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.

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)

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.
thanks for the great coverage of this show! made me feel like i was there.
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