Somewhere in galaxy far away from here the true taste-maker still exist, unfortunately traveling at the speed of light to reach them currently is not an option. When you think of fashion these days it’s hard to remember a time when individualism has been more compromised than it is now. Let me put it in laymen’s terms, what people would call swag these days lacks it’s own namesake because everyone is doing it. For instance if everyone rocks a snapback doesn’t that defeat the point of buying a snapback? The crux of style and “swag” is supposed to be the ability to do what’s considered different with confidence. When different becomes the norm it no longer qualifies as stylish and those who subscribe to it are just followers who came late to the party. Portland designer Morgan Jones has seemed to master the art of individuality. Her jewelry line “Infamous Items” embodies what it means to be a true taste-maker. In a day and age where toeing the company line seems to be what’s cool her jewelry does the exact opposite. Maybe it’s the weather maybe not but the Pacific-Northwest has a way of affecting its citizens in strange ways creatively. Using militant and at times morbid design concepts the Grant high school graduate and Portland native is able to capture human emotion through her jewelry. Ms. Jones is able to hand craft jewelry with items that are more synonymous with violence then fashion but it’s that juxtapose in position that makes her line so fresh and unique. When it comes to fashion and design it takes something very different to catch my eye, it’s safe to say she had me at hello. She will be debuting new items from the Assassin Line live on the runway at The Refuge on 116 SE Yamhill 2/10/12 from 8pm-2pm. For more information on the brand log on to Facebook.com/infamousitems #Getinfamous
Often times when I hear a new hip-hop artist I end up feeling disappointed. The thing is it’s not really their fault for the most part; It’s not that they lack some “it” factor that’s only found in a few artist it’s more of the times we live in. In a society obsessed with celebrity and sensationalism it seems the art form as a whole has suffered as a result. Gone are the days of conceptual albums and lyricism, replaced by snap back hats skinny jeans and the plague known as “swag”. I’m not here to point fingers on who’s fault it is but somewhere along the way actually being a good rapper got lost in the shuffle. With that being said every once and while you do find a diamond in the rough. For every 10 new artist I get a chance to listen to usually only one or two get my attention. Atlanta native and Portland resident Stevo might just be the one for you too. Although his name might conjure images of a certain MTV funny man this Stevo provides fans with much more than an occasional laugh. The thing that stands out about Stevo’s music is it embodies youthful exuberance without compromising creativity. His latest mixtape “Pardon My Jet Lag” was well received by critics and music lovers alike and is sure to be one of many quality releases by the young Portland artist. Stevo also brought the ATL hustle to the Pacific- Northwest, which earns him bonus points in my book. Releasing his music independently through his own imprint Triple-SB his work ethic is starting to yield positive results. Although Pardon My Jet Lag is fueled by the high energy and lyrics of Stevo it’s when he links with Triple-SB co-founder and resident songwriter Nick Fave that takes the project to the next level. With Nick navigating melodies and chorus structure it allows Stevo the freedom to focus on the art of storytelling which is a real treat for the listener. If you don’t have a copy of the mixtape I’d advise you to step your game up it’s well worth the purchase.To check out more of his music visit www.reverbnation.com/Stevotriplesb and to download his mixtape visit www.datpiff.com and search “Pardon My Jet Lag” If you want to check him out live he’ll be performing live September 16 at The Candy Carnival in Estacada Oregon. Make sure you bring your lighters though, at a Stevo show you can bet you’ll need it. #Smokesomethin’
Many people say beauty is often found in the eye of the beholder, with that being said who are we to say what’s good and what’s not? I was once told by a wise man there is no best just favorites and the more I think about that statement the more it rings true. In a day and age when everyone has pro-tools and the next hip-hop superstar is often based on latest dance trend it’s hard to tell where the artistry went. I’m not saying this type of music doesn’t deserve a place in the game I’m just saying every hero needs a villain, and this time the bad guy might actually come out on top by the time the credits role. The local music scene has witnessed many acts come and go. Portland is a city with a rich musical history but you might not know that if you’re new to the area. Micah Warren and Lance Preston, formally of the legendary local hip-hop group ProzandConz are keenly aware of this fact. As teenagers they witnessed local hip-hop and its peek; sold out shows with no headliners, demand often exceeding the supply at local music stores and most importantly love throughout the community. It was something to see and possibly may never be duplicated in this new climate of file sharing and ringtone music. The childhood friends and former members of ProzandConz are back at it again, but this time it’s personal. The Kennedy’s is a group they formed with creativity in mind, a group with a sound as unique as their thought process. The Kennedy’s collection exudes confidence that only years of experience can provide. Though they would tell you they’re far from mastering their craft, others would say they’re vision is well beyond of their years. Considering they produce their own music, direct and edit their own videos they often evoke images of a time where artistry came first. The duo will release it’s debut EP “Starlet’s Web” by mid-summer. So if it’s true what they say, and every hero does indeed need a villain, then say hello to the bad guys. For more information about the group follow them on twitter @TheRealKennedys and check out their YouTube page Youtube.com/Thekennedystv You can catch them live at Fire in the Canyon a music festival August 5-8 10:00AM-2:00pm
