At first listen, it was easy for me to brush off Family, the newest release from Le Loup, as another choral, reverb-soaked, vocal-driven indie-mush record, ready to go up on the shelf with Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, and Co. But, much like the latter recording artists, over time the true beauty underneath the way-too-commonly-used production style, shined through. I’m obviously not here to celebrate Family as a work of pure genius but it certainly deserves a bit of praise and definitely a good listen. Le Loup has done a wonderful job layering soft, jubilant melodies over more and more layers of polyrhythms. A friendly banjo guides listeners into many of the arrangements, reminding us that we don’t HAVE to cry if we don’t want to. And, yes, the vocals are drenched in puddles or reverb, but these cathedralesque hymnals won’t drown you; these are the positive kind of hymns. Give Family a try and I bet it’ll probably stay off the shelf for the majority of the winter. Also, go see Le Loup when they come to your town cause chances are they’ll be playing with Nurses.

Le Loup – Grow

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Le Loup – Saddle Mountains

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Le Loup – Sherpa
(takes a sec to get going but shows another side of the record entirely)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Dates:

10.08.09 – Princeton, NJ – Terrace Club
10.09.09 – Baltimore, MD – The Ottobar ^
10.10.09 – Philadelphia, PA – Kungfu Necktie ^
10.11.09 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge ^
10.13.09 – Cambridge, MA – TT the Bear’s ^
10.14.09 – Montreal, QC – Il Motore ^
10.15.09 – Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel ^
10.16.09 – Chicago, IL – Schubas ^
10.17.09 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry ^
10.18.09 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr. ^
10.19.09 – Denver, CO – Hi Dive ^
10.20.09 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court ^
10.22.09 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret ^
10.23.09 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey ^
10.25.09 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge ^
10.27.09 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill ^
10.28.09 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo ^
10.29.09 – Costa Mesa, CA – Detroit Bar ^
10.30.09 – San Diego, CA – Casbah ^
10.31.09 – Tucson, AZ – Plush ^
11.02.09 – Austin, TX – The Mohawk ^
11.03.09 – Dallas, TX – Cavern Ale House ^
11.05.09 – Atlanta, GA – Lenny’s Bar ^
11.06.09 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 ^
11.07.09 – Washington, DC – Black Cat ^

^ – w/ Nurses

It’s when bands like Micachu and the Shapes come along that I regain my confidence in the future of music as a whole. At times, it appears to me that bands taking a crack at experimentalism are bombarded by the tidal wave of nonsense being generated by other bands elsewhere having an experimental month and, in turn, it becomes difficult to sort out what new ideas are rubbish and who is actually on to something. Micachu is like the old lady who spends her afternoons sorting through heaps of trash for the gems she chooses to take home, polish and put on her mantle. Aptly named Jewellery is a magnificent mash of dirty beats, clanky guitars with a perfect dusting of sprite synths and sweet vocals. The drums on this record honestly sound like a rusty collection of pots and pans whilst the guitar, almost inaudible at times, sounds like a homemade shoebox banjo with fishing-line strings. I suppose what I’m getting at here is that Micachu has successfully taken a step that many of us have been trying to take for the last 2 years; Jewellery delivers insightful new song structures but still has an addictive pop charm, has an appropriate electronic element but still sounds like it was made in someone’s basement. Way to go Micachu, now what do we do after everyone copies you?

Micachu and the Shapes – Just in Case

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Micachu and the Shapes – Golden Phone

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Micachu and the Shapes – Calculator

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I’ve only had a chance to click into this album a few times but each visit has been a pinch more rewarding than the last. Mr. Stevens never ceases to amaze me. His compositions are insanely original and engaging. I think he’s incapable of putting out a half-ass album. The BQE, an homage to the New York City subway line, is no exception. Carefully arranged into movements, the BQE takes listeners to all corners of the musical spectrum. At some points you feel like you’re listening to one of Sousa’s marches and then before you’ve got the count down you’re listening to electro-glitchcore in a basement. It’s for this reason particularly that I can see why many may be turned off by Sufjan Stevens’ most recent work, but it is also for this reason that I am attracted to it. I like music that is unpredictable, spastic; it jars you, throws you off, makes you THINK. Who wants to know when the chorus is gonna drop anyhow?

Sufjan Stevens – Introductory Fanfare For The Hooper Heroes

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sufjan Stevens – Movement III: Linear Tableau With Intersecting Surprise

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

HEALTH is one of those bands that has been around for some time and never clicked for me. Until now. This is also one of those records, I’m sure, that all of their older fans will condemn because people like me can finally connect with it. It’s loud, dense, and chaotic but still sweet. The angelic vocals over the gritty chopped synth and pounding cacophony of drums allows for the perfect contrast in each song. I can get down with what they’re doing here. I recommend this record for those of you who have dipped your toes into the, “they-can’t-be-serious” waters that is noise music and turned back, confused and embarrassed. This puddle, this time, is warm. Try again.

