An afternoon of favorites: Point Juncture, WA, Per Se, Ethan Rose, and Starfucker
Posted by: Greg | From: August 4, 2007
I haven't updated in the last two hours because we just came through a block of non-stop awesomeness and I couldn't bear to miss a second! First, it was Point Juncture, WA outside. A PDX Pop mainstay, PJWA are a little bit Sonic Youth, a little bit Yo La Tengo, and a little bit Tortoise. They play a sonically rich mix of instruments including some exotic ones like vibes, organ, trumpet, drums, and baritone guitar and their music is expansive and luxurious. They felt great outside in the sun and wind!
After Point Juncture, we moved inside for Per Se. I may be prejudiced because of her former participation in the PDX Pop board (and her continuing excellent leadership of our decoration efforts), but I always find Per Se's sets totally spellbinding. Her songs are both completely quirkily unique and rooted in lots of old school traditions from 50s doo-wop to ethnic folk to barbershop. These influences came through especially clearly with today's larger-than-normal ensemble of bass, drums, and backup singers. She also has a fascinating stage presence -- made up of equal parts beginner's nerves and master's suave -- that seems simultaneously soaked in star power and intimately accessible.
Next up was Ethan Rose's ambient electronics. Rose started with organ and jingling bells and gradually built up whole sound worlds of consonant chords and shiny sonorities that constantly flirted with structured rhythm and melody without ever really allowing them to take hold. Each year there's a set like this in the middle of an action packed day and I always find it thoroughly refreshing...
...which was good because Starfucker followed in quick succession with a super energetic set. Oscillating between guitar and theremin drones and synth- and pounding drum-intensive pop songs, and culminating in the one-two punch of a picture perfect rendition of their track from this year's PDX Pop comp, "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second", and a rollicking rocker that set the crowd (and the band) moshing and stage diving.
Right now, The Maybe Happening are rockin' it outside. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in here minding the merch booth so I haven't heard much of their set, but I did manage to sneak out there for a second to grab to snap this pic:
Also, some dude bloodied his thumb locking his bike and just came to us for first aid. He was embarrassed, but said it was ok for me to blog about it. I wasn't planning on doing it before he mentioned it, but I guess I just have. Nice one, dude!
Post a comment:
