Crafty! Wall Hangings

These wall hangings are pretty quick and simple to make and require affordable, easy-to-acquire materials that many people may have on hand. I can usually finish one within an hour or so (depending on the complexity of the decorations on the fabric) but they can easily be completed in steps whenever you have some spare time. The finished product is delightful (and cheap!) and can add a lot to a room by brightening it with color, creating a focal point, or just taking up bare wall space.

You will need:

• 1 piece of scrap plywood: a 2’ square or rectangle is a good size, but you can make it whatever size you want. You can get scrap plywood for cheap or free at most hardware stores – just ask the people in Lumber. It doesn’t have to be pretty as it will be covered.

• Quilt batting that is 1” larger than your plywood on each side Fabric that is 3” larger than your plywood on each side
  
• Anything you want to decorate the fabric with.
• Some ideas include: Acrylic paint, buttons, beads, shells, ribbon, scraps of fabric… Newspaper (if painting)
• Staple gun
• Length of thin wire that is about 6 inches wider than your plywood
• Hammer and nail to hang

1. Cut batting and fabric to appropriate sizes (see above).
2. Decorate the fabric. You can paint a design, sew on beads/buttons/shells, or just use fabric with a design you like. If painting, make sure to put down newspaper and let the paint dry before the next step.
3. Lay fabric face-down on a hard surface. Center batting and plywood on the fabric.
4. Pull the fabric evenly taut and staple it about 1” in from the edge on the back of the board. I recommend beginning by stapling opposite corners like this:

1 3

4 2

Then staple along each side, making sure to keep it evenly tight.
5. Staple each end of the wire in each side of the board, about 2” from the edge and 1/3 the way down, leaving the wire slack in the middle so it bends around what you plan to hang it on. Leave about 2 inches of wire at the end of each side, then twist them tightly so it doesn’t slide out of the staple.
6. And you’re finished! Just hang it on the wall and enjoy your artistic masterpiece!

Other ideas:

• Sew several swatches of fabric together in a patchwork design. Make multiple (odd numbers are best) matching or complementary pieces to decorate the room. Use different sizes and shapes of plywood and colors or textures of fabric to make each piece distinct.
  
• Sew pockets into the fabric before stapling it to the board and hang one by the door for keys, notes, dried flowers, etc…
  
• Be creative! There is no end to the possibilities once you get started.

Portishead--Third

We waited for years, roughly a decade for Portishead’s ‘new’ album that has been shrouded in rumors of release dates and content for almost just as long. But finally (finally!) Third arrived and the first time it played I couldn’t help but hold my breath with excitement and nervousness. The opening French chatter of ‘Silence’ with the molasses slow build up to Beth’s vocal almost made the tension worse: it can’t be that good! Sweet mother of god! As the album glided along, it was clear that Portishead had accomplished more than just a comeback, they are going to be one of those magical mixes of personality, style and vision that will make all of the albums live anew each generation.

The album is mostly delicious—“Small” has a lonely, lost in space vibe that is hard to shake, even when the organ and string enter into the mix; “Plastic” has the classic feeling that made trip-hop into one of the emo of electronic music. Surprisingly, the first single, “Machine Gun” sounds too formulaic and trips on it’s own annoying and shallow drum loop. It’s a few minor missteps like “Machine Gun” and the major annoying and awful turd “Deep Water” that keep Third from being their best yet. And even though most of the tracks harken back to a time when electronic music wasn’t just pop-electro, there is a permeating feeling that this album belongs in 2003—it’s already retro. If you listened to Dummy and Portishead through headphones in the dark, you’ll likely do some heavy reminiscing about that period in your life, Third takes you right back. It might be next in line, but it isn’t necessarily progress. Closer “Threads” shows Portishead as the voice of sorrow we’ve all come to know and love despite attempts at pharmaceutical happiness, growing up and moving on. But really, what’s wrong with taking a walk down memory lane to a new soundtrack?

