AltWeeklies Wire
Gil Scott-Heron Exits the Darknessnew
Gil Scott-Heron was never able to cash in on the hyperbolic and lofty praise he received in the 70's ("The black Bob Dylan," anyone?), instead he faded into the abyss during the mid-'90s and beyond, only to occasionally resurface not onstage, but on a police blotter.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
04-15-2010 |
Concerts
Tags: Gil Scott-Heron
Attempting to Make Sense of SXSW, America's Premier Music Festivalnew
There are close to 2,000 registered bands at SXSW, although the impossible-to-determine unofficial number is probably twice that. If you perform, you will do so opposite hundreds of other bands from all over the world.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
03-25-2010 |
Music
The Last Frontier: Portugal. The Man Are Like No Othernew
In lieu of resting on the crutch of their regional association, the band turned the calendar pages of 2009 by recording a pair of albums—The Satanic Satanist, their most successful release to date, and American Ghetto, due out next spring.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
12-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: American Ghetto, Portugal. The Man
'Pirate Radio': Good Music. Terrible Movie.new
Rock 'n' roll is great. But no matter how powerful, majestic, or even life changing three chords and the truth can be, rock 'n' roll cannot save Pirate Radio.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
11-13-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Pirate Radio, Richard Curtis
Dear 'Diary': Sunny Day Real Estate Returnsnew
Judging from the band's beaming comments, this current reunion -- all original members, all old songs -- feels like a sincere gesture, and while it's hard to ignore the nostalgia and historical revisionism of it all, it's just nice to have Sunny Day Real Estate back in our lives.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
09-18-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Secret Life of Cass McCombsnew
A whispered recluse content in the shadows, McCombs doesn't want to talk about himself. Ever. The roving folk singer politely requests that listeners focus less on his (alleged) prickly persona and more on his craft.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
09-03-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Catacombs, Cass McCombs
Jesse Sandoval Discusses His Forced Exit from the Shinsnew
On May 2, without a formal announcement or press release, the band that "will change your life" performed for the first time without longtime drummer Jesse Sandoval and keyboardist/bassist Marty Crandall.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
08-06-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Magic Marker Records Celebrates Year Number Tennew
Over the past decade Magic Marker Records has established a legacy whose impact resonates far beyond the Portland city limits.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
02-05-2009 |
Music
How FreeDarko Saved the Sport of Basketballnew
The head of the FreeDarko collective, Bethlehem Shoals (the ridiculous nom de plume of Seattle resident Nathaniel Friedman), took time to discuss turning a blog into a book and the long-lost record collection of former Blazers/Sonics player -- and flattop enthusiast -- Detlef Schrempf.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
02-05-2009 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Chomp and Circumstance: Crocodiles Escape Their Pastnew
If there is hope of getting the elusive second chance that so few performers ever do, Crocodiles might have a shot. The deconstructed punk duo parlays their newfound appreciation for melody into a kind of modern-day Suicide, complete with a minimalist rock sound saddled with doomed electronics.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
01-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Rise of Blind Pilotnew
To think, less than six months ago most of us were unaware of Blind Pilot. There was no 3 Rounds and a Sound (their staggeringly gorgeous debut, which is primed to top many a year-end best-of list), no bike lanes traversed by their peddle-powered tours, and no ensemble cast of musicians.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
12-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: 3 Rounds and a Sound, Blind Pilot
This 'Almanac' is Less a Book, More a Shot Heard 'round the Sportswriting Worldnew
For all of those who absolutely love the sport of basketball, but have grown tired of the tired cliches that weigh the game down, then Macrophenomenal is your new bible -- proof that if there is any justice in this cruel world, sports writing as we know it is about to change for the better.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
12-12-2008 |
Nonfiction
Jean-Claude Van Damme's JCVD is ... Brilliant?new
Before you think JCVD is just another excuse for the aging action star to try and roundhouse kick his way into our hearts one last time, wait up: JCVD is as wildly entertaining and daring as cinema comes, and that's something you don't necessarily associate with the train-wrecked career of the weathered action star.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
Army of One: The Coup's Frontman Goes Solonew
How does one emcee lead the revolution without a DJ, his fellow rappers, and backing band? With an acoustic guitar.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
10-31-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Coup, Boots Riley
The Prids Crash. The Prids Survive.new
"We were driving and a tire blew. I struggled to correct it and the van started fishtailing. I just couldn't get it."
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
07-31-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Prids