Headlined by De La Soul, Swamp and Del The Funkee Homosapien
HORNING’S HIDEOUT
21277 NW Brunswick Canyon Rd.
North Plains, OR
Has anyone ever wondered what really makes a good party? I mean if you think about it what’s truly the common denominator? I’ve been to clubs all over the U.S., from big markets to small markets and everywhere you go the definition changes. Some people think its beautiful people and others think its good music. I look at it a little different I think it just depends on who you are and where you are. If you’re in Los Angeles you might be looking for a swanky club with a V.I.P line that never moves. That’s not for everyone but for some that might be the definition of a good time. I’m not here to tell you who’s right and who’s wrong but I can tell you where to be when it comes to my town. When some people think of the Rose City they might think coffee shops and “keep Portland weird” bumper stickers and they’d be correct to do so. But that would only be half right, what some people might not know is if you take a more in-depth look there’s a nightlife seen that is just as unique as the people and places within the city. Who’s the person behind this nightlife renaissance? Well his family might call him Idris but if you’re a Portland native you probably just know him as Starchile. If you look at the local hip-hop scene now you wouldn’t know it but at one point Portland’s underground hip-hop scene was very popular. At its peak you could see Northeast Portland native Starchile on stage rockin crowds with a herringbone that would make Rappin’ 4-Tay blush. Those were the days when sold out local shows were common and hating was still in it’s infancy. These days the herringbone is gone but the man on stage is still moving crowds in a different way. As a radio personality slash promoter Starchile was able to parlay his people skills into a viable business and the nightlife landscape in Portland should be thankful for it. His latest event might just be the crown jewel of them all. Live & Direct is quickly becoming the place to be around town and created quite the buzz over the past few months. Located at the Rotture on SE 3rd & Pine you might not notice it driving bye but once you step in you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The music is tight the drinks are stiff and the crowd is diverse, Portland at it’s best. No fights no long lines and all without crossing the bridge. The next Live & Direct is April 8 and is sure to live up to the buzz surrounding it. Still asking what makes a good party? Just be there April 8 and you might just find out. For more information log on to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164131810306625
If you listen to hip-hop the way I do this post might give you a little perspective on how I see things. The way I look at it the most important thing an emcee is obligated to do is put on for his city. Maybe it’s just the way hip-hop is presented but ever since the days of the Bronx vs. Queens-Bridge battle there is nothing that says hip-hop like someone that put’s his city before himself. Oddly enough in other genres of music it doesn’t really seem to work that way. A band could be from overseas and you might not know it until you read their biography. One thing is for sure when you hear this particular emcee it won’t take you long to figure out where he’s from. Seattle native Ben Haggerty better known by his stage name Macklemore leaves no doubt where his heart lies. The Emerald City emcee reps Seattle every chance he gets. People around the globe might not be aware of Seattle’s rich underground hip-hop tradition but for those of us amerced in the culture it’s no secret there’s a lot more going on in the “206” than Seattle Seahawk games. Macklemore attended Garfield high school in Seattle, which just so happens to be the same school Portland Trailblazer shooting guard Brandon Roy attended. He began to build a buzz in the region after he performed at Bumbershoot in 2008. This festival is one of the most popular musical events in the Pacific-Northwest and can act as a springboard for any aspiring artist. His latest single and video “The Town” is a tribute to the Seattle hip-hop scene and pays homage to those who paved the way for him. Although Sir Mix- A- Lot is often credited as being the only Seattle born emcee to have enjoyed mainstream success he left many emcee’s inspired along the way. If representing your city is a prerequisite in hip-hop’s arms race, than Macklemore is more than ready for war. If you’re looking to catch a dope show in the Portland area he’ll be performing at the Hawthorne Theater March 3. You might want to grab your ticket early it’s sure to be a packed house. For more information log on to www.myspace.com/macklemore
