Oregon Music News

Yukimi Nagano and Little Dragon. Photo by Peter Claesson.

MusicfestNW brings flavor from all over the world.

The Thursday, September 8th show at the Hawthorne Theatre boasted a lineup deep with local indie-pop acts and showcased the maturing talents of Swedish synth-poppers Little Dragon. This foursome released their third full-length album, Ritual Union, on July 25th, 2011 through London’s Peacefrog Records.

After a hot Thursday afternoon the Hawthorne was still warm as Portland’s Mnemonic Sounds began the evening. This duo of Peter Suk and Megan Danielle released their debut album, Muscle Memories, on June 22, 2010. Their melodic electro-pop filled the Hawthorne and proved why they are one of Portland’s most promising young acts.

Portland favorites Dirty Mittens came out and showed up with loads of enthusiasm, mostly from spark plug lead singer Chelsea Morrisey. These locals finally released their long-awaited, debut full-length, Heart of Town, this summer through Magic Marker Records. The band brought their indie-pop style and Morrisey filled things out with her earnest vocals. At her best she reminded of a young Cyndi Lauper. The crowd took well to the energies of Dirty Mittens, and Morrisey even jumped down into the first few rows to sing for a few, inspired minutes. The hot air was enough to make anyone a little crazy and, in the best way, Morrisey did not appear immune to the heat.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra has received quite a bit of buzz in the recent months, especially since the release of their self-titled debut album. Originally from New Zealand, lead guitarist/singer Ruban Nielson arrived in Portland in 2010 and soon afterwards created UMO with the help of local whizzes Jake Portrait (bass) and Julien Ehrich (drums). A garagey blend of psych-rock, kraut-rock and pop, UMO creates a subdued vibe that looks good on paper, sounds good on the record, but didn’t seem to fit in quite right between the often exuberant pop of Dirty Mittens and Little Dragon. Maybe they should have played first or second instead of right before Little Dragon. Definitely worth a shot, though, UMO will continue to develop as a talented threesome adept in the art of chill, psych-pop.

Mnemonic Sounds, Dirty Mittens, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, plus Little Dragon? Must be MFNW 2011.

Though the night was surely cooling down by a few degrees outside, the inside of the Hawthorne was only getting hotter. When Little Dragon finally began, the crowd was feverish with the kind of anticipation that sweltering heat can only make crazier.

Lead singer extraordinaire Yukimi Nagano sauntered out onto the stage and got right into things. She had the crowd entranced by the time she finished her first verse. Looking like Thor on the synths, H√•kan Wirenstrand added melodies, textures, and the quirky noises that help set Little Dragon apart from the rest of the synth-pop comers. Erik Boden’s constant, chattering drum work gave the pop music a danceable quality that would make many indie-electro acts jealous. Fredrik Wallin also contributed on bass and synth bass with jumpy, danceable grooves.

Little Dragon did, as expected, play a number of songs to support their latest release, Ritual Union, including the title track and “Shuffle a Dream.” They also touched on older favorites like “Looking Glass,” “Never Never,” and “Twice.” Kids in the front few rows were completely hypnotized throughout the show and everyone else was, at the very least, engaged as they shuffled their feet, swayed, clapped, and bobbed. A few songs into the set a bit of moshing broke out. Nagano kept everyone happy with dance moves that made your average hipster’s moves look like an off-beat seizure. If the stifling heat didn’t make you sweat, the dancing surely did the trick.

With a sound, though sometimes inaccessible, yet poppy enough to appeal to the widest of audiences, Little Dragon hits enough of the right chords to be a rising star. At times soulful, at times light and upbeat, these Swedes showed the kids at the Hawthorne why their dynamic style has already gained international attention and should only continue to grow. Who doesn’t want music they can dance to and empathize with? For Little Dragon, the question is not when they will make it, but rather, how large will they grow?

Be sure to check out the rest of the MFNW 2011 lineup and schedule!