Reverend Beat-Man - Friday @ Slabtown
This growling menace from Switzerland (pictured) has done most of the work for me - releasing three volumes of recordings as “Surreal Folk Blues Gospel Trash.” I could think of no better descriptor for his devastating and sexy sound. Leave the so-called blues to the pikers down at Waterfront Park and get thee to Slabtown for this rockin’ showcase.

Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth - Saturday @ Someday Lounge
If one fireworks show simply isn’t enough for you, perhaps some aural pyrotechnics will help satiate you. Might I recommend, in that regard, the blazing metal showcase happening at the Someday Lounge on the eve of the 4th. Not only is it free, but it also features the latest group formed and fronted by Tad Doyle, whose blistering outfit TAD was one of the first groups signed to Sub Pop Records. Word is that Doyle has lost none of his fire, his fury, or his girth. We can only hope his backing band can keep up with him.

Helios - Wednesday @ Holocene
If a dreamy, cinematic approach to instrumental music pleases you as much as it does me, look no further than this fascinating artist. Known to friends and family as Keith Keniff, this Portland native’s music evokes haunting memories, the kind that you either want to revel in for an eternity or that evoke lingering aches from deep within.

Bitch Magazine benefit - Thursday @ Mississippi Studios
Help support your local nonprofit magazine that comments on pop culture, feminism and media, and catch a fine quartet of local talent at the same time. The bill includes the one-man turntable attack of Boy Eats Drum Machine and the plaintive folk rock of Katie Sawicki.

Loch Lomond - “Witchy” from HUSH Records on Vimeo.

Talk Demonic. Pic: Alicia J Rose

Today, we introduce a weekly spotlight of Portland-area concerts that we think you should put on your radar. A new edition will be featured here every Thursday.

Holocene 6 Year Anniversary - Friday & Saturday @ Holocene (1001 SE Morrison) One of Portland’s best venues celebrates their sixth birthday with a two-day extravaganza, featuring a fantastic lineup of music. The concerts showcase the two sides of this club’s personality, with Friday highlighting Holocene’s love of forward thinking electronic and dance music. That night’s lineup includes a DJ set from Brooklyn-based house DJ Marcos Cabral and a set by local favorites Linger & Quiet. Saturday leans heavily on indie rock with recent Willamette Week Best New Band pick Explode Into Colors and the drums/viola electro-pop instrumental duo Talkdemonic (pictured) headlining.

Basshaters/Peninsula Project - Friday @ The Wail (5135 NE 42nd Ave) A duo featuring drums and double bass in which neither instrument is played as expected. This San Francisco group ekes out scratchy noise and horn-like tones from the strings and uses their trap kit as a device to rattle instead of roll. The band is touring the Western U.S. with a likeminded bunch of noisemakers from Norway (with a instrumental lineup that includes bass, guitar and tuba) known as Peninsula Project.

Michael Hurley - Saturday @ The Press Club (2621 SE Clinton) One of the many great things about Michael Hurley is that you never really can pin the man down. His name seems to pop up on concert calendars without warning, leaving fans scrambling to rearrange plans so they don’t miss out on one of his peerless performances. Tonight, this long-time blues/folk veteran will be filing the cozy confines of the Press Club with his wizened vocals and arch lyrical visions.

Imaad Wasif - Saturday @ Mississippi Studios (3939 N Mississippi) You can catch this brilliant singer-songwriter opening up for Neko Case at the second of her two shows at the Crystal Ballroom. Or you can make it a late night and stop by Mississippi Studios at midnight on Saturday when Wasif will be performing what’s sure to be either a sleepy or boozy set of beautifully rendered acoustic pop.

The Juan MacLean - Sunday @ Doug Fir Lounge (830 E Burnside) If you ever need proof as to the hypnotic power of dance music, I suggest you drop your tone arm on the masterpiece that is “Happy House” by The Juan MacLean. It wraps the history of house and disco into a tight, 12-minute package custom made for a sweaty dance floor. It’s going to get mighty muggy in the Doug Fir once this group hits the stage.

Portland Radio Authority Benefit - Tuesday @ East End (203 SE Grand Ave) This online, non-commercial, listener-supported station is seeking out a little extra help during this wintry economic climate via this well-curated benefit show. On the bill is art rockers Iretsu and filmmaker Matt McCormick playing minimalist electronica under the name Very Stereo.

Portland School of Rock Pixies show w/ Frank Black from mark lewman on Vimeo.

Teenager of the year Frank Black joins Portland School of Rockers Hannah Lewman (guitar), Julian Hixson (guitar), Oscar Gayet (guitar), Nola Versfelt (bass), Max Griggs (drums), Jacob Weber (vocals), and Michelle Brayson (vocals) for Where Is My Mind.

The sold out show featured all the classics, and the energy between the kids on stage and the 500 kids in the crowd was so awesome. This was the first time performing for many of the students.

.

The Lincoln MKS (left) the acclaimed Von Von Von (right)

In case you think I’ve lost my mind, here’s the blurb - “The Ford Motor Company and their Lincoln division have chosen Nemo’s Dave Allen as a ‘digital influencer’ and handed him the keys to a fancy red Lincoln MKS for a few days. Dave was tracked down by Ford through his highly trafficked music blog, Pampelmoose, that he runs for Nemo. Dave will be in full Top Gear mode for the next three days as he runs around Portland. Yesterday Dave used the car to pick up the acclaimed Belgian New Wave electronic artist, Von Von Von, from Portland International Airport and we will shortly be posting a video of that trip. Stay tuned for all the pics and video and a final overview of the driving experience from Dave.”

There you have it - we plan on taking the car “dancing” down at the Dandy Warhols Odditorium warehouse and we’ll be testing the Sirius audio system with DJ Joelskool….