The Green Dragon

The Green Dragon

1 1/4 oz Crater Lake Vodka

1/2 oz Zen Green Tea Liquor

2 oz Green Tea

Garnish with lemon wheel

Made and consumed at The Starlight Lounge in Eugene.

Simian Mobile Disco--PDX April 25, 2008

The Holocene tends to err on the side of brilliant obscurity; Atlas Sound played there earlier this year, a slew of upcoming acts sends one to les internets to get the full story. (Like Thao and the get down stay down coming in July. Check the album review to get ready for the show.) This particular night though it was a more ‘mainstream’ act that got the crowd moving. Mainstream, of course, being measured on an insider’s scale: the SMD boys were recently dropped from their label—but the show proved that stuffy label execs have no clue what they’re doing.

The challenge of electronic shows is making the artists appear to actually…do something. With the gear in a circle, the visual movement of James Ford and James Shaw added to the lively electricity in the air. The show kicked off with “Sleep Deprivation,” though significantly more striped down the their album’s sleek opener.

Ford’s occasional air-pumping and Shaw’s rarer glances and smiles at the crowd kept the crowd believing that on-stage was possible more fun than offstage. Looks of strain and boredom were absent, which was a nice break from those more famous than ourselves who can appear to sulk their way through a show, and seem to guilt their machines into beeping out familiar rhythms while daring the crowd to enjoy themselves. SMD, on the other hand, took notice when the crowd exploded as the beat for “Hustler” morphed from the previous song.

The simple stage set-up with columns of lights and strobes harkens back to a precocious time—the days when people went to parties because dancing around with sweaty people, enduring conductive hearing loss and drinking rum and cokes was just plain fun. If a genie popped out and gave Moby one wish, he’d be wise to request SMD’s ability to bring sound without ego.

Key Summer Trends- for the Dolls

1. Haute Hippie- This season we step up from the Bohemian Chic (that lucky bitch that can throw anything together and look great kinda girl), to a more sophisticated boho look.......with a purpose. Think long flowing dresses in rich colors, metallics, flowered headpieces, wide leg bottoms and floral prints.

2. Gladiator Sandals- Gladiators were on the verge of coming out last spring, and they are back in full force this season. Everyone from Jimmy Choo to Old Navy makes a pair. Choose from studded high healed versions, woven flats, or go all out with the knee high versions.

3. Bold Accessories- An easy way to dress this spring is to invest in some killer statement making accessories. Take your simple white or black dress and make it go 'POW' with an armful of colorful bangles, throw on a pair of fierce metallic wedges, or tie a beautiful printed scarf around your neck.

4. Touch of 80's- The 80's are back in a number of ways (leggings, sweatshirt dresses) but this season we draw from the past and bring back neon. Mix it up, and grab those brights. The sun is shining and so should you!

5. Boy Meets Girl- While there is an abundance color and flow, there is a strong influence of menswear this spring. The perfect piece that everyone must own is a great fitting lightweight blazer. Throw it on over your haute hippy dress, wear with a rock and roll T-shirt and pair of shorts, or pair with wide leg bottoms and a high HIGH heel for a sophisticated he/she look.

MGMT--Oracular Spectacular

It was a CD I’d walked by many times, skipping over it from the prejudgement of a dude in a man scarf and the other in face paint. But MGMT’s album is very nearly the opposite of the assumed self-indulgent hipness. The opening track “Time to Pretend” sets the mood of wanting to reach for the cocaine and models but understanding the good life is never all 8-balls and legs. Oracular is the happiest possible love child of the Klaxons and Animal Collective: the near perfect “Kids” is the song to yearn for summer to with it’s playground beat and understated lyrics. Until the left coast gloom lifts, there’s the hopeful reprieve of the song: “show yourself, take only what you need from it.” Overall, Proof you can overlook exactly what you need if you’re not open to it.