A sound that would later define a generation was already a movement before mainstream media paid any attention to it. A scene that many people had no idea about was brewing in the Pacific- Northwest and many people didn’t know what to think of it. An indie label by the name of Sub-Pop would discover a band that would change popular music and vanish like a thief in the night. The media called it grunge, but to fans the band was known as Nirvana.What makes Nirvana stand out from many other bands at that time is their quick rise to fame. By the time the band was formed in 1987 by front man Kurt Cobain Nirvana was not the polished act that would change the musical taste of the MTV generation. It took them three years to find the right pieces including drummer David Grohl that would finally make the puzzle complete. In their early years Sub-Pop garnered a certain level of regional success with bands Sonic-youth and Soundgarden. Nirvana would release an underground album Bleach which created a buzz on many different levels, although the album was not heavily promoted it kept people on notice that a new sound had arrived but nobody could have known what was in store down the road. After the band recorded a follow up EP to Bleach they began looking for a major label deal. They would eventually sign to DGC records and change the face of music with their major label debut Nevermind. What made this project come to life was the video for the lead single “Smells like Teen Spirit”. They say that timing is everything and sure enough when cable network MTV was coming of age this video struck a cord with many fans in more ways than one. It became a rallying cry for all kids that felt like misfits or somehow overlooked. The video imagery really captured the spirit of what would later be coined as “Generation X”. For corporate America it served as a wake up call, no longer would this segment of the population be muzzled and for better or worst their voices would be heard. By years end the album was selling over 400,00 copies a week and was a full-blown phenomenon. Unfortunately like many things in life the good times didn’t last forever. After releasing two more studio albums that where both successful in their own right lead singer Kurt Cobain was found dead at his Seattle estate, a victim of a self inflicted gun wound. Nirvana came and they went, they stole the hearts of many and before we knew what happened it was all over. The indelible mark they left on rock can still be felt to this day, and might possibly be the Pacific-Northwest’s greatest contribution to music.
Usually when I decide to write about a band people just assume they’ll hail from the Pacific-Northwest. This is true at times being that this blog is based around the happenings around this rainy metropolis but there are some exceptions. I’d like to think that good music knows no boundaries and is always worth talking about no matter where it’s from. Pegasus Weekly just so happens to exist because of a lack of publications that highlight talent from this region so hopefully you can excuse my basis. For those that think this blog is near sided this post is for you and hopefully proves that anything that gets my head bobbing usually gets my pen moving as well. This band hails from Northern Ireland and with the use of catchy melodies and clever choruses Two Door Cinema Club is hoping to have the same impact in the U.S. as they did in Europe. After leaving college to pursue their dream as a band the group found critical acclaim with their 2009 EP “ Four Words To Stand On”. This effort received a lot of attention from media members in Europe and left many in the blogosphere waiting for a debut album. With the help of social networking site MySpace the band was able to capture a core audience in a relatively short amount of time. What makes this band smart is the way they use licensing to increase their awareness around the globe. With song placements on popular video game titles such as Grand Turismo 5, FIFA 11 and NBA 2K 11 the band made sure that you’d be hearing their music one way or the other. Non-stop touring including opening up for Phoenix on their U.S. tour helped their debut LP “Tourist History” reached gold status in the U.K.. I wouldn’t call myself a jet setter just yet but it’s safe to say my music library might soon need a passport. For more information on this band log on to twodoorcinemaclub.com
As a city Portland is known for many things most commonly rain and the Trail Blazers just to name a few. If you were born and raised in the city of roses there are certain things you can bank on when people find out where you’re from. Questions involving the climate and sports usually ensue which are common conversation pieces among strangers. Well the next time you step of that plane you’ll be armed with a new conversation piece. When they ask you what’s in Portland just tell them Esperanza Spalding, you know the woman that one best new artist at the Grammy’s. My best bet is they’ll look confused when those words come from your mouth. That’s right the 2011 Grammy party was crashed by none other than Northeast Portland native Esperanza Spalding. In a category dominated by pop icon Justin Beiber and hip-hop superstar Drake Ms. Spalding pulled the rope-a-dope and left with the hardware. In one of the biggest upsets in Grammy history the jazz virtuoso was able to slay goliath with grace and class. What started as a dream in Portland’s King neighborhood came full circle during her acceptance speech in Los Angeles. Standing on stage in front of her peers who most likely had no clue jazz still existed she spoke from her heart and thanked the many people that helped her achieve her goals. In true Northeast Portland fashion she couldn’t exit the stage until she gave a shout out to her city, which led many Oregonians straight to their DVR consoles. This was a win for the city and a win for jazz, which goes all but unheard in this new musical landscape. So the next time your driving down a Portland street you might want to pay attention to surroundings. Shooting hoops all alone at that playground might just be the next Kevin Love, or that kid with the flip cam might be the next Gus Van Sant. Keep your ears wide open you never know, one day your neighbor might just win a Grammy.
