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Ok so maybe there aren’t (public) plans to reopen the State Theater and Pavement definitely haven’t added a Portland date to their 2010 reunion tour (so far just two NYC dates have been announced and gone on sale – though with them over a year away there’s plenty of time for more to be added), but wouldn’t that be cool? Back to reality: tonight is the Frock ‘n’ Roll event at SPACE which pairs up local bands with local fashion designers. Not into fashion? That’s fine – down the block at Port City Music Hall there’s KRS One, at Big Easy Model Airplane say goodbye, local music freaks freak out to Dan Knudsen’s jams at Slainte for Danapalooza, Anna’s Ghost debut their new album at Empire with the help of Dead Man’s Clothes (now with more TJ, formerly of Lady Lamb The Beekeeper), Matt & Kim are back in Maine to get the Bates kids crazy (sold out, sorry), Decemberists are up in Orono with Laura Veirs (oops, missed that one), and if you want to start the night early and sweaty, there’s a good-lookin’ house show with Dylan Bredeau. And that’s just tonight. Saturday has quite a bit in store (just browse the showlist). I’m looking forward to Sunday, when the legendary Ian Svenonious brings his new (Chain and the) Gang to SPACE Gallery (you’re familiar with his show Soft Focus, right?), with opening sets from two bands who made their proper debuts at HillyTown OFFStage shows last month: BOXY and Panda Bandits (technically it was their second show, but the first one was just one song at the Johnny Cash night, so that doesn’t really count, right?). Have a great weekend! So, who else is heading up to Bangor for KahBang! tomorrow? I’m anticipating a Portland field trip. Congrats to Christian for winning our Gay Blades-sponsored contest! I haven’t tried it yet, but if there’s pulled pork in Monument Square, I’m there. In band-personell-shifting-news, Dead Man’s Clothes is now down to a trio, including Ian Riley (Anna’s Ghost drummer) on bass, Boxy have added Chad Chamberlain on guitar/bass, and Lady Lamb The Beekeeper is now Aly Spaltro and a drummer (somebody please remind me of his name) who made their debut at Empire last night. Oh, and I might as well mention that Marie Stella (the band I play in) is down one Boardman and one Ladybeast, and up one Jon Donnell (plus there’s a song to listen to now). On sale tomorrow morning: Kelly Clarkson @ Civic Center and Sufjan Stevens @ PCMH. Hit that. Despite catching the openers, I couldn’t stick around for Grand Hotel‘s record-release performance last night. Though I’ve enjoyed singer Kyle Gervais in the roles of Wayne Coyne and Kurt Cobain at Clash Of The Titans, this review didn’t do much to entice me to stay out. I definitely plan to give the band a chance, but last night just wasn’t my time. Would anybody who was there care to share their thoughts on the show? I know I’ve been a bit preoccupied this month, but can you blame me? The second installment of my OFFStage @ SPACE Gallery free, all ages concert series saw the addition of another fun aspect to the events: a Door Yard Sale in the front lobby. On your way in and out of the shows, stop by and check out the goods being sold (for super cheap!) to help the DoorYard art collective afford to keep paying their rent! Also, don’t forget to take a look at the Portland Pins machine over by the bar! Thanks to the bands who played: Jesse Pilgrim played a few songs solo before being joined by his band (minus drummer Derek, who was unfortunately sick), Dan Wholey (along with Liz and Caroline from Earth People Orchestra) wowed the crowd with a seated, candlelit set of beautiful folk pop songs, and the ever-expanding and refreshingly exuberant collective Panda Bandits ended the night with an eclectic performance with a rotating cast of lead singers, instruments, and theatrics. A few photos below:
Also check out Sam Cousins’ photos from this event. Next week is a big one: Phantom Computers, Happy Machines, and Dead End Armory. Again, there will be free pizza from Otto (get there right at 7 if you want in on that, it goes fast)!
