omn's guide to mfnw 2012

Funny how the years of the 2000s coincide with the number of years MusicfestNW has been in action—like they planned it or something. Well, in its 12th year, MFNW 2012 continues its reign as Portland's largest, completely citywide fest. And, apparently, it's also the nation's third largest indoor fest, according to Wikipedia.

While Wikipedia's numbers may be slightly out of date as they fluctuate each year, the 2012 fest's tally is currently at 172 bands at 17 venues from Wednesday, September 5th until Sunday the 9th. For all your ticketing needs, go here... otherwise, here's who not to miss at MFNW 2012:

Wednesday, September 5th

After experiencing a nervous breakdown immediately prior to the release of their debut album, Manners, Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos was able to preserve and propel his band "higher and higher and higher." Yet, the singer used this experience and his continued struggle with bipolar disorder, stress and chronic fatigue as inspiration to create a record that's more than intimate—it's like eavesdropping, as bio writer Brent DiCrescenzo put it so well. The amazingly complex process of crafting that new album means:

"The songs on Gossamer carry anywhere from 60 to 200 instrumental tracks, according to Michael. If you ask Alex Aldi, Michael’s engineer, the number 80 to 120. (The maximum output on their version of ProTools is 120 tracks.) Whatever, it’s a fuckton."

Listen to it for yourself on "Take A Walk," the first single from Gossamer, and see how the Massachusetts five-piece recreates these sounds live as they kick off MFNW with LP on Wednesday night and follow that up with an encore performance on Thursday with The Hundred In the Hands, both at the Crystal:

Portland's proudest heavy rock exports Red Fang continue to top the local scene with their leaden, beer-soaked stoner metal—when they're around that is. Lately, it seems like they're either raging in Europe, supporting Mastodon or The Sword, or about to kick off another US jaunt with Black Tusk. We just ask them to come home long enough to record another album, film some more ridiculous music videos, and, hopefully, host another air guitar contest or some other such nonsense... here's in honor of bassist Aaron Beam's cat, "Hank Is Dead":

Thursday, September 6th

What began as a Gobble Gobble side project has become a known quantity and a burgeoning electro success in the year since Montreal's Purity Ring last played MFNW. The duo of beatmaker Corin Roddick and vocalist Megan James played Sasquatch in May, released their debut album, Shrines, on 4AD in July, and are now headlining their own set Ted's Berbati's Pan for MFNW. Check out the glitchy beauty of "Fineshrine":

For an avant-garde retro oddity that's contemporary, check out John Maus' set of late night synthpop at the Doug Fir. It'll be smart but danceable, a tad existential with a touch of disco, and dangerously intense from a man that's been releasing music since 1991, as well as playing keys for the likes of Panda Bear and Ariel Pink—if that gives you a little frame of reference. And to understand a little more, listen to "Head for the Country" from Maus' 2011 album We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves:

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Get the rest of our picks on OMN.

mfnw announces 2012 festival lineup : girl talk, passion pit, beirut...

If you just returned from Sasquatch, you may have caught a few of the 2012 MFNW headliners at the Gorge. That and you may not be ready for another festival already.

Don't fret, the 12th annual edition of MusicFestNW doesn't start till September 5th. And it'll run until September 9th in venues across town. Plus, it's heavy on the hometown acts.

There's no full schedule yet but we do know that the three nights of music in Pioneer Courthouse Square include Beirut (Friday, September 7th), Girl Talk (Saturday, September 8th), and Silversun Pickups (Sunday, September 9th)—for your Sassy reprise. And Passion Pit kicks off the fest at the Crystal on Wednesday, September 5th plus plays a second show on Thursday, September 6th.

Other artists with dates attached include Old 97's performing Too Far To Care in its entirety at the Roseland and Trampled By Turtles at the Aladdin on Thursday, September 6th. Friday, September 7th brings The Helio Sequence to the Crystal, Yelawolf to the Roseland, and Trampled By Turtles (again) at the Aladdin. And Saturday, September 8th is Typhoon at the Aladdin, Dinosaur Jr. at the Roseland, and The Tallest Man on Earth at the Crystal. Advance tickets for all of the above can be found on Cascade Tickets.

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Read the rest and get the full lineup on OMN.

nw september festies : bumbershoot + mfnw 2011

Brandon Ellison and I recently attacked both Seattle's Bumbershoot and Portland's MFNW in consecutive weeks. After a straight week of seeing concerts every day and every night, here are the fruits of our (and a few others including some amazing photogs) labor from Bumbershoot 2011 and MFNW 2011. Get the daily recaps from the former (day one, two and three) and a great MFNW festival diary written by #bonerjam Numero Uno.

omn’s guide to mfnw 2011

It’s the 11th edition of MusicfestNW and like usual, there’s way more than live music than you can possibly devour so it’s best to choose your plan of action for each night and see if you can stick to it. This is the one time of year where every lineup is absolutely stacked with your favorite bands, local and otherwise.

