Notes from a Genius

Last week, I got to see two concerts, since summer is in full swing for me, here in Portland! Last Tuesday, I went to Port City Music Hall to check out a small band named Real Estate, an indie rock band from New Jersey, with a sound reminiscent of the early '90s. Truth be told, I hadn't heard too much from this band before deciding to buy a ticket to their show (I listened to their newest album on Spotify and was pleased). The great thing about small shows like this is that the ticket was only $15. They certainly did not disappoint either. They sounded great. Had To Hear   Crime   Past Lives   Municipality   Green Aisles   The Bend   Pool Swimmers   Kinder Blumen   Talking Backwards   Three Blocks   Horizon   It's Real   Wonder Years   All The Same   ................................................................................................

A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to see Best Coast at the Paradise, in Boston. A sold out show! And oh boy, was it incredible! I love Bethany's voice, and seeing them live was just a great experience. Different from listening to their albums, which is always a bonus. A cool band from Nashville, TN opened the show, Bully, who were almost as equally good. Here's the Best Coast setlist: The Only Place   Heaven Sent   Fine Without You   The End   Do You Love Me Like You Used To   Crazy for You   No One Like You   So Unaware   California Nights   When I'm With You   I Don't Know How   Dreaming My Life Away   Fade Away   Fading Fast   In My Eyes   Feeling OK   Goodbye   When Will I Change   Boyfriend   ........................................................................................

I've been waiting a few years to see Lana Del Ray. I've loved her from the first time I heard her wonderful, smoky, 1960s voice. She's got it all- the voice, the music, oh yeah, and she's gorgeous! I missed seeing her a couple of years ago when she played the House of Blues, because it sold out almost immediately (same result this time around, but I was lucky enough to find the presale code online and I set my watch to buy tickets the moment they went on sale- lucky for me, I got a ticket, and happened to sit in the 4th row). For this tour, I was extremely excited because I found out that Grimes was opening for her! And her albums are amazing. Her live performance did not disappoint either. Lana Del Ray played down in Mansfield, MA on last Tuesday. And it was incredible! Grimes setlist: Circumambient   Oblivion   REALiTi   Nightmusic   Be a Body   Go   Phone Sex   ( Blood Diamonds  cover) Sympho...

Shows I've seen in the past week: Last Friday night, I drove down to Boston after school to see a triple-bill of incredible music. I've been a giant fan of Bright Eyes since around 2002 when I bought his "Lifted" album. Bright Eyes is the stage name of Conor Oberst, who also does "solo" albums, as well as several different collaborations with other musicians. On this Friday, Conor Oberst was playing under his own name, because he released an album last year, "Upside Down Mountain." Opening for him on this night was a band, a duo really, of sisters who perform under the name Larkin Poe. They played an incredible set of southern bluesy, rootsy rock, and were also quite adorable. The singer has an incredible voice, and the other sister played a mean steel guitar! The second opening act was a girl I am quite familiar with- Lady Lamb (sans the Beekeeper addition to her stage name, now). Seeing her bring the house down at the House of Blues was inc...

A few weeks ago, yes I'm late on concert updates as well, I went to see the progressive/experimental metal band, The Contortionist, in Portland with a buddy of mine. We had decided to check out this show for a couple of reasons: 1) we had just seen the incredible live show of Between the Buried and Me and 2) the singer was from a previously local hardcore band. I have to admit, I hadn't heard any of The Contortionist's music prior to this show, but still, I was intrigued. And, once they started playing, I loved it. Their song structure is incredible. The length of the songs can stretch rather long, but because they can vary in range and time signature, you find yourself listening closely. I found their setlist from a show a few day's prior to their show in Portland and I feel like it's rather similar. Check it out, and watch the videos! Primordial Sound   Causality   Flourish   Integration   Thrive   Geocentric Confusion ...