Van William - Music Millenium, Portland OR - May 6, 2018


[Los Angeles, CA] I Love in-stores. They’re timely, early, free, and usually involve free alcohol. Waterloo was the mecca for in-stores in Austin—I was really excited to find Portland had a twin record-store, and just as Nick Hornby worthy, with super music-nerds shuffling around, engaging in complicated relations with their coworkers. Flame hated coming to shows here – he had a point – the space is awkward – if it’s crowded, you end up behind a column, trying to see the band way up above you. I came to this one because I Swear Music Millenium advertised Van as a former member of Woods, who have songs featured on both my 2015 and 2017 favorite-Dara-songs mixes – high accolades indeed. Not so much – no connection at all – I’m an insane person. I’m still convinced there’s a connection. Either way, I liked him and his band. They ranged from heartland pop / country rock to indie pop. The former had those comforting downbeats, sort of sad and bluesy road music. Relatable lyrics, to me at least. He took on a more nasal voice for the latter. They were a cute band too. Van had this flimsy blonde hair you want to ruffle. He was side-vocaled by Kira, who wore outrightly unfashionable clothing (a big white sweater, white jeans) in a fashionable way – they were an entrancing person. Backed by a drummer he’s known since being a teen. He informed us he was in Portland last three months ago with First Aid Kit, my recent passion what what. They covered Elliot Smith, because he lived in LA like they do and then also lived in Portland.

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