Back room with Carrie Brownstein

We planned to catch a family supper prepared by Naomi Pomeroy - with our good friends Doug and Toni.
Doug had found this special event in his inbox, and the words that caught his eye were, [...]live music by Carrie Brownstein (ex-Sleater-Kinney).

Turned out that Doug and Toni had double-booked their evening, which is too bad we were looking forward to a chance to talk...

Last week, when I mentioned to William that we were going to see Carrie, AND eat a family supper - he nearly freaked-out!
He was immediately online trying to get a reservation... but alas it had sold out. (I really should have sent him a link when I found out about it... he was my ripe "sire" (for those that don't know about ripe, here's a good read on that incredible phenomena that burned so brightly in Portland for a while)

So, anyhow...
William was ecstatic that he could accompany us to see Carrie, and enjoy a Naomi family supper meal... (thanks to Doug and Toni)

The back door

Interesting event. The theme was a discussion around the way a city writes itself - the ways that writing can shape the future of a city, and the marked differences between literature of Portland and Seattle.

but... honestly, we were here for 2 reasons... in order:
1. Carrie Brownstein
2. family supper

and neither disappointed!

wine was provided, fantastic finger sandwiches, then Carrie took the stage.
It was a very intimate setting, and she noted how nervous she was (isn't that funny to think how many fans she has played to in huge arenas...)
She played several covers - I don't remember them all, but a Ramones song, a S-K song (funeral song), and Bruce Springsteen (Dancing in the Dark) to boot.
Her set was short, and may have not been a direct hit with the authors attending (but those of us that are die-hard S-K fans were certainly very happy)...
after she was done, she simply walked over to her seat and enjoyed the family supper!

My favorite part of the evening was calling Doug while Carrie was playing - in part to get him back for his call to me during the Nirvana set at a Lallapalooza I had to miss many years ago... (we're even Doug)

Kaiser Chiefs Show in Portland

The whole family has loved the Kaiser Chiefs CDs - and when Yours Truly Angry Mob came out, we bought it via iTunes that day...

I saw that they were coming to the Crystal Ballroom, thanks to my new favorite website tourfilter! So I bought tickets for me, Shelli, Maddie and Maddie's friend Tovia.

The show:
Three bands played last night:
- The Little Ones
- The Walkmen
- The Kaiser Chiefs

The Little Ones...
Were playing when we arrived just after 9:00. This band had a great stage presence, and played an enjoyable pop sound. I quite liked their set - have to go get some of their music - the sound was well produced, lots of tight melodic guitar, and lots of reverb on the vocals...

The Walkmen...
were, in a word loud. I think I would like their music, but they were WAY TOO LOUD. I went scrambling to buy earplugs (I usually bring a pair to every show, but spaced it last night) they were sold out everywhere... my ears are still ringing.


Kaiser Chiefs...
As is customary any time I'm at a show with William (did I mention that Will joined us?) we provided a service to the teens of getting to the front. At one point I stopped, about 10 rows back, and William had to prod me to go further... so we pushed on.
We ended up getting Maddie and Tovia with only 2 people in front of them! perfect viewing!

At one point, the lead singer reached out to stand on the crowd barrier, and Maddie ended up holding his hand. She liked that :)

At one point, I told Maddie that she can't leave without the playlist.

After most of the set, William and I retreated to the back to find Shelli, she had a perma-grin from the show so far...

At the end of the concert, we heard, "Mike, Shelli!" - and up walks Carly with friend. It was good to see our niece, up from Corvallis for the show. She said, "I should have known you'd be here!".

We told her that Maddie was with us, and she was excited to see her cousin - whom at that moment was turned and waving her set list! We all got together and talked... what a night.