Ellen Allien

She’d probably never admit it, but this 20-something Berliner is making more of an impact on the face of music than the superfamous with an extraordinary idea: being positive, having fun, and taking as much of the world in as she can. (Photos by Michael Mann)

How did growing up in West Berlin shape your early years?

I grew up feeling surrounded by the Wall, that separated East- and West Berlin. I lived on the small island of West Berlin, what meant: border controls on Sunday excursions, the rummaging through bags, the military. It was scary for me as a child. Nevertheless, the island of West Berlin has been a destination for creative minds in search of alternatives. In the 80ies, for the first time people were singing in the language, you could hear out on the streets of Berlin: Ideal, Grauzone, Nina Hagen pop meets punk. Things happened so fast. My side of Berlin provided a home for the curious, those who were going against the flow. However, it was only when the Wall came down that I was immediately fascinated by East Berlin, by this atmosphere of curiosity and get-up-and-go. There was room for experiments. Electronic music united East and West.

During Berlin's renaissance and electronic music explosion you submersed yourself in the world-by mixing tapes, dabbling in art, and you also trained to be an acrobat...what sort of arts other than music currently inspire you?

Before the wall came down, I was living for 6 years in a squart. There I found myself as an artist. I was hanging around in studios, doing jam sessions in cellars, I took saxophone lessons, I painted, I did everything that I could have done with art. I started my life as an artist there, because everyone was living the same way around me. Money was not important at all, jobs neither. I just did what I wanted to, doing music, painting, dancing and doing acrobatic. Among my friends were artists only. Later it became more techno, because techno became more commercial, had success. And the need for the label “Ellen Allien” developed in these days. Today I earn my money only with music: djing and producing on my own. Nevertheless all kinds of art influence me, especially those who crosses borders like I do: Björk, David Bowie, Charlotte Gainsbourg, David Lynch, Michel Gondy, Karl Lagerfeld..

With your crazy schedule how do you find about new music? Who are you listening to right now?

At the moment I do some vinyl cus for SOOL, my new album, and I listen to the remixes that were made for it. And I also love to listen to the new BPitch Control releases, Telefon Telaviv, or the movie soundtrack from Paul Kalkbrenner or the new Moderat album. There is not so much time left at the moment for something else, I will have clean ears again in 2 month when I am finished with my promotion and remix process for SOOL. BUT!!! – last week I have been on such an amazing concert by (Chilly) Gonzales in Berlin!!! I had so much fun!!! He is an amazing entertainer! And I will go to a Radiohead concert soon, Modeselektor will be the preband..



You've returned to Berlin and said it was the 'city that let's you breath.' What the scene there currently?

The scene is quite refreshing here, and it changed a lot within the last years. Many people moved to Berlin, from France, Italy, Spain, USA.. And those people really improve that air of being globalized. The clubs, galleries and everything cultural is quite well visited. Many young people live here who want to see and experience something. That creates a very vivid ambiance! And I like it! Because German people tend to see everything so depressed and dark. They miss to see, that we create the life style we want to live on! But nevertheless, I have to admit that Berlin still leaves so much void and space for creativity like nowhere else on this world.

What equipment do you use for your live mixes and shows?

Live: Max MSP and vocals with some effects; as DJ still vinyl, but I am preparing to switch to digital, or at least I will try it.

What inspired you during the making of your new album, Sool?

I produce my albums mainly in winter, and at this time I am always thinking about the summer. And my last summer has been sooooooooo good. I felt many abstract tracks and minimal stuff around me, and I tried to catch it with my own productions. And of course, I felt a need to produce exactly the tracks I need for my sets or if I want to listen to at home. In sum, it is electronic music with smart and abstract melodies, not too cheesy, just something refreshing for your brain..

If you were to make a mix tape right now, what would you put on it?

I would put over the tracks stories in a language nobody could understand.. The allien languages.. ;) Haha.. Bubbling over minimal music.. Something like this..

