Van Dyke Parks – Wednesday @ Mississippi Studios
If you’re a music geek, the name Van Dyke Parks is music to your ears, considering the man’s pop pedigree. He has contributed lyrics to many great Beach Boys songs (”Heroes & Villains”, “Surf’s Up”), performed with The Byrds, produced albums by Ry Cooder and Randy Newman, and provided string arrangements for Joanna Newsom’s album Ys. As well, he recorded the intricate and far-reaching LP collector favorite Song Cycle. He comes to town not in support of any new music, nor is there any indication of what he will be up to tonight. But considering the man’s track record and his fascinating solo work, you would be foolish to miss out on a performance of this magnitude in as intimate a venue as Mississippi Studios.
Slabtown Bender – Friday through Sunday @ Slabtown
Busy this weekend? Not anymore you’re not, as you’ll want to have yourself parked in the friendly confines of Slabtown if you want to walk around town calling yourself a rock ‘n’ roll fan. Over the course of one weekend, a ridiculous number of incredible garage, punk and rock acts will take over this NW Portland bar and there is plenty of gems to be found in this overstuffed lineup. This includes the fuzzy rumblings of Ty Segall, the pub rock/glam hybrid Sir Lord Von Raven, two of the Bay Area’s best pop garage outfits Shannon & The Clams and The Dirty Cupcakes, and a bevy of local favorites like Pierced Arrows, The Bugs, Pure Country Gold, and The Foxgloves.
Daedelus/Nosaj Thing/Jogger – Monday @ Rotture
A fine package tour this. It brings together three young bucks from the world of electronica. All are from the Los Angeles area, and when they’re not remixing each other’s work, add a warm glow to the their own liquidy grooves. The emphasis throughout is on wowing synthesizers, dripping bits of sonic ephemera and beats that stir together elements of hip-hop, electro, deep house and smatterings of disco. Even if you play the wallflower for this night, you’re going to have plenty to chew on from the sidelines.