(Mini) Concert: The Kooks

Before seeing The Kooks later that night at the Wonder Ballroom (my favorite venue), they were doing a set at the KINK Bing lounge. I hopped on the MAX and got to the Bing Lounge early to get a good spot. I snagged front row seats for me, my mom, dad, and best friend Jamila.

They did acoustic versions of Down, Around Town, See Me Now, and Bad Habit. It was so great to see the songs I've been listening to for weeks in a stripped down fashion about 3 feet from my face. Down was a particularly interesting one to hear acoustic, they skipped the intro and went right into the "down down digi-digi's". You can watch the videos here: Bad Habit, See Me Now, Around Town. Down, and interview.

They did a meet and greet after their short set, and I showed them a photo I had taken with them the first time they had ever been to Portland (about 8 years ago). Luke kept saying "wow" and "oh my god", it was very funny. I'm assuming he was talking about seeing his younger self. The picture itself is quite bad, and Luke and Hugh are the only current members in the photo. Then he said "So how were the last 8 years then?" in a joking way, to which I replied something along the lines of "waiting for your next album!". He apologized it took so long.

The Kooks circa 2006

(Mini) Concert: Broken Bells

When I was in Seattle seeing Portugal. The Man and Grouplove, I got an email from the KINK Bing Lounge saying I won a spot to see Broken Bells!

I got in line super early, so I was the first one there, and snagged a seat in the second row (the first row was filled by people that had cashed in favors from what I had gathered). Lucky for me, I was sitting behind a small child, so I was able to see right over her head.

They played 4 songs: Angel and the Fool, Holding on for Life, High Road, and After the Disco. They were all stripped down and acoustic - not to mention fabulous. When James Mercer whistled the part in Angel and the Fool, I melted into a small puddle of awe. There's really nothing that man can do wrong. Hell, he could put out a death metal album and I'm sure it would be excellent. And Danger Mouse is such an amazing producer... He's like King Midus - everything he touches turns to musical gold. There was also a short interview as per usual with the Bing Lounge shows.

After the (too short) set, there was no meet and greet like there normally is at Bing Lounge shows. I'm sure this was due to the enormous crowd that had come to see them, but it was still a bummer. However, not letting that stop me, I waited outside the back door where I knew they would be coming out. It was only me and a few other people who were waiting so it was okay, it wouldn't have been quite as alright if there were tons of people though. I met James Mercer, Danger Mouse, and the other two touring members of the band. I have to admit, I sort of ended up gushing to Danger Mouse about how much I love the albums he's produced, but he seemed appreciative and not like I was a crazy fan girl. Same with James.

All in all, it was probably the best KINK Bing Lounge show I've ever been to, and hearing the songs I've been listening to for months in a totally different manner was incredible.

Here are the videos for After the Disco, Holding on for Life, High Road, Angel and the Fool, and the interview from the show.

Concert: Broken Bells

Broken Bells is the collaboration of Jsmes Mercer (from The Shins), and the producer Brian Burton (AKA Danger Mouse). Their second album After The Disco came out in February 2014, and toured for the first time since 2010.

They played in Portland (James Mercer's hometown) on August 11th at the Arliene Schnitzer Concert Hall - a venue usually reserved for the Oregon symphony. The Schnitz will occasionally host concerts, but it really isn't my favorite venue to see bands at. For starters, it's a seated venue so there's the variable of "will the crowd stand or sit the entire time?" And also the possibility that the tallest person in Portland will sit in front of you, which happens to me frequently. Also the sound quality isn't the best for rock shows, and the venue itself is so large that it can feel impersonal as it holds about 2,700 people.

Anyway, there was no chance I was going to miss seeing Broken Bells, since the last time I saw them was in 2010. Portugal. The Man and Grouplove were playing the same night in Portland at the Edgefield - one of my favorite venues, but I managed to see them in Seattle, so I could go to both shows!

The opening band Cayucas were pretty good. They have a light, indie beach type sound, kind of similar to Vampire Weekend. They have echo-y vocals, simple drum beats, and staccato guitar. I thought they were pretty good, but definitely felt like an opening band. I wouldn't be surprised if they got popular in a few years once they tighten up a bit.

The stage set up was a futuristic set up that consisted of raised round platforms that the keys and drums were on, some awesome floor lights, and a mirrored half sphere in the direct center of the stage. I realized later on that the half sphere was projector that played different space-y images on a screen behind the setup. Before the band came out the projection showed a live video of the audience on the screen from a camera that was mounted just to the left of the half sphere on the keyboard stand. I tried to get a picture of the audience projection as best as I could, and you can kind of get the idea of what it looked like below.

 The band played an excellent mix of old and new songs, and captivated the audience the whole time. All the band members were switching instruments throughout the set, and played every song effortlessly. When they played Angel And The Fool Brian and James stood behind the projector so their shadows were cast based on their proximity to the projector, and the whistling in that song was spot on and beautiful. At one point towards the end of the set, James Mercer said how great it was to be home since he had a new baby at home.

It was a great show, and I'm so happy I was able to see them for a second time. In an interview I heard on NPR with them they mentioned a probable third album, and that they were more of a band than a side project. I'm excited for whatever future albums and shows they do!