YACHT – Waste of Time Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans have been busting out this new song on their recent tour, and it’s mantra/dance track genius is so fitting that it’s hard to believe it’s a cover from a 1980s movie (Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains). Regardless of origins, YACHT has adopted the
Arcade Fire – Half Light II (No Celebration) This song is both a highlight of and a perfect introduction to The Suburbs. Disguised by the musically epic sounds (it is Arcade Fire, after all) are lyrics that tell of wasted time and societal destruction. Win Butler sings in despair, “Oh, this city’s changed so much/
Florence and the Machine, already a success in frontwoman Florence Welch’s home country of England, has been bursting to the surface everywhere I turn in recent months. I heard inklings of the powerful rock/soul/pop group last summer and fall, and now Ms. Welch’s songs are appearing on my favorite TV shows (So You Think You
Nurses, a Portland favorite in the thriving indie scene, is the psych-rock project of Aaron Chapman, John Bowers, and James Mitchell. The Oregon transplants combine vocal harmonies, a slew of unusual instruments, and electronic production for a cozy, homemade sound.
The mellow crowd at Portland’s Doug Fir on Friday night came to almost complete silence when folk singer-songwriter J Tillman sang his first words. Despite his relative fame as the drummer with the sweet voice from Fleet Foxes, Tillman has been churning out classic man-and-guitar folk songs for years. Tillman’s songs sound like the Pacific
Summer is the perfect time to introduce Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, a playful indie-rock group from San Francisco that has a sound as light and breezy as a warm evening on the beach. Talented singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen leads the trio, backed by Willis Thompson and Adam Thompson. There’s an intimate slacker-cool air
There’s a comforting nostalgia in the songs of The Tallest Man On Earth, a.k.a. singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, almost like sipping a warm cup of tea in your favorite old sweater. The plucking of his guitar and crackly wail of his distinctive voice are enough to garner Bob Dylan comments abound, but Matsson’s sincerely-crafted folk tunes
When I saw my first YACHT performance, in 2007 at a Pix Patisserie block party here in Portland, YACHT was simply Jona Bechtolt, his laptop, and a whole lot of infectious energy. Since then, YACHT has evolved to include vocalist Claire L. Evans and, most recently, a backing tour band called The Straight Gaze.
This weekend I share with you a playlist of songs that give me that warm, happy, what-a-perfect-day feeling. These are the songs that make me smile, close my eyes, and soak up the sun without a care in the world. This playlist is meant for a day of lounging around and enjoying the summer with
The New Pornographers are a unique blend of big personalities and even bigger musical talent. Despite logic, the star-stacked group consistently makes catchy, chorus-heavy pop-rock tunes to please the indie masses. They have just released their fifth album, “Together,” which means that they are currently touring, so now is your chance to see them live!