Among other things on a very busy show tonight, we feature a visit with The National's Matt Berninger. The band's Boxer has been one of the more impressive releases of the year thus far, and his stoic delivery and cerebral lyrics are big reasons why. We'll talk to him about the buzz surrounding the latest release, his writing process, and the influence of the band's adopted hometown of New York City on their music. Also, plenty of live performances to preview in the area this week, including Rufus Wainwright at the Crystal Ballroom and St. Vincent at the Doug Fir. The week closes out, of course, with the first day of two anticipated festivals: PDX Pop Now! and Pickathon. We'll get to music from some of the acts playing each. Plus, new music from Bishop Allen, Jesca Hoop, The Clientele, and more. MP3: The National, from Boxer- "Fake Empire" Watch: The National's recent performance on the Late Show with David Letterman

Posted by jpetersen on Sunday, July 29 at 8:10pm

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New Zealand via London band The Veils fills the studio 'In House' this weekend on OPB. Some of you might have caught their show at Doug Fir a few weeks back, as they were touring in support of their new CD, Nux Vomica. The day after that gig, they stopped by OPB to play a few songs in the studio, including their cover of Springsteen's "State Trooper." (You can stream that below.) Finn Andrews and the band also talk about the meaning of Nux Vomica, playing the odd acoustic set in the women's room, and being high school classmates from New Zealand, which three members of the group were -- guitarist and singer Andrews, keyboard player Liam Gerrard, and bassist Sophia Burn. (Gerrard has since left the band.) We fit four members of the band into the studio for this -- Sophia sat on the floor with her bass under Liam's keyboard -- and while I thought the band sounded good as we taped the in-studio, one of the vagaries of the setup was that I couldn't hear the keyboard or second guitar as well as I wanted. Listening to the finished mix was fantastic! (Thank you Steven Kray!) Hear The Veils on "In House," Saturday night at 9. Now enjoy the songs.. -DC Stream: The Veils Live @ OPB  (Recording Engineer: Steven Kray)

Posted by dchristensen on Friday, July 27 at 10:51pm

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It's another Sunday night look forward to the week in front of us tonight, with a word or two about some things happening tonight, too. The Decemberists (with Menomena) and Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter (with The Moaners) are playing area venues tonight, while Ryan Adams' show at the Aladdin Theatre this Thursday is perhaps the crown jewel of the upcoming events (although this likely depends on your opinion of Ryan Adams). Hank Williams III hits Dante's Friday night. Plenty of new releases worth paying some attention to as well, including an intriguing slice of neo-soul from Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators. Keep Reachin' Up sounds at least thirty years old (in a good way), and has been causing a stir in most of the rest of the world for over a year now. It finally gets a U.S. release on Tuesday. Also out this week are new releases from Tegan & Sara (The Con), John Vanderslice (Emerald City), and Bishop Allen (The Broken String), among others. Also tonight, new music from Iron & Wine, Fionn Regan, They Might Be Giants, Joan As Policewoman, and more.

Posted by jpetersen on Sunday, July 22 at 8:38pm

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It's an in-studio session tonight with the gentlemen of Blitzen Trapper. The Portland-based band have created plenty of buzz with their recent full-length, Wild Mountain Nation, and last week became the latest signee to Seattle's Sub Pop label. The album's title could hardly be more apt, full of songs that might be described as distinctly American, and out of time. One might even call Blitzen Trapper's creation the New Cosmic American Music, to paraphrase Gram Parsons. We'll hear a full set of songs and talk with the band about influences, space travel, and the effect growing up in Oregon has had on their music. Plus, we'll hear upcoming material from Josh Ritter and Manu Chao, as well as new music from Bishop Allen, The Meat Puppets, Vampire Weekend, and more. Stream: Blitzen Trapper Live @ OPB (Recording Engineer: Steven Kray; Technical Assistance: Randy Layton)

Posted by jpetersen on Saturday, July 21 at 9:13pm

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We could hardly plunge headlong into the weekend without making some mention here of a particularly busy music schedule, even by this area's standards, with a little bit of everything up for the offering. Tonight's Pink Martini show at Da Vinci Days in Corvallis is the kind of thing folks in those parts don't have too many opportunities to see, and the locals should be clamoring, weather permitting, for the $10 tickets. The Portland-based collective's latest is Hey Eugene. Elsewhere, only a mad scalper can get you in to tonight's Tegan & Sara to-do at the sold out Bagdad Theater in Portland. The Canadian sister duo's new release, The Con (produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla), comes out next Tuesday. If rootsy is more your thing, you'll want to head to the Oregon Zoo's Summer Concert Series, this week featuring singer-songwriter Patty Griffin. Her seriously great 2007 release Children Running Through features more than its fair share of transcendent moments, including an unexpected bit of old school soul in the mix. Scott Miller & the Commonwealth open. Also tonight: Live Wire tapes a show at the Aladdin Theatre featuring music from The Shaky Hands and Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, among others. Saturday night features the perfect solace for hipsters who hold Paul Simon's Graceland as one of their secret guilty pleasures. New York City's Vampire Weekend sound like The Strokes raised on their parents' Simon and Peter Gabriel releases, and are getting a lot of attention (and quickly) for their odd combo of post-punk with bongo and steel drum. This, despite having one three-song EP to their credit. The bill at Portland's Holocene also includes Casiotone For the Painfully Alone and The Donkeys, among others. Also on Saturday: rhythm & soul legend Bettye LaVette plays Salem's Art Fair & Festival; Bobby Bare Jr., You Am I, and The Hugs play Dante's in Portland. Finally, Sunday sees another sold-out show at Edgefield: Local heroes The Decemberists return home after a series of orchestral shows around the country. The endlessly fascinating Menomena opens. Meanwhile, Seattle's Jesse Sykes brings her smoky vocals and her band The Sweet Hereafter to Portland's Doug Fir. The band's 2007 release is the excellent Like, Love, Lust & the Open Halls of the Soul. Whew! All of this comes with one caveat, of course: you'll have to somehow plan these events around this weekend's In House broadcasts, which will include an in-studio session from Portland's Blitzen Trapper. Got all that?

Posted by jpetersen on Friday, July 20 at 5:33pm

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We have a few spots still open in our listener groups at OPB this week, Wednesday and Thursday. If you'd like to come in and talk about music, media, radio, and help shape our plans going forward, let me know asap. (Groups are at 4pm or 6:30 Wednesday, 6:00 Thursday.)  music@opb.org. -DC

Posted by dchristensen on Tuesday, July 17 at 3:41pm

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No shortage of highlights on tonight's show, as we take a look at (and a listen to) new releases out this week from Suzanne Vega and The Meat Puppets, each returning Tuesday after a lengthy hiatus. Also, music from recent releases from Spoon, Shapes & Sizes, and Ryan Adams, plus more from this year's PDX Pop Now! compilation.

There are also a few interesting live dates in the area this week we'll be talking about, including the cello-wielding Rasputina, playing tomorrow night at the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland. The trio led by Melora Creager is touring in support of their fifth and latest studio effort, Oh Perilous World. Thursday the 19th brings Rocky Votolato to Portland's Doug Fir Lounge as he plays in support of his own new release: The Brag & Cuss was released recently on Seattle's Barsuk label (the night's bill also includes the wildly entertaining Langhorne Slim), and Friday the 20th features a sold out show at the Baghdad Theatre from Canadian sister duo Tegan & Sara.

MP3: Rasputina, from Oh Perilous World: "Cage In a Cave"

Posted by jpetersen on Sunday, July 15 at 8:53pm

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We're excited to announce the debut of streaming content here on the blog. Specifically, we're beginning with the in-studio performances we've been featuring over the first couple of weeks of In House, with songs from Laura Veirs (here) and The Shaky Hands (here) now available. It's just the first of what will eventually include full interviews (including on-line only content) and other streaming features. Speaking of which, tonight we feature an in-studio session with singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke. The New York-based artist threw a wrench or two into the formula for her latest, Careful What You Wish For, including beefed up production and writing collaborations with two former prominent boy band members (really). We'll talk to her about the circumstances surrounding those odd pairings, singing and writing a song for her new album in French, and more. Also tonight, new music from The Polyphonic Spree, Suzanne Vega, The Meat Puppets, Blitzen Trapper, Fionn Regan, and more. Stream: Jonatha Brooke Live @ OPB (Recording Engineer: Steven Kray)

Posted by jpetersen on Saturday, July 14 at 6:59pm

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This stunning new video for (now former) Portlander Alela Diane's "The Rifle," was directed by Vincent Caldoni. You'll find the song on her 2007 debut, The Pirate's Gospel. Catch Diane's final performance as a Portland resident this Sunday night at the Holocene in Portland, as part of a bill that also includes Laura Gibson and Kele Goodwin.

Posted by jpetersen on Friday, July 13 at 1:22pm

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You heard it here..well, second, maybe: Portland's own Blitzen Trapper have signed on to Seattle's Sub Pop records, current home to the likes of The Shins, Low, The Postal Service, Band of Horses, and Iron & Wine, among others. This follows a rather enthusiastic reception to their new album, Wild Mountain Nation, which has been the source of much critical positivity, including a "Best New Music" label from the tastemakers at Pitchfork. We'll say we knew them when. Watch and listen for an in-studio session from the band on an upcoming edition of In House. Listen to Wild Mountain Nation's title cut here.

