The last day of Music Fest NW was on Sunday and it had a bittersweet end to a very hectic week. All shows were at Pioneer Courthouse Square to close out the festival. The night started with Atlas Genius a four piece alt pop-rock from Australia. Drawing on the same vein as Foster The People, Atlas Genius brings catchy riffs and dancing bass lines through their sound. Check out a couple of tracks from their debut EP below.
Next up was School Of Seven Bells. Their latest album Ghostory was released in February this year. They have a shadowy pop type of sound to them. They put on a good show at the square as people were starting to fill in for the main attraction of the night.
That attraction of course was Silversun Pickups. I've been a fan of SSPUs since they came out with the single "Lazy Eye" from Carnavas. Since then they have been evolving their sound into something maybe a little more polished, but still as impacting. They're one of those bands that no matter when you become a fan, you are happy that they have made it to the stage they are now. For me it's like watching a young relative grow up so fast. They always put on a fantastic show every time I get to see them, this time was no exception. They played all the hits including a few older songs as well. I'm really excited to see where they go in the future. Check out their debut EP Pikul below, it's super good.
I want to thank Music Fest NW and Willamette Week for putting on a great music festival. And of course to the bands that all rocked face out there last weekend. I look forward to going next year. Check out all the photos from last Wednesday to Sunday over on the website KillingSasquatch.com.
Showing posts with label MFNW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MFNW. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Music Fest NW Night 4
Saturday night was a night of rock and roll and lasers. I started the night out at Pioneer Square seeing local rock stars Starfucker. The guys were stoked to be playing at the square and their performance showed that. They played all the great hits like "German Love" and "Millions." They have a bunch of shows throughout the year so check here to see if they are coming to you. You don't want to miss them.
The next show I wanted to see was The We Shared Milk, but instead my car got a flat tire and I missed the entire show getting the spare on. So after that mishap I went over to Bunk Bar to see local Portland band Mission Spotlight. This five piece indie country rock band was a real treat to watch and drink a beer to. They have such a great sound with their slide guitar and blend of post-rock and country music. The slide guitar plays my heart strings and his voice sounds almost god-like. Check out their new album called Everything That Floats.
Next up at the Bunk Bar was Seattle duo, My Goodness. And my, did they rock so freaking hard! These guys might just be my new favorite band. They play an awesome blues-rock that reminds of early Black Keys. My Goodness is another reason why rock 'n' roll isn't dead. Check out their bandpage here and watch the bad-ass video of their single "I've Got A Notion" below.
The last band that I caught was Sad Baby Wolf. Started by Marty Crandall and Neal Lanford, former The Shins/Flake Music members, this post-rock outfit totally rocked out the Doug Fir Lounge. Super high energy lo-fi post-rock mixed with catchy choruses and riffs, these guys are worth a listen to. They also had really cool finger lasers that were fun to play with. I'm really stoked to hear more from these rockers from Albuquerque, NM.
Check out the photos at our website KillingSasquatch.com
The next show I wanted to see was The We Shared Milk, but instead my car got a flat tire and I missed the entire show getting the spare on. So after that mishap I went over to Bunk Bar to see local Portland band Mission Spotlight. This five piece indie country rock band was a real treat to watch and drink a beer to. They have such a great sound with their slide guitar and blend of post-rock and country music. The slide guitar plays my heart strings and his voice sounds almost god-like. Check out their new album called Everything That Floats.
Next up at the Bunk Bar was Seattle duo, My Goodness. And my, did they rock so freaking hard! These guys might just be my new favorite band. They play an awesome blues-rock that reminds of early Black Keys. My Goodness is another reason why rock 'n' roll isn't dead. Check out their bandpage here and watch the bad-ass video of their single "I've Got A Notion" below.
The last band that I caught was Sad Baby Wolf. Started by Marty Crandall and Neal Lanford, former The Shins/Flake Music members, this post-rock outfit totally rocked out the Doug Fir Lounge. Super high energy lo-fi post-rock mixed with catchy choruses and riffs, these guys are worth a listen to. They also had really cool finger lasers that were fun to play with. I'm really stoked to hear more from these rockers from Albuquerque, NM.
Check out the photos at our website KillingSasquatch.com
Monday, September 10, 2012
MFNW Night 3
Friday night was night 3 of Musicfest NW with yet another fantastic lineup. I started the night off by going to see Beirut at Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was a great show that had many different instruments from tuba to accordion. Beirut has such a dynamic sound, and the crowd was getting down to the music. Though I didn't stay long at Beirut I really enjoyed their performance. Check out some of their newest material below.
The second band that I went to go see was Lake at Backspace. Lake is a four piece band from Olympia, WA. Their sound is so joyful, mixing elements of easy rock 'n' roll and pop it's easy to sway back and forth to. When you listen to Lake you don't want their songs to end. Definitely worth a listen to.
Next up I went over to the Crystal Ballroom to see Unknown Mortal Orchestra. These guys are super cool lo-fi pop-rock with a little funk mixed into it. Their show was a little hard to get into at first, but after a couple of songs they opened up a little bit and started shredding the hell out of the stage. UMO had a fantastic show and I highly recommend seeing them live.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra opened up for fellow Portlanders, The Helio Sequence. This brother combo is one of the best pop-rock outfits that we have here in Portland. They put out excellent material on a consistent basis and are coming out with another album tomorrow the 11th. The ballroom was packed as Helio Sequence took the stage as usual, they have played at every Music Fest NW for the last 12 years. If you haven't heard them yet check out their new single "October" and an older track, one of my favorites, "Can't Say No."
Last band that I saw Friday night was another local duo Talkdemonic. They played at Bunk Bar which is a little place for a band with a big following. I would classify Talkdemonic's sound as folk-tronic. They play mostly instrumental music with drums and electric violin. They put out a great energy at the show and hopefully they play more local shows in the near future.
Check out KillingSasquatch.com to see the photos.
The second band that I went to go see was Lake at Backspace. Lake is a four piece band from Olympia, WA. Their sound is so joyful, mixing elements of easy rock 'n' roll and pop it's easy to sway back and forth to. When you listen to Lake you don't want their songs to end. Definitely worth a listen to.
Next up I went over to the Crystal Ballroom to see Unknown Mortal Orchestra. These guys are super cool lo-fi pop-rock with a little funk mixed into it. Their show was a little hard to get into at first, but after a couple of songs they opened up a little bit and started shredding the hell out of the stage. UMO had a fantastic show and I highly recommend seeing them live.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra opened up for fellow Portlanders, The Helio Sequence. This brother combo is one of the best pop-rock outfits that we have here in Portland. They put out excellent material on a consistent basis and are coming out with another album tomorrow the 11th. The ballroom was packed as Helio Sequence took the stage as usual, they have played at every Music Fest NW for the last 12 years. If you haven't heard them yet check out their new single "October" and an older track, one of my favorites, "Can't Say No."
Last band that I saw Friday night was another local duo Talkdemonic. They played at Bunk Bar which is a little place for a band with a big following. I would classify Talkdemonic's sound as folk-tronic. They play mostly instrumental music with drums and electric violin. They put out a great energy at the show and hopefully they play more local shows in the near future.
Check out KillingSasquatch.com to see the photos.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Music Fest NW Night 2
Thursday night saw the second night for MusicFest NW and everyone was out to get down on some great live shows. I started the night off going to Backspace to see three piece band Cheap Girls from Michigan. They have a great alt-rock sound that is reminiscent of the 90s. They have a bunch of catchy tunes that end up rocking your face off when you least expect it.
After Cheap Girls I hopped over the river to go see Lemolo at Mississippi Studios. I had some good timing since the venue started to fill in soon after I arrived. The two girls from Seattle have some serious talent. They have some really cool looping features, great songwriting, and amazing vocals. To me they bridge a gap between classical, metal, and pop music. Definitely worth checking out live.
After Lemolo's set I headed over to Ted's Berbatis to see Purity Ring, but with the line going down the block and around the corner I decided to instead to go back over the river to see Onuinu at the Doug Fir Lounge. I got there just as they were firing up their single "Ice Palace." The lounge was pretty crowded with people dancing and swaying to the electro beats of Onuinu. I really enjoy Onuinu's ability to mix electronic-pop with some rock elements, it reminds me of a chiller Neon Indian.
