Ehren Ebbage Interview And Album Review

Anyone who I have a had a conversation about music with in the past few months has heard me mention Ehren Ebbage. Ehren is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter that just released his debut full-length album Ten Cent Souvenir. He also just happens to be a member of my favorite Portland band, The Dimes. Before that, he was in Justin King's band, my favorite Eugene artist.


A couple of weeks ago I finally had the opportunity to interview Ehren at the Doug Fir with Gears and Leslie. We discussed his new album, his time with The Dimes, his experience with Epic Records, and his other band, The Floydian Slips. Johnny Clay of The Dimes also joined us to ask his band mate a couple of questions. The interview can be found on the Northwest Noise page at http://www.northwestnoise.com/interviews/ehren-ebbage-interview.

Leslie also reviewed Ten Cent Souvenir for the website. However, I have to say that I disagree with her on the song "Snakes," which happens to be one of my favorite tracks on the album. It's a beautiful track and I love the honestly in Ehren's voice. It's her first review for the site, so I can't give her too hard a time about it. :) http://www.northwestnoise.com/reviews/ehren-ebbage-ten-cent-souvenir

Ehren plays regular solo gigs at the Alberta St. Pub and the Buffalo Gap. If you haven't seen him yet, do yourself a big favor and check him out. He is also an active blogger and writes about his experiences as a struggling musician. The link is to the right in the "Respect" column, or you can link to it here: http://ehrenwords.blogspot.com/.

Brandon Chandler & The Revival

While at the Debra Arlyn show at the Doug Fir this past week, I had the opportunity to meet another talented musician, Mr. Brandon Chandler of Brandon Chandler & The Revival.

Gears actually bumped into Brandon in the bathroom of the Doug Fir and convinced him to meet the rest of the Noise Boys. That certainly brings a lot of concern for Mr. Chandler's decision making abilities, but he had just given an amazing performance, so I decided to let it slide, this time.

Brandon Chandler & The Revival reminded me a lot of Jason Mraz, only with a lot more soul (and a lot less annoying, IMO). I really enjoyed his set, as well as the tracks he has posted on MySpace. He is in the process of recording his second album, to be released later this year. In the meantime, his first album is available on iTunes and CDBaby and his song "Until The Whiskey Wears Off" can be found on the just released Kink FM Plug In Portland Local CD Sampler.

NW Noise plans to interview this talented artist upon the release of his second album, but you can check out some of his tunes now at http://www.myspace.com/brandonchandler.

I Bet I Could Get Petey To Do That

He already eats my books and my baseboards. Adorable.

Plug In Portland, Where Everyone Is In A Band

This week, Kink FM released their Plug In Portland Local CD Sampler and I have to say I am pretty excited about the track selection. Many of my favorite local bands are included on the CD, including The Dimes, Intervision, Oh Darling, Jasmine Ash, and Brandon Chandler, who I had the pleasure of meeting last night at Debra Arlyn's show at the Doug Fir.


The track list is as follows:

1. The Dimes * Paul Kern Can't Sleep
2. Dirty Martini * Waiting for Magic
3. Intervision * All I'm Thinkin About
4. Courtney Jones * Awake & Dreaming
5. Justin Klump * No More Decembers
6. Amelia * The Great Escape
7. Echo Heltrom * Davy Jones
8. Jasmine Ash * Fall (Hidden Fortress Remix)
9. Brandon Chandler * Until the Whiskey Wears Off
10. Breanna Paletta * Follow Me Home
11. Derby * All or Nothing
12. Julia Dawn * Beautiful Lie
13. Jacob Merlin * Donut
14. Oh Darling * Blind Spot
15. Stephen Ashbrook * 21 Young
16. Beth Willis * Nothing
17. Throwback Suburbia * Circles
18. Alex Arrowsmith * The Zaps
19. Lindsey Pool * Conversation
20. Cronin Tierney * Burning Bridges

The CD is available at no charge at all Kink FM events this summer, including Noon Tunes, Bridgeport Village Concert Series, and Kink Friday Early Escape Cruise (I will be picking up my copy when The Dimes play Bridgeport Village at the end of the month). Burgerville restaurants will also carry the CD starting next week, however I believe there will be a charge involved for those copies.

