We somehow missed that former Portlander and Hush Records staple Jeff London was playing the Towne Lounge tonight (his first time back in “a couple years,” so sayeth Hush’s Chad Crouch), and we didn’t write a listing for the show. That’s a bit of a bummer, as his new record, The Bane of Progress, features more of big-name pop Portland than pretty much any release we can think of. London’s band on the record is made up of Hush-affiliated heavyweights Rachel Blumberg, Adam Selzer, Mike Johnson, Chris Funk, Derek Trost, Shelley Short, Corrina Repp, Rob Jones, Dave Depper and Peter Broderick. Not even going to try and name discographies for that lot, but they are all accomplished players.

Not sure how many of those musicians will be present at London’s show at the Towne Lounge tonight (he has a “New York Band” as well), but here’s a tune from the record courtesy of Hush. London alternates between sounding a bit like Hush labelmate Kind of Like Spitting, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and…well, himself on this record. On the title track, it’s all twang-n-Jeff (it’s also the first folk-pop tune I’ve ever heard that repeats the words “text message”):

Download audio file (TheBaneOfProgress.mp3)

Yup. Sorry for missing this one.

Tonight. Towne Lounge. Jeff plays first. Jatun headlines and Fulton Lights are support. Show starts at 9 pm sharp.

Links:
Jeff LondonSpace

Photo of Jeff London looking all New Yorky courtesy of the artist.