PDX Pop Now! WW Music Staff Picks

[July 23rd, 2008] FRIDAY, JULY 25:

The Rainy States: Like our very own Rainer Maria, the Rainy States mix meandering ’90s indie-rock guitar perfectly with sultry female vocals. Soul and rock, unite! (AGM) 6:40 pm, inside.

Sleep: Ask folks in the hip-hop community about their favorite Northwest MCs, and the name Sleep comes up a lot. Not surprising considering his dramatic beats, autobiographical rhymes and truly humble nature. I can’t wait to see the faces of the uninitiated when he goes on a devil-tongued tear. (CJ) 7:20 pm, inside.

Dykeritz: Jordan Blum’s experimental-pop rides high aloft whimsical organ, surreal lyrics and hooks galore, most recently on super-fine summer album Rearrangerologyistics. (AGM) 9:25 pm, outside.

SATURDAY, JULY 26:

Y La Bamba: Often flanked by a belly dancer (!) onstage, Y La Bamba sings in both English and Spanish; no matter the language, her rich voice (like a female Nick Drake or Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon) makes a beeline to the heart. (MM) 2:35 pm, inside.

Andy Combs and the Moth: Like a banjo-toting hobo leading a band of gremlins, Combs’ foot-stomping creep-folk joyfully recalls Isaac Brock’s Ugly Casanova project. (AGM) 3:25 pm, inside.

Eskimo and Sons: When surrounded by an ever-expanding band (now including a full horn section!), the voice of Danielle Sullivan and words of Dhani Rosa get really, really pretty. And E&S’s cover of Wings’ “Let ’Em In” is totally epic. (CJ) 6:15 pm, inside.

Nurses: With layered vocals that waver between weathered and near-lullaby set to a rich helping of keys, Nurses’ surreal, haunting pop is just as eerie as it is inviting. (NMC) 8:20 pm, outside.

Blind Pilot: Israel Nebeker’s personal lyrics and incredible, jazz-influenced voice—over bold horns, sweeping strings and lively percussion—are nothing short of moving. (CJ) 9 pm, outside.

Atole: It’s not often a live band inspires rocking and dancing, but Atole’s hypnotic electro grooves do just that. (AGM) 11:45 pm, inside.

Starfucker: Josh Hodges and company peddle rhythm-based amusement-park pop with the help of, well, lots of pedals. It’s catchy enough to get you dancing and sufficiently repetitive to have you singing along in seconds. (NMC) 12:25 am, inside.

SUNDAY, JULY 27:

World’s Greatest Ghosts: New Wave synths meet shout-along lyrics about D&D and dinosaurs. What’s not to love? (AGM) 12:40 pm, outside.

Meth Teeth: Lucky for us, Meth Teeth’s sonic renderings are much more enjoyable than the visions its name brings to mind. The trio creates an experimental pow-wow of sound by weaving rhythm and melody through thumping distortion. (NMC) 1:20 pm, outside.

Mattress: Heavy electro beats collide with Rex Marshall’s soulful croon, making Mattress something akin to Nick Cave covering Suicide’s “Cheree.” Those hesitant about the whole one-man-band shtick—get ready to lose your mind. (MM) 3:25 pm, inside.

Pure Country Gold: PDX Pop Now! is a revelation in variety, but this year is slightly absent of pure rawk moments; fortunately, that’s all Pure Country Gold knows how to do. (MM) 8:20 pm, outside.

Eat Skull: Noise! Pop! Noisy pop! Eat Skull makes grime catchy. Times New Viking/GBV followers, take note. (AGM) 9 pm, outside.

White Fang: What happens when Neverland crosses into reality? You get a sizable group of boys armed with three-drum kits, cabasas, a conga drum and a well-used (by them) mosh pit. The carefree, shouty anthems of White Fang echo the spirit of its shambolic sets—which are like Pop Rocks for your soul. (NMC) 9:40 pm, outside.

The Warfield Experience: Once a timid karaoke singer, R&B/soul maven Warfield now owns the stage, and the Experience gives her plenty to throw that smooth ’n’ hefty voice at. (AGM). 10:25 pm, inside.

Sandpeople: Portland’s best hip-hop group also happens to be its biggest, but don’t expect any of the 10-member Sandpeople crew to phone it in. No hype men here—just a bunch of dope MCs rhyming over some of the city’s sickest beats. (MM) 11:15 pm, inside.

Norfolk & Western: Quiet folk-cum-orchestral noise folk-cum-straight-up rock band Norfolk & Western is currently following a more straightforward four-piece muse. The result is a perfect arena for Adam Selzer’s wailing, antique-distorted guitar and Rachel Blumberg’s light ’n’ fast touch on the drums. (AGM) 11:45 pm, inside.