The Pioneer Courthouse Square showcases are back as are the free Nike gigs at the Wonder on Thursday (The Joy Formidable and Brand New) and Friday (Reptar and MSTRKRFT). The five-day extravaganza kicks off on Wednesday, September 7th and runs through the weekend, Sunday, September 11th. Some tickets to individual shows are sold (or selling) out but some all-fest wristbands are still floating around, so check out your remaining options here to make sure you can get into the gigs you need to see.

With 190+ acts at 20+ venues, here are a few of the acts OMN will not miss at MFNW 2011:

Wednesday, September 7th

Opening night at MFNW might offer the fewest options but those with wristbands will be rearing to go and locals like Sean Flinn & The Royal We will provide the lighter yet captivating, emotive folk fare at Bunk Bar while riot grrl become riot woman Corin Tucker (formerly of Sleater-Kinney) will headline with her band, which includes Sara Lund (Unwound) and Seth Lorinczi (Golden Bears), at Mississippi Studios. Right click to download the first single, “Doubt,” from The Corin Tucker Band’s Kill Rock Stars debut, 1,000 Years.

Also, for more familiar faces in a new band, one of the Corin Tucker openers is Hurry Up, a new effort from Kathy Foster and Westin Glass of The Thermals with Maggie Vail (K Record, DJ Magic Bean, Bangs).

OMN will be hitting Bumbershoot this weekend to get an early glimpse of The Kills but you catch them at the Crystal Ballroom, which is sure to fill to capacity so get there early and be prepared to wait in line. You may know Alison Mosshart from her time with Jack White’s The Dead Weather, but she really shines in the minimalism beside guitarist Jamie Hince. Releasing their fourth album, Blood Pressures, in April, allow the bluesy, garage rockin’ duo to blow what’s left of your right mind.

Thursday, September 8th

Must-see local openers: Who cares if you stay for the headliners, here are some OMN favorites that open gigs on Thursday.

Aiming “to make the best record that we could,” the husband and wife combo of Viva Voce released their fifth, full-length studio album, The Future Will Destroy You earlier this summer and you can hear a sampling below. Of course, you could stick around for the freshly reunited Archers of Loaf if you must.

Brainstorm helped shut down this year’s PDX Pop Now! fest with an amalgamated punch of styles, and now that the duo has added a friend (Aidan Koch from The Bubs on synths) expect even more noise from these bombastic blenders. Plus they’ll hold down the Doug Fir stage with samplistic electro-poppers Purity Ring (a new project from Corin Roddick, of New York’s Gobble Gobble, with vocalist Megan James) and White Arrows, who are set to release the RAC-produced “Get Gone” (below) and a debut record (also produced by Portland via Porto RAC-founder Andre Anjos) in the near future. Headlining the not-too-shabby bill are MFNW 2010 performers Phantogram.

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Get the rest of OMN's picks here.

'sex with the lights on' : a q/a with seattle’s pickwick

Listening to Pickwick’s soul-injected pop, it’s hard to image the Seattle six-piece making any other style of music. And once you've seen their dynamic, youthful live show, you’ll recognize a band that’s found their sound.

Pickwick began with lead vocalist Galen Disston writing folk songs on an acoustic guitar backed by drummer Matthew Emmett. The band grew to five members in 2008, including Cassady Lillstrom (keys, background vocals), Garrett Parker (bass) and Michael Parker (guitar, background vocals), but finally cemented their lineup with the addition of producer, engineer, percussionist and mentor (aka “father figure”) Kory Kruckenberg–a Grammy winner no less for 2011′s Best Engineered Classical Album.

It’s the classic story of a band reinventing their sound, but Pickwick’s metamorphosis was profound, going from a Wilco derivative to an emotionally charged, garage-pop, R&B force. But guitarist Michael Parker would rather you think of their sound as “sex with the lights on.”

The process of transformation allowed the group to “figure out what kind of band we were meant to be all along,” continues to Parker. Listen to "The Round":

Shedding their inhibitions and drawing from influences like Sam Cook, Otis Redding, Spoon, The Walkmen and Cold War Kids, Pickwick decided to go for "low-fi soul" rather than kill the band, which had stagnated in a genre that simply wasn’t for them. And although their name (and typographical choices) may still contain a countrified air, the material is anything but.

