Small band, big sound

The phrase “experimental dental school” may bring up reminders of braces, talky orthodontists or unethical World War II practices, but drop that sentence around the Portland music community and listeners will be quick to point at the local band, which recently shortened its name to XDS.

Led by Jesse Hall, XDS will play tonight at Holocene with four albums and 11 releases in all. The band has lived internationally and has produced in other countries including Japan, Portugal and Australia.

“Over a period of three weeks we fasted on oranges and wrote the bulk of four albums,” Hall said. “Shoko [Horikawa] and our cat Honey Bunny stay at home and act as silent writers, like that crazy guy from the Beach Boys. At first it was about creativity and discipline…now it is all business and partying. I have a new drummer playing most of the shows. His name is Ben Tyler. Currently I am really having fun doing this.”

The music is ambitious, which takes after the band’s experiences and hopes for the future. As they look for more shows and travel opportunities, XDS has taken to recording another album featuring live talent and layering.

“We are making a new record…live electronic music, live looping,” Hall said. “A new guitar is being built for me by Dan Bjorkie (Trade Up Music) that has four outputs and can play four amplifiers at once as well as a foot synthesizer.”

The band has been a duo since the beginning in 2005, but with drummer Horikawa on hiatus Tyler has filled in. Live, the band fills a venue with mixed sounds and looped parts which more than make up for less manpower. Holocene, which is known for dynamic shows and experiential performances, is a venue that fits XDS well.

Tonight XDS will share the stage with Brainstorm and Total Bros. Brainstorm and Total Bros are also duo bands from Portland, yet the groups contrast well with XDS. Each has an abstract presence, which differentiates them from other local talent.

Tonight’s Holocene show is just the beginning for XDS as they set their sights on releasing their new album and chasing down new performance experiences.

“Hopefully we will go back to Japan, Europe, maybe Russia if things work out,” Hall said.

Those experiences will come in large part to the high amount of Portland shows the band has done, including previous shows at Holocene. With artistic influences such as Paul Thomas Anderson (director of There Will Be Blood) and Zach Galifianakis, you can anticipate a wide-ranging show spurring from both musicianship and life experiences.

“I am looking forward to loud sounds and projected films,” Hall said. “Grainy mechanical sounds with gentle pop songs…a light show. Smiling people…come out, it’s a Wednesday! Pretend like you have nothing to do the next day.”

By combining the electro layering of XDS, and the lights and video combination of Holocene, Hall’s hopes will be exactly what audience members receive at tonight’s show. Whether there are Thursday plans in store or not, tonight’s ticket at Holocene looks to be a great opportunity to hear from some dynamic indie duos in the Northwest.