(Published in Planet JH Weekly)

I was somewhat bewildered that an individual like Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros’ frontman and creator, Alex Ebert—who developed and adopted the Sharpe alter ego in rehab after he “lost his identity”—would expose some of his deepest personal secrets in a candid interview. But first a bit a back history…

After dropping out of college because it “moved to slow” for him, Ebert wrote a screenplay and directed a short film before getting a beat machine to accompany his hobby of rapping and beat boxing. After a short stint with a band called The Lucky 13’s, Ebert fronted indie dance/pop-punk band Ima Robot that formed in 1997 and gained traction in the early ‘00s. In Ziggy Stardust fashion, Ebert and Ima Robot played on the 2006 Warped Tour and released an album as recent as 2010, Another Man’s Treasure. For reference, check Ima Robot’s frantic video of “Dynomite.” It will leave an impression.

“I started doing a lot of drugs [as a teenager]. In college, it was a lot of ecstasy and it fucked up my body, but I was constantly looking for the heroin in ecstasy,” Ebert told Face Culture. “But then I was looking for opium because it was sort of romantic and poetic. My buddy said he could get some and he did, but it ended up being heroin and I said to myself, ‘this is what I was looking for.’”

It’s unclear whether Ebert’s openness to discuss his dark past—and his youthful pursuit of wanting to be a derelict and fabricate hardship because of his upper-middle class upbringing—is in or out of character. After all, Edward Sharpe is supposed to be a messianic figure. But it doesn’t really matter. Where all of this comes into play is onstage and on record. The incredibly popular Up From Below (2009) that included the hit single “Home” and was pieced together from demos, put the gypsy-esque twelve-piece Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros on the map.

The Zeros’ folky psychedelic charm was followed up with last year’s low-key and casual LP, Here, which was more of a collaborative project that included all of the band members rather than just demos from Ebert. The album was met with mediocrity in the press. Considering the amount of people on stage and in the studio, the Zeroes maintain

(Published in Planet JH Weekly)

Blitzen Trapper

Folk meets Western themes, rock ‘n’ roll and Northwest Americana when Portland’s Blitzen Trapper rolls into the Pink Garter with Sera Cahoone next Wednesday. The show is one amongst a short run of seven shows through the region, and a follow-up to the packed house they enjoyed in March of last year.

The sextet went on to tour in good company in 2012, joining forces with Brandi Carlile, Wilco, The Head And The Heart, Sydney Wayser, Sarah Jaffe, Dawes and Parson Redheads during the album cycle for for 2012 Sub Pop Release, American Goldwing. Over the last few months, it appears the band has been off of the road and in the studio. No news has surfaced about a release date. In celebration of the band’s 10th Anniversary, they released a thousand vinyl copies of its eponymous 2003 debut album for Record Store Day last month.

Aside from the Southern rocking and heavy riffing of American Goldwing, much of Blitzen Trapper’s studio recordings align with a quiet intensity beckoned by

(Published in Planet JH Weekly)

Vinyl scores from Portland & Bellingham.

“Better to burn out than to fade away,” as Mr. Neil Young put it is generally agreeable, until the opposite is applicable.

The subculture of vinyl record collecting never burned out, but it did fade away in the 80’s and was held at bay during the digital revolution of the 90’s before entering a mainstream resurgence period in the last several years. Nielsen SoundScan, which tracks record sales, reported there were 3.9 million vinyl records sold in 2011, the most ever in the U.S. since the tracking system began in 1991. And in 2012, those numbers were toppled with 4.7 million sold.

Even most non-audiophiles (geeks) will agree there’s little comparison between the quality of listening when matching up MP3’s versus vinyl. MP3’s are convenient, but the lack of depth is lifeless in comparison. Vinyl versus high-quality digital (FLAC, Apple Lossless, etc.)? That comes down to subjectiveness. For me, vinyl has a unparalleled texture and richness that develops from the physicality of a needle in a groove, and requires a more intimate experience.

Interested in owning a turntable? Entry level record players are quite affordable. Audio-Technica has a few highly-rated units in the $100 range, and Sony has a popular model for $80. Where do you get used vinyl? Well, this one gets a little tougher for Teton County residents, but there are options. Garage and yard sales often hold gems; Browse N’ Buy, online auctions, and

(Published in Planet JH Weekly)

Gina Feliccia

Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir is raising money to support its education and outreach programs for the coming year, including their very first education program, “Singing in the Schools.” The upcoming fundraiser concert, “Journey Through Music,” will feature new local artist, Gina Feliccia, a Broadway performer and vocal coach.
“Journey Through Music,” 7 p.m. Saturday in Studio One at the Center for the Arts.  $20 suggested donation, silent auction. CathedralVoices.org.