Lovin’ & Listenin’
Friday, Sept. 30
The National, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Talkdemonic
Roseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave.
21+
It’s a strange combination: two traditional pop bands playing with a twosome whose music is composed of drums, a viola and a laptop, without lyrics. Aren’t you curious?
Saturday, Oct. 1
Blackalicious, Apsci and a DVD release from local hip-hop group Quivah
Berbati’s Pan, 321 S.W. Ankeny St.
$20, 21+
Portland’s indie music scene takes a back seat when these Bay Area hip-hop artists grace our town with music you have to do more then just bop your head to. Blackalicious creates music that’s accessible but maintains artistic originality. They’re perfectionists who create unique grooves. Their music is worth listening to, and I’m glad they’re bringing some much-needed hip-hop to Portland.
Four Tet, Jamie Lidell and Koushik
Doug Fir, 830 E. Burnside St.
$12 advance $14 day of show, 21+
Doors 8 p.m. Show 9 p.m.
I’m going to this show for Jamie Lidell. I bought his album Multiply this summer, regardless of the rather strange blue stenciled-looking cover that is his self-portrait. The music has been described as British soul, electronic and funk music. In words it may sound unimpressive, but take a listen and you can’t help but groove.
Sunday, Oct. 2
Dungen and Mia Doi Todd
Doug Fir, 830 E. Burnside St.
$12 advance, $14 day of show, 21+
Doors 8 p.m. Show 9 p.m.
You may have no idea what Dungen is singing about because they’re Swedish, but it doesn’t matter. The music is ethereal in a way that isn’t off-putting, using traditional rock ‘n’ roll instruments paired with violins and flutes. It’s breathtaking.
The Frames and Josh Ritter
Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.
All ages
The Frames are Irish and Josh Ritter should be. That should be reason enough to go to this show. But really, Josh Ritter’s folk music may not always impress on an album, but live he’s a pleasure to listen to. The Frames have been much lauded in Europe, and they should be here, too. Their influences range from the Pixies, David Gedge’s The Wedding Present, Radiohead and HBO’s “Sex and The City.” Their music fills a wide range of styles and emotions, and they always put on a good show.
Franz Ferdinand
Roseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave.
All ages
The last time I went to a Franz Ferdinand show I had to stand in the all-ages ground floor. It smelled overwhelmingly of puberty, teenagers crowded together wearing Franz bread hats and sweating profusely. And when you’re 15, that is definitely not a good thing. Franz Ferdinand didn’t disappoint, but they seemed to be going through the rounds of a generic tour.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
Black Dice, Blood on the Wall, Spider and the Webbs
Doug Fir, 830 E. Burnside St.
$10.50 advance, $12 day of show, 21+
Doors 8 p.m. Show 9 p.m.
Black Dice has earned comparisons to early Pink Floyd. They blend electronic and rock music, exploring the organic base of sound.
