.
New
Sounds
Keeper,
+/- and Larkin originals
BY
VANESSA SALVIA
 |
| Vivian's
Keeper plays Paradiso on Saturday. |
Leila, Adam and Joanna. Drums, guitar and bass, keyboards,
harmonica and lead and backing vocals. Put in one practice space and
you have the makings of Vivian's Keeper,
one of Portland's favorite rock and folk trios. I spoke to the three
recently to find out more about their most recent release, Solid
Ground.
Keyboardist Joanna Agee and bassist/guitarist Adam Bentley
began as "a coffee-house duo" in autumn of 1996, and continued "in various
different guises since then," says Bentley. The current lineup with
Leila Chieko has been together for two years.
Chieko's name might be familiar to followers of the
Eugene scene, as she was the former bassist for hippie rock group Mamalovdus.
When asked why Chieko forfeited Eugene's community for the relative
obscurity of Portland, Bentley and Agee chimed in with a collective
"We did!"
Chieko goes on to say, "I wanted a bigger music scene,
and at the time I wanted to pursue my own solo project, which I did."
Now, she's devoted herself to her fellow musicians in Vivian's Keeper.
Solid Ground is Vivian's Keeper's third recording,
and the first with Chieko. Bentley explains, "It found us in a much
darker place than our previous releases, so though our music is quite
lush and poppy, the subject matter is quite dark." The music was born
out of what Bentley calls "a hell of a year" that found the band dealing
with "a lot of personal crises, and that's what we wrote about."
Agee concurs and adds, "It's quite different musically
from the two albums which came before, which were decidedly in the folk
realm, and in the last couple of years, especially with Leila joining
the band the sound has really changed a lot."
One thing Chieko brings to the band, in addition to
harmonizing on back-up vocals, is a more powerful, driving drum presence,
which adds drama and depth to the newer songs. The band has also added
keyboards to the mix, which Agee explains takes the band into a more
pop realm, although in her opinion, "folk still really informs the songwriting."
Though Solid Ground was released four months
ago, Café Paradiso's Saturday show marks the band's Eugene CD release
party.
NYC via Detroit band +/- (pronounced plus/minus)
was created in 2001 to be a vehicle for the songs of Versus guitarist
James Baluyut. In 2002 Teenbeat Records released Self-Titled Long
Playing Debut Album, on which Baluyut played and recorded nearly
everything himself under the +/- moniker.
It wasn't long before Baluyut enlisted Versus member
Patrick Ramos on guitar and vocals and drummer Chris Deaner, formerly
of Austin's the Damnations. That lineup toured and recorded the EP Holding
Patterns, then recruited bassist Tony Zanella (of True Love Always)
for their newest full length, You Are Here.
The CD shows the band really meshing after lots of practice
playing together. They haven't forgotten their techniques of combining
live and sampled drum beats, swirling guitars à la Pavement with
electronic sound loops à la Postal Service, and gauzy folk ballads
with an indie rock aesthetic. +/ will perform Saturday at Eugene's Indigo
District.
Another Café Paradiso show which is sure to be
a big draw is the Patty Larkin
one on Monday, March 1. An accomplished acoustic guitarist, singer and
songwriter, Larkin was born in Iowa but raised in Milwaukee.
She attended the UO, where she earned a degree in English
literature, then headed east to Berklee College of Music. That sent
her on the path to musical discovery, and she has released numerous
CDs on Rounder/Philo Records, Windham Hill and Vanguard. She has released
Red=Luck, a CD encompassing many of the dichotomies Larkin sees
in the world: modal folk meets brooding ambient noise, joyous pop meets
somber reflection, playful eroticism meets naked soul-searching, Middle
Eastern scales meets R&B.
