A stunning animated video for “The Rake’s Song” by The Decemberists, The Rake’s Song video was made by Saint Martins College Of Art students. It was created and directed in Moscow by Alex Dashino and Varvara Volodina. Alex and Varvara are second year students studying Moving Image at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, London.

The Decemberists – “The Rake’s Song”

Team Marmoset: Joe Solis

9pm – Paper/Upper/Cuts @ Someday Lounge

Paper/Upper/Cuts self-describe their sound as “eating some of the most delicious tacos you’ve ever had on your first visit to Mexico, laced with LSD.” While that description may not explain a thing, it does exhibit the loose, free form approach that Paper/Upper/Cuts brings to their strange brand of experimental-electronica. We’re not entirely sure what kind of live show they bring but if their self-described sound is any indication, we imagine this is going to be an amusingly, intriguing beginning to your evening.

10pm – Langhorne Slim @ Crystal Ballroom

At the 10 o’clock hour, it’s back to something a little more traditional with the earnest stripped-down folk-rock of Langhorne Slim. There is no question that this show will be a riotous affair in every positive sense of the word. In addition, Langhorne Slim’s new record features a slew of Portlanders and was produced by Chris Funk of The Decemberists. So don’t be surprised if some special guests appear on stage during this show.

11pm – Titus Andronicus @ Backspace

While 11pm brings a number of great bands to stage such as the stoner-metal of Saviours at Ash Street Saloon and Portland’s very own The Builders and the Butchers at Crystal Ballroom, Titus Andronicus at Backspace might be the most rocking show of the entire festival. Known for there rowdy live-shows, this band proved they were more than a good time on last year’s debut full-length Airing of Grievances. Full of emotional, fist-pumping anthems in the vein of a less polished Bruce Springsteen or even those early days when U2 was actually a good band, Titus Andronicus will bring their youthful energy along with the sweat and tears for what will be undoubtedly an awesome show.

12pm – Beach House @ Doug Fir

Is it any surprise that as the clock strikes midnight you are faced with numerous possibilities but can only chose one show? For instance, you could head down to Dante’s and see legendary Pixies front-man Black Francis perform his Los Angeles-tinged twang-rock. Or you could keep in local by getting sweaty with Portland’s fiercest rock band Red Fang or keep it saintly with the chamber-pop of Loch Lomond. Out of all these choices, any of them would be great. However, Baltimore, Maryland duo Beach House will be performing at Doug Fir as well and since it isn’t every month that such a band passes through our city, we suggest checking them out. While it will certainly be a mellow-affair, we suspect that their psychedelic, dream-pop that falls out of their amps like molasses will transfix your attention causing you to instantly fall in love. In addition, a new record is currently in the works; so you might have the opportunity to hear some new tunes from this beautifully, lush sounds of this down-tempo two-piece.

Saxon Baird | Team Marmoset

7pm – The Arctic Monkeys @ Wonder Ballroom

It is a rare occurrence when a band as big as those lovable, Brit-pop rockers The Arctic Monkeys come to the PDX. However, rocking out to some of their fun garage-y rock seems like the perfect beginning to a full-night of music. We should note that this show is a special one because entry will only be allowed for those with a MFNW wristband or a free, limited pass that can be picked up at Jackpot Records.

8pm – Southern Belle @ Satryicon

Southern Belle isn’t a household name around Portland yet but chances are they will be soon. Already a staple basement show band, their brand of lo-fi cabaret fun is refreshingly different. Southern Belle’s sound exist somewhere between a haunted house and The B-52’s. Spanning from paced, eerie waltzes to explosive emotional outburst, Southern Belle might be the best band playing MFNW that you didn’t see. We suggest you do.

9pm – Logan Lynn @ East End

Its back to the Eastside for another Portland act that is beginning to make waves around town. Logan Lynn’s electro-pop is reminiscent of a Postal Service without the awkward teen-angst. However, such comparisons should be left aside because Lynn’s music is all his own. Intricately layered sound-scapes backed by upbeat rhythms are perfectly accompany the emotionalism of Lynn’s honest lyrics which results in music that makes you want to dance and be reflective. The best kind, right?

10:30pm – The Soft Pack @ Dante’s

While the 10 o’clock hour offers a bunch of more NW local bands such as Karl Blau and Portland’s own, electro, post-punkers Reporter, we suggest checking a band that you wont get to see so easily in San Diego’s The Soft Pack. Formerly known as The Muslims, this four-piece plays a fun, raw stripped down garage-rock with a laid-back beach vibe that is all their own. Think The Strokes if they were surfers or Hot Snakes at a campfire.

