Episode 13 - In Part 2 of the MastanMusic Hour we feature a live set with talented singer-songwriter Lael Alderman. In front of a packed studio guest audience Lael debuts a brand new, never before heard batch of what we hope will soon be hits. The MastanMusic Hour is proud to present this stellar and intimate look at one of Portland's finest tune-smiths.
In Part 1 of Episode 13 we have guest DJs musical group The Dimes! Recently back in town from their West Coast tour, they brought in a great playlist of local bands for Part 1 as a collective shout-out to fellow musicians they're sharing stages with, as well as a couple of choice new songs of their own.
The Dimes (from left to right) Pierre, Johnny, Jake, Ryan
After an intensive fall tour including 17 stops down to California, The Dimes are back and set to release a new EP at Holocene on 12/29. Johnny Clay (vocals, guitar), Pierre Kaiser (lead guitar), Ryan Johnston (bass), and Jake Rahner (drums) play wistful indie pop/rock that combines lyrical verve with lingering melodies and an instrumental savoir-faire that nestles their songs into the realm of favorite mix tapes and nostalgic joy-rides. Give it a listen and you'll know what we mean.
Boy Eats Drum Machine is Portland phenom Jonny Ragel (Stereocrush) joined by Ben Rickard and Peter Swenson. No two songs by BEDM are quite the same, as Jonny wrangles his Casio into warbles of joyful sampling and, for all we know, sets it on fire and dances around it in a sort of urban-tribal ecstasy. A full-length album is due out in 2007.
Boy Eats Drum Machine
Pictured above, Jonny Ragel of Boy Eats Drum Machine.
The High Violets
The High Violets feature the ever-talented Kaitlyn ni Donovan, whose vocals for their new album To Where You Are were recorded right here at the MastanMusic studio. The band's spaced-out dream pop has set a standard for shoegazers since the late 90s. Kaitlyn (vocals, guitar), has a new project called Isolade, and continues to play shows with fellow High Violets Clint Sargent (vocals, guitar), Allen Davis (bass), and Luke Strahota (drums).
The Village Green
Portland's The Village Green delivers a taste of old-school British Invasion rock, first with their eponymous EP in 2005 and this year with a full-length album, Feeling the Fall, recorded in grand PDX style in producer/drummer Jeremy Sherrer's basement. Their sexy, Kinks-flavored songs are fresh and confidently catchy. J. Nicholas Allard sings, Nathan Anderson plays keys and guitar, and Dave Depper plays bass, with the aforementioned Sherrer on drums.
The Turn-Ons
The Turn-Ons are back on the MastanMusic Hour, courtesy of The Dimes! See Episode 12 for more on this Seattle band. They join The Dimes at Holocene on the 29th of December 2006 for their EP release party.
Blue Skies for Black Hearts
Blue Skies for Black Hearts are gearing up for a spring West Coast tour after the release of their latest, Love is Not Enough. Pat Kearns (vocals, guitar), Michael Lewis (guitar, vocals), Kelly Simmons (bass, vocals), and Matthew Morgan (drums) pull together with music that is half earnest love and heartbreak and half ironic anti-romance.
Lael Alderman, originally from Eugene, is writing great songs these days after past bands Lael Leroy & the Loved and The Bella Fayes came to peaceful ends. His music has turned heads since his debut solo album SlowDrag, which landed a song on the Permanent Midnight soundtrack and a major-label deal. Throughout the chaos of entertainment-biz politics, Lael has stayed true to his aggressively pensive and stylish songs. Having flirted with fame and successfully disentangled himself from legal fiascos which almost laid claim to his own name, he's settled in Portland and is sounding better and happier than ever with his signature poetic rock.
Episode 13 - In Part 2 of the MastanMusic Hour we feature a live set with talented singer-songwriter 
subscribe to our podcast
MastanMusic Hour - Episode 13 - Part 1
Portland's 