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS BAR
999 WILLAMETTE ST. 484-4011
SA: Incognito--8; Jazz
BEANERY All Ages
152 W. 5TH AVE. 342-3378
TH: Richie G and Michael Kevin Daly--7
FR: Stevie Barsotti--7; Shamanic folk
SA: Tom's Kitchen--7
BLACK FOREST
50 E. 11TH ST. 686-6619
TH: Sad Bastards Night--9:30; Acoustic
FR: Silas--9:30; Rock
SA: Big B & The Goods, Funktifyno, On
the First Day... They Were Kittens--9:30; Rock
SU: Open Mic w/Pete Christie--9:30
MO: $1000 Karaoke Competition w/DJ Jared--9:30
TU: Jamie Mishley--9:30; Acoustic
WE: Norman Mesman--9:30; Flamenco
THE BUZZ COFFEEHOUSE
EMU, UO 346-0408
FR: Eclectic Open Mic--8
MO: Poetry Open Mic--9
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY 484-9933
TH: Robin & Linda Williams--8; Bluegrass,
folk, acoustic
SA: Vivian's Keeper CD Release Party--9
COFFEE GROVE COOPERATIVE
510 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GR. 942-8847
FR: Donovan Keith--7; Original guitar stylings,
Open Mic w/Ron O'Keefe and Friends--8
SA: "Rainbow Bird" Rob Murtaugh--8; Native American
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All
Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARLENTON ST. 338-9333
TH: Coastal Steamer, Robin Devour--7:30; Jazz
FR: Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene--8
SA: Montage, Eleven Eyes--8
SU: Readin' in the Rain Costume Ball--4
TU: Paul Prince, Wongai--7:30
WE: Engreyed--9
DIABLO'S
959 PEARL ST. 683-3855
TH: Thirsty Thursday w/Jon Smith--10
FR: Big Beats w/Dinari, Supa J--10; Hip hop, requests
SA: House Nite w/Howie, Anmar--10
THE DIVE BAR & GRILL
844 OLIVE ST. 345-8489
TH: Amish Love Child--9; Refreshing indie pop
FR: Trio Grande--10
SA: Moksha--10; Brazilian hip hop
SU: Open Jam w/Silas--8:30
MO: Karaoke--9
TU: Paul Paydos--8:30; Eclectic
DOWNTOWN LOUNGE
959 PEARL ST. 343-2346
TH: Devil Bros—10; R&B, funk
FR: Funktifyno, Ichele and the Circle of Light--10;
Funk, reggae
SA: Illamental w/MC Madjestic, DJ Dinari--10;
Hip hop
SU: Service Industry Night--9
MO: Monster Truck Monday w/DJs Diablo, Mayhem--9;
Punk, butt rock
TU: West Coast Swing--7, Kenny Reed and Stone
Cold Jazz--10
WE: Cheapskate Wed. w/ DJ Gen. Eric & guests--10;
