raveonettes at the Doug Fir Lounge. Dinosaur Jr. is touring behind the second of their reunion records to feature the original lineup, Farm, and continues to showcase their return to the original sound of J. Mascis' croons and his wankerific, but oh-so lovely, guitar solos. Hearing the new material live next to songs off of such record-collection staples as You're Living All Over Me will make you want to grow your hair out and start wearing flannel all over again. If you can't make the Dinosaur Jr. show then you can also check out a free, 3pm in-store with Lou Barlow at Music Millenium. Barlow will surely being playing songs off his recent release Goodnight Unknown--his first solo record in 4 years.

As mentioned, a quick jaunt south on the east side will find Danish-duo The Raveonettes bringing their own brand of fuzzed-out garage pop that same night. Their new album, In and Out of Control is steeped in the same unpolished, stripped-down sound that we have come to know and love them for. Be sure to wear black to this one.

 For those who prefer swaying to sweaty fist-pumping, then throw over your wool sweater and check out the tranquil serenades of the always lovely Laura Gibson at Mississippi Studios. This will be Laura's last Portland show for the rest of the year as she will be spending time across the pond on tour in Europe. Get a sample of what you'll be seeing and hearing (or missing out on) by checking out her in-studio session with us last year. 

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