Portland has no shortage of amazing experimental indie rock bands, and on Jan. 30, three of the best local groups came together at the Doug Fir Lounge for some seriously unforgettable and riveting music. Hip, danceable, and never lacking in ingenuity, these three bands put on one hell of a show and managed to look good all the while.
Aan started off the show with music that seemed perfectly tailored for a basement venue. Their lush, dreamy blend of indie rock and freak folk is enticing and ethereal. Combining melodic instrumentation with a lead singer whose voice balances beautifully between raw grit and soaring falsetto makes for a winning combination. They manage to work in just enough weird to make their music interesting without alienating listeners by getting too far into experimentation.
Seeing Aan perform, it is immensely clear that these guys possess a lot of talent; not just musically but as performers. They are riveting in a very honest way. Their performances are free of cheap gimmicks and trickery because a band with this kind of a stage presence has no need for smoke and mirrors.
Morning Teleportationfollowed Aan with what felt a bit like a rock and roll rave. There was a definite swelling in the crowd for their set, and far more dancing, with girls in shiny leggings and feathered headdresses twirling. The band itself is quite a spectacular sight, with several members sporting capes and silly hats, and all of them swinging some seriously awesome shaggy hair. They all looked as thought they had walked straight out of a forest in the sixties, taking a break from romping with longhaired girls on acid to grace us with their music.
Appearances aside, Morning Teleportation’s music is the real reason these guys are so incredible. For such a new band to Portland, they have quite a fan base and there’s a reason for that. Their music has enough kick to keep your toes tapping and wonderfully punchy vocals set to some very aggressive guitar playing. True to their appearance, they channel some very psychedelic vibes, putting a modern spin on a tried and true genre and blending in some other influences along the way. The finished product is all-consuming: the kind of sound that makes everything around you just melt away.
Blue Horns finished out the evening, following Morning Teleportation’s psychedelic fanfare. This was an unfortunate choice of line up on the Doug Fir’s part. Blue Horns is a wonderful band that makes peppy, surf-rockish music with delightfully off-kilter lead vocals from singer Brian Park, amazing guitar work from Colin Howard, and great vocal harmonies from the entire group.
There’s no denying that all the band members are incredibly skilled musicians and their songs are fun, danceable, and full of life. Having them play after a band that drew a crowd like Morning Teleportation, though, worked to the show’s disadvantage. The crowd for Blue Horns had thinned out a bit and there was definitely a shift in energy that could be felt in the venue. It didn’t detract from the evening over all, but it did take away from their individual set, which is a shame for such a fun live band.
DOWNLOAD: Blue Horns - Shotgun Wedding (MP3) or Follow us for more Blue Horns MP3s (Twitter)
The National - 9/11
Marymoor Ampitheatre
The Black Keys - 10/2
The Paramount Theatre
Broken Social Scene - 10/10
Neumos
Broken Social Scene - 10/15
The Paramount Theatre
It was a great show. The energy was intense. I was lucky enough to be right up front.
by Burt on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 05.01 pm from the entry: The Avett Brothers + Langhorne Slim - Crystal Ballroom (Portland-town, OR; Aug. 30, 2010)
lovin trackz #4,13, and 16
by Phoxy Philly on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 04.03 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
Nice concerning as better as clarifying position.Gives Thanks for providing for us.I show your article with my delight.
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by jhon on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 02.35 pm from the entry: Tiny Vipers + Rafael Anton Irisarri + Cars & Trains - Mississippi Studios (Portland; Jul. 14, 2010)
agree with beth! dope stuff on both sides of the review.
by @bosconcertphoto on Wed Sep 1, 2010 at 09.48 am from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Thanks Nicole!
Just wanted to say that although this may be our last time performing this show, I have many other projects in the works. Info and show schedule is on my website.
- Ben
by Ben Darwish on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11.47 pm from the entry: Ben Darwish - Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson - Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA; August, 29, 2010)
Love these photos and review. So, these DJ sets are at 7:30? I don’t really get it. And are these gonna continue once the Whitney moves? And most importantly, where can I attend an “hour-long clinic on shaking ass?”
by beth on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 06.44 pm from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Super post there! Comprehensive and well collated material. Thanks for sharing.
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by jhon on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 01.56 pm from the entry: Deerhoof + The Donkeys + Southeast Engine - Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR; July 6, 2010)
Totally
I dunno, I thought Blue Horns were a better closer. Their music is definitely better, even if it isn’t as “crazy” as Morning Teleporation.
Aan was amazing.