Everyman running Fuerza Bruta

What is it exactly, well… you’re inside of a wordless show filled with the dance sounds of a club, performances and visual feats happen all around, and you want to move and groove. You should see this show.

Suspended pool dance Fuerza Bruta

Fuerza Bruta is an extravaganza with many interesting moving pieces. Be prepared to move around around this standing-room only presentation thumping with a techno beat — it has a suspended pool hovers inches above the crowed, a moving 6-foot-high treadmill and a 20-foot curtain that brushes your fingertips.

Pool party comes to you at Fuerza Bruta

Fuerza Bruta means “brute force” and the show originated in Argentina. Dress casual and check your bags, You might get misted, and confetti’ed but this is all to help you get involved. Dance admit, it’s all in good fun. Works for those in wheelchairs by the way.

The Daryl Roth Theatre is a 19th-century former bank on Union Square East (101 East 15 Street Union Square). The show runs Wed-Sun with two shows on Saturday. It is about a 1 hour show. Insiders tip: 2 hours before the showtime there are a limited number of $25 tickets sold at the box office.

http://fuerzabrutanyc.com/tickets.html

My impression of Nisennenmondai burning brightly

Nisennenmondai is Tokyo-based Japanese noise-pop that really hit stride in their set on the third song. Sayaka Himeno (drums), Yuri Zaikawa (bass) and Masako Takada (guitar) really created an interesting and complex fare. This trio tossed around this large crow. I got a kick out of how they politely and diminutively they thanked us — very nice girls. I look forward to them next time starting with the third song and then taking it further to kick my butt again.

Battles at Webster Hall New York

I’ve been a fan of Battles for a while. Honestly I didn’t know how it would all change with the departure of Tyondai Braxton, but Dave Konopka, Ian Williams, and drummer John Stanierthis is a Battles to keep.

Battles at Webster Hall New York

Dense interesting energy is what they deliver. Battles is now an instrumental trio with guest vocalists. So joining them (in a pixelated fashion) on stage was Gary Numan, Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead) and Matais Aguayo.

Battles at Webster Hall New York

I’m really enjoying Battles Gloss Drop (Warp) this past month. It took me a while to pick up the CD (I’m too old school in these regards).

You can clearly see some of my work at starting at 2:32 and also at 3:30…

The images in the show are from my Tempus Incognitus show. Which you can see on my website at:
http://www.bradcarlile.com/portfolio/jose.html

I also loved that fact that they used a favorite song of mine “Tonto” by Battles as the background music. I had nothing to do with this choice, but great minds must think alike . I blogged about battles back in Nov 2007. http://www.bradcarlile.com/blog/music/battles-coming-to-portland-2-nov/

ROOTED
Opening reception: Thursday, June 25th : 6 - 8 pm
Show: JUNE 25 – JULY 25 2009
TUE – FRI 2.30 – 6.30 pm, SAT 10 -12 am / 2 – 5 pm
The gallery is located at 21, rue du St-Esprit – 1475 Luxembourg.
(see map)

The WINNERS (Galerie Clairefontaine):

Brad Carlile USA – Adam Martinakis Greece – Nebojsa Despotovic Serbia – Myriam Ziade Luxembourg – Franca Giovanrosa Italy

Charlie Wilmoth In Dusted Reviews writes, “Extra Life’s ridiculously complex instrumental parts … are sometimes quiet, sometimes brutal, but when they’re at one extreme, there’s always the sense that the other is a possibility.”

Wilmoth goes on to say, “The thing with Extra Life is that their music is about 18 times more accomplished and complex than most math rock bands could ever hope to be. And yet their music isn’t the least bit ironic, and its complexity nearly always sounds like it’s in the service of some broader idea.”

Extra Life’s MySpace page is:

http://www.myspace.com/extralifetheband

Extra Life 2009 tour dates
02.05.09 – Middletown, Conn. (Wesleyan University)
02.07.09 – Brooklyn, NY (Death By Audio) *With Made in Mexico
02.12.09 – Amherst, Mass. (Hampshire College) w/ Little Women
02.13.09 – Toronto, Ontario (The Boat) w/ Little Women
02.16.09 – Chicago, Ill. (Empty Bottle) w/ Larkin Grimm + Lichens
02.18.09 – Minneapolis, Minn. (Nomad World Pub) w/ Vampire Hands
02.20.09 – Vancouver, British Columbia (Peanut Gallery) w/ Certain Breeds + Shearing Pinx
02.23.09 – Portland, OR (the Tube)
02.24.09 – Portland, OR (East End)
02.25.09 – Eureka, Calif. (Auntie Moe’s)
02.26.09 – Oakland, Calif. (The Parkside)
02.28.09 – Los Angeles, Calif. (The Smell) w/ Abe Vigoda
03.01.09 – San Diego, Calif. (Radio Room)
03.03.09 – Denver, Colo. (Rhinoceropolis) w/ These Are Powers
03.04.09 – Lincoln, Neb. (Box Awesome)
03.05.09 – St. Louis, Mo. (Lemp Arts)
03.06.09 – Oberlin, Ohio (Oberlin College)

DeVotchKa at Crystal Ballroom Portland Oregon

But of course it helps if you arrive in style.  This person arrived…

...in the only way to show up to DeVotchKa

DeVotchKa, for those of you who don’t know, plays an eclectic rock – Gypsy-punk – Eastern-European – folk sound all created with blend of instruments: violin, tuba, accordion, theremin, bouzouki, and many more. But this show had more, a tuba with christmas tree lights.

