Portland Lounge Series XXII: Mattress, Church, & Love Menu (Tonight!)
It’s that time again! Only with one change: I’m your new host. For this special XXII edition of the Portland Lounge Series, the interactive (heckling, anyone?) interview-and-intimate-live-set show put on by LocalCut and the good folks at the Towne Lounge (714 SW 20th Place), I’ll be sitting down with three of my favorite local acts: Mattress, Chruch, and Love Menu.
Headlining the evening will be the one and only Rex Marshall, who records toxic lounge songs under the moniker Mattress. Rex is one of the best perfomers I’ve ever seen; his shows are epic, awkward interactions between audience and perfomer. He has a way of captivating the crowd with just a tape deck, harmonica, and his rich, Nick Cave-via-Dean Martin voice. We’ll be chatting about growing up in Las Vegas, why the Canadians love him so much, and his favorite celebrity impersonators.
“Forbidden Fruit,” from Heavy Duty
Download audio file (forbiddenfruit2.mp3)
Links:
WW Profile on Mattress
Mattress on Penny Jam
Right before that I’ll chat with Church, the avant-pop four piece who just released the Gold EP this weekend. The band’s hushed, slightly off-kilter songs are a personal favorite of mine, and they’ll be playing a host of new tracks set for release on its upcoming full-length. I’ll ask the boys about their love of analog-synths, their response to getting confused with this band, and the ABV energy drink that fools band practice.
“Bee Cave,” from With All Our Love For Francisco the Man
Download audio file (Bee Cave.mp3)
Links:
WW profile on Church
And opening up this fine evening is Love Menu, the acoustic ensemble fronted by PDX fashionista Emily Katz. Tonight she’s playing with her drummer Emily Baker, and we’ll talk about the differences between the design and music scenes in town, recording Love Menu’s debut EP Limerance at Dub Narcotic studio in Olympia, and Emily’s favorite brunch spots in town.
“The Dance,” here in demo form
Download audio file (the dance.mp3)
Links:
WW Profile on Love Menu
I know it’s Sunday night and all, but that’s not an excuse to miss this thing. And did I mention it’s FREE? It’s also one of the last events at the Towne Lounge, so come celebrate the end of an era and the beginning of another. See you at 9:30!
The twenty-second Portland Lounge Series takes place this Sunday, October 26, at the Towne Lounge. 9:30 pm. Free. 21+. PLS is brought to you by Willamette Week, LocalCut, the Portland Radio Authority and Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Mattress photo by Nilina Mason-Campbell. Church and Love Menu photos courtesy of the bands.
Ben Meyercord
says:I cannot even believe I missed this. Where is The Lounge Series going to be held, now that there not be any Towne Lounge?
Posted @ October 27th, 2008 at 2:47 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkMICHAEL MANNHEIMER
(post author) says:Don’t worry, Ben, we’ve got plans to continue the series at another venue starting early next year. Details forthcoming.
Posted @ October 27th, 2008 at 3:10 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinktravis
says:i feel like a goddamn fool for not ever making it to the portland lounge series! its always been great bands, but its not on the east side and i’m very very lazy. will the next venue be somewhere close to my house?
Posted @ October 27th, 2008 at 4:47 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkMICHAEL MANNHEIMER
(post author) says:Could we do it at your house, Travis? LocalCut’s potluck garage series?
Posted @ October 27th, 2008 at 6:19 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkBen Meyercord
says:I second the notion of having it at Travis’s garage. Do you have a garage, Travis?
Posted @ October 28th, 2008 at 11:58 am (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinktravis
says:well, the garage is full of sheet rock and other home improvement items along with the usual cob webs and lawn maintenance equipment.
my basement is the coolest basement in all of portlandia, but there is alot of recording and music gear everywhere and only one couch.
ideally, the back porch is the answer cause its covered and my yard is croquet ready year round. you bring the heat lamps.
Posted @ October 28th, 2008 at 12:23 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinktravis
says:oh, have you been to a bar called The Spare Room? its what you’d call “an old man bar” that is right across the street from my house. there is karaoke and a good house band some nights, but they are usually dead most of the time (except for dudes hookin up rocks). the room is classic cool and there is a dance floor.
Posted @ October 28th, 2008 at 12:31 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinknot to mention the sign next to the cocktail accouterments that reads “this is NOT a salad bar.”
basically its the perfect place for a lounge series. and PSOOTV band meetings.
travis
says:RERERATO is closing, but looking for new folks to keep the all ages space open!
Posted @ October 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkMICHAEL MANNHEIMER
(post author) says:Travis, you had me hooked with “old man bar.” And karaoke. And dance floor. I’m totally going to the Spare Room sometime in the immediate future. And let’s talk this back porch idea. I’m totally down as long as we pick a non rainy day.
Posted @ October 30th, 2008 at 4:42 pm (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinktravis
says:i don’t know. the porch is reasonably large and covered
Posted @ October 31st, 2008 at 10:56 am (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalink.emily baker
says:when are you guys going to the spare room? i’ll go.
Posted @ November 6th, 2008 at 1:12 am (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkemily drummer
travis
says:every waking hour emily.
Posted @ November 7th, 2008 at 1:55 am (October 26th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalink