---
title: Music I enjoy here in Portland, Oregon
author: George Mandis <george@mand.is>
date: 2014-03-14
tags: post, post, music, indian music, john mclaughlin, zakir hussain, hillstomp.
---

<p>This weekend is filled to the brim with activities for me, including two shows I'm going to go see. Tonight it's <a href="http://www.hillstomp.com">Hillstomp</a> at the <a href="http://www.dougfirlounge.com">Doug Fir Lounge</a> — one of the best venues in Portland. They have a great sound system. The band is a raucous duo that plays what their website accurately calls "junkbox" blues. Loud, distorted slide guitar ((A personal passion of mine. I rediscovered my love of playing slide guitar in a band with my brother... Man, I need to bring that back!)) and percussion on an assortment of buckets, trash can-lids and other unintentional percussion instruments. They're playing two nights so if you happen to be reading this tonight and can't make it you should check it out tomorrow!</p>
<p>Speaking of tomorrow, I have another show I'm attending in a completely unrelated genre. It's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnatic_music">Carnatic</a> violin duo featuring mridangam (a percussion instrument) and a vocalist. My jazz/world/fusion love introduced me to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1OMMcHXFs">Zakir Hussain</a> many years ago by way of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA7Mzo73cd4">John McLaughlin</a> and eventually that turned into a general love of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_India">Indian music</a>.</p>
<p>The event is orchestrated by one of Portland's seemingly lesser-known gems: <a href="http://kalakendra.org">Kalakendra Society for the Performing Arts of India</a>. They are an regularly bring world-class Indian music to town and play in small venues, typically churches. I'd say almost everything the bring to town is worth seeing and I try to see two or three of their events every year.</p>
<p>That's my weekend in music. Looking forward to it!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>