On to the roundup! Being First Friday, there’s a lot of art to be seen around town. Get out early if you actually want to get to see some of the great work debuting tonight, or if you’re just in it for the free wine and cheese. If it’s really the work you’re interested in, it may be better to let the crowds do their thing tonight and stop by the galleries next week some time, when you don’t have to throw elbows to get a good look at that hot new exhibit. Word is that Tower Of Song IS happening tonight, though maybe not from the usual window. Close though, perhaps. I’d bet that some flyers with details will pop up around town today. On Sunday night, the 48 Hour Music Fest returns to SPACE Gallery in the form of the documentary directed by Dave Camlin. It’s really funny to play “spot your friends” in the concert portion of the film. In concert-announcement news, it looks like a Sufjan Stevens show crept up while nobody was looking (or, rather, just hasn’t been officially announced yet), and the LL Bean free concert series in Freeport is still going, with Dar Williams this weekend, the Wallflowers next week, and more acts through September 6. The HillyTown OFFStage @SPACE free, all ages, weekly concert series kicked off this week with Haru Bangs, Theodore Treehouse, and BOXY. Thanks to all the bands, the people who came out, and Otto for the pizza! A few photos:
OFFStage continues >next week with Panda Bandits, Dan Wholey [Earth People Orchestra], and Jesse Pilgrim. The free concert series runs every Wednesday in August at SPACE Gallery. Doors at 7pm, music starting between 7:30 and 8. All ages welcome! Pull up a chair, this is gonna be a long one. Let’s start with the big news: in celebration of this little website’s first year on the internet, I’m throwing a party. Well, a bunch of parties, actually. Let’s just call it a music series. Specifically, the HillyTown OFFStage @SPACE Concert Series. Every Wednesday in August, HillyTown presents a free, all ages concert at SPACE Gallery, beginning at 7pm. Bands will play on the floor, and you’ll hear new local groups, check out great touring acts, and see some of your favorites in ways you never expected. Here’s what we’ve got in the works: 8/5 – Boxy (new Portland band, first show) + Theodore Treehouse [Washington, DC] + Haru Bangs 8/12 – Panda Bandits + Dan Wholey (Earth People Orchestra) [Boston, MA] + Jesse Pilgrim 8/19 – Phantom Computers (actual name TBD) + Happy Machines [Red Bank, NJ] + Dead End Armory 8/26 – White Light + Blood Warrior [Brooklyn, NY] + Mark Summers We’ll have posters and more fun details about this concert series in the coming weeks! Though it’s not technically a HillyTown Presents show (I am a little uncomfortable with putting the name on shows for which I book my own band), I’m exceptionally proud of putting together Clues and Goes Cube, with Marie Stella opening at Empire on July 31. Let’s call that the unofficial kickoff of the HillyTown Year One Extravaganza of Awesome. It was also a pleasure to get to add a listing (I did not organize the show) for my friends the Two Man Gentlemen Band to the calendar (far off though it is), as they’ll be visiting SPACE Gallery after their tour with Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, & John Mellencamp this summer. Exciting! Hey, it’s the First Friday in July! You know what that means – Art Walk time!
As if you didn’t know, the only thing anybody seems to care about today is the King Of Pop passing away. RIP MJ indeed.
Check out the new Portland Pins site (it’s still making its way through the internet, but should be fully functional by the mid-afternoon). We’ve got new drop boxes around town to help you get your designs submitted. We’ll be debuting more new pins and even a new machine next Friday! This weekend is full of fun. Mega concert updates just happened. Check the showlist and get out there!
Expect some more updates this weekend… don’t forget to check out the HillyTown Presents show at Zero Station on Saturday, and get clicking to download Dilly Dilly’s new album on Sunday!
Before we get into it, might I share with you this late-notice bit of HillyTown housekeeping from the department of live music, or HillyTown Presents. On Saturday, June 20, we’re bringing you Strand Of Oaks, Matt Bauer, and Tin Ceilings with an evening of music at Zero Station. Details here.
On a personal note, I launched my new photography portfolio site this week. Portland, its people, and its music scene are pretty well-represented. See you out there, in the sun, hopefully. It is supposed to be summer now, right? |
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Next week is the big 
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