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Make sure to tune into WMPG (90.9/104.1FM in Portland) today from 3-5pm to listen to Liberation By Sound with DJ Roy. For the second half of the program he’ll have special guests John, Will, and Alicia from the Tower Of Song on the air, talking about their project and an upcoming festival in the works. Yes, really.
Picture it… United States Of America, 1989. The girls all had poof bangs, stirrup pants and jellies. The guys all had asymmetrical lines shaved into the sides of their heads, hammer pants and hyper-color shirts. Boom boxes blasted from driveways all across this fine continent or ours, whilst we choreographed dance moves we would show to the world, as soon as we were accepted on Star Search, where Ed McMahon would surely claim us as the next big thing. The music we would dance to? Why, New Kids On The Block, of course. The guys either wanted to be them or they hated them with a passion. The girls just wanted to be with them and O! How we could scream it from the top of our lungs. We all had our favorite one. Was it the ever-elusive shy guy, Jon Knight, or his gorgeous outspoken brother, Jordan? Maybe it was the Rebel with ripped jeans sporting a Boston Red Sox hat, Donnie Wahlburg? Perhaps it was Donny Wood and all his charm? And then there was Joey McIntyre, the baby who was such a pretty boy with an even more pretty voice. Read on after the jump… Since I’m back to my regularly-scheduled music (and superhero, apparently) blogging over at Subinev, let’s keep these roundups to the Maine news. Alright? On with it!
Good question, music fan. Over at Dylan’s blog, Port City Music Hall (among other venues) booker Lauren does a good job of addressing that issue. It’s an unfortunate state of affairs, but it’s true, getting some of the acts that many of us would love to see here in Portland is just impossible for a number of reasons. If you have a problem with a jam band or cover band-heavy schedule in town (which, from what I can tell, a good number of people do), just take a look at how many tickets they sell and compare it to what she says about Animal Collective and Clinic for a little perspective. In a town where a cover charge over $8 gets the hairy eyeball, it’s not hard to believe that asking $12 would handicap even a very strong bill. I’d love to hear any thoughts about ticket prices and the kinds of bands that you’d like to see in Portland but don’t normally get to. Hey all – this afternoon I’ll be stopping by DJ Roy’s show on WMPG, Liberation By Sound, to catch up after last weeks’ South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. Tune in at WMPG.org or 90.9/104.1FM to listen in from 3-5pm!
Now this is exactly what I like to see – Sweden’s The Sounds have just announced a show at the Port City Music Hall. Get tickets soon, I have a feeling that will be a good one. Also, I’ve relaunched my personal/music blog, Subinev. I’ll be posting non-Portland bits there, starting this week with South By Southwest! I’ll be away all next week, running around like crazy in Austin for the South By Southwest Music Festival. As far as I can tell, the only Maine band playing the festival (officially) is Sparks The Rescue. Showgoing options for tonight are plentiful: If you’re into awesome pop music and are feeling fancy (and can get by without any booze at an 18+ show), head to Port City Music Hall for OK Go. Opening are Oppenheimer (Irish indie pop) and Longwave (epic NYC indie rock). Longwave just released a video for the song “No Direction” of their ’08 release, Secrets Are Sinister. Doors have been pushed up to 7pm, with Oppenheimer on at 8, Longwave at 8:45, and OK Go at 10! Word is there may be some sort of afterparty at the White Heart. SPACE is hosting a killer lineup, headlined by the Islands+Tune-Yards-related Sister Suvi (their new release, Now I Am Champion is excellent and not to be missed). Opening are Shapes and Sizes and one of our favorite locals, Lady Lamb The Beekeeper. Over at Geno’s it’s revenge of the 48 Hours Music Fest, as Prism Camp transitions officially from one-time project to a real band, joining Moneycastasia, I, Barbarian, and the new (Cougars Kill Cobras rhythm section, mutated) Harubangs for a heavy night of rock. On to a brief roundup… Portland!
Otherly:
I may update at some point from Texas next week. I wouldn’t expect a roundup though – see you all back on the 23rd!
On the first Friday of each month, the streets of downtown Portland fill up with people taking advantage of exhibits, performances, and other attractions during the First Friday Art Walk. Since May of last year, the monthly festivities have had a soundtrack provided by local musicians, playing high above the street in John Fountain‘s apartment as part of an innovative concert series known as The Tower Of Song. Live video from inside the room is projected on a window so that people on the street down below can see a bit of what they’re hearing, amplified out the windows and reverberating throughout the city.
The March event included performances from Lady Lamb The Beekeeper and Johnny Fountain (who perform each month), as well as the band responsible for the name of this very site, Phantom Buffalo.
A recent Arthur Mag piece by Peter Smith explains a bit of the experience quite well, though it seemed quite a bit crowded during this latest concert. The Pine Haven Collective also visited last month. I wonder if this semi-private event could soon outgrow its humble beginnings – time will certainly tell, especially as the still-developing Tower Of Song Festival being planned for May gets closer.
It was great to get a chance to see this from the inside after hearing it from the streets for so many months. Check out the full photo gallery. Thanks to Will Ethridge for inviting me up to take photos! This week’s roundup is brought to you by Darkchild 99. After tonight’s First Friday Art Walk (don’t forget to check out the Tower of Song – today’s special guest is Phantom Buffalo! – read this Arthur Mag piece about the monthly event), head over to the Port City Music Hall for our big show (presented with Neon Garden and Scion Sessions) with LA Riots! Portland’s never seen an electronic/dance show like this. Tickets will be available for the discounted price of $10 at the door! Let’s get on with it… Portlandland:
South and Westerly:
Have fun this weekend, and don’t forget to enter our Duncan Sheik tix+cd giveaway! |
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