Port City action past and future (Krs One is on the way)

Okay, sorry no posts for a while but it's hard to find the time. I have been wanting to write about two shows that I recently attended here in Portland, ME. Both were at the same venue, a newish place called Port City Music Hall(pix above left). It is a place that doesn't look like much from the outside, kind of run down and dumpy actually, with lots of sketch looking concert posters that have no color, advertising the upcoming shows. Once you enter however it is a whole different story. Upon entering there is a lounge area outfitted with very hip, cool sofas and small tables and chairs. Really classy decor, totally redone inside from what it was previously (a sports bar type of deal)it has cool chandeliers and shiny wood floors and just a stylish vibe. The biggest and most important thing about it is a 500,000 dollar investment by the owner on the sound. After seeing the two shows previously mentioned, I can say it was well worth it, it sounded great in there. They have the option for regular general admission tix and also VIP which seats you at private tables to the right of the stage on a slightly raised area with it's own bar.

Okay to the shows....


First show I saw at Port City was the "alternative bluegrass" band called Crooked Still. We (my wife and I) had seen them several years ago in Cambridge when they were first making a name for themselves and we enjoyed it and their cd very much. So when we heard that they were coming to Portland we got tickets right away. The band consists of vocalist Aoife O'Donovan, banjo player Dr. Gregory Liszt, bassist Corey DiMario, cellist Tristan Clarridge and fiddler Brittany Haas. They are known for "their high energy, technical skill, unusual instrumentation and innovative acoustic style" according to wikipedia. They put on a great show, the lead singer has a great voice and lots of karisma on stage, sort of a cute charisma. They were just a breath of fresh air and the sound in the venue, as I said before was great!

Ain't No Grave:



And then a couple of weeks after this show we returned to Port City and saw Neko Case!! I had seen her before together with The New Pornographers, of whom she is a member of (they are a Canadian super group), but to see her solo I knew would be another story. I loved her album "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" and the latest, Middle Cyclone was even better. This show was so tight, so professional, sooo good. Her voice is a like a goddess, she really has a beautiful and unique voice. The place was packed for this show. Unlike the Crooked Still show where the band requested seating and I think the venue was okay with it because it wasn't sold out, for Neko's show it was standing room which is about 600 plus people in a small space. All these bodies made for a steamy atmosphere, and we had a great view because my wife and I slithered our way up pretty close. she had a pretty elaborate in a DIY way stage set-up and she seemed to be very particular about things like sound and light and positioning of amps and such but once she got it all sorted out they rocked the house. Everyone was alternately rapt and rowdy (at the appropriate time) and I think Portland showed her a lot of love. It was a great experience. The harmonies between her and her back up singer were transcendent! They just took you away. Here are some pics from this show I got sent to me from Bryan Bruchman:





check more pix from Bryan Bruchman here



People Got a Lot of Nerve-mp3

And last, KRS One, Yes Mr. Knowledge Reigns supreme Over Nearly Every One is coming to Port City next month, the 18th with Buckshot. Wow. A legend, this place just keeps getting great shows... Keep them coming!!


Here is one of my all-time favorite hip hop songs, maybe the first that I memorized all the lyrics to, or was that "the fat boys are back"?



New Joint from album coming out 3 days before he plays here:




Enjoy!!

It Might Get Loud

New movie coming out. According to press kit:
Rarely can a film penetrate the glamorous surface of rock legends. It Might Get Loud tells the
personal stories, in their own words, of three generations of electric guitar virtuosos – The Edge
(U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and Jack White (The White Stripes). It reveals how each
developed his unique sound and style of playing favorite instruments, guitars both found and
invented. Concentrating on the artist’s musical rebellion, traveling with him to influential locations,
provoking rare discussion as to how and why he writes and plays, this film lets you witness
intimate moments and hear new music from each artist. The movie revolves around a day when
Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge first met and sat down together to share their stories,
teach and play.



peace!

Sunday @ Pitchfork

Sunday at Pfork starts for me around 1:45pm for Frightened Rabbit and Blitzen Trapper. This was the time period I took care of all needs so I wasn't completely watching but I did end up watching a good chunk of Blitzen Trapper and they were perfect for a sunny afternoon in the park. Today was all about getting a good spot for The Walkmen, which led me to stage C for Pharoah Monch. I knew a bit about this rapper from Queens, NY and had liked all that I heard but hadn't pursued much. He was off the hook! He had the crowd jumping, some even tried to mosh but they were repulsed and kind of stared at as if they were loony. I really enjoyed this show.



Simon Says - Pharaohe Monch mp3


Got just about to the very front (which can be verified if you look close at the video on Pfork TV). I worked hard and waited long but I knew it would be worth it. The Walkmen 15 ft away from me about to rock out. While I waited I made friends and also listened to the Thermals show which sounded great. They played quite a few covers that I recognized. Green Day, mabye Hole?, some others.

Finally the wait was over and they were awesome!!! The lead singer shreds his vocals but at the same time sounds cool and detached. Yet he poured every ounce of himself into the mike onstage. Seeing "The Rat" live was so cool. So were so many others. They brought a horn section out for several songs. They didn't look like your typical rockers but they brought the goods. All the musicians were very talented and the bass and piano players switched places often. The drummer was a pulsing live-wire driving the band onward. The only slight drawback is that I got so close that I got in back of the two huge audience speakers and so had a bit of a drowning out effect on the vocals. Not terrible but I won't make that mistake again.


Hang On Siobhan - The Walkmen mp3


I had picked up a t-shirt of The Walkmen earlier and now I wore it proudly on my chest. The next while was spent meeting up and hanging out with Mauricio and crew. I listened to M83 and they sounded awesome. Big and large for a big, large space. I listened to Grizzly Bear, who I am not 100% behind but they have several songs that I dig. And then we decided to go check out The Very Best at the dance stage first. I felt bad for these guys because they were going up against The Flaming Lips, the headliners. They were unphased though and it was bangin'!!! I got my groove on and it was really, really difficult to pull myself away, but I had never seen the lips and how could I ever live with myself if I had the chance and didn't take it. So I ripped myself away from Esau and crew and got up as close as I could without incurring any stressful feelings and thoroughly enjoyed The Lips' set. Wayne Coyne was quite a showman, they had a lot of big giant balls bouncing around, a special set, light show,he had some giant air gun that filled a balloon at one point so large that it blew up as the climax of "Do You Realize" (the set closer) happened, shooting confetti everywhere in the sky. It was quite a spectacle but really fun, a giant sing-along. And it was over just like that, back home, next day walked to the El, took it to the airport and was back home. I got to see five of my very favorite contemporary musicians all in one weekend and I feel so lucky for the opportunity. Thanks to Mauricio for once again puttin me up/up with me. And thanks to my family for sending me off with blessings to a fun weekend of music.

The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize


Peace!