Friday night I drove out from my home in northeast Portland to Happy Valley, Oregon for Pickathon 2009. The drive only took about thirty minutes, but I felt a world away from the city as I pulled into the dirt parking lot of Pendarvis Farms. Directed by a friendly parking attendant, I schlepped my camping supplies onto the festival grounds. It was close to 10 pm and pitch black. From my left, I could hear the amplified music from the main stage. To my right were the woods containing the campgrounds.
I hiked up into the woods, passed camp sites with frolicking children, impromptu banjo pickers, and subdued beer drinkers. After some time I found a camping spot high on a quiet and dark ridge.
After an arduous battle with my tent, I made my way back down to the festival to the Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Galaxy Barn stage for Thao with the Get Down Stay Down. Set on the edge of the farm, the OPB Galaxy Barn was, indeed, a barn. But for the purposes of Pickathon, it was converted into a small, hot venue with kitsch all over the ceiling and walls.
The crowd teemed as Thao with the Get Down Stay Down took the stage. Thao Nguyen announced that this would be the band’s “unprofessional” set compared to their afternoon show on the main stage. The set did seem relaxed and slightly boozy, but by no means sloppy. Nguyen’s sultry feminine vocals filled the already hot, crowded barn, and her songs became the musical equivalent to bedroom eyes.
The band’s sound is upbeat for the most part, and often errs on the side of noodly. That being said, our favorite song of her set was the slower and more sentimental “Family Ties.” Here, her soulful voice matched the song’s careful laments concerning loss and family. Nguyen finished the evening with a crowd favorite, “Bag of Hammers,” and a fun cover of Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It.”
Plenty more to come from Pickathon. Sit tight, melophobes!
DOWNLOAD: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers (MP3) or Follow us for more Thao with the Get Down Stay Down MP3s (Twitter)
i saw them open for the Cave Singers, not very original, the crowd was not into it either, frankly i think they suck
by rigamarole on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 11.30 am from the entry: The Dutchess & The Duke Tour Dates, Y'all
hey u gotta give yoko credit for winning that many gold medals, for a woman her age to compete in a sport like speed skating is nothing short of amazing! go yoko!
by rockmonovich on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 11.25 am from the entry: Is Kate Moss the next Yoko?
Great post.really he has the ability that he can do anything possible.Thanks
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CEMETERY
by SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CEMETERY on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 03.56 am from the entry: Jim Morrison's Ghost Pic
Oh I see. I was wondering if you were talking about the picture. Really glad you liked it. Have you checked her out yet?
by Colin on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02.29 pm from the entry: Interview - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
yes! The interview is great, and the photo shows off the glow
by Ian on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01.29 pm from the entry: Interview - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
Great post! Really digging the new record a lot. The Rainwater LP has some gorgeous moments - definitely recommend checking it out. There are 3 of the new songs up on the myspace page: myspace.com/citizencope
by MattKlomp on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 03.16 am from the entry: Citizen Cope - Paradise Theater (Boston, MA; Feb. 27, 2010 )
haha is that a compliment?
by colin on Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 06.49 pm from the entry: Interview - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
Glad to see this year’s coverage taking another narrative angle! Great coverage, team. Wish Bean and I could have joined.
You do give a detail here. I have study a destiny about this on different articles written by other people, merely I must admit that you experience showed your point here!.
share your option
just an fyi.
the barn, is never just a barn… it varies between a living room, movie theatre, art studio, jam session arena, open mic stage, giant sleeping bag/cuddle puddle, wedding reception area, hoola hooping playground, and is often the gateway for new farm friends to become family.
the kitsch always lives there and constantly changing…
glad you enjoyed the project-did you encounter in the desert?--if so can you report the date and location… Trickster cntinues to wander the SW with ‘her’ ice cream treats for all who cross her path--the last sighting reports we received of encounters came from a couple camping in the Desert about 50 clicks out of Elko Nevada
camping blog