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Nurses
By Charlie | July 7, 2009
Last Thursday, Annie and I headed to the Doug Fir for some live music. As evidenced by our Dept of Eagles review, we love the Fir; great sound, good atmosphere, nice and dark. This night we were going not only to escape the 90 degree temperatures we had to endure all weekend (WTF Portland?!?!) but to catch a local band we’ve been trying to see since we got here.
The band is Nurses. A staple of Portland’s experimental indie scene for a little while, this trio (once a quartet) originated in Idaho Falls, Idaho, before moving to CA, Chicago, and finally here to the Rose City. Thank goodness we got ‘em, cause they might be the best local act to hit the town.
You see, Portland has two kinds of music scenes. We’ve got your Decemberists, your Stephen Malkmus’s (take that Stockton!) and your M. Ward’s. That’s all well and good, but those bands never actually play Portland. Yeah, sure you’ll see the Decemberists at the Edgefield theater, our version of Shoreline for you Bay Area musicophiles. Or maybe M. Ward will rock the Crystal Ballroom, our Warfield. But, who want’s to stand among the sorority girls on their cell phones, six dollar beers, and ticketmaster convenience charges? Not to mention the meth heads and frat boys trying to mosh during Black Mountain. What the fuck is up with that? Sometimes people just don’t get it. It’s like, hello, but you’re being a huge pain in the ass for 99.99% of the crowd who just wants to appreciate a Canadian version of Blue Cheer.
So what was I talking about? Oh yea, the other Portland scene. The one with the highly energetic, free wheeling, respectful cape wearing motherfuckers. The one that happens in basements and bars every night of the week. The one that’s a couple of bucks or a plate of cookies, whichever you got. That’s my Portland music scene, and for me, Nurses may be the best embodiment of it.
Special mention goes also to Y La Bamba, who co-headlined the show with Nurses. The group, fronted by Luz Elena Mendoza’s off the charts vocals, and featuring melodic and invigorating folk rock, absolutely astounded us. They were a huge surprise, and one I’m grateful for seeing.
But on to the main course. Looking at Nurses, the three members of the indie pop trio could throw a couple of curve balls at your expectations. Aaron Chapman, John Bowers, and James Mitchell all possess that unidentifiable style and charm that could as easily be hippie psychedelic, space rock absurdity, or 70’s throwback cool. Assembling their gear at the Fir, it was a like a game of spot the genre, but then Nurses unleashes a deftly swooning set of keyboards and guitar chimed duality. Songs like “Technicolor” are hook filled and harmonious with subtle notes played almost hushed over the simple beat. It’s a stop you in your tracks ambiance that immediate silences crowds and sways hips. Nurses know better than to play overly jangled expressions of moodiness, preferring the discreet whistling bravado of tunes like “Caterpillar Playground.” The roaming lyrical calmness perfectly adheres itself to the spacey and minimalist mania.
Basically, this some of the best music you’re going to hear. Anywhere. Anytime. Ever. I can’t get enough. And if you’re super jealous that we got to see them, but you missed out, have no fear. Nurses is releasing their album at a show on August 6th. It’s sure to be one of the best of the season, seeing as how any show with Nurses is already up there. Plus new music you can take with you? And at Holocene, one of the best venues in town? And with Inside Voices and the Slaves? Yes Please.
-Charlie
Topics: Music News, PORTLAND |
July 7th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
portland has two music scenes? can Santa Rosa have just one? please? I’ll trade you a juicebox and my brownie…
July 7th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Build a venue Nick and they will come.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Did you guys have dinner at the Fir? Did you get a… Fir Burger?
AAAHAHahahahahaah