When I first walked into the revamped Alhambra Theatre for May Day fest,  Sama Dams was in the middle of their set. All of my friends in the crowd were captivated. One of them even turned around to look at me, pointed to the band and mouthed “What the fuck!?” I stood there entranced by the dynamic and absolute originality of the trio. “Blown away” is a phrase I rarely utter at shows, but Sama Dams is that band, and on the brink of blowing up. I immediately purchased their 8 track album No Vengeance which only reinforced their impressiveness.

The record kicks off with “Bonneville Power Administration,” setting the beautifully dark tone of the album. Drummer Chris Hermsen commences the song with an oddly timed rhythm, while guitarist/vocalist Sam Adams swells his guitar through a spastic wah. It continues into a beautiful arrangement of light tremolo over a minimalist and repetitive guitar riff, while Lisa Adams vintage organ brings everything together as Sam’s vocals seem to soar over it all: “I don’t want to live without a month away to be a better man.”

“Coyote Dreams in the City” begins with a finger picked guitar chord over Hermsen’s penetrating drum beat. Lisa’s organ riffs supply the bass and the other element that makes everything sound individual to this band. “Coyote” is a great example of what Sama Dams does best: make a bouncing, hectic song packed with interesting lyrics and innovative music while still maintaining a catchy pop hook that leaves the listener wanting more.

“Golden Only Not” highlights the unavoidable ‘math’ genre that’s tied to Sama Dams. “Golden” is an integral part of No Vengeance and fits in extremely well with being sandwiched between “Figures,” one of the darkest and heaviest on the album, and “Capitals Will Fall,” which is a ballad-like beauty with an almost blues/country guitar feel.

I got a chance to meet with Sama Dams at Sam and Lisa’s beautiful Southeast home to talk about Eugene, Radiohead and the difference between “loud” and “intense.”

RCR: How did you guys get together?

 Sam: It used to be called Sam Adams, because that’s my name, it was my project. Lisa and I got married in 2009 and that’s when our musical journey began. The first incarnation of Sam Adams had a djembe player and stand up bass.

 Lisa: The djembe player was wearing jingles on his feet!

 Sam: We lived in Eugene for 2 years. That was a really dark time for music for us. When we moved to Portland I met our producer Sebastian Rogers and he helped me compile the stuff I had, to put out the first EP. There was a different drummer on that record… that was mostly me at my house.

 Chris: I moved into Sebastian’s house, he said “There’s this awesome band that needs this drummer, you should check them out.” I met these guys at the show that night and we borrowed the drums from the other band that was playing to rehearse. We rehearsed, like, twice. We played two shows that weekend, and we’ve been playing ever since.

 RCR: You’ve been a band for a year and you are heading on a HUGE tour. Was that the initial goal?

 Chris: Yeah, we wanted to hit the east coast.

 Sam: Yes! Brooklyn! That’s where we wanted to go, and back. We are all from the Midwest. We’re hitting Iowa more than any other state….

 Chris: Yeah that’s where I’m from. Then we’re hitting Indiana, where Sam’s from. Then Ohio, where Lisa’s from.

 Sam: It’ll be fun… If the van holds up.

 RCR: How would you guys describe your music?

 Chris: It’s hard thing to pin down…

 Sam: Bim [Ditson, drummer for And And And] described it as “dirty math.” I like that.

 Lisa: There is an element of melody in the songs. Maybe it’s more influenced by progressive rock. I’ve always liked the melodies that Sam writes, and they are interesting in juxtaposition to the rhythmic things that are going on. Math rock seems square to me.

 Chris: I know what you mean by square. I wanted to say straight. Math just seems stiff to me.

 Sam: We’re emo.

 RCR: Why Portland?

 Sam: I really like Portland.

 Chris: I second that.

 Sam: I grew up listening to a lot of stuff out of Olympia, like K records. The Microphones, Calvin Johnson. But it didn’t seem like the town you would want to move across the country to. And Seattle… I just don’t like Seattle that much.