Hip hop
DUCK INN
1795 W. 6TH AVE. 342-5729
TH: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--9
SA: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--9
EMBERS SUPPER CLUB
1811 HWY. 99 N. 688-6564
TH: Billy McCoy—9; Country
FR: Michael Anderson Trio—9; Variety, country
SA: Michael Anderson Trio—9; Variety, country
FOOLSCAP BOOKS
780 BLAIR BLVD. 681-9212
SA: The Maybe Happening CD Release Party--9
FOOL'S PARADISE
460 WILLAMETTE 338-9733
SA: Al Rivers--8; Acoustic, blues, folk
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. 484-7181
TU: Rooster's Blues Jam--8
INDIGO DISTRICT
13TH AVENUE & OAK STREET 434-6553
SA: +/- (plus minus)--10:30; Indie rock
WE: Lick--9; Glam rock, electro, dance
JAKE'S PLACE
605 W. 19TH AVE. 431-0513
SU: Norman Mesman--10 am; Classical flamenco
JIMMY MAC'S OVERTIME GRILL
770 S. BERTELSEN 342-5028
TH: Westside Blues Jam--8
FR: The Valley Boys--8
 |
| SKIP
JONES PLAYS JO FEDERIGO'S SATURDAY. |
JO FEDERIGO'S
259 E. 5TH AVE. 343-8488
TH: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam Session--9
FR: Olem Alves Funk Band--9
SA: Skip Jones--9
SU: Mark Alan--9
MO: Open Mic--8, Skip Jones on the Hammond Organ--10
JOGGER'S BAR & GRILL
710 WILLAMETTE ST. 343-0224
TH:Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
FR: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
TU: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
WE: Karaoke w/DJ Bond--10
JOHN HENRY'S
77 W. BROADWAY 342-3358
TH: 80s Night w/Chris, Jenn and John--10
FR: Mystery Show--10
SA: DJ Tekneek, DJ Kal El--10; Hip hop,
funk, R&B, dance hall
SU: John Henry's Broadway Review--10; Burlesque,
variety
MO: Better Than You Part III--10
TU: Bob Log III, The Shudders, Hillstomp--9
WE: Wayne "the Train" Hancock, The Whopner County
Country All-Stars--6
THE JUNGLE
23 W. 6TH AVE. 434-1111
FR: DJ George the Mixologist--9:30; Dance
favorites
SA: DJ George the Mixologist--9:30; Coast-to-coast
hip hop
KELYNSKI'S SPORTS PUB
1712 IVY ST., JUNCTION CITY 998-5688
TH: Karaoke w/Clydester--7
FR: Karaoke w/Clydester--7
SA: Karaoke w/Clydester--7
SU: Karaoke w/Clydester--5
WE: Open Mic--6 pm
LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO
5TH ST. PUBLIC MARKET 338-9875
FR: Jenny Payne--5; Jazz
SA: Gus Russell--5; Jazz
LONE STAR BAR AND GRILL
I-5 AT COBURG 686-8686
TH: Girls get wild--9; DJ dancing
FR: Guys get wild--9; DJ dancing
SA: Karaoke--9
WE: Coyote Ugly--8
LUCKEY'S CLUB CIGAR
933 OLIVE ST. 687-4643
TH: Savitri, The Champagne Syndicate--10; Jammy
funk rock, original funky soul
FR: Los Mex Pistols, Deke Falcon, Ed Cole and
the College Girls of Tora Bora--10; Rock
SA: Syrius Jones and guest--10; Pop
 |
| THE
RAVENTONES PLAY LUNA THURSDAY. |
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY 434-5862
TH: The Raventones--8:30; Exploratory acoustic
FR: Justin King--8:30; Amazing acoustic guitar
SA: Erik Muiderman--6:30; Singer/songwriter, Dave
Fleschner Trio--9; Jazz piano
MAC'S AT THE VET'S CLUB
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
TH: Christie & McCallum--9; Honky tonk,
rock
FR: The U-Gene Band--9:30
SA: Paul Biondi, Peter Giri Project--9:30
MCDONALD THEATRE
1010 WILLAMETTE ST.
TH: The Wailers--8
MULLIGAN'S PUB
2841 WILLAMETTE 484-2717
FR: Bobby Six Crows and de Riggin' Warriors—9;
Logger rock
THE O BAR
155 COMMONS WAY 349-0707
TH: Thirsty Thursdays: DJ Johnny--9;
Hip hop, dance
TU: Karaoke w/Jared--9
