Featured Shows
Andy Frasco & The UN - The Aladdin Theater PDX
Andy Frasco & The UN play Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
I knew Andy Frasco from his podcast Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast, listening to him interview some of my favorite artists, stand up comedians and actors has always been enlightening, fun and every now and then runs off the rails, and I’ve loved it! I was so thrilled to see him on the bill in PDX, and I had no idea what to expect. Luckily, I met some cool people who had seen his most recent five shows and gave me a bit of a heads up for the calamity that may ensue; I am thrilled I got the inside info, because I was prepared!
A barefooted Frasco perched behind a custom piano, greets the fans as one tosses him a mushroomy souvenir, which he happily and unquestionably gobbles up, thanks Portland for their kindness and goes right into his set.
Frasco and his band are noted for their on stage “shtick” but from what I saw, there was no “shtick” per se, there was definitely a genuine feeling of “fuck it lets play music and have as much fun as possible”, but no shtick. Frasco jumped atop his piano singing to the crowd from a dizzying height (apparently just dizzying for me , stupid vertigo) then just as easily jumps back down and takes his place behind the keys.
I grooved along to their originals, and absolutely loved their covers of Talking Heads “Life during Wartime”, Stone Temple Pilots “Vasoline”. Guitarist Shawn Eckels brought metal guitar riffs to complement Frasco’s piano, and Ernie Chang’s saxophone, Andee Avila on drums and at one point Frasco had everyone switch instruments mid song without interruption. Eckels even had it in him to jump on top of Frasco’s piano, as it lifted him even further towards the top of the theater and absolutely shredded.
Opener Big Something jumped on stage, along with rapper Damn Skippy (Alex Veazy) and Frasco leaned into the role as the Orchestrator of Chaos demanding guitar duels, two drummers one kit and a music mayhem to create some insane energy and an energized crowd.
Fun show for sure, I definitely recommend seeing an Andy Frasco show, with or without “shtick”, it WILL be fun.
photos by Julia Varga
Kitchen Dwellers - The Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
Kitchen Dwellers perform their progressive “galaxy grass” at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
Montana based Kitchen Dwellers brought their “galaxy grass” psychedelic light show laced high energy bluegrass to Portland in February. In doing some lite research before the show, I wasn’t quite sure what exactly “galaxy grass” meant. I expected the bluegrass aspect, banjo and all, but I had no idea what I was really about to experience until I was standing shoulder to shoulder with the latest incarnations of a tie dyed tribe woozy with specialty infused chocolates.
For a band who’s name refers to their start with after school jam sessions in Montana, they’re now playing in big venues (including Red Rocks!) with amazing dancing lights, and mesmerized fans bouncing along that would make even the most notorious jam bands envious.
So you can call it galaxy grass, progressive bluegrass, jam grass, whatever you want; you’ll be filled with big sky banjos, stand up bass, and guitars that will get you moving and bouncing reaching up for those big spirited skies.
Low Cut Connie - The Recher- Towson, MD
Low Cut Connie brings modern rock n roll to The Recher in Towson, MD
photos and review by Gary Gearhart
Led by frontman, Adam Weiner, on his piano named Nellie, Low Cut Connie gave the audience at The Recher in Towson, MD a rock show; a rock show the way a rock show is supposed to be.
Elton John has called them one of his favorite bands. Bruce Springsteen is a huge fan as well. Famed rock critic, Robert Christgau, has given two of their albums an A- grade. They’ve had a song included in Barack Obama’s Spotify summer playlist. Rolling Stone included their album “Call Me Sylvia” in their 100 Best Albums of the 2010’s.
Weiner told the audience that at one point 6 years ago, he almost gave up the dream of being a musician, but then public radio stations like WTMD in Towson and WXPN in Philadelphia started playing Low Cut Connie in their regular rotation. I was standing next to a group that works for WTMD when Weiner told this story, they all smiled immediately and one turned to me and told me she was so proud of how far the band has come since they started playing their songs.
Another big supporter was the influential Philadelphia disc jockey Jerry Blavat. Blavat and Weiner became very close friends before “The Geator with the Heater" passed away in January at 82. Weiner was visibly emotional talking about his friend saying that Blavat “was the only person in Philadelphia who believed in Low Cut Connie.” The band then played the new song “Low Cut Strut” subtitled “Strut That Ass Right Back To Class.”
The band also paid their respects to Tom Verlaine of the band Television, who also passed in January, with a cover of “Venus” off their iconic 1976 album Marquee Moon.
While the rest of the band took a short break, Weiner remained on stage sitting with his fingers caressing Nellie at center stage. He told the excited crowd that he’d only play this next song if they helped him sing along and then played a groovy piano version of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette.”
When the band returned to the stage, the energy of the show cranked up higher, ending the show with fan-favorites “Now You Know,” “Charyse,” “Beverly” and “Rio.” Playing to the crowd in the way Weiner is an expert, he ended the show on top of his piano bench throwing off his jacket, ripping his white tank top off and raising his hands as if he just won an Olympic medal.
Low Cut Connie proves at every stop that they are worth more than the price of admission and they are a true, modern day rock band.
Review and photos by Gary Gearhart
Larkin Poe at Crystal Ballroom PDX
Larkin Poe at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
Had another glorious opportunity to rock with Larkin Poe, this time in Portland and it was just as amazing as the first time in Denver! The PDX crowd clamored for the band and squeezed in just as tight as possible to get up close.
The band came out with highest energy and amazingly kept it up the whole show, with an impressive set list:
“Strike Gold”
”Blue Ridge Mountains”
”Holy Ghost Fire”
”Preaching Blues”
”Mad as a Hatter”
”Bad Spell”
”Wanted Woman”
”Bolt Cutters”
”Deep Stays Down”
photos by Julia Varga
The Beths at Wonder ballroom PDX
New Zealand indie rock band starts a 6 month world tour with two nights in Portland, Oregon
photos by Julia Varga
With the recent announcement of The Beths playing Newport Folk Festival this summer, we knew we’d have to check them out asap. Luckily, the New Zealand band started their six-month world tour right here in Portland with a sold out two-night stint at Wonder Ballroom. We got to catch them on night two with a giddy crowd which took no time filling the venue after doors opened.
As The Beths walked onstage, a giant fish head inflated from behind the amps and they immediately went into their first song, “Future Me”. Between songs, name suggestions for the fish were thrown out from the crowd for a few fun interactive moments. The Beths haven’t toured North America since 2019 and the crowd was clearly exhilarated for the indie rock band’s set and fish name suggestions continued throughout the show; which made for a clever means of connecting with the crowd.
Touring their new record Experts in a Dying Field, the band brought harmonizing melodies and energetic guitar riffs. They also brought open-hearted lyrics like those in “Silence is Golden” (featured on NPR ‘s #NowPlaying in June 2022), a song that starts with fast paced drum beats, gritty guitars and quick lyrics, and ends in punk like distorted electric guitar and repeated “Silence is golden, is golden is golden”. The crowd stayed quiet until the last syallable then erupted into thunderous applause and cheers, which continued throughout the entire show and through the encore. The band made quick work of their impressive 16-song set list and 2-song encore for a fantastic start to their tour.
The onstage fish however, left Portland still unnamed.
photos by Julia Varga
Portland Folk Festival at the Crystal Ballroom, Night 3
Night Three of Portland Folk Festival
photos by Julia Varga
Night three of the Portland Folk Festival, was more of a late afternoon, which could have benefited from an earlier start and end time, rather than the 2 pm - 8 pm which was scheduled. The family friendly third day featured the winners of the Singer/Songwriter competition, each performing only their winning song, which only left the crowd wanting more from each artist, and clearly each artist longing to perform more.
The festival was a wonderful introduction to local artists and the crowds were fortunate to experience some national acts as well. Sunday featured local artists from Portland and Astoria, OR, as well as Las Vegas, NV, and Austin, TX.
photos by Julia Varga
PFF Singer/Songwriter WInners
Opal Gibbons
Rich Swanger
Emma Sameth
Jared Griffin
Siena Christie
Lane Norberg from Portland, OR
Jessica Manalo from Las Vegas, NV
The AM (Acoustic Minds) from Portland, OR
Redray Frazier from Portland, OR
The Flyover States from Portland, OR
The Hackles from Astoria, OR
Worth & Strain from Portland, OR
David Ramirez from Austin, TX
Portland Folk Festival At the Crystal Ballroom, Night 2
Night Two of the Portland Folk Festival
photos by Julia Varga
Oh night two, what a night you were! Another five hours of amazing music, night two was the rockin-est night of the three-day festival. Artists once again came in from Portland, OR as well as Oakland, CA, and Nashville, TN.