In other local music news, MTV gave Portland some love earlier this week when they ran a segment on the local music scene this week. As Mr. Wines noted in his blog, the news clip seems to focus on a certain niche within the Portland music scene, not entirely reflecting the immense musical talent we have in our fair city (http://www.petmarmoset.net/blog/2008/07/17/mtv-news-everyone-in-portland-is-in-a-band/). Anyone involved in local music scene knows there is much more to the Rose City than pop punk for jaded teenagers. Of course, MTV has been more focused on promoting Heidi and Spencer of The Hills than promoting actual music for a few years now, so I suppose I should be happy that they gave some local bands any attention at all. Though I would have loved to see some of my favorite local bands get some love as well.

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

All Of The Hard Work Is About To Pay Off

For the past few weeks, the boys of Northwest Noise have been working diligently on a new project, our first CD release, a live album from the lovely Ms. Debra Arlyn recorded last December at the Doug Fir Lounge during the NW Girls Make Noise show.

To say the album has been a huge undertaking would be quite the understatement. However, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and we are very excited to have this project available to everyone.

Debra Arlyn Live At The Doug Fir will be released this Friday. The initial run will be a limited edition release with each CD personally autographed by the 2008 Portland Female Artist of the Year winner herself. The album features tracks from all three of Debra's albums, as well as two covers, "Too Good To Be True" and "I Want You Back." Those of you at last Decemeber's show know that this was a truly memorable performance; Debra showcased exactly why she is one of the top live acts in the Northwest.

Debra Arlyn and her band are joined at the Doug Fir on Friday, July 18th by Scott Fisher & 1AM Approach and Brandon Chandler & The Revival. Show starts at 9PM and tickets are $15 ($12 if purchased in advance). The NW Noise Boys will be at the show with the new album, so stop by and join the party, complete with air conditioning, tasty beverages, and great local music.

At What Point Is It Considered "Obsessed"?

Saw The Dimes twice this past weekend. Two times in less than 24 hours. Once Friday at 9:30PM, then again Saturday at 4:30PM. I'm not ashamed to admit it, though I'm convinced the guys think that I'm stalking them ("Oh hey, it's you... again..."). I've seen them close to a couple dozen times in the last year and they have quickly became my favorite Portland band. The new music they are working on is incredible. Standout tracks for me include "Paul Revere", "Clara Barton", and "Evangeline". I wonder how I can obtain some of the new music. I'm not sure if I can wait until their new album is released, though the guys were nice enough to tide their fans over with an EP in April. Unfortunately, I'm an impatient person and the EP just fueled the fire even more for my need for the new tunes.

The Dimes played at the Doug Fir on Friday night. My favorite Portland band, my favorite Portland venue, double bonus for me. After enjoying a juicy Fir burger (I do mean that literally, and not as the obvious double entendre), I headed to the green room with Gears and Leslie to interview the newest addition to the band, Mr. Ehren Ebbage.


I've been a fan of Ehren's for awhile, since he was the guitarist in Justin King's band. He recently released his debut full-length album, Ten Cent Souvenir. I've really been digging the album the more I listen to it. I recommend checking it out. It's not flashy; it doesn't stand out right away. But it rewards repeated listening. Ehren is an exceptional story-teller in his songs and it's been very cool to get to know this talented musician over the last few months.

Johnny Clay of The Dimes joined us for a new segment that Gears and I refer to as "Hot Artist On Artist Action". You'll have to listen to the interview to get the scoop on that. It is hot action though; that's all I can say. I'll post a link to the interview as soon as it is up on NW Noise.


The Dimes are playing Bridgeport Village's Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 31st. I was really impressed with the concert series when I checked out Intervision there last Thursday. In addition to being a free show with some of the area's best talent, there's plenty of free sample food and drink to enjoy from the mall's vendors. Show starts at 6:30 and goes until 8:30PM. You know I'll be there. I'll be the guy the band is desperately trying not to make eye contact with.

My Dearest Lisa

I know you were at the local Barnes and Noble this weekend promoting your cd of children's music. I wanted to be there. I was planning on it. Alas, something came up and I was unable to attend. I'm sure you understand, being a fellow bunny lover. In the end, it was probably for the best. Might have seemed a little creepy to have me hanging around while you sing songs to the kids. I promise next time you are in town, we will meet up.

Love,
Justin

Justin Royce: SECRETS!

1. I throw away pennies. I hate them. HATE THEM!

2. I can't blow bubbles with my gum. I've tried, I can't.

3. I like John Mayer. I just do.

4. Touching foam makes me cringe. Not styrofoam, but soft foam, like they use in bed mats. Just thinking about it makes my hair stand on end.