OREGON ELECTRIC STATION
27 E. 5TH 485-4444
FR: Don Latarski Trio—8; Jazz
SA: Don Latarski Trio—8; Jazz
PEABODY'S
444 E. 3RD AVE. 484-2927
TH: Timothy Patrick--8; Eclectic acoustic, comedy
FR: John Crider--8; Piano bar
SA: Kenny Reed & Stone Cold Jazz--8
MO: Peabody's Jam Night w/Kenny Reed
TU: Dan Henson--8
WE: John Crider--8; Piano bar
PERUGINO
767 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-9102
WE: Irish Jam--7; Celtic
PLANET GOLOKA All Ages
679 LINCOLN ST. 465-4555
TH: Spiritual film--6:30
FR: Blue Road Band--7
SA: Hare Krishna Chanting and Dinner--6:30; Ritual
PRIME TIME SPORTS BAR
1360 MOHAWK RD. 746-0549
SU: Karaoke w/Donny--9
 |
| THE
CHEESEBURGERS PLAY QUACKER'S SATURDAY. |
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
SA: The Cheeseburgers CD Release Party--9;
Caribbean rock
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Quacker's Blues Bash—8:30; Blues jam
RAMADA INN
225 COBURG 342-5181
FR: Go 2-11--9:15
SA: Go 2-11--9:15
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR 431-6603
TH: Barbara Healy and Tim Danforth--9; Acoustic
duo
FR: Satya Yuga CD Release--9:30; Jam
SA: The Ovulators--9:30; Rock
SU: Bingo w/Tom Heinl--9
MO: Brian Patrick--9; Acoustic
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: The Cascade Colonels, The Duhks--9; Bluegrass
SAMURAI DUCK
980 OAK ST. 345-6577
TH: John Brody's Illegitimate Children, The Burp-ups,
Angry Foreign Roommate--9:30; Punk, experimental
FR: Crimes of Ambition, Subside, Hollowman, Love=Death--9:30;
Punk, rock
SA: Big Bubba, Blasphemous Abnormality, Whore,
Bitter End--9:30; Metal, punk
SU: Tales from the Crate w/DJs Cade, F-Minus,
C-4--10; Open mic, freestyle hip hop
TU: Comedy Night w/Arlo--9:30
WE: Ladies Night w/Demons, Sawyer Family--9:30
SAM'S PLACE
825 WILSON ST. 484-4455
SA: Karaoke w/Cathy--8
SWEETWATER'S
VALLEY RIVER INN 687-0123
TH: Vanness Express--8:30; Classic and country
rock
FR: Vanness Express--8:30; Classic and country
rock
SA: Brian Chevalier and his Electric Blues Band--8:30;
Chicago-style blues, swing
THE TANGO CENTER
194 W. BROADWAY. 349-8682
FR: Introduction Tango Lesson and Dance w/ Evan
Griffith's Tango Combo--8
SA: Introduction Tango Lesson and Dance w/ Mood
Area 52--8
TAP 'N' KEG
1704 MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE 942-8713
TH: DJ Rick--9
FR: DJ Rick--9:30
SA: DJ Rick--9:30
WE: DJ Rick--9
TSUNAMI BOOKS All Ages
2585 WILLAMETTE 345-8986
SA: Rob Tobias w/Maxxine and Friends--5
 |
| THE
SUICIDE GIRLS PERFORM AT WOW HALL WEDNESDAY. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. 687-2746
FR: Portland Showcase w/The Motive, Life
At These Speeds, Jonny X and the Groadies, Pseudosix--8:30; Rock
SA: Deerhoof, The Papercuts--8:30; Indie rock
SU: Sage Francis & Joe Beats,
Grand Buffet, Mac Lethal, The Gimme Fund, Macromatics--8:30; Hip hop
MO: The Locust, The Plot to Blow Up the
Eiffel Tower, YOB, Ned--8:30; Metal
WE: The Suicide Girls Burlesque Tour w/Bloom--8:30;
Dance, punk
YUKON JACK'S
4TH AND W. BRDWY., VENETA 935-1921
FR: MoFessor--9
SA: MoFessor--9
CORVALLIS
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. 753-8533
FR: EGO Machine--10
SA: Amadan--9
MURPHEY'S
3740 SE 3RD ST. 758-9000
SU: Nairobi Bois--6; Jazz
PLATINUM NIGHT CLUB
126 SW 4TH ST.
TH: DJ Big Brad--9
FR: Big Boy and the Toys--8:30; Classic rock
SA: Marty Dread, Humble Soul, Native Elements,
Jah-Bong--9; Hawaiian roots reggae
|
