What's so good?
By Max Jacobs | February 22nd, 2011
Finally, my type of music festival comes around again: Noise Pop! The type of festival that’s not even really a music festival as we would normally think of it, but a series of small shows clustered over a few short days. And I know what you’re going say about the large music festivals. Sure, sure, Coachella is an amazing desert oasis with a killer lineup, Bonnaroo will inspire an amazing cross country roadtrip, and Sasquatch is the best place to eat mushrooms in the forest while listening to the Decemberists.
But I just can’t do it. The crowds, the noise, the dirt, the sudden irresistible desire to find a hacky sack — it’s just not for me. Noise Pop is different! It understands me. I don’t want to wake up at 4 AM to set out my tarp in front of the stage only for some drunk d-bag to push their way to the front five minutes before my desired band goes on. I want to bike from small venue to small venue, have a cheap beer, and see a more personal and intimate show.
It’s impossible to attend all the good shows, (though I will be doing a couple two-show nights, which should involve a lot of frantic cycling around), but here’s a few I think are worth checking out.
"Ben Gibbard - You Remind Me of Home, Ft. Andrew Kenny"
I must admit that it’s been quite a few years since I actively listened to anything by Ben Gibbard or Death Cab for Cutie (the band with whom he’s recorded the majority of his music). With that said, I still get nostalgic for my 19-year old undergraduate life when one of Gibbard’s songs comes on. Death Cab certainly paid their dues in the indie music world before receiving any type of commercial radio play or record deals.
In the early days, Gibbard and crew had more of a lo-fi rock sound to them. They have mellowed out in the last few years, and a more polished sound has emerged. Whatever the sound has been exactly, Gibbard’s voice and lyrics have always been the centerpoint. His unique voice, though not overpowering, is full of emotion as his lures you in to hear his often painful stories. I’m not exactly sure what to expect from this show, what songs he’ll play, or if he’ll be accompanied by anyone. But I owe it to my freshman-year self to at least give a listen.
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"Best Coast - Each And Everyday"
SoCal treasure Beth Cosentino has totally blown up in the indie music world. Her debut album <em>Crazy For You</em> is a fun and simple lo-fi homage to 60s surf rock and early punk and garage rock (think the Shangrilas plus Minor Threat, and maybe a little Sonic Youth).
While living on the not-best-East-coast, Cosentino dreamed of California and starting constructing her summery love letter to the golden state. Hearing Best Coast, I’d think the best place to see her live would in somebody’s garage or some grungy punk club, rather than the quite large Regency Ballroom. Nonetheless, I have my faith that she can shake the place up.
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Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Alexi Murdoch - Orange Sky"
Perhaps the most coveted seat this week will be at the Swedish American Hall on Friday to hear Alexi Murdoch play one of the smallest venues at the festival. The British folk singers conjures memories of the great Nick Drake. The singer-songwriter is apparently one of the most commercially licensed musicians around; with his work appearing in countless commercials, TV shows, and films.
You can’t blame producers for their shameless use of his music: just listen to the song “Orange Sky.” You’ll probably drive off into the sunset. Just sayin. If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket to this sold out show, I’d still suggest getting there early to get a good seat.
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Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Ted Leo, of Ted Leo and the Pharamacists - Timorous Me"
Ted Leo will play a solo show on Thursday. I’m a fan of his work with the Pharmacists, which is often quite rockin. If you hear a Ted Leo song that starts out with acoustic guitar and hushed vocals, you can expect that halfway through the electric guitar and drums will kick in as the Pharmacists make their presence known (as they should). Leo has a pretty characteristic voice, one that simultaneously sounds like it fits in with the 90s alternative music scene but has a gentleness that makes you think he’s probably just a really nice guy.
“Was that song about drug abuse?” you might ask yourself upon close examination of his song lyrics. “Well I guess so, but I didn’t notice at first cause he just sounded so friendly.” It should be interesting to hear what his music is like stripped down. I think he’s a dynamic enough frontman to pull off the solo act, but we’ll know for sure on Thursday.
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Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Typhoon - Bad Habits"
I’ve seen this band in a small sparsely filled bar and they absolutely killed. The 11-piece (though reports have claimed they can grow to 17 on occasion) folk-rock band consumed all of the space around them. I mean that in the sense that their music – the booming drums, harmonizing voices, and countless stringed instruments -- filled the bar, choruses echoing off the walls.
They also literally filled the space: the string section of the band was forced to stand in front of the stage in the crowd because there was no room for them.mI’m curious what the vibe will be like when they have the spotlight. They are openers, but this will be a packed, if not sold out show. With the energy of a sell-out crowd, I think the dozen or so Portlanders will respond accordingly.
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Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
Max Jacobs is a music writer, radio reporter, producer, and DJ. When not obsessing about music, he can be found walking his hound dog through ...learn more →