Their few recordings envelope a raw, lucid, harmonic bliss that transforms into live shows packed with spirited verve. But don’t think you can easily brand Pickwick as another pack of neo-soul white boys. While they are still defining and refining their sound, discovering that universal lesson of “less is often more,” according to Parker, Pickwick’s new material is instinctive and self-fulfilling, a natural expression that wraps the tangible passion of lead singer Galen Disston’s vocals with a driving bass and drum backbone plus key touches, guitar riffs, and a bevy of hand percussion. The result is intended to be self-liberating and the fact that audience’s seem to relish it as well is just a perk.

The band is hardly solemn though; their live performances are ebullient. Displaying a sense of humor, Parker says, “Up until recently, the pinnacle of our success was our short residency at the Emerald Queen Casino opening up for a troop of John Candy impersonators… it went ok. Lately we’ve been playing bigger and bigger shows and festivals around the Northwest. As a band who has been slugging it out for a few years we feel very fortunate to be where we’re at. In the next month alone we will have played Doe Bay Fest, Bumbershoot, and [an unofficial] MFNW [showcase]. It’s a trip.”

Visiting Portland for their third time in September, Pickwick will be at Rontoms’ free Marmoset Music Party on Sunday, September 11th (the final day of MFNW) appearing alongside PDX favs like Tu Fawning, Dolorean, Pancake Breakfast and Seattle pals Hey Marseilles.

OMN had the chance to chat with guitarist and the band’s pseudo-psychologist Michael Parker about Pickwick’s beginnings and future.

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Read the rest on OMN.

mfnw 2010 : the national's drama at pioneer square

In late afternoon as summer waned on a beautifully sunny Sunday, the delicate electronic folk of Talkdemonic poured through the blocks of downtown Portland from its source in Pioneer Square. The final gig of MusicfestNW 2010 shared its music with the passing commotion, entering cars, cafes and boutiques as the MAX trundled past on all four sides of the square.

Yellow, sky blue, and white stripes flapped on a field of green as the flag of Portland blew in the cooling wind above the square as The Helio Sequence followed, taking the stage at 5pm. The two-man guitar and drums duo readily generated a full band sound of poppy rock that filled the open-air although the acoustics in the wide space were overtly echoey as much of the crowd lounged on the brick steps content to chat through the their set.

In between sets, something finally captured the audience’s attention: The chubby “Spike Can Dance” supplied a solitary, sweaty dance freak out jiggling around in his spandex biker shorts, rolling on the pavement, and finally collapsing in a gasping heap. A red sharpie heart with the word “DANCE” emblazoned across his back, Spike continued with his sporadic dance bursts, surely the most energetic thing to grace the square all night as the next two sets were wholly dramatic.

As the setting sun illuminated the white buildings behind the stage on Morrison St. with its last light, the shadowy stage radiated a soft purple luminescence as The Walkmen aptly opened their set with “Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone.” Repeating “I made the best of it” over and over, it seemed The Walkmen were doing just that as more than half of the audience was still disconnected from the action on stage, but like all polite Portland audiences, they dutifully applauded after each and ever song.

With his passionate croon, lead singer Hamilton Leithauser’s poured forth intense emotion, and the drama of The Walkmen’s soaring piano-driven melodies were almost symphonic at times but ultimately lacked any extra kick to really draw people in. The Walkmen’s continually elegant and theatric tunes have never been able to eclipse the tight quality of their biggest hit “The Rat,” from their second album Bows + Arrows released in 2004, and as they shared several songs from their new album Lisbon, which was released today, The Walkmen drearily rolled through the motions...

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Read the rest on OMN.

mfnw 2010 : rough sexuality explored : major lazer, big freedia, deelay ceelay

People should be outraged when they arrive at a sold-out show to discover that only half of the act will be performing. But in the ubiquitous age of laptop DJ-dancemakers, who needs to watch another white dude stand behind a table of electronics?

So when only one-half of Major Lazer strutted onto the Roseland stage in his slick suit, nobody cared. Even though the ladies surely swoon for Diplo’s boyish sex appeal, it could have been anyone back there tapping away at that table because the real action was thrusting in front of your face in the form of the daggering, diplomat from the Bronx: Skerrit Bwoy.

Major Lazer’s hyper-sexualized electro house, dancehall reggae, hip-hop requires a hyper hype-man. The yellow mohawked commando of dance floor dry sex brought his display of dancehall daggering (where a man and woman dance in a sexually provocative manner, which usually includes simulating various sexual positions, and often times rough sex, to the beat of the music) to the Roseland stage–ladder included.

Practice daggering with caution and let Skerrit Bwoy give you a quick lesson before you attempt what was witnessed on Thursday night.

