chris calarco Archives - Page 5 of 6

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds

Chris Calarco February 28, 2011 No Comments

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, a two year old, nine piece big band chock full of sultry soul, funk, reggae, lounge, and rock grooves has recently released their self titled debut album on Modern Vintage Recordings. “Modern Vintage” is a fairly apt descriptor for this band at whose core sits 22-year-old singer Arleigh Kincheloe and her brother Jackson on harmonica. With a sound that is one part Nawlins funkified horns another part 1950's sultry lounge act and a few helpings of deep pocket, big band arrangements; The Dirty Birds have come chirping out of Brooklyn harkening back to a different era but grounding themselves in the modern live music scene.

Conspirator: Peter’s Room at the Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR 2/9/11

Chris Calarco February 23, 2011 No Comments

For only the second time in ten years members of the Disco Biscuits stepped onto the fertile ground of the Pacific Northwest. The sane ones of us here in Portland, Oregon and the Northwest at large have long given up hope of Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner’s titanic livetronica innovators returning to our beautiful corner of the country but for one night at Peter’s Room inside the Roseland Theater we were fortunate to have another chance to dance with their side project Conspirator.

Birds of Avalon: Birds of Avalon

Chris Calarco February 11, 2011 No Comments

Birds of Avalon must be one of the few touring bands that sports a dueling, husband and wife guitar attack. Paul Siler and Cheetie Jumar’s churning, melodic and quirky axe work propels the LP forward alongside a vibe that mixes melodically rhythmic bass patterns, Merseybeat’s steady, thunder pop drumming and pleasantly spacey vocals.

Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub: Alladin Theater, Portland, OR 2/3

Chris Calarco February 9, 2011 No Comments

Playing to a packed 600 seat Aladdin Theater, Daniel Lanois and his band lured the crowd into their cozy lair with a mix of material from Black Dub’s wonderful self titled debut and Lanois’ previous solo work. It is obvious Lanois chooses only to surround himself with the highest quality musicians,

Free Energy: Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR 1/26/11

Chris Calarco February 1, 2011 No Comments

If you walked out from inside a cave and straight to the Free Energy show at Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge last Wednesday night you sure as hell wouldn’t know the economy is in the shitter, unemployment is skyrocketing and our country is hanging on by the last vestiges of the fading American Dream.

Social Distortion: Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

Chris Calarco January 25, 2011 No Comments

Social D ‘aint changing for nobody. Rocking the soul country punk since the Carter administration, Mike Ness and the boys return for the first time since 2004 with Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Storming out of the gates with the instrumental “Road Zombie”, the band declares their intention to pick up exactly where they left off – chunky power chords remain front and center and the pounding, punchy drums thrash on.

Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion: Bright Examples

Chris Calarco January 17, 2011 No Comments

A laid back precision may be Bright Examples hallmark. That place where music surges gracefully like a passing river in a crystal moonlit night. This music is simultaneously hushed and vibrant, pulsing and meticulous, lucid and a little scruffy.

Sweetkiss Momma: Revival Rock

Chris Calarco December 27, 2010 No Comments

Sweetkiss Momma, a five-piece rock n roll band, hails from the Pacific Northwest, (most of the band grew up in the churches of Pullayup, WA) but their sound is straight blues based southern rock. With a regrettable moniker recalling the comical jam band names of the late 90s, Sweet Kiss is nonetheless a barnstorming sensation according to their press release, selling records across Europe and garnering huge sale numbers on independent music distribution website CD Baby.

Through the Sparks: Worm Moon Waning

Chris Calarco December 14, 2010 No Comments

Diving into their brand new release, Worm Moon Waning, it is apparent the band is a creative and inspired trio lead by songwriter and vocalist Jody Nelson. With so much folk and Americana indie rock being released these days it is challenging for a band to stand out from the heaps of mustached hipsters but Through the Sparks manages to strike a solid balance inside their melancholic lyrics and wistful, creative arrangements.

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds: Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds

Chris Calarco December 8, 2010 No Comments

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, a two year old, nine piece big band chock full of sultry soul, funk, reggae, lounge, and rock grooves has released their self titled debut album on Modern Vintage Recordings. “Modern Vintage” is a fairly apt descriptor for this band at whose core sits 22-year-old singer Arleigh Kincheloe and her brother Jackson on harmonica.

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