M.I.A's "Y.A.L.A." Video Is Kinda Awesome

She's an interesting gal, M.I.A. It would be easy to think she'd be on board with the YOLO craze, yet a track off her new album proclaims you can keep the party going....eternally. Samsara or no, "Y.A.L.A" (You Always Live Again) has her glammed up and rhyming 'contreau' with 'poncho'. It's just kitschy enough to make you cringe and just interesting enough to make you listen again.

Atlas Genius + Family of the Year + Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Crystal Ballroom, Portland, Oregon November 9th, 2013

The night was packed! Doors opened at 8 with openers stating at 9. I arrived downtown at around 7 to find parking and grab a bite to eat and there was already a sizeable line waiting outside. A little after 8 my friend Katie and I went to get in and the line was around the corner and they had been letting people in by this point. What a crowd to rush when doors opened!

The crowd was fairly mixed between under/over 21.

The concert started promptly at 9 with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. playing for 30 minutes. Their sound was electronic-ish/head bopping rock with a mix of 80's synthesizer in there too.The crowd was really into this band, jumping to make that springy Crystal Ballroom floor shake! At one point one of the band members went into the all-ages section of the crowd while singing a song to the delight of the under 21 year olds. Daniel Zott, asked the crowd if "they could dance as much as they screamed, it would be great." Neither disappointed.

I caught up with Daniel Zott at the merchandise table and asked him a few questions. When asked what he thought of the Portland crowd, he replied that they were the most energetic crowd he had seen the whole tour. With the band being from Detroit, I asked if the tour was wrapping up there, he said, "no, but they were doing a show there in a few weeks."

Family of the Year is not the name of the latest new sitcom out there but of the second opener of the night. They went on at 10 with a sound was almost reggae/alternative/indie rock all meshed to create a unique sound. The male and female vocals united beautifully live. The crowd was equally as pumped for this opener and as they started later, there were even more people to get things lively! They played 45 minutes. I was not loving the reggae/indie personally, their quality live was great.

I must say - I have never seen a crowd so pumped for 1 opener – let alone 2 openers!

Atlas Genius.... ATLAS GENIUS! Need I say anything more? This band rocked it! I wanted to move around and get pictures from all angles, but the crowd was so dense, it was impossible! Their stage looked like a laser light show it was so lit up and awesome.

This is the only concert I have been to where all acts started promptly on time! Atlas Genius was to go on at 11:15 and on the dot, they started. Second song in was, “If So”, followed by he title track of their album, “When It was Now”. Lead singer, Keith Jeffery, kept cheers-ing the crowd with his Red Solo Cup (I fill you up!) and gave shout out to both opening bands. He also joked (or maybe true) that he had played in Portland more than any other stop and was happy to be back in our town and was happy to put on a good show!

The show was nonstop sound – even some musical interludes that I swear were right out of Nintendo! They took the shortest bow off stage and came right back to finish the night with “Trojans” and the audience (myself included) went NUTS! They left the stage right before 12:30.

I find it impossible not to mention in this article that my parents knew of Atlas Genius before I did. With their “If So” song on the advertisements for HGTV’s “Cousin’s Uncover” my parents found the song and told me about them. This band not only pulls in the young teens , it has also seduced a fair number of baby boomers. For a 4 year old band from Australia – this is impressive task. It helps, of course, that they put on wild and amazing shows.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros + Thievery Corporation September 18th, 2013, Cuthbert Amphitheater Eugene, Oregon

It was a time-warping evening as summer floated away in Eugene. Thievery Corporation feels like they have been around forever but keep coming up with new sounds. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are relatively new, but sound so timeless it could be hard to pinpoint in which decade they toured. Together, the unlikely duo made for billing with a richness that Eugene rarely sees.

Whether you know it or not, there's an 82% chance you've made out to the warm, spacey beats of Thievery Corporation. Most dedicated listeners will scoff at the mention of “Lebanese Blonde” becoming popular from Garden State and for that reason, I was glad to hear it played as the second song. One of the difficulties of putting on a live show with Thievery's repertoire is the the diversity of the musicians that have contributed. It was a special treat, then, to find that they had a number of vocalists and MCs tagging along to make the live versions just as good as the album versions. Two female singers joined in (most unofficially dubbed 'pink tights' and 'peacock pants') sounding more like fallen angels than humans. “La Femme Parallel” was gorgeous and sounded both foreign and safe. “Vampires” and “Radio Retaliation” reminded even the stoners on the grass that there was intelligence behind the sleekness. 