Plus, they’re doing this awesome contest alongside the release of Get Color involving wacky prizes and golden tickets. Yes’m, YOU could be the proud winner of a copy of the new record signed with the band members blood, or if you’re really lucky, you might get a lock of their hair sent in the mail. Read more here

HEALTH – In Heat

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

HEALTH – Before Tigers

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Ohakune is a strange town. Situated at the foot of Mt. Ruapaheu, this sleepy ski town has no business trowing MySpace and MTV sponsored secret shows. This became apparent this last saturday night when four kick ass bands from Aukland drove five hours out of their way to play at a crappy restaurant-by-day bar-by-night venue called the Projection Room. The show was under promoted and under hyped, I know it was secret show but come on. I’d be surprised if there was anyone in the room that actually came to see the bands that night. Most were just rowdy ski bros who’d been shreddin’ all day and decided to get sloshed at their favorite testosterone bar. This did not provided for an oportune atomosphere for these well-respected, unpaid bands to feel appreciated.

Since that wasn’t enough to squish the night, the lovely manegment at the Projection Room took it upon themselves to aggressively ruin everyone’s night. Right before the Ruby Suns set, the last set of the night, the asshole owner, standing at an impressive 5′ 2″ told The Ruby Suns that they couldn’t play. The HEADLINERS. It was ludicrous. He was pissing off his clientele, his sponsors, MySpace and MTV, and the bands. I was livid. I had hitched 5 hours up from Wellington to see them that night and I would have his short little head if I wasn’t gonne see the Ruby Suns. Fortunatley, they decided to set up anyway. They played about a song and a half before the lights came on and they were asked to stop. In an act of pure frustration, the band forced the lights back off and continued to play. Things were starting to get heated. The bouncers got involved and turned the lights back on. Then things got physical. Someone grabbed someone and next thing I knew the whole bar was in a headlock. The band was fighting the bouncers, friends were trying to help, the sound guy was getting his life threatend and the short asshole manager was nowhere to be found.

After a few small scuffles and the band hurridly trying to get their gear packed up things began to calm down. Nothing was ever explained. Why did the drunk asshole manager want to shut them down so bad? What the fuck? Bummer Projection Room, bummer Ohakune.

The above picture is a kick ass garage-surf band from Aukland called Street Chant.

NO.

I know it’s so two weeks ago, ancient history in the blog world, but I’ve been hoarding off these photos from the free YACHT show that took place outside City Hall, in downtown Portland since I shot them. Originally, I was just gonna let it go but yesterday I was listening to See Mystery Lights and, as they do, YACHT began to chant: “YOU CAN LIVE ANYWHERE YOU WANT” came blaring from my car speakers as if they were trying to penetrate my subconscious. They were talking to that little demon that most of us have that tells you the exact opposite.

See, recently I’ve made a move. I’ve left Portland, land of magic and all things good, for the mysterious unknown that is New Zealand. I haven’t gone for any particular reason, I just want to know what it’s like to live there. I think this phrase that YACHT preaches is an important concept to factualize. You can in fact live wherever you want. There is often times nothing, very little if anything, stopping you. Sure, petty tings like monetary obligations and employment commitments might seem daunting, but nothing is permanent. You can always get a new job. You can always find a new place to live. You will meet new people. You are in control. I’m speaking to your demon, specifically; that little sting that hits you when daydreaming. Some call it reality; I call it negativity. I don’t mean to say that everyone should be doing what I’m doing. I just want to give a little push of reassurance to those of you who want to travel but feel tied down; a reminder: You can live anywhere you want.

YACHT – It’s Boring/You Can Live Anywhere

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Saturday night I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends in the whole world, Portland Oregon. I am opening a new chapter in the Book of Sloan with a valiant move around the world to New Zealand. I am thrilled to keep the adventure rolling but I just want to say, Portland, I’ll always love you.

I had a party Saturday that was of epic status, enough to make The Portand Mercury jealous! Very good friends of mine from various walks across the Portland musical spectrum played in my living room to send me off on my journey (it was also my birthday). My good buddy Dorian aka Dobird started the evening off with his sampla-delic beat driven drone jams. A perfect beginning to the night. Shortly after, local electronic beat master/re-mixer Jeffery Jerusalem set up in my living room.

Jeff threw down so hard. The dance party was in full swing at this point, it’s impossible to not dance when JJ’s dancing around to the sound of his laptop blaring through a P.A. whilst shaking his LED tambourine. Jeff played a great set, as always.

Starfucker KILLED IT. I was honored to have the only Starfucker show of the summer be at my house, at a party for me. They played a full set and kept asking me for requests. A few songs in, it became too unbearably hot to stay clothed so most were compelled to get naked. We had to keep the windows and doors shut on account of the noise; fortunately the cops only came once. I feel so much love from all the people who were willing to come hang out on my last night, the bands who hauled all their gear and played in a cramped, sweaty living room and Portland as a city that enabled me to realize these amazing things. Portland, you ain’t seen the last of me.

