Straight from the underground...

BAND: THE NOTES UNDERGROUND

The Notes Underground pump out a sound that carries a hard to describe rawness to it, The Violent Femmes come to mind, which brings in an almost punky feel to this blues rock trio. "I got this feeling/'don't feel right/been here for days/won't go away" guitarist/vocalist Jarrod Schneyer whines over a rhythm reminiscent of The Clash's "London Calling" on a track called "Here to stay", where keyboardist Trevor Erlacher's well played lines bring in a bit of The Doors. On "She" the underground combine driving guitar and drums with Scheneyer's vocals, which carry a Thorogood demeanor, to create an impressive tune with a satisfying snarl to it. These guys combine blues, soul, and punk rock elements to create a driving sound that reflects the restlessness of past generations, but the refreshing stripped down tone keeps it far from being nostalgic.

You can check them out on myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/thenotesportland

One man band....

ARTIST: CODY WEATHERS

Cody Weathers has the hypnotic appeal of the musicians you see busking on the street, the one that puts you in a rhythmic trance, and forces people to sidestep around you as you stand cemented, enthralled by the madness. Weathers skillfully blends string snapping acoustic riffs over West African percussive riots. His aggressive folk howling couples nicely with his pleasingly manic scat-style vocals, which contribute a surprising jazz vibe. Weathers is a one man band, so aside from his skills on the guitar and mic, he also covers percussion and bass in the studio. Recordings such as "I am the moon" and "Best of days" demonstrate his ability to create a rhythmic powerhouse. Weathers' music will hit you from every direction, and is sure to keep you moving.

To experiance it yourself, check out his website: http://codyweathers.com , where you can buy his CD's, and also choose from a selection of free MP3 downloads. You can also visit his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/codyweathersmusic.

Be sure to check out one of his live shows:

Oct 24 2009
7:00P
Elevated Coffee
Portland, Oregon
Nov 4 2009
6:30P
Capitol Coffee
Portland, Oregon
Nov 14 2009
7:00P
Insomnia Coffee
Hillsboro, Oregon
Dec 21 2009
7:00P
KJ’s Bar & Grill
Portland, Oregon

Burlesque tunes from the future...

BAND: PAIGE CRATER & THE ORBITERS

Listening to The Orbiters is like listening to bands such as The Cure or The Pixies... but in an underground saloon... sometime in the early 1900's. Ok, maybe that last part was a bit hyperbolic, but The Orbiters carry that haunting melodic feeling, akin to the aforementioned bands, but with a burlesque and at times old western feel, compliments of the twangy guitar riffs, and squeaky horn variations, (The Speakeasy). But at the same time, with use of cleverly placed synths and quirky sound effects, they can attain a spacey outer planetary feel ("We've seen" and "Holly hobgoblin & the ode to Halloween"). Songs like "spyder" and "cute shoes" carry an almost Tom Petty-ish feel, with the latter being touched over by a steel pedal, brass combo that really makes it their own. You really get the feeling that this group are dedicated scholars of their craft, and aren't affraid to draw influence from the various styles they've studied, and then mash them together into a pleasently quirky stew of sound.

They're currently working on a new album, but in the mean time check out their myspace

http://www.myspace.com/paigecrater

Into the wild...

BAND: THE RYAN ROUNKLES GROUP

When you first here Ryan Rounkles you might catch some James Blunt vibes that could put you off at first, thinking: "Not another one". But this guy pulls it off; bringing just enough flare with him up from Louisiana to the Northwest, to take you into the wild. His lyrics produce vivid imagery that tend to take you other places, whether it be a worn down house in the northern country in the midst of fall, or maybe wandering the streets of Manhattan, really wishing you had more company than just the cup of coffee in your hand, and your breath in the air. And even backpacking through Eastern Europe with the unsettling feeling that you really don't know where you’re going, which is actually based on a true story (see "Guitar and a bag"). Ryan has a knack for aesthetic through subtlety, whether it is the sparse use of haunting percussion, or the sharp crescendo of fuzz on "my favorite girl", that really does an effective job of adding another dimension to his distressed, feverish vocals. I have an uncle that is of the firm conviction that in order to really find one self, every man should hike into the woods, and get lost there for a week, with nothing but a rifle and some pots and pans. It would only be appropriate to have Ryan Rounkles' music as the soundtrack to such a rite of passage.