It’s very rare these days when things live up to their billing. You can look at virtually anything in life and the hype usually exceeds the substance. As a veteran of the Portland nightlife circuit I’d like to think I’ve seen it all. In Portland clubs come and they go, one moment it’s the place to be the next moment it’s up for lease. I hate to put individual clubs on blast so I won’t say any names but if going out downtown is your thing I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Be that as it may there is a club experience that stands above the rest as of late. Massive is an event held at The Crown Room that has garnered a lot of buzz lately around town. Massive as an event reflects the spirit of Portland in many different ways. If you attend the event the first thing you’ll notice is the diversity of the people there. Unfortunately many spots around town or in the U.S. for that matter have become voluntarily segregated. Segregated in a different way than you might think though, for instance some of the upscale bars and lounges in The Pearl District cater to a specific crowd. Which is cool but you end up with is a social landscape that’s separated by tax bracket. This turns the city into pseudo melting pot where people feel comfortable only when surrounded by their similar tax bracket. What makes Massive dope is all those rules are thrown out the window when you walk through the door. Finally you have a true blend of people and ideals in one place at one time having a good time. The music selection is really what makes it unique, too many times when you go out on the town you hear watered down versions of radio songs that fit the crowd attending. At Massive you might hear an old school Mobb Deep record followed by an up and coming local artist. It’s truly the place to be if downtown nightlife is your thing. It’s rare that something lives up to the hype but in this case it’s ok to believe everything you read. For more information visit http://thecrownroom.net/
Sometimes when you listen to music it just does something to you. For the most part that’s the reason that music holds a special place in most people’s hearts. When you’re having a bad day a good song can change the way you feel about everything. It can put a smile on your face as well as a tear down your cheek and that’s what makes the art as a whole unique. Portland band Hello Morning is keenly aware of that fact and create music with this in mind. The Pacific-Northwest as a whole is notorious for producing a wide variety of sounds. Everything from electro-pop to hard core rock you name it and you’ll hear it played somewhere around town. Hello Morning has a sound that reminds me more of Muse or A Silent Film than anything I’ve heard around town. A lot of their material has a very full and polished sound, which would lead one to believe that they’re well on the way to something great. What makes Hello Morning refreshing to me as a listener is they seem to have already found what works for them. Sometimes when you listen to a new band you can tell they’re still finding themselves musically. This can be a good thing at times for a fan that can appreciate the coal before it turns into a diamond, but in Hello Morning’s case the shine is already bright. You might be a little late to the party if your just now deciding to check them out because they’ve been playing around town pretty consistently for a while now. The good thing about music is there’s always room on the bandwagon for new listeners. There self-titled EP is available on iTunes and if your looking to check them out live visit http://hellomorningband.com for dates, you wont leave disappointed.
Somewhere in galaxy far away from here the true taste-maker still exist, unfortunately traveling at the speed of light to reach them currently is not an option. When you think of fashion these days it’s hard to remember a time when individualism has been more compromised than it is now. Let me put it in laymen’s terms, what people would call swag these days lacks it’s own namesake because everyone is doing it. For instance if everyone rocks a snapback doesn’t that defeat the point of buying a snapback? The crux of style and “swag” is supposed to be the ability to do what’s considered different with confidence. When different becomes the norm it no longer qualifies as stylish and those who subscribe to it are just followers who came late to the party. Portland designer Morgan Jones has seemed to master the art of individuality. Her jewelry line “Infamous Items” embodies what it means to be a true taste-maker. In a day and age where toeing the company line seems to be what’s cool her jewelry does the exact opposite. Maybe it’s the weather maybe not but the Pacific-Northwest has a way of affecting its citizens in strange ways creatively. Using militant and at times morbid design concepts the Grant high school graduate and Portland native is able to capture human emotion through her jewelry. Ms. Jones is able to hand craft jewelry with items that are more synonymous with violence then fashion but it’s that juxtapose in position that makes her line so fresh and unique. When it comes to fashion and design it takes something very different to catch my eye, it’s safe to say she had me at hello. She will be debuting new items from the Assassin Line live on the runway at The Refuge on 116 SE Yamhill 2/10/12 from 8pm-2pm. For more information on the brand log on to Facebook.com/infamousitems #Getinfamous