Raconteurs--SEA April 21, 2008

The Raconteurs made an early tour stop in Seattle, WA to a tiny 800 capacity venue called Neumos. Needless to say, this show sold out in seconds. With no tickets, my fingers crossed and a bargain with the devil, I made it in to one of the best rock shows of my life. The Raconteurs, consisting of Brendan Benson (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Jack White (of The White Stripes on vocals, acoustic and electric quitar, synthesizers and piano), Jack Lawrence (bass) and Patrick Keeler (percussion) wailed out a 2 hour show. I love these men.

Brendan Benson offers a soothing, harmonious counterbalance to Mr. White. White never fails to impress with his multiple stage duties, hopping from electric, to his famed acoustic named Claudette, to the piano, to some bizarre voice synthesizer, then back to the electric. Jack Lawrence puts off an odd Cory-Feldman-Stand-By-Me vibe with the long black hair and thick black glasses, and Patrick Keeler...he gave me a drumstick after the show. So he totally rules.

I secured myself a nice balcony spot where the Pabst was a flowin'. Due to the Pabst my playlist notes are a little rough, but here they are word for word, about 5 songs into the show (the drink line was long damn it!): Old Enough jack on piano, Top Yourself played with Claudette, Intimate Secretary, Level, Steady As She Goes, Blue Veins, Claudette's string breaks, These Stones Will Shout, Rich Kid Blues, encore 3 songs, ends with Carolina Drama.

Beach House--Devotion

The cover art of Beach House's "Devotion" sets the mood. Bandmates Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand sit across a table from each other, cake and candlelight between them. Possibly, they're even in a beach house. The scene is warm and inviting, yet at the same time dark and spooky – just like the 11 tracks to follow.The sophomore effort from the Baltimore duo is a much fuller, lush -and more consistent - effort than their self-titled debut. So consistent and endearing that it should be listened to as a whole.Opener "Wedding Bell" drops you in an ethereal space of love and longing. "Oh, but your wish is my command," Legrand reassures. But later, doubt creeps in. "Oh, is your heart still mine to save?" An opportunity or a burden? At the very least, she's second-guessing.

Of course, thoughts of devotion permeate the album.

"I will wait for you there, creeping silently" ("Turtle Island"), "I'd like to be someone you could finally learn to love again" ("Heart Of Chambers"), "Your picture is still on my wall" ("Some Things Last A Long Time"), "How I know you will return so I won't be sad" ("D.A.R.L.I.N.G.").Legrand's voice is enchanting and commanding. Like hearing the Sirens of Greek mythology, it's hard to steer your ship away.

Hot Chip--PDX April 23

All concerts should be scaffolded by numerous beers and a springy floor. Since both were around for Hot Chip’s latest visit to Portland, the vibe shot from energetic to delightfully dance-a-licious. Frontman Alexis Taylor opted to play up his Kip Dynamite similarities with a long-sleeved pink pinstriped shirt tucked in to crème-colored pants. His thick horn-rimmed glasses made him look a little more demonic than LaFawnduh-seducing. Didn’t stop him from playing his heart out for 90 minutes and trading guitars, synths, and mics with the other band members.

“Over and Over” would have scored as the obvious crowd pleaser but this was an educated audience—“Hold On,” “Shake a Fist,” and “Colours,” got the peoples just as boisterous, keeping the energy high and the smiles wide. The gentlemen directly in front of me could only be described as ‘fratties,’ which worried me and my friend a bit at first. Turns out Hot Chip inspired them to un-pop their colors and go crazy ape shit (while being conscientious of others) and occasionally taking a glimpse back at their less than impressed girlfriends and scream to them the name of each song as if it was the cure for cancer. Gotta love that. By the time the main set ended with “Ready for the Floor,” the masses let loose and were thirsty for more.

The biggest flaw of their new album is that it feels like they didn’t know which direction to go in so they tried to go three routes at once. The encore was the only time this polarity really stuck out as the boys slowed things way down with “Made in the Dark” and “In the Privacy of Our Love.” The latter being kicked off by an acapella cover of Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares.” It was far less than seven hours and sixteen days before it turned into an all-ballroom sing along, proving the crowd was happy to trade hopping for swaying as long as Hot Chip was willing to have them.

Justice-- PDX March 26, 2008

What is sexier than two young French djs on stage at the Roseland theater?

Two young French djs off stage in the Tube lounge, that’s what.

Whether you were there for the show, or the afterparty, Justice made their presence known in Portland. This Parisian duo played for a full house of members of the under 30 club. The crowd knew every verse and was high energy, which gave a fantastic vibe.

I couldn't keep my eyes off of them. There is something about a metro Frenchman smoking a cig and mixing house that makes me drool! The two guys never missed a beat and were keeping up the noise with clapping and interaction with the crowd. As the songs came along, I'm pretty sure I was hearing them in album order. Not too spontaneous or daring, but hey, the material is GOOD. I was impressed by the stage set of illuminated speaker boxes and a crafty soundboard light scheme on the front of the dj booth. And of course, the famed Justice lit-up cross at center stage will surely remain a symbol for the bands success.

The show seemed to whiz by but my eardrums where feeling the exposure. Walking out with a smile, we thought we'd better hit up the Tube. Good European techno deserves a good Eurotrash aftershow drink. The bar was rowdy and you better believe I was dancing. When suddenly, my friend excitedly told me that Justice just entered and was making their way toward us (kinda like the video). I played it cool, but just had to walk up to that sexy smoker Xavier and the tall handsome Gaspard and tell them they rock! We exchanged a few words in English and they went about business at the bar.

It was an exciting night of modern new beats and fresh sample lyrics. Justice embraced their night in Portland and really showed us fans how to do it right. I just wish Xavier would've asked me to dance.

Thao-- We Brave Bee Stings And All

Your soundtrack for the summer actually arrived in the dead of winter. Thao's "We Brave Bee Stings And All" indeed will soothe you, like a lick of ice cream.

The highlight is "Bag Of Hammers," a song set to please hipsters and hippies alike. The track opens with a breezy guitar riff and a relationship gone awry: "The trick is you do not get on that interstate bus / The catch is you stay and see what becomes of us." Then a pause, and an explosion: "Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house / Distress the wood, make it shout." If your not shuffling your feet at this point, then you might as well have skipped town on that bus.

Most of "Bee Stings" follows suit, with a light, happy fare
constructed to sugarcoat darker themes.

Beneath the upbeat pace and tickling banjo of "Swimming Pools" lies a lesson: "We don't dive, we cannonball / And we splash our eyes full of chemicals / Just so there's none left for little girls."

"Did he hurt you in a new way?" Thao asks in "Fear And Convenience."

Although the second half of "Bee Stings" can't stack up to the
momentum built early - the songs are by no means bad; they're just not as thoroughly enjoyable - Thao (full name: Thao Nguyen), backed by the Get Down Stay Down, shows great promise while having great fun.

Neon Neon--- Stainless Style

Neon Neon

Stainless Style

Here’s the obvious line: omg they are just like the Gorillaz!! But in all reality, Neon Neon (side project of Gruff Rhys and Boom Bip) are most similar to the Gorillaz in that their albums fluctuate in style and genre from minute to minute. Unlike the Gorilliaz though, they fall short in pulling the whole thing off. The album struggles with the polarity between Rhys’ 80s kitsch pop and Boom Bip’s frenetic hip hop. But don’t be scared-what happens is there are two clearly different strong threads both shine independently and only crumble when played as one album. (But who listens to a whole album straight though? It’s not the 80s kids. It just sounds like it.) Just like Chromeo’s premium blend of cheese, Rhys’ glam retro end even sends the 80s its’ love with song titles like “Michael Douglas” and “I Told Her on Alderaan.” (Take that, Leia!) Boom Bip’s highlight is “Luxury Pool,” with Fatlip guesting on the mic. Nothing on here reinvents the wheel, but when not smashed together, each side has some track worthy of your next dance party.