FUN. @ Portland Roseland Theater (Preview)
“Iggy Pop was wrong. There is, in fact, fun.
Fun is what happens when three extraordinarily talented musicians come together to create something altogether new and wonderful. Nate Ruess, late of The Format, has teamed up with ex-Anathallo multi-instrumentalist Andrew Dost and Steel Train’s Jack Antonoff, resulting in their ingenious debut, “AIM AND IGNITE.” The trio melds a stunning array of diverse inspirations – spanning Broadway to The Beach Boys, “NILSSON SCHMILSSON” to “PINKERTON” – into an irresistible collection of freewheeling pop songcraft. Songs like “Benson Hedges” and “All The Pretty Girls” are fit to burst with richly prolix lyricism and intricate melodic twists and turns, which provide plenty of room for Ruess’ distinctive vocals to soar. With “AIM AND IGNITE,” Fun have crafted something special indeed, a contemporary rethinking of classic 70s pop, where ornate arrangements and inspired orchestrations meet present-day rock ‘n’ roll.” – Atlantic Records
FUN. will be playing a sold out show tonight in Portland at the Roseland Theater with opener NOW NOW. Even though the show is sold out FUN. will be returning to Portland in the Fall for another show. So if you missed them on their summer tour you had better not miss them on their next! Below are a list of tour dates for summer the Portland Fall Tour Date.
Summer Tour Dates
6/5 – Flagstaff, AZ – The Orpheum
6/6 – Santa Fe, NM – Railyard Plaza
6/8 – Oklahoma City – Diamond Ballroom
6/9 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
6/13 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe at Old National Centre
6/14 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
6/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls
6/16 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
6/17 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
6/29 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
Fall Tour Dates // Portland
8/24 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Be sure to check back here me-review.net on Thursday for tons of awesome photos and review of the FUN. show from tonight!
Oberhofer @ Spokane A Club (Review)
Every once in a while when you are doing something you truly enjoy you remember the reason you started doing it. That is exactly what happened at the Oberhofer concert at the Spokane A-Club on Wednesday April 4th. Listening to the unique melodies by lead singer Brad Oberhofer and watching the extremely energetic movements around stage reminded me why I love photographing and writing about music.
I have seen many different bands during the last two years. Many of which I have not enjoyed to much. But seeing Oberhofer reminded me why I loved photographing and writing about music. From now on I will only be covering music which is truly entertaining to me.
One of those shows that makes me excited to cover music was Oberhofer’s performance at the Spokane A-Club on Wednesday. I have been a huge fan ever since I saw them open up for Sleigh Bells last Summer. This time Oberhofer was the headliner and they had a bag full of new experiences including a full length album and a live performance on David Letterman in March. The most notable difference is the interesting combo of OoOoOooO’s and other sound. Their 90’s inspired music is some of the most energetic music I have heard in a while. It also has a quality that is actually DIFFERENT then every new band coming out today. The energy in their song is nothing compared to the energy on stage. The lead singer and master mind behind Oberhofer, Mr. Oberhofer himself, runs around on stage playing his guitar with his fingers alone like his shirt tail was on fire. Not literally but with the same charisma as if it was. Certainly the best concert I have been to this year, 2012. Be sure to pick up their debut album, Time Capsule II NOW!
Oberhofer @ Spokane A Club (Preview)
On April 4th New York city indie band Oberhofer will be hitting the stage at the Spokane A Club late at night. After playing a bunch of shows at SXSW and playing “Away From You” on Late Night with David Letterman their North American tour is heading it way closer to Spokane WA.
Drawing on influences ranging from Brian Wilson to Descartes, the 21 year old is fixated on the idea of making philosophically minded, energetic melodies that just make people smile.
“Music is this thing I just inherently do and psychologically, I have a desire to make as many people happy as possible. Music helps you think about stuff, it helps you feel, you know?”
With an unforgettable way of speaking directly from the heart, Brad Oberhofer’s songs have a pulse that form the very core of what makes Oberhofer, Oberhofer. To put it quite simply, a great Rock & Roll band.
Referring to his songwriting as “a time capsule of exactly how I’m feeling at a particular moment”, each song on his forthcoming debut, Time Capsules II, is a clear, unrestrained look inside the head of Brad Oberhofer. “Gold” is a reflection on two magical weeks spent with a first love that inadvertently initiated his musical endeavors. “Away Frm U” is an upbeat pop song about saying goodbye to that love.
North American Tour Dates
3/27 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL *
3/28 – Taylor University Student Union – Upland, IN *
3/29 – Mission Creek Festival – Iowa City, IA
3/30 – Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI *
3/31 – Maintenance Shop – Ames, IA *
4/02 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN *
4/04 – A Club – Spokane, WA *
4/05 – Sunset Tavern – Seattle, WA *
4/06 – The Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC *
4/07 – Jinx Arts Space – Bellingham, WA *
4/08 – Squeak & Squeak Music Festival – The Space – 729 Court C – Tacoma, WA
*
4/09 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR *
4/11 – Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA *
4/15 – Coachella – Indio, CA
4/22 – Coachella – Indio, CA
4/25 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO +
4/26 – Replay Lounge – Lawrence, KS +
4/27 – The Luminary Center for the Arts – St. Louis, MO +
4/28 – MOTR Pub – Cincinnati, OH +
4/29 – The Basement – Columbus, OH +
4/30 – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH +
5/01 – Andy Warhol Museum – Pittsburgh, PA +
* with Pond
# with DIVE
^ with A Place To Bury Strangers
+ with Young Man
This will be a show not to miss out on. Below is a Youtube clip of my two favorite song of theirs. If you like these then be sure to check out Oberhofer on April 4th 2012 at the Spokane A Club.