Check out his website, sonicbids.com/RyanRounkles, or his myspace, http://www.myspace.com/ryanrounkles

You can also go see him live, at the following venues:

Nov 10 2009
9:30P
Twilight Cafe and Bar
Portland, Oregon
Nov 17 2009
10:00P
Mt. Tabor Theater
Portland, Oregon
Dec 8 2009
9:00P
Tiger Bar
Portland, Oregon
Apr 22 2010
9:00P
Territorial Vineyards Wineroom
Eugene, Oregon

What kind of music do you like? Oh, I listen to everything.

BAND: THE EXPERIMENTAL EARTH

The Experimental Earth makes me think of what Primus would sound like if Les Claypool was good at singing. While experiencing Experimental's technically crafted sound (props to the rhythm section) you get the feeling that this complexity is really an innate and almost primal aptitude for these guys. Singer Nick Krieg's vocals manage to maintain a tone of soulfulness to them, ("innocence"), no matter how hard he may try to shake it in their harder tunes, (Burnout!), much akin to Maynard James Keenan from Tool, this is a quality that many singers strive for, but the vocals often end up sounding forced, but Krieg definitely has a knack for it.
And oh no, I did not forget the guitarists, these guys are sick, they have an undeniable feel for groove and tonal subtleties.

check out their myspace: www.myspace.com/theexperimentalearth

Upcomming shows at pop culture (formally moxies) in Vancouver on Nov.13th, and at Docs club 82 in Portland on Nov. 14th

Feist, move the f*** over.

ARTIST: CARLEY BAER

Carley Baer could break up with you, and make you enjoy it. Apologies to my fellow brethren, but some women just have a talent for bending your emotions with the pitch of their voice, in a way that is really unique to their gender. Behold "Your lost cause", which will have you calling all your ex girlfriends and apologizing like you were involved in a twelve step program, or "Bunny Pig" a warm acoustic melody that melts you automatically, exactly what is a bunny pig? It doesn't matter... it doesn't matter. Carley Baer has an equal, if not exceeding talent, compared to the biggest folk darlings out there today, only her songs aren't synonymous with an ipod commercial, which is a plus.



Catch her in Portland at The Mississippi Pizza Club Nov.3rd, The Hawthorne on Nov.15th, or at the Gotham Tavern Nov. 27th.



Check out her myspace at www.myspace.com/carleybaer, and while your there go ahead and make a donation, with proceeds going to her album production, because let's face it... you could use the good karma.

North meets South

BAND: THE CLINTON JOHNSON BAND

Successfully combining elements of country with southern rock is an often overseen and difficult task, a skill usually reserved for the likes of greatness, But with this groups soul felt country vocals, along with it's guitar and piano riffs that so skillfully bring in a taste of the south, The Clinton Johnson band may very well have the potential to be just that, in fact I have no idea why they aren’t signed yet. Front man Danny Clinton's home style crooning lies perfectly over guitarist Vince Johnson’s riveting guitar licks, with a combined effect that is sure to identify with each moment of the listeners day, whether it be the anticipation of a brand new day with a coffee and cigarette in the morning, or staggering aimlessly into the night. Be sure to check out the hilarious "I didn't kill her", and the battle scarred "I'm glad my momma can't see me".

I'll be sure to update you on upcomming shows, but in the meantime, check out their myspace

http://www.myspace.com/theclintonjohnsonband

Ladies and gentlemen, blues is back...

Band: GIMME SOME LOVIN'

After hearing these dudes kick out tunes like; "Gimme some lovin'", and "Messin' with the kid", it makes me ashamed that I even attempted to perform them at my high school pep rallies. This 10 piece Portland Blues Brothers tribute, also performing as a stripped down 5-piece group to showcase their original works, has members that hail from all over the country, pumps out tunes with a bluesy swagger to be reckoned with. They may do Blues Brother's tunes, but with a fire that's unmistakably all theirs. Be sure to check out my favorites "Messin' with the kid", and "Soul man".

To hear them for yourself, or for information on where to see them, or buy their music check out their website http://gimmesomelovinband.com/

or their myspace http://www.myspace.com/gsl2009

Welcome to The Sleeping Giant

Hi,

My names Kris Foster. Everyday I hear more and more about local music artists in the greater Vancouver area, that really present some raw, untapped potential. The goal of this blog is to bring forth the talent that I really think need to be heard, and thus waking the sleeping giant.

If you would like to be presented on my blog, please contact me at fosterkris50@yahoo.com.