As the Philly-based beatsmith Diplo kept to the rear of the stage firing beats like blasts from a Tommy gun, Skerrit Bwoy and his bootylicious momma in a lingerie-like tuxedo dickey knocked bones and boots inciting the hot mess below. Shirts were quickly peeled off and knickers were revealed as bodies saucily slipped off one another drenched in salty sweat, looking to imitate the antics on stage. As Skerrit Bwoy bounced and bruised his girl with authoritative thrusts, helicopter spins, and wheelbarrow kicks, the daggering attempts below were in vain because the audience was too tightly jammed–basically sexually assaulting each other from all sides.

Climbing his ladder and dropping trou, Skerrit Bwoy launched himself in between the spread-eagle legs of his partner, but the lady had her revenge after a night of chauvinist pummeling as she showed girls can play just as rough as the boys taking her own leap from the ladder.

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Read the rest on OMN.

mfnw 2010 : omn’s picks for musicfestnw’s tenth anniversary

In its tenth year, the citywide 2010 MusicFestNW festival brings more than 160 musicians and bands to 20 venues across town from Wednesday, September 8th to Sunday, September 12th. This year’s fest also features two new outdoor showcases on Saturday and Sunday in Pioneer Courthouse Square with headliners The Decemberists and The National filling the square as well as two free, all-ages evening showcases at the Wonder Ballroom presented by Nike including Ra Ra Riot, Phantogram, and Washed Out on Thursday, September 9th and Black Lips, Surfer Blood, and Male Bonding on Friday, September 10th. To gain entry you need an all-fest wristband or you can grab a free Nike Sportswear Pass from either Jackpot Records locations starting at 10am on the day of each show. The gigs are first come, first serve and will fill up so get there early and get in line. Doors open at 3:30pm with the gig start time scheduled for 4:30pm.

All-show festival wristbands are still on sale for $90 as well as a second $65 option, which is valid for one of the two outdoor shows (The Decemberists or The National). Many individual tickets have already sold out so check out the rest of the ticketing information here.

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Get OMN's daily picks here.

musicfestnw returns to portland sept 16-20 with arctic monkeys, edward sharpe, the get up kids

This weekend sees the triumphant return of MusicfestNW. Nine years running, this year's festival brings over 200 bands to 18 venues around Portland.

From Wednesday, September 16th through Sunday the 20th, local acts will share stages with international stars, up-and-comers and unknowns will play alongside renowned rock legends.

Five day passes for all MFNW shows are still available for $60 at both Jackpot Records locations, Music Millennium, Willamette Week offices, and TicketsWest. Individual tickets are available at some venues or on the day of the show.

It's hard to pick a concert and stick to it with so many phenomenal artists playing concurrently so here are my venue picks for the weekend.

16 Wednesday : Berbati's Pan
Portland Cello Project
Will Sheff of Okkervil River, Damien Jurado, Fences
Doors at 7 PM, show at 8 PM
Cost : $15 or MFNW wristband
21 and over

17 Thursday : Holocene
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Amazing Baby, The Entrance Band, Local Natives
Doors at 8 PM, show at 9 PM
Cost : $10 or MFNW wristband
21 and over

18 Friday :
Free Early Show : Wonder Ballroom
Arctic Monkeys and The Like
Arrive early!! Doors at 4:30 PM, show at 5:30 PM
Cost : Free wristband from Jackpot Records (available at 10 AM) or MFNW wristband
All ages

Late Show : Someday Lounge
The Shaky Hands
BOAT, Jared Mees and The Grown Children, Inside Voices, Tanning
Doors at 7 PM, show at 8 PM
Cost : $8 or MFNW wristband
21 and over

19 Saturday : Roseland Theater
The Get Up Kids
Portugal. The Man, Youth Group, Pretty and Nice
Doors at 7 PM, show at 8 PM
Cost : $18 on TicketsWest or MFNW wristband
All ages

20 Sunday : Crystal Ballroom
Modest Mouse
Love As Laughter, Mimicking Birds, Morning Teleportation
Arrive early!! Doors at 6 PM, show at 7 PM
Cost : Sold out, entrance with MFNW wristband accepted up to capacity
All ages

A word of advice: If using a MFNW wristband, arrive at the venue early because some shows do fill to capacity and you will be turned away. Or worse, forced to wait in line while everyone else dances their asses off to Girl Talk.

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MusicfestNW 2009
Wednesday, September 16 – Sunday, September 20, 2009
Complete Schedule
Complete Artist Listing
Complete Venue Listing
Cost : $60 Wristband; Individual Tickets Available at Certain Venues or on Show Day
Complete Ticketing Information
Some venues and shows 21 and over

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Read this article on Examiner.com.