MS MR brings macabre, ‘jewel-tone’ pop to Crystal
The first time she toured through Portland, Lizzy Plapinger saw a “Japanese work-of-art jacket” at a local vintage shop — but passed it up. The lead vocalist for MS MR, a duo known for its lovely secondhand threads, went back … Continue reading MS MR brings macabre, ‘jewel-tone’ pop to Crystal
Earthquake Central
Tank farms Northwest of the St. Johns Bridge are above the Portland Hills Fault, a key reason Linnton would be hard hit by a major earthquake. Photo by Wesley Mahan ‘Perfect storm’ of hazards make Linnton the worst place to … Continue reading Earthquake Central
Esperanza Spalding’s Emily’s D+Evolution delivers brash, ferocious show at the Crystal
This story includes photos I took published by the Oregonian / Oregonlive.com. Clad in a white jumpsuit and red hightops, a gold armband and turquoise nerd glasses, Esperanza Spalding returned to her native Portland Tuesday with a challenging new show. … Continue reading Esperanza Spalding’s Emily’s D+Evolution delivers brash, ferocious show at the Crystal
James Bay Can’t Wait to Eat at Lardo; UK Hitmaker Plays Portland August 5
Two remote-controlled mechanical spiders, carefully hidden in the shadows of a tour bus. Frequent Nerf gun wars. One well-loved fedora. Many pairs of sunglasses. A planned trip to Lardo. And a quintet playing bluesy, sensitive-but-fearless rock and roll, anchored by … Continue reading James Bay Can’t Wait to Eat at Lardo; UK Hitmaker Plays Portland August 5
Esperanza Spalding Finds New Creative Outlet With Emily’s D+ Evolution
Knowledge may be power, but it’s hardly a sure path to creativity. In music, the more one tries to analyze something, the more it may slip through one’s fingers like a tough chord progression or elusive bebop riff. Instead of trying … Continue reading Esperanza Spalding Finds New Creative Outlet With Emily’s D+ Evolution
Dusk to Dawn Remixes: Emancipator
In Summer of 2015 Emancipator released a remix album of Dusk to Dawn. My strings parts are woven into the Tor remix of “The Way,” which I like a lot, and the Frameworks remix of the title track “Dusk to … Continue reading Dusk to Dawn Remixes: Emancipator
Linnton’s Stubborn Dream
This article appeared in the July 2015 issue of the NW Examiner. If the Linnton neighborhood is to get its “village,” its “complete community,” as envisioned by its leaders for decades, it will need some help from City Hall. The … Continue reading Linnton’s Stubborn Dream
Sauvie Islanders Fight Toxic Dumping
This piece appeared in the July 2015 issue of the NW Examiner: Corps of Engineers says dredging sediment is ‘suitable for in-water placement’ By Thacher Schmid The Army Corps of Engineers sent public notice to a small group of Sauvie … Continue reading Sauvie Islanders Fight Toxic Dumping
Joey Bada$$ about to earn his hip-hop Ph.D.
He is the hip-hop golden boy of the moment, surfing the frothy waves of social and mainstream media. He shares selfies of first daughter Malia Obama wearing his Pro Era collective’s T-shirt. He leads anti-police-brutality marches in New York. He gets … Continue reading Joey Bada$$ about to earn his hip-hop Ph.D.
Community Garden to Knit Town Split by Highway
If you’re a big vegetable person like Amanda Munro, who gets enthusiastic about onions, spring salad, potatoes and zucchini, getting a new community garden is cause for celebration anywhere. But for Munro and other residents of Linnton, the promise embodied … Continue reading Community Garden to Knit Town Split by Highway
The Glitch Mob promises ‘most insane show ever’ at Portland’s Roseland Theater
Technical problems can frustrate any live musical act, but for electronic artists it’s much worse than a broken string or blown amplifier. Sonically speaking, the zeros and ones are beautiful — and cruel. Computer crash = show over. Justin Boreta … Continue reading The Glitch Mob promises ‘most insane show ever’ at Portland’s Roseland Theater
The Transformation of ‘Suicide Bridge’
The transformation of the “Suicide Bridge” would never have occurred if not for the unique qualities found in a single, fatefully located Portland family — a spark, a conscience, and champion. It’s only halfway there, yet it may already be … Continue reading The Transformation of ‘Suicide Bridge’
Gender Rap: Women in Portland Police use excessive force far less than men
The Portland Police Bureau has a problem with excessive use of force, but the women who serve as officers aren’t to blame. Across the board, female officers account for a far smaller share of the use of force by Portland … Continue reading Gender Rap: Women in Portland Police use excessive force far less than men
Leaves Russell’s “We Chose the Devil Red”
Leaves Russell released its first full-length, “We Chose the Devil Red,” in March 2013. Unfortunately, the quartet dissolved shortly thereafter. I play violin, viola, mandocaster and sing backup on the album. The band played the CD release party at the … Continue reading Leaves Russell’s “We Chose the Devil Red”
Emancipator releases “Dusk to Dawn”
Emancipator’s “Dusk to Dawn” was released in January 2013, and received airplay and reviews from top U.S. media. Emancipator, a.k.a. Doug Appling, along with his Ensemble, has been touring the U.S., bringing his focused melodic downtempo to clubs around the … Continue reading Emancipator releases “Dusk to Dawn”
Songs & Stories 