PDX Pop Now! is like Oregon's muse about the weather: "If you don't like it, wait 30 minutes and it'll change." Here it's the music that's switching unpredictably and the heat that's stuck on a constant high.
Yes indeed, musical diversity - more than any other festival PDX Pop Now! delivers variety - spanning Noise, Rock, Jazz and even Fear No Music's classical quintet, the event has long outgrown it's 'Pop' label. The mix means that we all get to hear things that we wouldn't hear otherwise - this is the event's essential triumph. It reminds me of listening to disjointed John Peel sessions in the UK, he played reggae, pop, folk, punk, german electronics... back to back.
First up, Dirty Mittens opening the festival. Last year's mini-CD Pinky Swear is an essential for any collection, but could lead singer Chelsea Morrisey control her power vocal while whipping up the early crowd? The discipline of microphone amplification can clash with efforts to rouse the audience and easily trip into shouting - it happened once on the band's best known song "The Dock", but this was their best set yet. Three numbers in Morrisey really let loose yet kept control, raising the hackles with a soul enriched number that was undeniable.
The Crowd - Neither the heat nor numerous competing attractions could stop the event from bursting at the seams - each day the indoor stage at Rotture reached capacity (600) with lines outside, fans waiting for those inside to wilt in the 80's/90's temperatures. Despite this people were colourful and upbeat. The only down note was the lack of race diversity, perhaps because there was no reggae or soul? But what about that jazz?
The rock ceiling and Infinite space - Most of the rock bands got everything right; reproducing a specific style with a skill and energy. But how many more times? Does each generation need their own? Nothing wrong with that, yet to be great or distinctive something more seems necessary. Similarly, some acts move in the grey mists of ambience or the laid-back delivery of a JJ Cale only to fall in the land of nod.
One person who pulled off the kaleidoscope treatment was Bernoit Piolard. Sitting between his guitars, gadgets and mic's Piolard has a serious commitment to his work that helps him navigate the sounds without becoming dull. He also had an intriguing backdrop video: Here was the missing diversity of folks from decades ago dancing out traditional Southern 'flat-foot' moves in alleys, stores, dance-halls... i.e. on the spot.
Feminine Over-drive - "All-women" groups have popped up since the 60's, now that they're commonplace it's great to hear them going into all kinds of musical areas without the self-consciouness of old. Explode Into Colors are a drum, bass and... more and more percussion, trio that blitz the crowd with incessant rhythm. Purple Rhinestone Eagle reinvent early heavy metal with the pomp ditched and the lyrics honed for contemporary earthly/spiritual values (don't worry there is still the odd raven and wizard in there!). Hopefully bands like these can ween the 'wasted youth' off corporate rock station repeats.
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside - Every festival has known acts, already enjoyed; I'm always hoping to find something new, fresh and unexpected. Not being a fan of most of the new soul scene I wasn't expecting too much from Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, but here was my festival prize. Very old music influences - singer Sallie Burgess is a big Etta James fan and the band members are into all kinds of music over 50 years old - should lead to a modern disaster, but no, this is some package; Ford's vocal swaggering across a bluesy, doo-wap, almost scat new pop invention. They are about to tour with The Avett Brothers and you can catch them at their pre tour show, August 16th at Worksound.
PDXPopNow! People - I helped a little at this year's event and was extremely impressed by the effort of all involved. Remarkable people bringing something of great value to the city. Thank you all.
Copyright: Zaph Mann 2009. Reproduction with attribution is fine. Original publisher: opbmusic.org 2009
Note Purple Rhinestone Eagle play FirstFest @ Berbati’s Pan, PDX Aug 1 2009 8:00PM
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