We should try to extract valuable lessons from our experiences, even if they’re redundant or rudimentary. For instance: don’t make fun of people. This is something of which I was reminded by the Portland Cello Project show at Music Fest Northwest last night, and it’s a lesson I learn over and over. Ridiculing is cruel. It causes deep-seated emotional trauma. And those who do it will feel like fools years later when their victims are on stage in a notable venue, making them regret dropping out of piano lessons because it wasn’t as cool as skateboarding. Well, great. Now you suck at skateboarding, you haven’t touched a piano key in ten years, the “band-geeks” have formed an experimental cello-pop band, and are selling out shows at music festivals in your hometown.
Portland Cello Project make no apologies for any perceived band-geekyness, nor should they. So give them back their lunch money and admit that classical instruments are, in fact, very cool before they slap you with their bows. These kids (i.e., ladies and gentleman) are so cool that they can rock a crowd with a live cover of Brittany Spears’ “Toxic,” during which cellist Douglas Jenkins ditches his sheet music, jumps on the mic, and belts out his best girly-pitched Brittany impersonation.
Joke songs and all, The Portland Cello Project performed with supreme grace and professionalism. And despite the hot swampy environs of a late-night venue crammed to capacity, Portland Cello Project kept it cool, real cool.
DOWNLOAD: Portland Cello Project - Tallymarks. Featuring Thao (MP3) or Follow us for more Portland Cello Project MP3s (Twitter)
Fantastic review and show Colin. Agree with the other posters that the bands all complemented one another. I was originally going to the show for the Friendly Fires, but picked up on The xx a couple weeks prior to the concert and was definitely looking forward to them. They did not let me down. BTW, thanks for the note with the link to the site. Enjoying all the concert reviews.
by Jerry on Sun Dec 6, 2009 at 11.12 pm from the entry: Friendly Fires + The xx + Holly Miranda - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 25, 2009)
money mark: do you like them better than other groups like Outkast, Clipse, UGK, EPMD, (insert other classic group here)? If so, what is it that makes them the best?
by colin on Sun Dec 6, 2009 at 06.46 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
this is the best hiphop group ive ever heard.
by money mark on Sun Dec 6, 2009 at 05.51 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
Ooooh helllllloooooooooooo there!
This is a little cheeky number. Thx for sharing yo!
xxx
by lisaxlloyd on Sun Dec 6, 2009 at 03.06 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
Agree. Great album. And a very nicely written review!
by Daniel on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 08.23 pm from the entry: Memory Tapes - "Seek Magic" - Buy It
This record is so good. Everybody go buy it.
by colin on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 07.07 pm from the entry: Memory Tapes - "Seek Magic" - Buy It
Hi Brad - Thanks for letting us know! You are now credited, with a link to your portfolio. Amazing collection of Phish shots, by the way!
by Joshua Bean on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 04.49 pm from the entry: Phish in Hampton: The Super Bowl of Concerts
