Red Bull Sound Select, Doug Fir, Feb 4, 2014: The Helio Sequence, Genders, Modern Kin

Posted by: Adrienne Thompson, Host of the Sunday Sessions, 9-11 am

If you have not heard about the Doug Fir’s monthly Red Bull Sound Select show, then your next click after this page should be this link where you can see the coming lineup.

Last Tuesday, a trifecta of awesome Portland bands descended on the Doug Fir to the cheers of a packed house.

The night started with Modern Kin, a gritty indie rock trio that has gathered a following of folks who knew them first as the passionate and rowdy live band, Pastors’ Wives, and now as this current remodeled, yet still primeval, studio recorded iteration. Last October they dropped their self-titled album and started touring the Northwest and beyond. It is hard not to like the gospel-earnestness of Drew Grow’s staccato voice, Jeremiah Hayden’s drumming, and Kris Doty’s bass playing (electric and upright – like a boss). Although an evolving band with a new name, longtime fans immediately felt the same ribcage reverberating energy that the members have always channeled and that hit full tilt from the first song.

Genders came out second, and by this point, folks in the crowd were pretty pumped on PBRs and no small amount of caffeine. The lead vocalist, Maggie Morris, acknowledged as much when she gripped the mic and asked the crowed “if anyone else feels like their heart is about to explode out of their chest because of too much red bull.” Yeah, no early bedtime for me, but I hardly thought about it once they got started. 

The talent of Matthew Hall and Stephen Leisy cannot be understated, but I was particularly enthralled by the band’s two female members. Katherine Paul’s upbeat and precise drumming melds well with Morris’s haunting voice, coating the band’s melancholy undertones with the candy glaze typifying today’s emerging dark pop bands. This is a group to keep your eye on.

(For some reason I can't imbed the bandcamp-hosted version of their "Technicolor Visions" song, check it out here: http://genderspdx.bandcamp.com/track/technicolor-vision)

The main event of the evening was, of course, The Helio Sequence. As can be seen by past national and international tour schedules, this pair has obviously outgrown their Oregon beginnings. However, they seemed at ease among the cozy confines of the Doug Fir, and even reminisced in between songs about their past shows at the venue. While I've enjoyed their fifth and most recent album, Negotiations, 2008’s Keep Your Eyes Ahead is a staple for both my ipod and my Sunday Sessions playlist for KZME. The highlight of the night was definitely when they launched into the sonic wave cascade of “Hallelujah”. They seemed intentional about peppering their set with little-known gems and well-loved favorites from across their discography. 

Although no one complained, they put on an extended show with several encore songs, and lead singer Brandon Summers looked particularly drained toward the end. Both he and Benjamin Weikel left it all out there that night—in what seemed like an appreciative gesture to both the loyal fans who braved the cold to attend, as well as to the venue that helped launch the band's career.

What's Up Next For the Bands: 

Modern Kin is hitting up some cities in Washington and Idaho in the next few weeks, and plan to return to Portland on March 29 for a show at the Bunk Bar.  

Genders self-released their first full-length album, Get Lost in December. They recently hit a bit of a snag while touring for the CD, but not even a totaled van can keep these kids down, so keep checking back to their website for upcoming tour dates. 

No word yet on whether The Helio Sequence has more tour plans, but keep checking back to their website!

Thanks and Disclaimers

My thanks to Anna Jensen and Bim Ditson!

All the awesome photography is copyrighted and licensed for use by Aaron Rogosin and the Red Bull Content Pool.