… Chelsea Clinton coming to the E-room Tuesday, May 13!
I am so pissed that I have prior commitments that night! I guess the Clinton campaign has figured out where Chelsea’s appeal lies. As a member of the younger generation Chelsea doesn’t have all the baggage from the Defense of Marriage Act and other fucked up shit her daddy did. Her gay-friendliness is natural rather than a position she gradually came to. I really think Hillary’s campaign is dead in the water, but should Chelsea ever run for public office I would be all over that shit! She’s clearly a hell of a lot smarter than the Bush twins, and for all the fun the media made about her appearance she turned out to be a total fox! Jon says she’s the Tori Spelling of politics.
Chelsea will be collecting ballots with singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins. I never knew that Hawkins was queer, but apparently she is. I assume this means that she lives here, too - which is also news to me. What the hell ever happened to her? Back in the day she made some solid pop songs. The E-Room has a bumpin’ karaoke room, I wonder if Hawkins can be talked into doing one of her own songs… I remember one time this video of hers came on and my mom made me change the channel. When it came out I was an unwordly 9 years-old and didn’t catch on to the fact that it’s kind of a nasty song (in a good way). Check it out!
If you have ever flipped through a Portland weekly music section this past year, it ain’t no surprise that The Builders and the Butchers won the “Best New Band” poll ran by the Willamette Week. We all saw it coming…and I’m sure recent recording sessions with members of The Decemberists didn’t hurt much. I really should have put my money where my mouth was and bet on TBATB’s inevitable success. Not to say they don’t write good songs and put on a fun, interactive live show… In fact, I’m actually listening to them right now.
But…
I tend to root for the little guys/gals, anyways.
Here is how I voted:
Chores
Listen to “Wine Buzz (live at Holocene)”:
I was flabbergasted that Chores didn’t get an honorable mention in the polling. WTF? They have been pretty hot this past year and always put on a high energy live performance. They are also really smart as they proved in the Tragically UnHeard Of spot I did with them a few weeks ago.
Slutty Hearts
Listen to “Beep”:
Discovering Slutty Hearts is the best local music find this year! They are only two people but manage to play like a 3-4 piece band! Get this: live, they have two minimalist drum sets…one is just a kick drum and the other is a floor tom, crash and snare and they both play them together making the sound of a full kit WHILE they play guitar and keyboards and sing. With a platonic pairing of one guy and girl singing sweet melodies over anti-folk ballads, it is hard not to fall in love with them….and get an urge to do something slutty.
Autopilot is for Lovers
Listen to “No One Will Know”:
Featuring past/present members of The Builders and the Butchers and receiving a lot of attention from the WWeek over the past 6 months, I was shocked that Autopilot is for Lovers didn’t make the Top 10. Too bad, because this band is effing amazing and deserves all the admiral ears they can get! They play sullen, back woods folk music that is reminiscent of early, still drinking and agitated Cat Power. Guess what? Autopilot is for Lovers has a brilliant new album on Stereotype. NOW GIT AND GO GET IT!
John Sutherland
Unfortunately, John Sutherland didn’t have a chance at winning WWeek’s “Best New Band” because well, he’s not a band. He’s just one guy that is severely talented at finger picking guitar. He makes insanely beautiful compositions that often span over 10 minutes. His style is perfect for a rainy day sitting on the porch drinking wine or used as a soundtrack while driving through the country with someone you love.
Sick Sick Sister has come a long way over the years and the current lineup is hot. Gnarly, girl-grunge-grit that flashes me back to the days when I LIVED for Hole’s “Live Through This”.
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The WWeek only lets you vote for 5 bands tops but here are some others I would have voted for if I had more options and if I had known they existed at the time
1. Purple Rhinestone Eagle - Purple Rhinestone Eagle just moved to Portland not too long ago so they need to do more time before they get crowed “Best New Band”….but after that time is spent y’all better lay some money down!
2. Grandpa’s Ghost Stories - featuring an all star queer lineup, GGS, just played it’s first secret show…watch part of it here. They blend metal with catchy vocal melodies….think Pat Benetar meets Black Sabbath.
3. Porches - I so would have voted for this band if I had known they existed at the time! Porches makes covered-wagon pioneer music that will make young men cry into their beards:
