Happy October, witches! This week, when we’re not sobbing along to Dame D.O.L.L.A.’s “Farewell” to Blazers fans, we’re digging into an upcoming installment of the local producer showcase A Beat Happening at OMSI for Black Community Science Night. We’re also geeked about the new music and film podcast Revolutions Per Movie from Chris Slusarenko. Dig into the new music developments that are making waves, right Hear in Portland!

MUST SEE: 

Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s). 

A Beat Happening at Black Community Science Night

In collaboration with the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators, OMSI will host a second annual Black Community Science Night—this time on Friday the 13th! Producer-focused hip-hop showcase A Beat Happening will provide the evenings sounds, against which the all ages event offers planetarium shows like Laser Beyonce, Laser Prince, and Laser Lizzo. Alongside its regular food and drink offerings, the museum will also host vendors like Erica’s Soul Food and Beats and Eats Food Truck. But about A Beat Happening: Expect beat sets by producers and DJs, including Sir Nai, (who will no-doubt be performing tracks from his 2023 project Hermit Crab, Vol.3), eclectic electronic producer Love & Bass, multidisciplinary artist Phase (AKA Phil Johnson), rapper [E]mpress, and of course, hosts/resident DJs Lee Tillman and Luvjones. (OMSI, 1945 SE Water, Fri Oct 13, 6 pm, $10 adults, $8 kids, tickets here, all ages)

MUST LISTEN: 

New release(s) from a Portland-relevant artist. 

“Farewell,” Dame D.O.L.L.A.

If you’re still mourning the trade of Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks after 11 seasons we’re right there with you. (*SOBS UNCONTROLLABLY*) After a September 5 meeting about the trade request, the resulting interactions with Blazers management, reportedly “left a sour taste” in Lillard’s mouth, and at least we can take solace in the fact that it’s bittersweet for Dame, too. Lillard posted a heartfelt note to his Instagram, explaining he’s still fond of the city and people of Portland, and even expressing hopes to return to Rip City some day, maybe even in a Blazers jersey!! A couple weeks ago, it was reported that Lillard would like to rescind his trade request and stay in Portland if a trade deal with his preferred destination, the Miami Heat, didn’t work out, but Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin said there was no going back, making himself the villain to hoards of Rip City fans. After the trade, Lillard released a sweet new single titled “Farewell,” under his rap moniker Dame D.O.L.L.A., and dedicated the song to Blazers fans. If you’re emotionally ready, dive into the somber song and start analyzing lyrical gems like: “I could never get replaced, they'll know sooner than later/ an arrow pointed at who assumed it was greater/ Amazing what I get in return for this labor/ I continue leaving trails, but won't be for the blazers.” He continues with this conclusive nugget: “To the fans, man I love you, its unconditional/Reasons for me leaving the city’s nothing typical/So it's imperative not to believe the narrative/ Just know that what I left is better than what I inherited/ I leave at peace because I know at the end that this is business/ Hope you remember all of the things you got to sit and witness/ In the future man, I hope that we greet with hugs and kisses/ But you should know that they the ones who chose another mission.”

ADDED TO THE QUEUE: 

Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.

New Portland Podcast Alert: Revolutions Per Movie

As the former owner of Clinton Street Video, it makes sense that musician Chris Slusarenko (Eyelids, Guided By Voices) would launch a podcast exploring music in movies and vice versa. So far, in its brief but promising run, Revolutions Per Movie allows Slusarenko to nerd out with a variety of creative voices about music documentaries, musicals, music videos, and the like. The first episode focuses on DIG!, a drama-filled 2004 documentary about the friendship and rivalry between the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre—Slusarenko starts out talking to culture writer and musician Ryan H Walsh before getting even more dirt from Travis Snyder, who was Brian Jonestown Massacre's tour manager for 20 years. The third and most recent episode welcomes guitarist and vocalist Eva Walker (of Subpop's the Black Tones) to discuss and celebrate the 40th anniversary reissue of Talking Heads’ classic concert film Stop Making Sense. Both Slusarenko and Walker saw the tour in person, so this one is a must-listen for Talking Heads fans. 

 
 
 
 
 
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