The last band for the night was Tanlines over at the Holocene. Tanlines have a really cool tribal like electro-pop sound to them. The crowd was getting down as the duo started up with their single "Brothers." They will be playing Fun Fun Fest in the fall so be sure to check them out.
After Cheap Girls I hopped over the river to go see Lemolo at Mississippi Studios. I had some good timing since the venue started to fill in soon after I arrived. The two girls from Seattle have some serious talent. They have some really cool looping features, great songwriting, and amazing vocals. To me they bridge a gap between classical, metal, and pop music. Definitely worth checking out live.
After Lemolo's set I headed over to Ted's Berbatis to see Purity Ring, but with the line going down the block and around the corner I decided to instead to go back over the river to see Onuinu at the Doug Fir Lounge. I got there just as they were firing up their single "Ice Palace." The lounge was pretty crowded with people dancing and swaying to the electro beats of Onuinu. I really enjoy Onuinu's ability to mix electronic-pop with some rock elements, it reminds me of a chiller Neon Indian.
The last band for the night was Tanlines over at the Holocene. Tanlines have a really cool tribal like electro-pop sound to them. The crowd was getting down as the duo started up with their single "Brothers." They will be playing Fun Fun Fest in the fall so be sure to check them out.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Back In Action
Hi everyone! It's good to be back writing about music again. I have some great bands for you all today that will be at Music Fest NW in a couple of weeks. First up is alt-country band Mission Spotlight. A local Portland band that has the americana sound down to a key. Their latest EP is called Everything That Floats and is available on bandcamp for name your own price. Twangy guitars, smooth bass lines, awesome slide guitar riffs, and a booming voice is what makes up Mission Spotlight's sound. It's perfect for sitting around the campfire or riding into town on your trusty steed. Check them out below. I really like the first two tracks and "Paris."
Next up is Albuquerque, NM band, Sad Baby Wolf. This outfit came to be when a couple of former The Shins members decided to play some music for a benefit. Almost a second coming of Flake Music, Sad Baby Wolf has that great lo-fi fuzz rock 'n' roll. I'm really digging on their two singles "Survival Guide" and "8th Level." I'm really excited to hear more from this band of great rockers. Check out their tracks below.
Last up for today is Seattle duo, My Goodness. Hitting the same vein as (earlier) The Black Keys, My Goodness gives your ear drums a good beating. Big overdrive guitar backed with awesome drumming and incredible vocals is all My Goodness needs to rock your face off, kick it when it's down, and then put back on your skull so that it can melt. Check out their debut self-titled album below, also the kick-ass video too.
Next up is Albuquerque, NM band, Sad Baby Wolf. This outfit came to be when a couple of former The Shins members decided to play some music for a benefit. Almost a second coming of Flake Music, Sad Baby Wolf has that great lo-fi fuzz rock 'n' roll. I'm really digging on their two singles "Survival Guide" and "8th Level." I'm really excited to hear more from this band of great rockers. Check out their tracks below.
Last up for today is Seattle duo, My Goodness. Hitting the same vein as (earlier) The Black Keys, My Goodness gives your ear drums a good beating. Big overdrive guitar backed with awesome drumming and incredible vocals is all My Goodness needs to rock your face off, kick it when it's down, and then put back on your skull so that it can melt. Check out their debut self-titled album below, also the kick-ass video too.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
MusicFest NW
11 weeks from today is the start of Portland's MusicFestNW and the lineup is really solid all the way through. The headliners for this year is Band of Horses, Iron and Wine, and Explosions In the Sky. There are so many good bands that I just want to name them all, but I will just highlight some of the best. Archers of Loaf, Blitzen Trapper, Handsome Furs, The Antlers, The Thermals, Typhoon, Fool's Gold, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Finn Riggins, Jared Mees & The Grown Children, and so much more. Every week I will feature a couple of bands/artists from the festival this year starting with Avi Buffalo. This band is really chill indie rock with great lead falsetto vocals. It really reminds me of Vetiver and Real Estate, they have that cool summer sound. Check them out here.
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