at The Tractor Tavern

Magic Mtn, the newest project from Arthur & Yu frontman Grant Olsen, had their first ever show last night at the Tractor Tavern. Basically just Olsen with a backing band of the Moondoggies, Magic Mtn sounded a great deal like Arthur & Yu. That 60's dreamy pop vibe was there, the lilting lyrics tripping along at an easy gate. Olsen's vocals were softened down to a pleasant lo-fi hush and the easy swagger of his songs and stage presence resembled so much of his previous project. His style is ethereal, meandering pop a little bit outside of it's time. It's pleasant, woodsy and at it's best when a lazy guitar jam creeps in and draws it all out.

Don't Be A Stranger has been a new favorite album of mine for the past year or so. Their sound hearkens back to what feels familiar to me: the outdoors, dusty roads and the beer-soaked nights of the country. It feels like the southern classic rock that was to become the soundtrack of my childhood, and to which my love of music has it's very base. They were fortunate enough to open for Sera Cahoone two nights in a row last week, and I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at the Saturday show.

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at Chop Suey

The lineup at Chop Suey on Saturday night was uneven. It started strong with Grant Olsen’s project away from Arthur and Yu. The country twang of his songs was subsumed by The Moondoggies harmonies ringing out behind Olsen’s slow, almost spoken, singing. The songs were tight and the bass hooks kept even their simplest songs interesting. This didn’t sound like a side project.

Next, Black Whales played a derivative set accompanied by an epilepsy-inducing light show. Song by song, Black Whales delivered tunes that wore their influences on their sleeve. The extra toms and cymbals next to the full drum set seemed superfluous, as the main drummer was the best part. The band seemed to flounder for a distinct sound, something that would make a listener say, “hey, isn’t this Black Whales?” Rather than ask if it’s The Stones.

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All parts Oregon, Point Juncture, WA is going to rock you. Slowly. In their collectively cradled arms. And when they do, you should look at the calluses on their hands and be thankful that someone out there is working hard to provide for you. They released Heart To Elk in February 2009 on Mt. Fuji Records.

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