My friend, Ryan, recently introduced me to the Muxtape via his blog (you can check it out here: http://www.petmarmoset.net/blog/; he also has a great selection of Muxtapes up there that I can't recommend enough). While I'm sure there are multiple concepts online similar to this one, Muxtape gains a little cred by recently having Portland band Menomena release a series of b-sides and other unreleased songs through the site (menomena.muxtape.com).
I decided to spend some time this evening uploading a few tracks for my own Mux-mix. Of course, I focused on a few of the local bands that I'm listening to at this time, as well as a b-side from a more well known band that blows me away every time I hear it. I'm sure the local musicians would appreciate you taking a listen to their tunes and taking a further look at their music if you really dig 'em.
http://justinroyce.muxtape.com/
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Cost Of Gas On Independent Musicians
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080622/ap_en_mu/touring_on_empty
Found this article to be an interesting read. Lately, many of the local artists that I have talked with have mentioned this problem. Intervision is cutting down their summer tour this year to focus more on local shows due to high gas prices. Oh Darling mentioned that diesel in California was close to $5 a gallon, making travel to Los Angeles difficult. And Ehren Ebbage of The Dimes only plays the band's larger shows to cut on gas costs as he lives 2 hours away from the rest of the band in Eugene. Not to mention all of the fans that have cut down on the number of shows they go to due to rising cost of gas (guess I did just mention it).
Bringing this topic close to home, the article features local label, Dirtnap Records, as well as Bottom of the Hill, a venue that The Heavenly States frequent.
Found this article to be an interesting read. Lately, many of the local artists that I have talked with have mentioned this problem. Intervision is cutting down their summer tour this year to focus more on local shows due to high gas prices. Oh Darling mentioned that diesel in California was close to $5 a gallon, making travel to Los Angeles difficult. And Ehren Ebbage of The Dimes only plays the band's larger shows to cut on gas costs as he lives 2 hours away from the rest of the band in Eugene. Not to mention all of the fans that have cut down on the number of shows they go to due to rising cost of gas (guess I did just mention it).
Bringing this topic close to home, the article features local label, Dirtnap Records, as well as Bottom of the Hill, a venue that The Heavenly States frequent.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Disappointment, Then Redemption!
As much as I love my DVR (perfect for repeated viewings of Lost), I find myself incredibly frustrated when a TV program runs over its regularly scheduled time and the DVR cuts off the last few minutes of a show. As mentioned previously, Scott McCaughey debuted his new band, The Baseball Project, on Letterman last night. Gears and I had the opportunity to hang out with Scott at the Doug Fir back in April and it's been cool to see him pop up all over the place as his other band, REM, promotes their new record. I tried to stay awake to watch, however the busy week insured that as soon as I lay down, I was out for good. I awoke this morning, turned on the tellie, and forwarded through Letterman's usual schtick (Will It Float? yet again?) to get to the performance. Of course, the performance started with 2 minutes left on the recording, meaning it cut out about halfway through.
Garr!!! (Yes, I make pirate noises when I'm upset.)
Thankfully, some nice fella, or damsel, was kind enough to post the performance on YouTube. Not sure how long it will be up before CBS takes it off, but here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2RNfhhlY-Y. Oh yeah, that IS Peter Buck from REM playing bass. Very cool, even if I can't stand baseball.
Garr!!! (Yes, I make pirate noises when I'm upset.)
Thankfully, some nice fella, or damsel, was kind enough to post the performance on YouTube. Not sure how long it will be up before CBS takes it off, but here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2RNfhhlY-Y. Oh yeah, that IS Peter Buck from REM playing bass. Very cool, even if I can't stand baseball.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Scott McCaughey on Letterman
Friend of Northwest Noise Scott McCaughey (REM, The Minus 5) will debut his new side project, The Baseball Project, tonight (June 20th) on Letterman. Check it out if you're home early tonight, or Tivo it and watch it tomorrow morn.
You can check out Scott's interview with Northwest Noise at http://www.northwestnoise.com/interviews/scott-mccaughey-interview
You can check out Scott's interview with Northwest Noise at http://www.northwestnoise.com/interviews/scott-mccaughey-interview
Intervision at Jimmy Mak's
Intervision will perform this Saturday night, June 21st, at Jimmy Mak’s in the Pearl (10th and Everett) at 10PM. Evoking the styles of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, and Jamiroquai, the show is sure to be a funky good time. Lead singer, Paul Creighton, is also featured on friend of Northwest Noise Debra Arlyn’s new cd Tomorrow Another Day (see CD review here: http://www.northwestnoise.com/reviews/debra-arlyn-tomorrow-another-day). Cover is $10.
Northwest Noise will be at the show, interviewing the band beforehand for a future podcast, as well as checking out the tunes. Stop on by for a rockin’ good time (be sure to arrive early, Jimmy Mak’s fills up quickly).
Check them out at www.myspace.com/intervision
Northwest Noise will be at the show, interviewing the band beforehand for a future podcast, as well as checking out the tunes. Stop on by for a rockin’ good time (be sure to arrive early, Jimmy Mak’s fills up quickly).
Check them out at www.myspace.com/intervision
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Oh Darling is Nice Nice
Northwest Noise had the opportunity to interview Portland band Oh Darling this past Sunday before their show at the Doug Fir Lounge.
Oh Darling features the lovely Jasmine Ash (who is so cute I just want to pick her up and put her in my pocket) on vocals and keys, J. Marie on bass and fashion, and Daven rockin’ the guitar, which he had to learn to join the band. Jake from the band Jonah fills in on the skins and adds plenty of enthusiasm and on-stage theatrics to the group.
The band’s first full-length album, Nice Nice, is officially out in Mid-August, but is available at their shows now. I have not been able to stop listening to the album since I received a copy a week ago. I was a fan of Jasmine’s solo stuff (“Fall – Hidden Fortress Remix” being one of my favorite tracks from last year), but have been pleasantly surprised by the dynamic a full group adds to her vocals. The songs on Nice Nice are exceptional and act as further proof that the Portland music scene is chock full of talent.
You can hear the full audio interview at http://www.northwestnoise.com/podcasts/the-oh-darling-interview.
Oh Darling features the lovely Jasmine Ash (who is so cute I just want to pick her up and put her in my pocket) on vocals and keys, J. Marie on bass and fashion, and Daven rockin’ the guitar, which he had to learn to join the band. Jake from the band Jonah fills in on the skins and adds plenty of enthusiasm and on-stage theatrics to the group.
The band’s first full-length album, Nice Nice, is officially out in Mid-August, but is available at their shows now. I have not been able to stop listening to the album since I received a copy a week ago. I was a fan of Jasmine’s solo stuff (“Fall – Hidden Fortress Remix” being one of my favorite tracks from last year), but have been pleasantly surprised by the dynamic a full group adds to her vocals. The songs on Nice Nice are exceptional and act as further proof that the Portland music scene is chock full of talent.
You can hear the full audio interview at http://www.northwestnoise.com/podcasts/the-oh-darling-interview.
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