Once the sun had set, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros took the stage. If getting everyone together from Thievery Corporation on tour is akin to the logistic nightmare of taking the Brady Bunch on a road trip, getting the Zeros all in one spot is the ultimate hat trick. Jamming and hugging since 2007(ish), vocalist Alex Ebert created the alter-ego/persona of Edward Sharpe while in rehab. The revolving cast of a dozen musicians that make up the Zeros include “Crash” Richard, Christian Letts, Seth Ford-Young, Josh Collazo, Orpheo McCord and Nora Kirkpatrick (who, savvy culturalists will identify as Esther, Dwight's girlfriend on NBC's The Office). The voice that holds the show together, though, was Jade Castrinos. Bundled in an oversized, fuzzy jacket and a smile that wrinkles her nose, Castrinos's rich voice played duet with Ebert as easily as it joined the choir in backing up the others when it was their time to shine. Since Edward Sharpe is as fictional as Ebert's undershirt, it dawned on me as “frontman” Ebert humbly went to offer a verse of “I Don't Want to Pray” to the audience, a trumpet, a bass and other various Zeros, that maybe he only borrows the namesake attributed to him. Taking requests from the audience and trading smiles and high-fives across the stage, it seemed like anyone could take a turn wearing the name. The bright lights and psychadelic background of the show, the coeds and aging baby boomer hippies dancing together, the current in the air of fall, for a sweet moment, we were all Magnetic Zeros.

Britney Spears Takes Up Residency at Planet Hollywood

She could be waving at YOU.

You want a piece of her? Now you can have just that! Britney Spears is doing a two year residency in Sin City at Planet Hollywood. Is this just the combining of two blasts from the past; one serving over-priced burgers and the other serving over-priced gyrating? Our vote is no. Here's why. Most people in their 20s-40s at least have a cursory knowledge of Britney. Some adore her, some don't care...but very few outright hate her. With her very public struggle with internal and external demons, we've all got a bit of a soft spot for the Britster. When she shaved her head we all cringed.  When she went back to making Starbucks runs, we sighed a small sigh of relief. The transgressions of not saving it until marriage (nice one, JT) and being the perfect pop princess are forgiven; we're old enough now to understand everyone goes though rough spots. At least her high points ended in that sexy "I'm a Slave 4U" video!

While Gen Y folks aren't always rolling in money, we do like travelling, concerts and destination trips. Las Vegas is a hot spot anyway, and going to see the Pop Princess Herself wouldn't be to hard to talk someone into--even before they had six free drinks. As for Britney, she seems to not want/be able to tour and is the cash cow for her family and friends. This way she can work a few stints in one place, have people come to see her and then go back to living her (hopefully) quiet life while making herself some good money. Tickets are 60-180 dollars......not too bad considering you can pick the day and make a long weekend out of it. Would you go?

Matt Pond + Jake Bellows + Tyler Fortier September 3, 2013 Cozmic Pizza, Eugene, Oregon

Let's talk for a minute about dancing. Little kids do it and it is adorable. Middle schoolers look delightfully awkward. But as we falter into adulthood, our dance style often becomes a bellweather of our self-worth. Those that dance, that let out all the stops with their twirls and prancing, may incur judgment but they number of fucks they give is exactly zero. Zero. The people that hold back and are openly embarrassed—they get the wrath of mockery as well, but it can jeopardize their level fun. Why do we care? Dancing is an individual activity, there are no rules and yet society makes us feel we are doing it “right” or “wrong”.

The opening acts for Matt Pond illustrated the more awkward end of this equation. Tyler Fortier and Jake Bellows both did solo acoustic sets and would be hard to tell apart. Both seemed slightly nervous, sang about the lost loves and nature, and chattered awkwardly with the audience. It was nothing new in the world of music, nor was it done to the best of their abilities. They seemed too aware of every word and note and one misstep could lead them to paralyzing self-consciousness.

Matt Pond is no stranger to the road, in fact, it could be argued that his touring is just as well-known as his albums. There's been recent buzz about him dropping the “PA” from the band name, but here's the rub—people who listened to his music understood it was his evolving vision the whole time. When he took the stage at Cosmic Pizza with other musicians alongside him, it felt just like the last time I saw him play. He has a knack for finding great musicians to play with and this posse was no exception. Backing up his recently released “solo” album, The Lives Inside the Lines of Your Hand, “Bring Back the Orchestra” was played with vibrancy and exuberance. Still a little dorky and lovable, Pond seemed aware but unfazed by the chatter from the audience. Where he opening acts would stumble, he soared and proved that to get better at anything (singing, playing, the proverbial dancing) you have to keep going, and do it without fear.

Yuck asks, "tennis, anyone?"

Music videos have suffered the last decade since there has been no channel, shall we say, dedicated to music. And yet the men of Yuck sally forth, giving us their new video for their song "Middle Sea." This is their premiere single off Glow and Behold, their second album on Fat Possum, dropping September 30th. Drummer Jonny Rogoff shows us his tennis skills in the video directed by Michael Lawrence. Hotly anticipated, Glow and Behold can't show up soon enough! Yuck is touring Europe with the Pixies right now, but when they come stateside, we'll let you know.

The Blow is Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-ack!