 Lisa: We made an active choice to not be in the Midwest. I found a job close to Eugene. But while we were in Eugene, we were always looking for a door to get to Portland. Once we moved here, a lot of things started to fall into place.

RCR: What’s with the name Bonneville Power Administration?

Sam: That was part of “The Coyote Dreams Suite” that we were going to record. We wanted it to be this really messed up thing. “Bonneville” was going to be the last track of this four part suite, where the coyote wakes up from a dream and he’s by Bonneville Dam.

RCR: I saw you guys at Alhambra theater a few months ago. I noticed that you guys aren’t very loud…

 Sam: We try not to be too loud. It doesn’t make sense to me for our music to turn up as loud as we can.

 Lisa: There’s more dynamic. We’ve found this space where we can bring out the nuances.

 Sam: Less is more. There is a difference between something that’s intense and something that’s loud.

 RCR: Any last words?

 Sam: No Vengeance is about… Radiohead!

TUESDAY JUNE 18

The Woolen Men, Sauna, The Memories @ Record Room (8 NE Killingsworth), 8 p.m., $5, 21+

Sauna are a beach-y little band from Denver, Colorado. The group of scrappy kids played TreeFort Fest in 2012, and are deep in their national summer tour. The poppy band meshes well with Burger Records label-mates The Memories. The Woolen Men have garnered much attention recently, earning the number two spot on Willamette Week’s Best New Band 2013 list. The jangly, lo-fi group have Portland’s attention, and they may never let it go.

Souvenir Driver, Bubble Cats, Comaserfs @ Alhambra Theater (4811 SE Hawthorne), 8 p.m., FREE, 21+

This tour kickoff is going to be rad. The grandiose pop rock of Souvenir Driver is jaw-dropping and epic. Bubble Cats are part metal, part punk, part blues, and all great. Their songs are catchy, with just enough gloom to keep you coming back for more.

THURSDAY JUNE 20

Torres, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper @ Bunk Bar (1028 SE Water), 9 p.m., $10, 21+

Take it slow tonight with velvet-y soft vocals. Torres, from Nashville, is a soulful, warm performer who just released her first self-titled album. The folkiness may seem somewhat generic (think Deep Sea Diver or Widowspeak), but there’s something unique about Torres’ approach. Opening act Lady Lamb the Beekeeper is an equally tender display whose new album “Ripely Pine” is a refreshing collection of heartfelt guitar riffs and cutting lyrics.

SATURDAY JUNE 22

FOC Fest 2013: Ciminon Wipe, Voices, Guzo, Pau D’arco, Older Women, Amenta Abioto @ The Firehouse (5340 N Interstate), 7 p.m. $5 donation, ALL AGES

Portland’s annual Females of Color Festival kicks off Saturday with a stacked bill. The lineup is an impressive collection of female artists, and the festival’s dedication to visibility and all ages inclusion is important for our city. Saturday’s headliner Amenta Abioto mixes spoken word, soul, and modern funk to drive home her powerful lyrics. Her debut album Opening Flower Hymns dropped in March. Sunday’s lineup is as follows: Focus Troup, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Ghost Ease, Briana Merla, and Like A Villain (same time, same place). For more information check out their Facebook event.

SUNDAY JUNE 23

Minden, Yours @ Rontoms (600 E Burnside), 8 p.m., FREE, 21+

Minden’s smooth sounds are perfect for summer. Their lyrics are weird, their beats are sexy, and they make funny music videos.  Yours offers a darker, sharper, poppier take on the groovy stuff Minden goes for. This installment of Rontom’s Sunday Sessions is a proud display of Portland talent.

Even though Andrew Savage is clearly the lead singer of the band, every member stood in a guitar-wielding straight line across the stage and seemed to equally share the duty of being in charge. This division of power added to their chemistry as a band and kept their songs grounded and concise, grabbing the eyes and ears of the entire audience, including the stoic, non-head-bobbers in the back.