DeVotchKa

In May, I posted images of DeVotchka at their Terminal 5 show in New York City. In NYC they had many other musicians join them on stage for a bigger sound, though this more intimate show in Portland seemed to have a bit more spirit.

DeVotchKa Crystal Ballroom Portland

DeVotchKa Crystal Ballroom Portland

DeVotchKa, from Denver, was warmed up by a great set by Portland’s own Norfolk and Western, who will also join them in the Seattle show. Sorry no images from that part of the show.

In May, NPR, had the following posting:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2008/05/devotchka_in_concert_illustrat_1.html

DeVotchKa’s “We’re leaving” on youtube:

DeVotchKa’s “How it ends” on youtube:

Upcoming shows:
12/30 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
12/31 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
1/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Life
1/24 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
1/27 – Aspen, Colorado @ Belly Up
1/29 – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Grand Theatre
1/30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
1/31 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
2/2 – West Hollywood, CA @ Viper Room
2/4 – San Diego, CA @ The Belly Up
2/5 – Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
2/6 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
2/7 – Lubbock, TX @ Jakes place Sports Café
2/8 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
2/13 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre

Crowd leaves DeVotchKa Crystal Ballroom Portland

Charlie Wilmoth In Dusted Reviews writes, “Extra Life’s ridiculously complex instrumental parts …  are sometimes quiet, sometimes brutal, but when they’re at one extreme, there’s always the sense that the other is a possibility.”

Wilmoth goes on to say, “The thing with Extra Life is that their music is about 18 times more accomplished and complex than most math rock bands could ever hope to be. And yet their music isn’t the least bit ironic, and its complexity nearly always sounds like it’s in the service of some broader idea.”

Extra Life’s MySpace page is: www.myspace.com/extralifetheband

The previous lineup was always known as KBA to local fans. Actually the name for the latest incarnation of KBA is properly called “King Black Acid and the Sacred Heart“. So the new acronym is KBASH(?)

This new version is led by KBA frontman and creator Daniel Riddle and features Jeff Trapp on guitars, Joseph Trump on drums, Thom Rusnak on bass, Rich Landar on keyboard. I’ve seen Dan Riddle play around Portland for the past 15+ years in various bands such as “Hitting Birth” and “KBA.”

Hard to make too many comments about a band starting out and trying to hit a groove all at the same time. In the past, I remember that Daniel continually tweaked sounds and songs, so I expect an evolution. At this show, what we heard was just solid rock.  I was really hoping for a bit more inventive sound and some pushing into new territory.  For the next show, I’d like to hear what music should sound like in 2011. I think they are capable of doing much more,  so we’ll have see where they take us.

KBA’s previous work had some great mesmerizing atmospheric-psych jams that reminded many of the better parts of the later Pink Floyd sound. They played one song I really liked from the previous KBA CD “Loves a Long Song“.

There were a couple of interview’s with Daniel Riddle in both the Portland Mercury and the Willamette Week.

I first came across Derby at two different shows at the Doug Fir (including the FirFest) and really liked their sound. At that time I said, “These local boys really have music that is fun and damn it just so catchy that their tunes stick in your mind. Their new CD is in final production, and I can’t wait to get a copy.”

Now I have the CD and like it on my first spins. It was worth the wait. I wish they would have added a bonus track of their great earlier song “This Conversation.”

On the new CD, Ryan Wines write in his blog “Pet Marmoset” writes, “Posters Fade champions Derby’s signature sound of sweeping soft melodies and upbeat hooks, draped over bouncy keys, punchy guitars, and a healthy dose of 50’s-era drum beats… Good luck keeping this record off of your year-end lists. This one is a K.O.”

The show started off with a very energetic and strong feel. Their music is bright, smart, and damn catchy. If things go right these local boys could really have a larger influence.

The second half of the show featured different local musicians on nearly every song. Derby has a lot of respect from many of their peers in the upcoming Portland music scene. Scores of people joined them on stage. They were members of bands such as The Dimes, Tango Alpha Tango, Oh Darling, Dominic Castillo & the Rock Savants, Crosstide, Theopolis, Deepest Darkest, and more. While likely very fun for everyone on stage, in my mind this is where the show dragged down some. Even talented musicians need a few songs to get into the grove and the transitions cut down on the energy. This gave it the feel of a party at a warehouse studio jam session. Great if you are in an amongst everyone on stage, but less of a show if you are part of an audience. Crosstide and Climber opened for Derby.

Portland band “Caves” provided an energetic and enjoyable set to warm up the crowd.

The play an eclectic rock – Gypsy-punk – Eastern-European – folk sound all created with blend of instruments: violin, tuba, accordion, theremin, bouzouki, and many more.

I’ve seen their name around for a while but always seem to not quite get around to seeing them. I’m really sorry it to me this long. My climbing buddy Antony planned for a group of us to see this show. THANKS!

DeVotchKa only has a few more shows in the US before they go to Europe. See them if you can.

DeVotchKa, from Denver, was warmed up by a great set by Canada’s Basia Bulat. Sorry no images from that part of the show.

Last week, NPR, had the following posting:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2008/05/devotchka_in_concert_illustrat_1.html

It was a good-sized crowd.

Earlier this month, even though I was in Portland Oregon at that time, I missed the the same show at the Wonder Ballroom (May 1,2008). Now, I really regret that. It is always good to finish with a beer…