Amongst the hustle and bustle of Portland-bound bands and new arrivals, it gets easier for staples of Portland’s music scene to slip out the back door without saying goodbye. Thankfully, Ralf Youtz sent a note (and made an entire going-away album). Youtz’s discography speaks for itself: He was the original drummer for both Built to Spill and the Halo Benders as well a rocking with well-loved Portland outfit the Feelings and super-goofy, super-catchy kitchen sink band Ape Shape. So of course we want to hear him playing his favorite Portland songs. Imagine how happy we were to hear a reply to Khaela Maricich’s excellent Blow song, “Hey Boy.”

Download audio file (heyboyyoutz.mp3)

That is such goddamn genius. But the song is just the beginning for Youtz, a Portland vet of 18 years who is headed to San Francisco to continue his education:

Preparing to leave has been intense. I’m trying to get over my already-setting-in homesickness by making an album to share with all my friends (and any interested strangers of course) of me playing songs by some of my favorite Portland bands. Beside Dead Moon and the Blow, the cd’ll have my versions of songs from Bugskull, Larry Yes, Hazel, Babydollars, the Thermals, the New Bad Things, and more… It’s a clumsy way for me to say thank you to everyone in the music scene of the city that I love.

Here’s one more track from the album, “It’s Okay” by Dead Moon:

Download audio file (itsokay.mp3)

Before you miss Youtz toooo much, know that Portlanders can catch him (and pick up a free copy of his completed covers CD, tentatively and heartbreakingly titled I Love You and I Miss You Portland) at Valentines on Monday, July 28 (alongside Ape Shape cohort Toussant Perrault’s Babydollars project and Pink Widower), and one final time in the lawn at Thursday, July 31 at Moxie RX on Mississippi with Babydollars and psych pop artist Larry Yes.

So why would Youtz leave Portland for stupid school? Because he loves math! And here’s some disorienting, space-aged proof courtesy of a video called “Ralph Youtz Talks Math,” wherein he actually utters the words “The more I’ve learned, the more I’ve become fascinated by the amazing world of mathematics.” He also talks a little about his career as a musician, and his love of Pokémon.

Thoughts? Well-wishes? Let ‘em Rip! And while you do, howabout listening to “Our Love” by the Feelings:

Download audio file (The_Feelings-Our_Love.mp3)

or “Publicization,” a catchy communist manifesto by Ape Shape?

Download audio file (publicization.mp3)

Photo from Ape Shape’s ‘Space.