The crowd was almost forced to pay attention because of the over the top bass of the soundboard, Savage’s hilariously sharp lyrics could barely be made out. No matter though, because by the end, the Doug Fir’s purple stage light had switched towards the audience, turning this fun, but serious punk show into an all out party. Do yourself a favor; pick up their latest effort, Light Up Gold, get aquainted with the bright lyrics, and check them out the next time they’re in town–you could probably use a little New York air in your lungs.

We are off to spend a night in Kansas tomorrow (hoping not to be commandeered by the Children of the Corn) and then to play Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center in St. Louis on Saturday. We’ll catch up with y’all in a bit, world.

Eidolons Van Tunes:
1) Big Star – Take Care (just outside of Boise, a warm blanket welcoming us to the beginning of tour)
2) Deerhoof – Lemon and Little Lemon (somewhere in Utah, a weirdly apt fit for them canyons)
3) Bill Callahan – Riding for the Feeling (shiit, need more be said for a tour?)
4) Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – How Long Do I Have to Wait? (some fine video footage exists of an all-out van groove down to this song)
5) Weed – Gun Shy (heading out of Salt Lake, new cut from our buds from BC provided us with ample sludge for the trip to Denver)

xoxoxox,

Eidolons

It isn’t often that you hear country music in this town. On Friday, May 31, two beloved Portland bands delivered just that. Denver and Blitzen Trapper, whose members often overlap, do justice to Portland’s under-represented genre in two unique ways.

First, there’s Denver, who prove that with enough heartache, flannel, and stringed instruments, you can really get your message across. The band released their first full-length album last year. Since then, they’ve played Pickathon, and alongside acts like Shovels & Rope and James McMurtry. It seems Portland is embracing these country cuties.

Denver delivers a sort of refried and watered down version of the country songs we often long for. Their performance was enthusiastic and genuine—the guys certainly have fun and believe in what they’re doing. If their record doesn’t wow you, a live show may change your tune.

And then there’s Blitzen Trapper, a band that’s seen success across multiple albums and countries, and whose song “Furr” is sung heartily by every entry-level 16 year old hipster. Friday’s show was a celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the band’s first album, Blitzen Trapper, which they reissued for Record Store Day this past April. Since that 2003 release, the band has grown and developed their sound enormously. From trippy jam sessions to soulful Townes Van Zandt-esque ballads, the band truly channels and stays true to their influences.

Friday’s show featured two songs from a forthcoming alubm, due in September. “Heart Attack” is a fast-paced, boot stomping unrequited love song that keeps you locked in to the heartfelt vocals and impressive guitar work. “Thirsty Man” is straight from the 70s, with a fresh fusion of the folk and experimental sounds Blitzen Trapper has worked so hard to cultivate.

The band may be moving away from those songs they recorded 10 years ago, but a sold-out Doug Fir proved—Portland still loves Blitzen Trapper. The band is tight, they know their songs front to back, and they put on an incredible show. In a town without much twang, Blitzen Trapper hold their own.

1) “We Like the Weather”- Giant Drag, Waking Up is Hard to Do

Annie Hardy’s Giant Drag is an L.A. based project that sings in “We Like the Weather,” about how California is better than other states because it’s so goddamn warm. Well. Fine. But Portland and Giant Drag can both agree that warm weather is a good thing.

2) “Heatwave”-Ash Reiter, Heatwave

Ash Reiter, a San-Francisco lo-fi indie pop band, sings in this sweet surfer-jam “Heatwave” about the groovy aftermath of global warming! (And wearing sunglasses in early spring, which is something Portland knows a little too much about.)  Consider this also part of our “summer romance” playlist.

3) “Asleep on the Bus”- The We Shared Milk, Lame Sunset 

Portland rock-titans The We Shared Milk can sing about hating themselves and wanting to die and still make us feel like we’re at a picnic. In this track, “Asleep on the Bus,” lead singer Boone Howard croons about falling asleep on a bus and potentially waking up in Gresham- and it still feels like we’re in the seasonal aisle of Fred Meyer buying a beach ball.