Posted by jpetersen on Thursday, July 12 at 11:25am

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Hey music fan! We're looking for a few listeners to come in and talk music with us -- what you're into, when and where you listen, and how we fit into that picture. It's a chance to help shape the direction we're going with our new music shows and website, among other things. We're getting together a small group of listeners next Thursday, the 19th, at 6:00 at OPB. Figure on about 90 minutes. If you're interested, send an email to:  music@opb.org. Put "listener group" in the subject line. I'll get right back to you. -DC

Posted by dchristensen on Monday, July 9 at 2:03pm

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Louisiana-based troubadour Gill Landry has traveled his fair share of musical miles over the past decade or so. He's busked in the streets of New Orleans, fronted the old-time sounds of the Kitchen Syncopators, and played banjo for the Old Crow Medicine Show. His 2007 solo debut, The Ballad of Lawless Soirez, seems to incorporate all of those experiences and then some, and his gritty writing and world-worn style have drawn comparisons to the likes of Tom Waits and James Ellroy-- call it southern gothic meets urban noir. Tonight it's an in-studio visit from Landry and violist Annie Ford, as we talk about recording the album in Portland, and attempt to get to the bottom of this Lawless Soirez character. Elsewhere, a busy New Release Tuesday is in store this week, and we hear music from new efforts from Crowded House, Spoon, Buffalo Tom, and Fionn Regan, among others. Spoon, from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga: "The Underdog (MP3)" With 4th of July and the unofficial beginning of summer behind us, a full season of festivals, tour dates, and new releases is on the way-- so what are you most looking forward to? Wilco at Edgefield? Pickathon? PDX Pop? Something else? Stream: Gill Landry Live @ OPB (Recording Engineer: Steven Kray)

Posted by jpetersen on Sunday, July 8 at 9:05pm

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Tonight, it's a high energy set from Portland's Shaky Hands, who stopped by our studios recently and...turned it up to 11, as it were. The band has been receiving plenty of praise for their self-titled debut out this spring on Holocene Records, and they show us why with a mix of songs from that release and newer unrecorded material. We'll talk to the band about their influences, their new video, and being recently named Portland's Best New Band. Also tonight, music from new releases from Bryan Ferry, Rocky Votolato, and Band of Bees, plus selections from the recent benefit compilation, Bridging the Distance: A Portland Covers Compilation.
Stream: The Shaky Hands Live @ OPB (Recording Engineer: Steven Kray; Techincal Assistance: Bill St. James)

Posted by jpetersen on Saturday, July 7 at 9:04pm

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In House returns for its second pair of shows this weekend with two stellar in-studio sessions, each with a local connection. Saturday night features an entire full band set from Portland's own Shaky Hands, recently named the area's Best New Band 2007 by the Willamette Week. The quintet plays songs from their self-titled debut, out earlier in the year, while also previewing material due to appear on their next full-length. Sunday night it's a visit with New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Gill Landry. His own 2007 debut, the excellent The Ballad of Lawless Soirez was recorded last year in Portland with producer Nick Jaina, and also bares the mark of several PDX musicians in the mix. While the effort is technically a debut, Landry is a veteran of Americana variations, including busking in the streets of the Big Easy, and spells with the Kitchen Syncopators and the Old Crow Medicine Show.

Posted by jpetersen on Friday, July 6 at 11:43pm

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If you aren't jazzed and psyched and amped and all of that for the new Spoon release next week, chances are you're just not familiar yet. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (yes, that's the title), drops July 10th on Merge. Something tells me we might be playing this one a bit. Here's the new video for lead single, "The Underdog."

Posted by jpetersen on Thursday, July 5 at 3:53pm

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A lot of different flavors to cover tonight, as we get to new music from a couple of the artists playing this week's Waterfront Blues Fest in Portland. Already long-respected and established artists with impressive musical pedigrees, Joan Armatrading and Mavis Staples have each nevertheless released recent efforts that find them trying on new musical wardrobes here and there. Into the Blues is the first album of Armatrading's impressive career that can be called a "blues album," while Staples' We'll Never Turn Back finds her with fresh takes on gospel themes, complete with samples and Ry Cooder in the mix. Also, a bit more of our recent conversation with Laura Veirs, as she talks about recording at Johnny Cash's studio, and we spend quality time with Ryan Adams' Easy Tiger. -J.

Posted by jpetersen on Sunday, July 1 at 10:53pm

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