Attention Portland: Indie Talent Abounds
Maybe because we have an office in the rainy state, MyStrands.com seems to attract great bands from Oregon. The latest is SONSOFDAY.
Check out their first release, Ep4. My favorite track is This Place, it’s tight and well-produced. Just over a year old, and in their first 12 months they compiled enough material to release a studio EP. Now they’re working on a full-length album. I’ll be watching for that.
The group has also been making the rounds of online contests, including the American Idol Underground competition. In this contest, indie bands are able to rowse their fans to vote online for their favorite bands. The winner gets prizes of various gear and some money. I would be remiss if I didn’t provide a link – so click here to vote for Sons Of Day.
So what about other great Portland bands? Well, I have some favorites. 49 Fingers was one of MusicStrands’ first artists – and they have a recently recorded track that’s making some headway in the charts. House to Myself is a bluesy rock tune with a peppy female vocal. The lyrics speak for themselves, but it's all about having the house to yourself and what you might do during that time. It's pretty much a party song - get up and dance.
Who else from Portland? Well, MyStrands is currently playing host to the Hillsboro Summer Music Jam contest, where Portland area bands are vying for an invitation to that annual music fesitval. The festival is primarily a Christian Rock event – but it’s attracting an impressive amount of diverse talent. It’s definitley worth pointing out some excellent performances by some of the aspiring artists.
• Emily Overstreet,
(following in the shoes of Jewel (Pop), Tracy Chapman or Natalie Merchant)
• ALLAWAY
(a melodic rock group with pop-appeal, in the veign of Lifehouse or Creed)
• Issakar
(Driving pianos and rhythmic guitars accompany solid drums to create a unique new sound.)
• CROSSWIRED
(Well-produced hard rock, reminiscent of The Cure or early R.E.M.)
• RECORDOFLIFE
(a softer rock/pop sound with unusual raspy vocals)
• Redmark
(rock, folk, funk, and melodic rock combined for an unforgettable sound.)
• Detour Effect
(something akin to Jethro Tull, but without the drugs and with a clear ministerial message)
• Separated
(combo of acoustic rock with some hard overtones -- like Creed, Kutless or 12 Stones)
• NoonDaySun
(well produced, tight, pop-rock with a talented female vocalist, backed by well-engineered instrumentation.)
--Byron
