Oregon Music News

Ten minutes after Katzenjammer left the stage for the second time, the enamored crowd was still clapping and cheering wildly. Even a two-song encore was not enough to satiate the room of adoring fans. First-time listeners as well as those already singing along with the music; not a soul could keep their eyes off the stage, or their bodies from bopping.

The stunning quartet from Norway that make up Katzenjammer wowed the Doug Fir Thursday with their unique and eclectic blend of music encompassing notes from all genres, all over the world. With 15 of their 29 instruments in tow, the band-members enacted an almost literal version of “musical chairs,” …without the chairs. Utilizing an accordion, a banjo, a harmonica, a ukulele, as well as their signature mascot, to name a few, a contrabass balalaika they have decorated and named Børge (the triangular-shaped bass featured at right), the self-taught women are all proficient on every instrument and, seemingly, after each song, they would switch positions and instruments, each lending a different sound to the music.

Their internationally influenced music ranges, even mid-song, from a Gypsy, Bohemian sound reminiscent of something one would hear in Moulin Rouge; to circus-sounding bells, whistles, and trumpets; to 1920’s, flapper-esque pep; to deep and soulful, folky-rock, and everything in between.

At one point, Anna Marit led the audience in a sing-a-long rendition of “To the Sea,” instructing the room to repeat the chorus lines after her:

“Because alllll I have leffffft, is the voiiiiiiiice of the wiinnnnnd,

blowwwwinng throughhh-the doorrss….”

“OF THE HOUSE!”

A fairly intimate crowd on a warm Thursday night, the floor in front of the stage would have suggested otherwise: the linoleum full of fans new and old dancing, clapping, smiling along with the enthusiastic, fun-loving band. The energy in the room was contagious and by the end of the night, everyone was buzzing around, whether they knew the lyrics or not.

Local Portland quintet, The Ascetic Junkies, helped to set the infectiously positive tone for the evening, so very obviously in love with making music, no matter who is listening. As they played to the early, mellow group, their apparent joy and great music wafted up the stairs and into the ears of passersby that slowly began trickling in and quickly took up swing dancing on the spacious floor. Catch them throughout the summer, at the Doug Fir August 1st and 14th, and at Pioneer Courthouse Square July 22nd, performing free with Kink.fm’s summer concert series.

The release of the Katzenjammer’s album Le Pop brings the foursome on their first “real” tour of the U.S., even playing several Lilith Fair shows in August. Keep your eyes and ears peeled: after professing their instant infatuation with Portland, and already working on another album, there is no doubt these ladies will be back for their next tour. In the meantime, watch the music video for Katzenjammer’s hit “Bar in Amsterdam” below: