Musicfest NW Expands in Scope and Size

From the ashes of North by Northwest, Musicfest NW, Portland’s largest annual music festival, will return for its eighth year on September 3-6. As 2007 saw the introduction of all-ages stages, 2008 will see even more venues added to the mix, with 20 total participating, and the addition of a fourth day to the festival lineup. Programming will continue in MFNW’s tradition of striking a balance between local and national acts, with roughly 185 groups scheduled to perform.

“When booking this year, I sort of went retro with bands like Polvo, Seaweed and Steel Pole Bath Tub,” Musicfest NW director Trevor Solomon told Performer. “But I also got stuff I just loved and hope others love.”

In addition to hometown favorites like Blitzen Trapper, Menomena, M. Ward, The Helio Sequence, Norfolk & Western, Blue Skies for Black Hearts, Cool Nutz, Horse Feathers, Portugal. The Man, The Shaky Hands and The Builders and the Butchers, the 2008 festival will feature young Portland bands like White Fang, Southern Belle, Typhoon, Eat Skull and Dirty Mittens. There will also be live music showcases from local independent radio, publicity and distribution companies, blogs, and labels such as Jealous Butcher, Bladen County Records, Tender Loving Empire, Kill Rock Stars and Beat the World Records.

While tuning in more closely to the Portland community, MFNW will simultaneously draw bands from around the U.S. and the globe this year, like Mogwai, Vampire Weekend, TV on the Radio, Centro-Matic, Matt and Kim, Trans Am and Hot Water Music. The West Coast will be well represented too, with appearances from the Bay Area’s John Vanderslice, Port O’Brien and Del the Funky Homosapien, Seattle’s Fleet Foxes, These Arms are Snakes, U.S.E. and The Blakes, Olympia’s Calvin Johnson, Mirah and Old Time Relijun, L.A.’s No Age and Bodies of Water, and San Diego’s The Muslims and The Night Marchers.

www.musicfestnw.com

Twilight Café & Bar: Like a House Party That Never Runs out of Booze

A popular Southeast Portland music venue from 2002-2004 under the booking smarts of Dave Gaysunas (who now books the Tonic Lounge), The Twilight has experienced a rebirth as of late, redeeming its former cult-like status in the local community and giving both local and touring bands a friendly, fun and accommodating place to play in Portland. This is thanks to Zach King, who after becoming the café’s manager, outfitted the space with a proper PA and brought live music back last August. Opting for donations over door prices and not taking out any booking fees, bands often walk away with more than they do at venues with a cover. Most of The Twilight’s staff are gigging musicians as well, so know what needs to be done and like to keep it simple: run your sound, pay you cash, get you drunk, get you something to eat and find you a place to crash if you need one.

Capacity: About 150.

Stage: On the floor with a small drum platform.

Sound: 1,000-watt Soundcraft head with two JBL 15s and a powered floor monitor.

Genre: Mainly punk, weird punk, garage, psych and rock ‘n’ roll.

Booking: Email Zach at twilightbarandcafe@gmail.com with band name in the subject line (the more info the better in the body) at least two months in advance.

Address: 1420 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR 97202

Phone: (503) 232-3576

www.myspace.com/twilightbarandcafe

IN THE NEWS

On September 23, Blitzen Trapper will release its new album, Furr, on Sub Pop. The band’s fourth release and follow-up to last year’s well-received Wild Mountain Nation, the album was written in the gaps between the Portland sextet’s busy touring schedule and recorded in its studio at Sally Mack’s School of Dance. Prior to the release, Blitzen Trapper will play Musicfest NW on September 6 at the Crystal Ballroom.

www.blitzentrapper.net

On September 9, Portland-by-way-of-Idaho indie folkers Horse Feathers kick out their sophomore album, House With No Home, via Kill Rock Stars. This marks the follow-up to the band’s highly acclaimed 2006 debut, Words Are Dead, on Lucky Madison. Horse Feathers will perform at the KRS Musicfest NW showcase on September 6 at Holocene, along with new labelmates The Shaky Hands.

www.myspace.com/horse

feathersmusic

On September 16, Talkdemonic will release their highly anticipated new album, Eyes at Half Mast, via Arena Rock Recording. The 14-track album marks the Portland-based instrumental duo’s third full-length release.

www.myspace.com/talk

demonicmusicmaking

Head-bobbin’ rockers The Shaky Hands reappear on the Portland music scene with a new member, Nathan Delffs (brother of lead singer Nick Delffs), and their sophomore album, Lunglight. The 13-song record will see a joint release by Holocene Music and Kill Rock Stars on September 9.

www.myspace.com/shaky

hands

Portland electronic/folk band Musee Mecanique is preparing to release its long-awaited debut album, Hold This Ghost, on September 30. Shortly thereafter, the five-piece will venture beyond its West Coast roots for a cross-country tour, with dates and locations to be announced.

www.museemecanique.us

September 23 will mark the fifth full-length release from Portland’s The Standard. After searching for an ideal new label and failing to find one, frontman Tim Putnam resolved to create his own. Swimmer will be one of the first releases from Putnam’s newly founded Partisan Records.

www.thestandardsite.com

Badman Recording Co. will release the debut full-length album from Portland’s Starfucker on September 23 as a CD and vinyl LP. The self-titled effort comes from Sexton Blake frontman Josh Hodges, and brims with analog-heavy dance punk. Starfucker will perform at Musicfest NW on September 4 at Holocene.

www.badmanrecordingco

.com