Featured Shows
Shakey Graves at PDX LIVE
Shakey Graves plays PDX LIVE in Pioneer Square Courthouse in Portland, OR photos by Julia Varga
If you ever get a chance to see Shakey Graves, don’t pass it up; there’s an incredible performance to witness! I’ve been listening to Shakey Graves for a few years now and was super excited to see they were coming to Portland for a late summer show. I was not disappointed. At all. Had it not been for work in LA calling for a super early flight the next morning, I would have stayed until the house lights came up.
His insanely overloaded but very well-queued fog machine set a mysterious scene that perfectly accessorized his unique, beautifully deep, and at times haunting voice. And he had fans! Well-placed fans blew both his hair and the artificial fog around making this photographer’s heart sing! Their production was well done; the lighting and operator were on point, those aforementioned fog machines were so cool, even for an outdoor venue in downtown Portland at Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was a fun show and I really enjoyed live versions of some of my (and seemingly the other 2000 people’s) favorite songs like “Roll the Bones”, “Pansy Waltz (Fuck you Kelly!)”, and a wonderfully fun duet of '“Dearly Departed”, with opener Jade Bird.
Catch some Shakey Graves out there in the world and you’re in for a treat.
Rising Appalachia - the Crystal Ballroom
Multi-instrumentalist sisters Leah and Chloe Smith brought their unique blend of southern roots and globally influenced American Appalacian music to Portland. And what a transcendental experience!
With music comprised from American folk, world, and urban sounds, you not only listen to the music, you experience the music. From the deep percussive beats of the drums and bass, to the light picking of the banjo, their passion is felt throughout.
Championing social and racial justice, environmental issues, and Indigenous rights, Rising Appalachia’s music is just one way to deliver their message.
CAAMP at The Greek Theatre Los Angeles
Caamp concert at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles photos by Julia Varga
A new album titled Lavender Days inevitably brings all things lavender; Ohio based CAAMP did not disappoint when they walked on stage at the Greek. Looking Beatles-esque in their lavender suits, the folk/Americana group, led by lead singer/guitarist Taylor Meier, and made complete by bassist Matt Vinson, guitar/banjoist Evan Westfall, keyboardist Joe Kavalec and drummer Henry Allen, opened the show with “Come with me Now”. Also their album opener, the song’s quiet start that builds to a beautiful melodious crescendo is the perfect invitation to listen, live or otherwise. The band roared through crowd-anticipated hits from their previous albums such as “Hey Joe”, “By & BY” and “26” and were rewarded with the packed theater belting out every lyric right along with them.
The album released on June 24, 2022 will have its hits. A current favorite, titled “The Otter”, was played mid-set to a crowd that lovingly sang each and every word and refrain accomplishing the feel-good vibes only a solid summer sing-along can evoke.
The encore brought out a solo Taylor Meier to play the timeless acoustic “Strawberries”. The entirety of the Greek went absolutely silent, so as not to miss a single heartfelt inflection. Meier went on to describe the beauty of how a single voice memo of him playing “Sure Of” made it on to the album as the final song in its raw form; once again, the crowd listened with intent in complete quietude as it was played for only the second time live.
Meier brought the band back out for the final songs of the night and the set turned into a full on rock show with the now famous and brilliantly executed mix of “Believe” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” and finally coming to a rock star finale as Allen and Meier switched things up with Meier belting out “Going to the Country” from behind the drums.
Lavender Days tour continues up the coast with stops in Santa Barbara and Berkeley, CA. More tour info at www.caamptheband.com
