This, as always, is an event not to be missed. Newsom’s presence on record is one that is ardent and personal, the type you might not think would translate too well to a large room. But what’s commonly misunderstood about music that strikes such an individual chord is the fact that the louder it is, the more it tends to consume you. You don’t have to be bedroom-pop to resonate as relatable.
Newsom proves this with her live shows. Her godess-like presence behind the harp takes you up and away from what may have made her records so personal, out into a space where all you can do is sit back and imagine her inspirations, and how one person could possess so much talent. With her magical fingers, she wisps the audience away into a dream.
Thank god she’s playing the Aladdin Theater this weekend (Friday & Saturday), because you’re going to want to be seated for this one.
Posted By David Hutchinson
As I mentioned at the start of the week, The legendary Black Heart Procession are playing tonight (!) at the Aladdin Theater with Bellini. In anticipation of the show we asked founding member, and Portland native, Tobias Nathaniel to identify his favorite places to spend time while he’s in town. Check out his appropriately gloomy responses below. Some of these should be pretty familiar to you guys. If not… now you know where to go after the show tonight.
Tobias Nathaniel’s Favorite Places to Hang in Portland.
5. Graveyard in Laurelhurst. Old and dead things are cool. Enough said.
4. Bridgetown Hobbies. Reality is fairly stupid, so to distance myself from it I like to immerse in fantasy games and miniature painting. This place delivers.
3. Dots Cafe. Even better than fantasy gaming, getting drunk is a great way to numb yourself against the idiocy of humanity. Great service and food as well.
2. The Standard. Again, getting drunk is really great. This place makes you really drunk. They have great pours for super cheap. So, even if you are broke and that is bringing you down, go here.
1. My House. Physically being away from humanity is really the best way to shield yourself from it. Therefore, my house wins the # 1 position on this list.
Posted By David Hutchinson
In any given weekend, there’s too much going on to even begin writing about. This weekend in Portland though, there is a particularly unique set of shows going down. Everyone knows the weekend begins on Thursday now-a-days, but for the purposes of this post I’ll start on Friday.
The epic and amazing Black Heart Procession are going to be introducing their doom & gloom atmospherics to the Aladdin Theater this Friday with Bellini. Now into their tenth year as a band (and six albums deep) the places they’ve been and struggles they’ve faced resonate really fucking heavily on their latest record, Six. And hey, as Portlanders we get to take some credit for their masterful malcontent, because founding member Tobais Nathaniel used to call Portland home!
If you’re sick of your typical Friday night (who isn’t?) be sure to check out the Black Heart Procession, I promise they’ll be a pleasurable change of pace. Also, be on the lookout for an upcoming feature on FuckBadMusic in which the aforementioned Tobais Nathaniel shares some of his favorite Portland haunts. Who knows, maybe Aladdin Theater will be one of them after this Friday.
The Black Heart Procession – Rats
And if Black Heart Procession proves to be a little too traditional for your tastes (you are insane), look forward to Saturday! Julianna Barwick will be playing her subdued experimental songs in a (surprise!) somewhat experimental setting. That’s because the organizers of the event, titled Sonic Celluloid, have asked each act to choose an accompanying film for their set. The film they choose will be playing as they play in a “muted and trippy” format. I’m thinking Psychic Ills, but with a narrative! The event goes down (including Portland’s own White Rainbow) at the Reed College Chapel this Saturday at 9:00pm. Be there or be boring.
Julianna Barwick – Various Songs
Posted By David Hutchinson
As promised I came up with Seven songs to post one each day, allowing you an evening and the next day to ponder and appreciate the track. As expected I didn’t commit, for that I am sorry. If it is any conselation I have a pretty good excuse (I moved and cancelled my internet).
Bigger better things can be written about, however, and one of those is an event quite a ways in the future that I can’t seem to get off of my mind. Nico Muhly, who was featured in one of the aformentioned song of the day series, (Before the ordeal) is going to be playing a show with Antony & the Johnsons at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on September 5th. This is going to be more beautiful (and in turn more worth it) than Sigur Ros’ set in the same month. This is officially what you should spend your money on in early September. Nico Muhly is also playing on the 15th of August with Sam Amidon at the Aladdin Theater, making that what you should spend your money on in mid August! In all seriousness, I’m going to work my ass off to get an interview with Muhly at one of these dates, and if that doesn’t already interest you… study up.
Posted By David Hutchinson
