Sallie and Anita

Sallie Ford with The Sound Outside at Smith's Olde Bar, March 2013

Sallie Ford has disbanded The Sound Outside and released an album last October with a less rockabilly-oriented, all-female band.

Notably, the band includes Anita Lee Elliott, formerly Robinson and formerly of Viva Voce, on bass. Here's Anita on guitar at Bumbershoot 2007.

Back during Rocktober 2011, Viva Voce played a set at The Earl that was as interesting as it was intimate.  Folks in the audience had driven all the way from Muscle Shoals, Alabama for the show, and a couple there had used Viva Voce's music in their wedding ceremony. 

Viva Voce at The Earl, Rocktober 2011

So, yes, I have an affection for Viva Voce and Anita, so it's nice to see that she's now part of fellow Portlandian Sallie Ford's band.

Shabazz Palaces vs. Animal Collective

Talk about your dream match ups, and why didn't I think of this before?, here's Shabazz Palaces remixed by Animal Collective.

San Fermin

San Fermin at The Loft, Rocktober 2014

San Fermin's new album, Jackrabbit, comes out April 21, 2015.  Tour announcements sure to follow soon.

Swans

108 shopping days until Swans perform at Atlanta's Terminal West.  Better start shopping for earplugs now.

RIP John Lennon (1940-1980)

Thirty-four years ago today, also a Monday night. . . I was teaching high school (Earth and Physical Science) in Salem, Massachusetts, site of the famous witch trials of 1692 and 1693.  Relaxing that night, watching Monday Night Football - the Patriots (naturally) versus Miami - when sportscaster Howard Cosell delivered the one bit of news that I would have preferred to have heard anybody but Cosell deliver. 

The next day, I had to try and explain the impact of the event to a bunch of 9th and 10th graders. Words failed.

Eric D. Johnson

The soothing sounds of Eric D. Johnson on the Deschutes River.