Oregon Music News

Atole at City Hall

The mellow jazzy notes of the Andrew Oliver *Quartet* wafted down the blocks of SW 4th Avenue at 6 PM on Thursday evening, emanating from the courtyard in front of Portland’s City Hall and the Mayor’s Office.  A peaceful handful were seated on the concrete ground while others stood watching from the stone railing that parallels the street, pausing during a passing jog or dog walk, as Mayor Sam Adams invited PDX Pop Now! to present a showing of Portland’s local musical talent for the public before a public office.

For the fourth year, always in conjunction with Sam Adams (first as a city commissioner and now as the mayor), PDX Pop Now! showcased a variety of local music from indie jazz to acoustic and electric singer/songwriting to electro-dance.

Following Andrew Oliver *Quartet* (who you can often find performing as a sextet), the dichotomous Kelli Schaefer took the stage.  Alternating from soft to loud on her electric guitar and accompanied only by drummer and backing vocalist Jeremiah Hayden, who also caressed and thumped his kit to Schaefer’s lyrical lead.  Sweet but sharp, Schaefer’s set was minimal and slow for the relaxed crowd, finally building into a remix of “Home” by Portland rapper Tope who also joined Schaefer on stage for a quick rap that contrasted her mournful vocals.

The ah-ah-ah-ah’s of Atole broke loose in stark contrast to the preceding acts as lead singer Manny Reyes asked everyone to get on their feet.  Abiding his request, a crowd gathered at the edge of the stage bobbing and shaking to the immediate, punky vigor and looped yelps of Reyes while he pogoed along to his fingers tapping out samples on the buttons before him.  Normally suited for dingy, sweaty clubs, Atole felt natural on the open air stage playing a new track… possibly called “Space Face.”

“Why not?” responded vocalist and roto-toms player Sarah.

Releasing their energy across the concrete courtyard like a popped blister, the gritty 8-bit beats, electronic programming, keys, bass, and percussion spread to the audience as Reyes hopped off the stage to flail around in the audience for a final dance before the night once again became placid as the Nick Jaina Band prepped to take the stage.

Nick Jaina (center)

Opening with the title track, “Sebastopol,” off his latest release, A Bird In The Opera House, Nick Jaina and his five-piece backing band stroked through a set of softly brooding, romantic tales masterfully written by Jaina and expertly executed on the trumpet, viola, upright bass, drums, and acoustic and electric guitars–the electric being played by Jaina’s brother, the first time he’s ever performed with the band.

In his black suit and baby blue tie, Jaina led the group as they performed several songs off of his new album, including the passionate “Another Kay Song” and the album’s lead single “Sleep, Child” (listen below), as well as a cover of “Rotten Hell” from Jaina’s “favorite band” Menomena, whom he praised seeing at last year’s PDX Pop Now! festival.

A bit refined, a bit rustic, Jaina’s sound marches and stomps while retaining a classy attitude.  His impeccable songwriting matches all the pieces together perfectly.

While unloading his gear, Jaina received a $40 parking ticket, and he joked that Mayor Sam Adams nixed his request to nullify it.  Instead, he thanked PDX Pop Now! not only for putting on the show but also for cutting him a $40 check.

Introducing his band to the crowd, hands clapped and sticks clacked with Arcade Fire-flare on the closing cut of “Sleep, Child.”

Past PDX Pop Now! performances at City Hall have included Quasi, The Minders, and Pseudosic in 2006, Old  Time Relijun, Watery Graves, and Little Sue in 2007, and YACHT, Point Juncture,  WA, and Y La Bamba in 2009.

This year’s PDX Pop Now! festival will take place at Rotture over 3 days from July 30th to August 1st and features 48 local, Portland acts.  Plus, it’s free!

Get all the info and coverage about this year’s PDX Pop Now! on the OMN festival page.