4) “Night Summer Sunning”- Ah God,  Ah Fuck

Noise band Ah God sings about being love buzzed on a summer night. Dreamy.

5) “Island Raiders”- Thee Oh Sees, The Cool Death of Island Raiders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dhTdu6DaJ0

San Francisco group Thee Oh Sees is Jonathan Dwyer’s kick-ass brain child. The sweet and simple track “Island Raiders” will make you want to pick daisies and put an umbrella in everything you drink.

6) “No Waves”- The Shivas, Whiteout!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzO02vrba-Q

It was hard to chose just one song from the Shivas, but in “No Waves”- we get that lazy simplicity of a Beach Boys hit while still maintaining the psych-rock sound the group is so praised for.

7) “Doing As I Do”- The Beets, Let the Poison Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTBSWd6_Qb0

What makes this track by The Beets so deserving of a spot on the RCR “lazy summer mix” is this line: “Don’t be afraid, you will not die/ And if you die / Whatever.”

8) “Killing the Vibe”- Ducktails, Arcade Dynamics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYT99MVe_6E

If this song doesn’t make you push someone into a pool, I don’t know what will.

9) “Eye of the Storm”- Bevelers, Be Your Own Creature

Portland cherub-crooners Bevelers sing about tough times and animals and love- and in this peaceful track “Eye of the Storm” the ladies sing about “puddles turning dry.” The dreamy strumming is like falling asleep in a Victorian garden.

10) “If I Had a Van”- White Fang, Positive Feedback

Portland dudes of White Fang sound like they recorded “If I Had a Van” in a basement of a beach house in San Diego. Maybe the did?

11) “Get Lost”- The Babies, Our House on the Hill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-I1pzNEATQ

“I wanna get high with you.”

12) “Higher”- Amenta Abioto, Opening Flower Hymns

Amenta Abioto isn’t like anything else on this list, with vocal instrumentation and a beautiful, high-ranging voice, “Higher” sings about no place being better than high in the sky with you. Let Amenta Abioto entrance you.

13) “To June”- Ganglians, Monster Head Room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVkkIZmTRWk

You can hear the forest creatures in this one.

14) “No Good”- Sex Ghost, Sex Ghost EP

Sex Ghost is a new and sexy Portland band that reminds us why waking up earlier than noon is just stupid.

15) “Summer Cum”- Avi Buffalo, Avi Buffalo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuDkDoGks_E

Most likely all the members of Avi Buffalo are younger than you are, so they remember what it’s like to be in love with someone and be a little bummed that it’s summer because that means they can’t stare at them in fourth period anymore. Young yet extremely successful, members of Avi sing, “I waited for your love / I got lost in your summer cum / Leave all your stains with me,” which may be the perfect lines to end our tracklist to a lazy summer.

Tame Impala has definitely had it’s share of great press. They’ve been listed for Pitchfork’s best albums of the year for both 2011′s Innerspeaker and 2012′s Lonerism. Two tracks off Lonerism, “Elephant” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” are nominated as song of the year by APRA and the group has played at every major music festival in the U.S. this year. There’s a long laundry list of praise for Tame Impala and RCR has no plans of breaking the mold.

Their hit track, “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards,” is like getting caught in a cartoon acid sequence- think a less perverse ‘Fritz the Cat’ meets a more perverse ‘Scooby-Doo’. With more ethereal sounding tracks like “Alter Ego,” from trance-based songs like “Be Above It” and shredding that would make Ozzy proud, Tame Impala has mastered the paradox between eclectic yet solidified sound.

The crowd reminded me of a description at an early Beatles concert written by Tom Wolfe, as a “thousand waving pink tentacles.”  Every body was swaying (with exception of the arm-crossed dad’s in the 21+ section) and what looked like hundreds of palms, pulsated above everyone’s heads. Fittingly, they had projections light the stage that were similar to the default 1999 Microsoft screensaver, with shapes forming and shifting across the room.

All in all, if you haven’t gotten a chance to listen to Tame Impala yet it’s time to stop being a dingus and put the sugar cube on your tongue.

It’s been quite a year for Josh Tillman as Father John Misty. Last summer’s Fear Fun has seen wild success, and Tillman continues to wow audiences with his erratic on-stage antics. Last night at the Wonder Ballroom alongside Pure Bathing Culture was no exception.

Portland’s own Pure Bathing Culture have us buzzing with anticipation over their first full-length release Moon Tides. Last night’s mellow set was a mix of fan favorites and some new material, like “Pendulum.” The band moved effortlessly between songs, and held the audience’s attention throughout—and performed well enough to distract the audience from Father John Misty’s gaudy stage adornment.

Father John Misty opened with “Fun Times in Babylon,” a staple of his set list. A huge, colorful backdrop of rainbows, mythical creatures, and what appears to be Tillman riding a horse enveloped the band in their own hyperbole. Many of Tillman’s lyrics directly contradict this idea of fantastic decoration—“Try not to think so much about the truly staggering amount/ of oil/ that it takes to make a record”—proving to the audience that he doesn’t take himself too seriously.

As per usual, Tillman danced chaotically, swinging his hips and waving his microphone stand in the air, enticing laughs and cheers from the audience. He made jokes—“Hey, where do I have to go in this town to find a vegan donut?”—and never missed a beat performing nearly all of Fear Fun. Antics aside, Tillman’s voice is one to be reckoned with. We don’t care what sorts of theatrics he does if he can hit those notes.

During the encore, the band performed two new songs. “We Met at the Store,” is a solo ballad about a man’s fateful trip to the grocery store that leads him to meet a woman who he intends to marry. The second, “I Love You, Honeybear” is a twisted love song, played with the whole band. Between the songs, Father John Misty performed the Beatles’ “Happiness is a Warm Gun.”

Though Father John Misty could perhaps dissolve into just another project for Tillman, the band has staying power. Two new songs and an obvious following bode well for Fear Fun fans. And if the narrative arch of Tillman’s musical career is any indication, things are only bound to get more exciting.

One reason why Portland is so great is that there is constantly an opportunity to see great, talented acts at intimate venues. The show this last Wednesday was just more proof of that. The bill consisted of M. Geddes Gengras, Avi Buffalo and Akron/Family.

M. Geddes Gengras emerged as a seemingly normal,average guy. Immediately he began to twist and turn knobs and buttons on one of several soundboards he had in possession. His music was of a very ambient nature that is incredibly beautiful and easy to get lost in. We mean that in the best way, similar to the way one might lost themselves in a breathtaking landscape. The spontaneous nature of M. Geddes Gengras’ music is really what kept us locked in on the performance in the midst of serene atmosphere. Overall, perfectly balanced.

Lo-fi popsters, Avi Buffalo, were on next. The set began as a basic three piece group and developed into something extraordinary. Avogadro Zahner-Isenberg better known as “Avi” has lilting falsetto that accompanied most of their songs. While the guitar progressions were impressive, they had an ease about them that really made each song flow. Bassist, Arin Facio, was equally impressive shredding on the several bass solos that made our jaws drop. Although it was raining outside, Avi Buffalo brought a perfect, sunny set to Mississippi Studios.

Headliners Akron/Family then began to set up, taking a bit longer than most but well worth the wait. When the show commenced, they played a rockin’ set which also included the talents of M.Geddes Gengras alongside the group. They played a set displaying their talents with various tempos and much versatility. From the get-go they had the crowd dancing and going crazy. They continued jamming with a couple of mishaps that didn’t deter the audience at all for the roughly hour and a half set. The audience had still not had enough when it ended, asking for an encore that proceeded to top off this already stellar performance. If that isn’t saying a lot about their live performance, Akron/Family as a musical group and also how much they shred then I don’t know what would.