12am - The Shaky Hands @ Someday Lounge

Much like Friday, there are a bunch of great bands playing the 11 and 12 o’clock hour and when it comes to decision time, it’s almost impossible to decide. Old-school D.C. rasta-punks Bad Brains has reunited and will be bringing their brand of fiercely-fast punk to the Roseland at 11pm. However, if you are someone who prefers something less intense, NYC’s oddity Chairlift will be performing their eclectic brand of electro-infused pop at Holocene at midnight while Japanther and their lo-fi party rock will be at Satyricon. However, our choice is the always-fun garage folk-rock of The Shaky Hands who never fail to put on one hell of a fun show. Call it our Northwest bias.

The Shaky Hands

Check back tomorrow for a special Pet Marmoset *Saturday Edition* for more MFNW suggestions.

A wristband to the 4-day all-over-town festival can be purchased at the website or tickets can be purchased at the venue on the day of the show.

Here are some our picks for what shows we think you should be heading out to see over the next week of awesome music.

THURSDAY

9 pm – Ah Holly Fam’ly @ Berbati’s Pan

One of the most difficult parts about Music Fest Northwest is that there is so much good music that is going on at the same time. Thursday is definitely no exception. This is when the nifty wristband comes in handy because it allows you to flow easily from venue to venue and create your own night of music.

At 9pm, we suggest checking out this eight piece lo-fi folk troupe is making waves through the northwest and beyond. Their precious, well-constructed moody pop tunes are a perfect opener for the evening. With a new album due out on October 13th, this band is sure to gain in popularity. Check them out along with all their new tunes before they get big.

10pm – Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Doug Fir

Explosions in the Sky @ Crystal Ballroom

Things start to get tough at 10pm. Austin, Texas post-rock outfit Explosions in the Sky tops one of the best shows I have ever seen. They blended their atmospheric rock songs into a 1-hour composition without stopping. It was like being at a post-modern symphony. If you haven’t seen them before, this comes highly suggested.

However, while Explosions is amazing, they have been around for awhile, so if you’ve caught them before then check out Cymbals Eat Guitars whose recent album Why There are Mountains is one of the top releases of 2009. Their sprawling-epic brand of indie-rock is intense and sure to make for one hell of a life show.

11pm – Derby @ Ash Street Saloon
11:30pm – The Twilight Sad @ Dante’s

Things don’t get much easier come the 11 o’clock hour. The always fun, tight-knit indie rock of Derby will sure to make for a satisfying show at the intimate Ash Street Saloon.

If you are a Derby fan but looking for something you haven’t seen before, then we suggest going at seeing the swirling Scottish outfit The Twilight Sad who perfectly hone the layered-intensity of noise-rock and make it accessible with their knack for emotionally, eerie pop.

Derby – Michigan

12am – ??????

This one is just too hard to decide. Local favorite popsters The Dimes will be following Derby at the Ash Street Saloon. Those familiar with their recent EP know that this band has just gotten better and better with each release. Yet, over at Dante’s, another Scottish-outfit, Frightened Rabbit, will be performing their own brand of lovable and earnest folk-pop. Then there is the Dirty Three at Berbati’s Pan who has consistently releasing moody instrumental compositions for over 15 years. Finally, you could go check out The Pains of Being Pure At Heart at the Doug Fir who have taken the best moments of Jesus and the Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine into a washed-out pop utopia on their debut self-titled full-length. Alas, Friday is too hard to make a decision. You’re on your own at midnight!

(The Pains of Being Pure At Heart)

Be sure to check back later this week for further MFNW suggestions!

Saxon Baird | Team Marmoset

How are these guys tied to the Northwest you may wonder… you know cuz we try and profile what’s going on here in the NW. Let’s play the 7 degrees of  Kevin Bacon game to find out. The Walkmen’s US label happens to be Gigantic Records who just released one of own local favorites, The Builders and the Butchers new album Salvation is a Deep Dark Well. Okay, so there’s only two degrees to the Northwest but for fellow Portlanders, you know there really is only two degrees of separation in P-town anyways.

Is it me, or does this feel a little like Watership Down?

On The Water from Nir Ben Jacob on Vimeo.

Joe Solis | Team Marmoset

In August we mentioned that Built to Spill has a new album coming out titled There is No Enemy on October 6th. Recently, the boys dropped their first single off the album “Hindsight” which can be heard coupled with a small Doug Martsch interview over at Pitchfork Media right HERE. The track is classic Built to Spill and should satisfy fans of the Idahoans.

Stream the new Norfolk & Western LP

Lo-fi, Portland indie-rockers Norfolk & Western have just finished up their latest LP, Dinero Severo. While the album doesn’t have a release date, you can stream the album in its entirety at the Norkfolk & Western website. The only catch is that you have to sign up for their email list. Click HERE to sign up and to learn more about the new album.

Team Marmoset | Saxon Baird