on the bill: rags & ribbons, bearcubbin', rare monk
06.28.14
context: saturday night show compiled of all local pdx bands in their twenty somethings.
crowd: twenty somethings, polite. lots of merch to be excited about.
rare monk
someone known and to be of worthy musical insight told me rare monk "was the next big local band" so we will see where that takes them. rare monk played a solid set with melodic dream rifs with reggae esq currents -- lingering notes and soft undertones. vocals are drift through the music gently adding dynamic and depth.
they opened with an amazing cover of "ain't no sunshine" that had just enough of a twist to make it modern and different but still stayed true to the original bill wither's soulful sound. i liked it so much that i found it on their soundcloud and listened again. while still beautifully strong, the live version blew the recording out of the water.
all in all, rare monk makes me want to roll around at sunset on my bike during the spring. i would definitely give them a second glance.
bearcubbin'
i have seen bearcubbin' once before and they impressed me the first time. after i saw them i immediately listened to their whole album on soundcloud and quickly kicked myself for not checking their merch out.
bearcubbin' has a great progressive instrumental sound. while only a trio, they make complex melodies that have a beginning middle and end. all the sounds coming into the songs are warranted and progressive steps towards the climax and cool down of songs. even though there isn't any vocals their sounds still keeps you interested enough to stay tuned in.
so, since they came around again and this time i picked up a cd. i was really jazzed, yet not surprised, that their recorded stuff sounded just as great as their live.
not to mention that all three of the members are super nice and approachable. they are the ones who sell their merch and stick around to talk with a fan.
listen to:
girls with fun haircuts
high school field trip to murder island
kevin
carpet needs drink too
rags & ribbons
compared with the other two bands, rags & ribbons had a more vocal driven feel to it. the songs had robust and powerful vocal performances and rock instrumentals.
very reminiscent of panic! at the disco for me -- very upbeat and deliberate. they sounds crisp and well timed.
not my necessarily my scene, but saw how they could be in a collection with rare monk and bearcubbin' and still be able to shine out on their own.