CURRE$Y & TOO $HORT @ WSU Senior Ballroom
It always a good time when Washington State University’s Student Entertainment Board puts on one of their legendary concert. Weather its selling out a 5,000 student Ludicris concert, bringing the hottest new artist, Wiz Khalifa or Big Sean, every concert is a hit. Their most recent concert with TOO SHO$RT and CURREN$Y was no exception. A co-headlining rap concert that had as much hype as the previous concerts this one was not different.
Currency hit the stage 9:30 to a room full of amped up college students who do not get to attend many concerts when they attend college in the middle of no where. CURREN$Y’s went through a number of his hit songs from his mix tapes and Pilot Talk. Skilled in his ability to shoot out a lyric and connect with the audience the show eventful. Smiling when the crowd chanted out to play his hit songs, and laughing a little saying he would get to them later in the night.
Before CURREN$Y, TOO $HORT took the stage to a enthused crowd that would have rather seen TOO $HORT as the headliner. Not allowing legend and master TOO $HORT no end the night happened only as disappointing technicality that he was booked after CURREN$Y[End Rant]. Never the less TOO $HORT was performing his best with both old material many had been listening to since they were kids and new material I had never heard before. “Whatever you do, don’t hold back” he yelled to the crowd. And they held nothing back, well maybe a little for CURREN$Y.
(PHOTO – 1-7 CURREN$Y & TOO $HORT 8)
Laters,
Logan Westom
www.loganwestom.com
Jordan Lake Album Review – Consistency
Sometimes when you listen to a CD in your car’s cd player you get tired of it after a week. After listening to Jordan Lake’s new CD I wanted to listen to it for another week.
Seattle based Indie Pop artist Jordan Lake released his second LP Consistency at the end of 2011 and is riding strong into 2012 with his new music. Jordan Lake worked on the production of Consistency along side producer Brian Fennell and Brian Eichelberger from the poplar Seattle indie band Barcelona. I had the pleasure of listening to Jordan Lake’s new LP and here is what I thought.
Opening track, As Long As It Takes, sounds much like the design of the CD. Simple nice opener. It makes for a good transition onto the records best track, The Right Time. The Right Time leads the albums as the best track on the record, with an amazing piano piece that builds up to a fast past melody full of energy. The Right Time WILL get you excited for the rest of the album. The next track, My Harmony, offers a small tasty bite of country that complements the indie pop dominance in a way that my ears enjoyed. I am not sure what is was my track four, The Truth, had amazing lyrics accompanied by a violin in the chorus that just sounded awesome. Making It Clear for me would have to be the second best track on the record for its simple guitar fill that just sounded great with lyrics in the chorus. I Promise You, musically, has the most maturity of any other song on the record along with the next track, Rekindled, in both their simple and depth qualities. I feel those two tracks back up next to each other. The final track, Her Wedding Day, was an excellent way to end the record. A nice slow interlude with great lyrics. While listening to it I thought this song would fit perfectly into a Toy Story movie during an slower interlude. With the songs quality it may make it in the Toy Story 4 soundtrack. Who knows?
iTunes Store – http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/consistency/id492714909
Rating – 4 out of 5 stars by Logan Westom/Me Review
Go Download – The Right Time
Rocks Like – The Fray, Augustana, Keane
Laters,
Logan Westom
www.loganwestom.com
Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish @ Spokane Knitting Factory
The ska rocking people from Spokane enjoyed a night full of amazing ska music from legends Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto last Wednesday night.
Opening bands Rodeo Ruby Love and Lionize opened up the night before hour long sets from both Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto. Rodeo Ruby Love brought an indie vibe with their upbeat tunes while the second act Lionize played a more soulful guitar lead music.
After the two short opening acts the night really began with the first of the co-headliners, Reel Big Fish. Old, Experience and timeless Reel Big Fish came out on stage and rocked the Kitting Factory with their humorous stage presence and personalities. Jumping in unison and spinning around Reel Big Fish had the crowd jumping so much that between sets most fans sat down during the stage set up for the next band.
Up next was the final act of the night Streetlight Manifesto. Bring a more punk rock with ska influenced music. Fronted by their horn section and then Tomas Kalnoky. Streetlight Manifesto played many of their hits including Would You Be Impressed, A Better Place, A Better Time and, We Will Fall Together. With two amazing ska bands with two different distinct sounds this show was a show no ska fan would have wanted to miss. Be sure to catch both of these bands before the end of their tour. Enjoy the photos below from the Spokane show at the Knitting Factory.
Photos below: Streetlight Manifesto (1-10), Reel Big Fish (11-16), Lionize (17), Rodeo Ruby Love (18-19).
Laters
Logan Westom
www.loganwestom.com
Streetlight Manifesto @ Spokane Knitting Factory (Preview)
11/22/11 – Huntington, NY – Paramount Theater
11/23/11 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
11/25/11 – Atlantic City, NJ – House of Blues
11/26/11 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
11/27/11 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
11/28/11 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
11/29/11 – Knoxville, TN – The Valarium
11/30/11 – Tallahassee, FL – Floyd’s Music Store
12/01/11 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
12/03/11 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
12/04/11 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
12/06/11 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Orbit Room
12/07/11 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
12/08/11 – Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
12/09/11 – Des Moines, IA – People’s Court
12/10/11 – Boulder, Co – Fox Theatre
12/11/11 – Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue
12/13/11 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory Concert House
12/14/11 – Seattle, WA – King Cat Theatre
12/15/11 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
12/16/11 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
12/17/11 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
12/18/11 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
12/20/11 – Venture, CA – Ventura Theatre
12/21/11 – Bakersfield, CA – The Dome
12/22/11 – Pomona, CA – The Fox Theater
12/23/11 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
