Thao performs Know Better Learn Faster

Straight from the San Francisco based music blog and video series Yours Truly is a charming living room performance by Thao and The Get Down Stay Down. The music starts about 90 seconds in, about the same time a dreamy light source swallows Thao.

Stefan Nadelman visualizes Ramona Falls’ new track “I Say Fever”

I’m a big fan of Menomena, Portland’s experimental rock trio. I’m not sure why I haven’t invested more energy in Menomena-member Brent Knopf’s side project Ramona Falls, but this video was enough to get me excited about the band, and I’m definitely going to venture into the rest of the album. “I say [...]

Loch Lomond performs “Ghost of an Earthworm” at the Ace Hotel in Episode 26 of the Penny Jam

Sometimes we’re so busy fawning over other people’s work that we forget to post our own. Worry no more as I present episode 26 of our ongoing Portland music video series, The Penny Jam with Loch Lomond.
This was shot on June 28, 2009 and I remember the day very vividly because I [...]

Weinland’s “I’m Sure It Helps” Video Tames Even the Wildest Beast

Portland folk-faves Weinland have released a new video for their song “I’m Sure it Helps” – the video premiered at the band’s September 9 show at the Doug Fir and is online now for your enjoyment. The animation-heavy video is a luscious companion to the confident but mellow-paced track.
Filmed on location at [...]

Portland Producer Tucker Martine on All Songs Considered

Portland resident and producer Tucker Martine was a guest on NPR’s All Songs Considered recently. He talks with host Bob Boilen and addresses his interpretation of the role of the producer, “First and foremost I have to make sure the record is great, the buck stops with me.” Give it a listen:

Martine has [...]

Michael Cera flexes his acting muscles and avoids atrophy

I know I am far from alone when I say that I love Michael Cera and almost everything I’ve seen him in (with Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist as a glaring exception). That said, it seems that I hear more and more about how he can’t play any role other than the polite, charming puppy [...]

Rogue Film School: Demigod Werner Herzog Teaches Lucky Mortals to Dodge Bullets

Werner Herzog is a hero of mine. I look up to him and his work regularly inspires me. With that in mind I could accurately state that I don’t adore his movies in a conventional way. They aren’t the type that hold permanent residency in my DVD player…

Portugal the Man Visits the Future, Gazes Longingly

I’m consistently impressed by the visual sophistication that Portland-based Portugal the Man exudes, and this video is nothing but a confirmation of that.
The director, Ryan Rothermel, is a Seattle-based director with an impressive reel. His Vimeo account is sporting some cool behind the scenes stuff as well, including a motion graphic test [...]

Dufus Spreads Their East Coast Goofy to Pacific Time

Dufus is a band that wears silliness as a badge of honor. It holds spontaneity as sacrament. The music is often lumped into the category of anti-folk which is another anti-label that doesn’t really matter.  What it is to me is energetic, goofy and at times very passionate and sincere music delivered with the hurricane [...]