photos by Julia Varga
Fox and Bones from Portland, OR
Haley Johnsen from Portland, OR
Rayland Baxter from Nashville, TN
Portland Folk Festival at the Crystal Ballroom - Night 1
Night One of the Portland Folk Festival
photos by Julia Varga
Night One of the Portland Folk Festival brought almost five glorious hours of unique talent coming from as close as around the corner to as far away as Hawaii. Organizers Sarah Vitort and Scott Gilmore, of band Fox and Bones, not only emceed the event but also played their own set on Night Two.
photos by Julia Varga
Hillstomp from Portland, OR
Ron Artis II from Hawaii
The Lowest Pair - Mississippi Studios, Portland
The Lowest Pair plays Mississippi Studios in Portland, OR
Listening to The Lowest Pair banter on stage, with both one another and with the crowd, we knew this was a treat; we were amongst one of the most authentic Americana Folk bands we’ve seen in a while. A cold winter’s night was warmed with serenading banjos and violins and made intimate by Palmer’s stoic yet gentle playing expressions and Kendl’s endearing stories that ran the gamut from grandmas in the midwest to living on a boat in the Pacific Northwest.
The Lowest Pair’s new album Horse Camp released late last year, and named for a campout at a literal horse camp during the pandemic, features beautiful strings and instrumentals that are clean, simple and organic, all leading to a lovely album of genuine folk music.
Larkin Poe - the Ogden Theatre, Denver CO
Larkin Poe at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, CO
Listening to music via streaming services is one experience, listening to that same music on vinyl can be a different- and usually- better experience. But the best experience can be to not only listen, but to take in the whole experience in person. The energy of a live show and bearing witness to how the artists interact with the crowd and with one another lead the way to a higher listening experience.
Only a handful of shows in on their Blood Harmony tour, this stop saw Larkin Poe set foot on stage with white hot energy. Throughout their entire 16-song set that energy only intensified! From minute one, the Lovell sisters came out unquestionably shredding and showed no mercy through the entire show. The crowd was treated to a dynamic performance from shredder sister, Rebecca, ripping it up on the guitar as Megan proved she was an undoubted queen of the slide guitar.
Larkin Poe has set their roots at the intersection of southern rock, blues, and whisky shots. Bluesy anthems and gritty electric guitar riffs command the kind of energy that makes you throw up your hands in devil horns and headbang your way through the setlist.
Setlist included:
“Strike Gold”
“Kick the Blues”
“Summertime Sunset”
”Holy Ghost Fire”
”Preachin’ Blues”
”She’s a Self Made Man”
”Back Down South”
”Mad as a Hatter”
”Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues”
”Might As Well Be Me”
”Wanted Woman”
”Blue Ridge Mountains”
”Bolt Cutters and the Family Name”
Encore:
”Deep Stays Down”
photos by Julia Varga
Madison Cunningham- Wonder Ballroom PDX
Madison Cunningham rocks the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
Madison Cunningham rocked the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, Oregon while touring her new album Revealer. She’s been described as the new spin on west coast folk rock and we are here for it! Her jazzy electric guitar riffs paired with percussions create a sound that walks a fine line between folk, rock, pop, a little bit of alternative and a splash of classical jazz.
photos by Julia Varga
Bendigo Fletcher - Wonder Ballroom PDX
Hailing from Louisville, KY, Bendigo Fletcher brought their folk rock resonations and howling sounds to the Wonder Ballroom in September of this year. They notably offered the crowd upbeat ballads like “Sugar in the Creek”, and granted a request for “Jackrabbit”, after chatting from the stage with a couple who’d made the trek up from San Francisco for their honeymoon,
photos by Julia Varga
Lucius at Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
Lucius at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
So. When’s the last time you saw a keytar on stage? How about two?
Enter Lucius: Dual keytars, matching lipstick, pink gowns and glamorously bejeweled eyes…
Indie pop band Lucius mesmerized a crowd of devotees at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR. with their dreamy, sometimes ethereal and other times folky, alternative tunes. With as many brightly colored bedazzling outfits in the crowd as there were on stage, fans came prepared for the feast-for-the-senses that is a Lucius show.
photos by Julia Varga
Marcus Mumford At Keller Auditorium PDX
Marcus Mumford plays Keller Auditorium in Portland, OR
photos by Julia Varga
This year, Marcus Mumford has been touring his new solo album (self-titled). His stop at Keller Auditorium in Portland, OR opened with his supporting act Danielle Ponder sharing her soulful resounding voice and relatable stories to a brimming venue.