5. As much as I piss and moan about my ex leaving me with the bunny, I really, REALLY love the little guy.

Boo to Sprint

Sprint has been a constant thorn in my side since I switched to them as my cell phone provider (thanks for setting me up with them, Krake!). I have had multiple problems with them, as has my roommate and just about everyone else I know that is a customer of theirs.

That said, my phone is not working, yet again. Please message or IM me if you need to get a hold of me and I will give you an alternate cell number to call (don't want my internet stalkers to track me down, otherwise I'd just post it).

Weekend Music June 10-11, 2008

It's another busy weekend of music as two of my favorite local bands are playing shows in the Portland area.

First up, Intervision, laying the funk in your ear holes at a free show at Bridgeport Village on Thursday, July 10th at 6:30PM. It's forecasted to be a sunny day for this show, making it a nice way to spend a summer's eve. Bonus, you can pick yourself up a new Rubbermaid storage bin at The Container Store while you are there.

Photo by Shawn St. Peter

The Dimes rock it at the Doug Fir on Friday, July 11th at 9PM. The Dimes are previewing songs from their in-the-works second album, focusing on the people and history of Boston. The new material ranks among their strongest work yet (my review of a recent show featuring the new songs: http://www.northwestnoise.com/reviews/the-dimes-bring-new-england-to-mississippi-studios). Gears, Leslie (new addition to NW Noise), and I will be interviewing Dimes guitarist and solo artist, Ehren Ebbage, before the show. I've been a fan of Ehren's since he played in Justin King's band and have got to know him over the past few months. The guy is a class act and I'm looking forward to rapping with him this weekend. His new solo album, Ten Cent Souvenir, is a delicious slice of Americana. Bay Area band The Mother Hips also plays. Tickets are $15.

Photo by Dave Getzschman

Support local music.

Intervision Audio Interview

Gears and I had the pleasure of sitting down with the front man of one of our favorite bands, Mr. Paul Creighton of Intervision, a couple of weeks ago before his band's show at Jimmy Mak's. I met Paul a couple of months before in Corvallis where he proved himself to be a scholar and a gentleman. Of course, he completely erased all of that during this interview, but he provided us with multiple laughs throughout the evening.

You can check out the debauchery at:
http://www.northwestnoise.com/interviews/intervision-interview

Intervision's funky good-time music can be found at:
http://www.intervisionmusic.com/

Please note, I did not involve myself in the "Debra-Arlyn-is-a-skank" discussion. Debra is a tall woman with a big voice and I am smart enough to not piss that girl off :)

NW Girls Make Noise Live CD

NW Noise is releasing its first cd, a live album from Debra Arlyn and her band recorded last December at the Doug Fir. Of the couple dozen Debra shows I've been to in the last few years, this one sticks out in my mind, not just because NW Noise was hosting the show, but because this performance truly shows Ms. Arlyn as one of the top live acts in the Northwest and why she won the Portland Music Award for Best Female Artist. Please mark your calendars and plan on being at the cd release and concert on July 18th.

The lovely Ms. Debra Arlyn was kind enough to send this out to her mailing list this evening. I was gonna post all this later, but since Debra did all the work for me already, I'll just copy and paste what she wrote.

"A question I often get after a live show is, "Can I get that song on CD?" And regrettably there are a few tunes we perform live that have yet to be recorded...until now!

Thanks to our lovely friends at NW Noise.com, we are releasing limited copies of, 'Debra Arlyn Live at The Doug Fir!'

The live CD will have 10 tracks, including some songs that have never been recorded before, and a few of our favorite covers. The CD was recorded at our previous show at The Doug Fir last year...and will be available for the first time at our next show...JULY 18TH @ THE DOUG FIR!

As I mentioned...there will be limited copies available, so plan on getting a copy on July 18th!

Once again, details for the show:
FRIDAY, JULY 18TH The Doug Fir(830 E Burnside, Portland)
Tickets:$12 advance/ $15 at door
To buy tickets go here:
http://www.dougfirlounge.com/
or here...
http://ticketswest.rdln/. com/Venue.aspx?ven=DFL
Set times:
9pm: Brandon Chandler & The Revival
9:45pm: Debra Arlyn & Band
11pm: Scott Fisher & 1am Approach

We're very excited for our return to the Doug Fir...and to have this live cd available for you! See you on the 18th ;)

Have a great & safe 4th of July!

Debra ;)

http://www.debraarlyn.com/
www.myspace.com/debraarlyn
www.cdbaby.com/debraarlyn3"