Afterwards, needless to say, we had a dance party until 4am; right up until I drove myself to the airport. Above is a photo of my crowdsurfing.
Much Love,
Andrew

Many thanks to Benji Bilheimer for shooting that night. All of Benji’s photos can be seen here.

This last Saturday was host to one of the biggest weekend days in music in Portland so far this summer. The Mississippi Street Fair on N Mississippi had dozens of open doors with live music pouring out into the streets for pedestrians to discover. Pix Patisserie on N Williams and Failing hosted a Bastille Day celebration by setting up a stage and having some great Portland locals stop by such as World’s Greatest Ghosts, Reporter, Alan Singley, The Shaky Hands, and many others. As the daytime fairs were closing down it was time to head over to Worksound for the Wampire cassette tape release party feature more local gems; May Ling, Rob Walmart, E*Rock, and Deelay Ceelay. That show was quite the hot spot however Worksound needs to work on it’s sound (Everything was muddy as hell that night) It was one of those days in Portland where you can decide which show to go to because there are just so many damn good shows all around. Oh, woe is me… The above show was recorded at Mississippi Station late in the afternoon.

Wampire at Worksound

Deelay Ceelay at Worksound

Dirty Mittens at Mississippi Station

Reporter at Pix Patisserie

Getting right along with the storm of new music about which I promised to preach, I give you, What’s Up? Calling Portland their home, What’s Up? is relatively new to the scene. Really, actually they came the fuck out of nowhere and are blowing up quick. I kept hearing their name around town and decided to catch their set at the Artistery a few months back which also happened to be their album release show for their debut Content Imagination. They crushed it. Delivering methodically smart crunch math, these guys know how to play. Their songs have the unique and infinitely desirable quality of harnessing complex time signatures and alien song structure and still getting the listener to bob their head. The beat, although complex, really fuckin drives. They hold it together and make distorted math instrumentals accessible to the everyman, in a good way. They’re currently doing a bunch of west coast dates with Dirty Projectors and then the lucky assholes fly to Europe for another tour with more awesome bands like Deerhoof. Definitely give this record a try, out on Obey Your Brain… and how about that album cover? SO dope.

What’s Up – Season’s Greetings

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

What’s Up – Yes

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Guidance Counselor 7-4-09 from Andrew Sloan on Vimeo.

A bit delayed on the recap of what was, without a doubt, the best 4th of July since 1776, but this story needs to be told. While attending a show mid afternoon at The Meat Factory, a local house venue, my fellow patriots and I witnessed the breakdown of the event at hand. The first two bands had played a bit too loud for the neighbors and the landlord was threatening eviction; the party was over. Portland experimental electro-dance favorites, Guidance Counselor, were on deck in the line up to play and had just lost their venue. I had a 90 minute IPA and a PBR 40oz in me and without hesitation my hand flew up as I blurted, “WHY don’t you guys play on MY PORCH?!” Needing a place to play and feeling that it was a relatively OK idea, G.C. obliged. I raced home, put on some French pop and made my front porch band worthy. Upon my arrival I found that the back yard, which also happens to be home to legendary food carts Potato Champion and Perierra Crêperie among others, was LIVE AS FUCK. The Champ had rented a moonbounce and they were setting up to have some more excellent locals (Wampire, May Ling, Breakfast Mountain, and Deelay Ceelay) play in the cart lot. There were tons of people about. Guidance Counselor set up and before the tunes could get going in the food cart lot they began to play. I ran back to the cart lot, where most of the hungry cart-enthusiasts were waiting for Wampire to start, grabbed a mic and announced through a tunnel of digital delay and reverb that G.C. was about to play a rouge set on my porch 40 ft away. They flocked. G.C. killed it, playing from my porch to humans flooding the sidewalks and streets. I took a video of a complete song which I think encapsulates the energy appropriately. It was incredible. I was on top of the world. Coolest. thing. ever.

Immediately following Guidance Counselor’s set Wampire began to play in front of the giant inflatable jumping castle in the back yard. All my guests migrated to the cart lot to observe. Wampire was super good. As they played joyous pop hooks over drum machine San Francisco’s Dad Fag set up on my porch. We had begun the sickest impromptu Independence Day festival the world has even know. The night continued on like this with fireworks abounding. From the lot to the porch, porch to the lot. French fries, beer, explosions.

Below is a video shot by Minh Tran posted by the Portland Mercury’s blog. For a better idea of all of the madness that was this past 4th of July take a peek. The video follows the adventures of a wandering poutine as it meanders through the chaos. I’ll never forget this shit.

July 4th 2009, 12th and Hawthorne, Portland, Oregon from Minh Tran on Vimeo.

Portland Mercury – 4th of July Madness

Guidance Counselor