Mumford began his solo set with songs from the beloved Mumford and Sons’ catalog. With those expected songs out of the way, Mumford promised to play his new album in its entirety, and he delivered on that promise. The solo album is a striking biography that presents raw, sorrowful tales of hurt and the impending resilience one experiences when working through past traumas.
The crowd was brought to their feet for a full-circle foot-stomping encore comprised of more songs from Mumford and Sons.
photos by Julia Varga
Madi Diaz at Mississippi Studios-Portland, OR
Even while recovering from illness, Madi Diaz brings tears to people’s eyes with her heartfelt music. One fan yells out she’s been a fan for 15 years, since Madi’s busking days in New York. Seeing that same fan in tears during the next song, “New Person, Old Place” from her most recent album titled History of a Feeling, proved testament to songwriting that grasps the soul and won’t let go.
History of a Feeling is anchored by songs of angry heartbreak and the crowd nods along with eyes closed, gripping their chests in solidarity.
Madi later happily exclaims that these days she’s in love, that through the heartbreak is light; the intimate crowd applauded her proclaimed bravery in finding love again.
Caroline Spence provided support with songs of family, friends and sticking to your true north.
photos by Julia Varga
Langhorne Slim at Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
Langhorne Slim at Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR by Julia Varga
A night filled with energetic soulful songs and heartstring-pulling tales of pandemic, personal journeys is a night with Langhorne Slim. Overheard amongst the excited crowd were stories of Slim performing whilst strolling through the crowd during his Newport Folk Fest sets over the summer. We got that experience twice for PDX, along with the pleasure of friends joining him to play on stage. With songs like “The Way We Move”, “House of My Soul”, “Mighty Soul” and “Coffee Cups” we were delighted with stories of his famed stolen muscle car, and his pops Sid. Langhorne Slim easily put on one of the top shows of the year.
photos by Julia Varga
Jade Bird at PDX LIVE-Pioneer square Courthouse
Jade Bird in Portland, Oregon
English singer songwriter Jade Bird brought her energetic folk and Americana inspired tunes to Portland while opening for Shakey Graves.
Todd Snider at Revolution Hall
Todd Snider in Portland, Oregon
Folk legend Todd Snider took to the stage telling stories of hippies and his time on tour with John Prine.
While hanging out in the green room, he asks me, “What’s this for?”, and I just say “Oh, it’s for Americana Now, a site featuring Americana and Folk music”. He looks to his friend and says, “You know, Americana is just unsuccessful Country”.
Best quote of the night. Damn good stories too.
Little Miami {Columbus, OH} Portraits of a singer songwriter
Little Miami, Columbus, OH
www.littlemiamimusic.com
I got to met Little Miami, aka Rory, after his set at Red Rocks where he was opening up for friends CAAMP. Little Miami, just him and his guitar, came out on the giant literal rock stage and energized the crowd with songs like his new single “Annie Got Her Gun”. A singer with a self-described sound “…born of dusky campfire singalongs, broken down dams and a chorus of seventeen-year cicadas”, Little Miami brings a new nostalgia for midwestern songs to the world.
CAAMP at Leader Bank Pavilion- Boston, MA
Caamp is currently finishing up their cross-country headlining tour for their new album, Lavender Days. Taylor Meier, Evan Westfall, Matt Vinson, Joe Kavalec and Henry Allen kicked off this tour on the west coast in July after completing the first half of the summer concert season providing support for The Lumineers. Still to come, the tour will notably make a sold-out two-night stop at Red Rocks next week and conclude with their first hometown arena show in Columbus, Ohio.
The crowd was already on their feet as the band came to the stage, and absolutely exploded as the band began to play “Come with Me Now;” the first song on their new album, and fittingly the perfect invite to the crowd to join them on their journey for the rest of the show.
The almost 20-song set included tracks spanning their entire discography and ended with supporting band Speaking Suns joining them for a wonderful tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac with a cover of “Dreams”.
The encore brought a solo moment with front man Taylor Meier offering some words of peace and a crowd-silencing rendition of “Sure Of”. Once everyone caught their collective breath, the rest of the band joined Meier on stage for a rocking finish with Meier taking over on drums for “Going to the Country”.
It was a beautiful night for good music, and Caamp delivered on a good time.
photos by Julia Varga