The Khaela Maricich and Melissa Dyne project, The Blow is popping out another album in mere weeks! After wearing out our friends and family by saying "pardon me but wasn't that your heart" and making endless remarks about deli aisles, we finally get new material to etch into our sweet brain meats. This album, titled The Blow (we'll tell them to work on album names) comes out October 1 on Kanine to fight the fall doldrums.

Maybe you should follow them on twitter?

!!! + Ra Ra Riot September 4, 2013 WOW Hall, Eugene, Oregon

Before the show started, Kaitlin, our delightful photographer, and myself were discussing how some music is less accessible. She cited Snoop Dogg a la the 1990s with his murder scandal. “I'd rather get murdered by Snoop Dogg than punched by Chris Brown now-that guy is just a joke.” Other than being born in the 80s, Kaitlin showed the manufacturing of “celebrities” in current media are left emitting the same bland aftertaste. Those that refuse to be formed by hype machines pay a steep price for keeping their soul—radios are reluctant to play them and success means surviving on the fickle waves of the indie and college radio seas.

Ra Ra Riot has proved to be a name to know, producing a blend of pop and rock that assaults but not insults. They Syracuse-formed band could be a cousin of Los Campasinos!, what with their girl on violins and cellos and angsty but catchy tunes. Wes Miles sported an amazingly pink shirt to sing in, while the bejeweled violin made it seem that Rebecca Zeller was sometimes snuggling a misshapen disco ball. There really isn't a good reason Ra Ra Riot hasn't had more success, they're catchy songs and aloof stage presence are not foreign to an audience—where they differ is the thought and execution of the music (in that they do both). Playing to a small crowd, the band played a full set and I had to remind myself a few times that this wasn't even the main event.

Seafarers worth their salt know !!! as the dance-party of a band with a funny name. Though hipsters don't enjoy looking vulnerable, it is worth it to explain the punctuation (if one doesn't know it is pronounce 'chk chk chk') for they are put out solid albums and amazing shows. During the first song, the vocalist Nic Offer hopped off the stage and went dancing with audience members. This delighted and terrified the girls near me; but when a good looking fellow wearing skivvies starts to dance with you, it is your American duty to dance right back. With his curly locks, stinky tee shirt, undies and loafers, Offer didn't treat Eugene like a lame tour stop,

more like we were a crowd of VIPs who got to hang with the band.

After the initial jam, a general sense of giddiness set into the crowd. A guy I would have considered a 'bro' or the 'I never dance' type fully busted some moves in front of his friends who were clearly stunned. But the guy didn't care because no valid human would stand still during “Californiyeah”! The night solidified for me just how good their album Thr!!!ler is, and thanks to Offer's instructions, I'll be working in my jazz hands whenever I hear my favorite song from the album, “Even When the Water's Cold.” It was also good to see Mario Andreoni get love from Offer and the audience, he's definitely the coolest cucumber on stage but is responsible for the most hip shakes. !!! may not be breaking into the top 40 any time soon (though I would support that), but in the wide open sea of music, they are on the best party boat afloat.

Y La Bamba Summer Tour

Y La Bamba is covering the west with their tunes and smiles this summer. As an awesome extra, the good people at Tender Loving Empire have created special vinyl bundle with both their debut full-length,Lupon, and 2012's follow-up, Court The Storm. Pick the records and say hi to the band!

SUN 16 JUNE Rontoms - Portland, OR, US

WED 19 JUNE Neurolux - Boise, ID, US

FRI 21 JUNE Utah Arts Festival - Salt Lake City, UT, US

SUN 23 JUNE The Walnut Room - Walnut St. Denver, CO, US

TUE 25 JUNE Mystic Hot Springs - Monroe, UT, US

THU 27 JUNE Soho - Santa Barbara, CA, US

FRI 28 JUNE The Chapel - San Francisco, CA, US

SAT 6 JULY Les Schwab Amphitheater - Bend, OR, US

SUN 14 JULY California World Fest - Chico, CA, US

WED 24 JULY Portland Center for the Performing Arts - Portland, OR, US

SUN 25 AUGUST Celebrate Eugene 2013 - Eugene, OR, US

Hooded Fang's New Video and West Coast Tour

It shouldn't matter that Hooded Fang is from Canada. (Toronto, to be exact.) And it shouldn't matter that they shot their video for "Bye Bye Land" in Mexico. But skipping the most favorite nation is not on the long game agenda for Hooded Fang. As they wrap up their current tour supporting Gravez, they'll slither on down the west coast. Might be worth getting out to say hi before they retreat to working on their label (Daps records), side-projects and youth mentoring. 




06/12 Winnipeg, AB - Windsor Hotel
06/13 Saskatoon, SK - MOSO Fest at Vangelis
06/14 Edmonton, AB - Brixx
06/15 Calgary, AB - Palomino
06/16 Vancouver, BC - Media Club
06/17 Seattle, WA - El Corazon Lounge
06/18 Eugene, OR - Cozmic Lounge
06/20 San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
06/21 Los Angeles, CA -Viper Room
06/23 San Diego, CA - Soda Bar