To our friends in France:
This weeks column is dedicated to the folks who lost their lives at the Bataclan Music Hall in Paris when terrorists attacked during The Eagles of Death Metal concert Nov. 13.
Those of us who live, breathe and love music know that this could have happened at any concert venue. May the families of the victims find peace amid their sorrow, knowing those of us who love live music keep them in our hearts.
Nov. 19
Heavenly hoaxers
For 25 years, The Charlatans UK have flown the alt pop rock banner high, consistently charting in their homeland with anthemic, ambitious tunes, combining classic rock, as well as 80s rhythm guitar ideas with post-punk attitude and production, fronted by singer Tim Burgess, the worlds most relaxed vocalist. In other words, they were Britpop before it was Britpop.
Earlier this year, the band put out the eclectic, lightly funky Modern Nature, which includes the dreamy, swinging Talking in Tones, as well as the positively 70s soul sounding Come Home Baby. The band lost its drummer, Jon Brookes, to cancer in 2013, and used three drummers on Nature, including Pete Salisbury (The Verve), Stephen Morris (New Order) and Gabriel Gurnsey (Factory Floor). Should be the It show of the week.
The Charlatans, Eyelids, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St. All ages. $29.50. Info: 503-225-0047, www.mcmenamins.com.
Empire strikes back
A ridiculous amount of musical talent will perform at Tender Loving Empires Friends and Friends of Friends 8 Compilation release party, including Loch Lomond, Transistor Send, Bed., Sunbathe (Maggie from Genders), New Move, The Fourth Wall, Catherine Feeny & Chris Johnedis, Snowblind Traveler and others. The first 50 people through the door will receive prizes, including the new compilation record, and other special goodies.
Tender Loving Empire compilation CD release, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Holocene, 1001 S.E. Morrison St. $8. Info: 503-239-7639, www.holocene.org.
Nov. 20
Less-tricity
OK, this is a little out of the way for Portlanders, but if you can, check out the Acoustic Guitar Summit at Skamania Lodge in Southwest Washington, which features three award-winning, finger-style guitarists, Grammy winners Mark Hanson and Doug Smith, who also won the National Fingerpicking Championship, and Terry Robb, an Oregon Music Hall of Famer and Cascade Blues Associations top acoustic blues guitarist . Should be a great night of jazz, blues, folk and more.
Acoustic Guitar Summit, 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Skamania Lodge, 1131 S.W. Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, Wash. $10. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-856-2131.
Nov. 21
Botsfords big break
Tualatin indie rocker Nate Botsford recently won the Project: Aloft Star national songwriting competition, in which he traveled to New York to be mentored by recording artist Ingrid Michaelson. He also opened a show for her in NYC with audience members that included media and industry professionals. His prize includes studio recording time with Billy Mann, whose production credits include John Legend, Pink, Celine Dion and Cher. In addition to studio time, Botsford will embark on a 25-city Aloft tour sometime next year. You can hear him at the Portland Soundcheck V show this weekend and say you saw him when.
Nate Botsford, Samsel, Brant Coella, Hitches, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St. $15 in advance, $16 day of show. Parent/guardian must accompany
minor. Info: 503-719-6055, www.albertarosetheatre.com.
Move over, Mr. Yankovic
Comedian-producer McQueen Adams mixes music, comedy, celebrity impressions and screen projections, touching on everyone from Daft Punk to Vladimir Putin, Matthew McConaughey to Coldplay, in his show, which sold out for two straight weeks in London. Like Weird Al Yankovic, McQueen clearly loves pop music but likes to skewer it with nerdy parodies. His anthem on behalf of redheads everywhere, Ginger Corvette, makes you realize why Prince was sexy in the first place while vaguely turning you on to Conan OBrien in an uncomfortable, yet irresistible, way.
McQueen Fever Dream Tour 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Hollywood Theatre, 4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd. $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Info: 503-281-4215, www.hollwyoodtheatre.org.
Quick hits
Slowcore maestros Love have released their latest record, Ones and Sixes, which gives the band an industrial-electronic twist this time around, and features their contrasting climbs to sonic summits as well as their descents to auditory depths. The band shares the stage with Andy Kauf at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St. $20. Info: 503-231-9663
Bluegrass-flavored Americana band Hot Buttered Rum shares the stage with Poor Mans Whiskey, and both will collaborate on a performance of Paul Simons Graceland, at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Revolution Hall 1300 S.E. Stark St. 21 and older. $15 in advance, $18 day of show. Info: 503-288-3895, www.revolutionhallpdx.com.
Catherine Feeny & Chris Johnedis will be joined by five wind players from the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, and will share the stage with Blue Cranes, at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Alberta Street Pub, 1036 N.E. Alberta St. $10 advance via www.pjce.org, or $12 day of show. Info: www.artful.ly/store/events/7372.