Oct. 16
Back to the crossroads
Its a story as old as the blues some frustrated cat wants musical success and sells out to Satan to get it. However, Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame inductees Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes have decided to flip the script, releasing a new CD titled Buy My Soul Back this week.
The multi-award-winning bands release is Selfes fourth and will be marked by a bash featuring a whos who of local blues folks, including national Blues Music Award winners Jimi Bott and Lisa Mann, as well as Allen Markel, James Pace, Steve Kerin, Brad Ulrich, Joe McCarthy, Chris Mercer, Don Shultz and Pete Moss.
The new record swings, walks, talks and growls, with standout cuts including the title song, which would sound just fine on a Robert Cray album, as well as the swampy Diggin My Own Grave. Selfe also covers the Bruce Springsteen tune Im On Fire, which features a nice harmonica solo by Mitch Kashmar, one of our citys finest harp players.
Its a wide range of blues styles, not pigeonholed into one thing, Selfe says, noting Buy My Soul Back features contributions from members of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Tommy Castro keyboardist James Pace.
We didnt just want a traditional blues album, or just West Coast swing, we wanted a variety, Selfe says. This record represents what youll hear from us live.
Selfe adds the band plans to tour early next year to promote the record throughout the Southwest as well as the East Coast. You can hear bits and pieces of it at kevinselfe.com.
Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, Bossanova Ballroom, 722 E. Burnside St. $15 in advance, $18 day of show, $100 VIP.
Info: 503-206-7630, bossanova ballroom.com.
Oct. 17
Queen of clubs
From her early years when, like a virgin, she touched us for the very first time with her dance club-friendly hits to her turn as a slightly menacing ancient empress at the 2012 Super Bowl, Madonna has never been shy about demanding her place in the performance world.
Her Rebel Heart tour is apparently as over the top as youd expect from a performer who has appropriated bits and pieces of culture from cross-dressing to Catholicism and subsumed them to serve her camp expression. Avenging all the wrongs ever done to Marilyn Monroe by recasting the sex symbol as a dominant CEO without whom the after-hours party cant get started, Madonna understands the populaces dream is really not the white picket fence and the kids and the lawn, its about finding self-affirming validation in mass adoration.
Madonna, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Moda Center. $33 to $1,870 VIP. Info: rosequarter.com.
Sullen sibling songs
At long last, Portland folk-soul duo Moody Little Sister Naomi Hooley and Rob Stroup are celebrating the release of their debut full-length album, Wild Places, with this show. Hooley, who plays piano and sings, has a strong, just shy of husky voice, and Stroups rootsy guitar-playing and drumming complement her voice.
The duo has spent three years crafting the record, which includes some real gems, like the stomping Ocean, Rock and Sand, and the spirit-lifting anthemic title cut. VIP tickets include reserved seating and a mimosa brunch the following day with the band.
Moody Little Sister, Sky Bound Blue, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave. $16 in advance, $20 at the door, $35 VIP. Info: 503-222-2031, theoldchurch.org.
Quick hits
Twice named Austins Best Indie act at that citys Music Awards, Wild Child mixes folk, pop and Gypsy styles and features vocalist Kelsey Wilson, one of the warmest pop singers of our day. See this playful band, along with Max Frost and Flower Punks, at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St. Parent/guardian must accompany
minor. $18 in advance, $20 day of show. Info: 503-288-3895,
revolutionhallpdx.com.
Skylar Spence (formerly Saint Pepsi) combines disco and New Wave with pretty clever, witty lyrics to create gosh darn fun pop music. You can get down with his new band, as well as Kero Kero Bonito, at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Holocene, 1001 S.E. Morrison St. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Info: (503) 239-7639,
holocene.org.
One of the best things about Jeremy Loops last gig here was hearing opening act The Colin Trio. Led by singer-pianist-guitarist Colin Hogan, the group combines jazz, blues and soul music in a show that would appeal to fans of Norah Jones and Tom Waits. You can see the trio at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at East Burn, 1800 E. Burnside St. Info: 503-236-2876, theeastburn.com.
Django Django sounds like a chorus of psychedelic monks locked in a monastery filled with everything from guitars and drums to synthesizers and samplers. The adventurous, melodic U.K art rock quartet is a lot more fun than many progressive acts, and shares a bill with Wild Belle at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Wonder Ballroom, 128 N.E. Russell St. All ages. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Info: 503-284-8686, wonderballroom.com.