qPDX.com - Queer news, views and events for Portland » boyjoy

Afresh with new album The Gossip returns to Portland Saturday

alleyhector — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:05:38 +0000

The Gossip

The excitement was palpable when Southerners turned Portlanders The Gossip started to really make it big with their last release Standing in the Way of Control. It’s hard to believe that was three years ago. In the interim frontwoman Beth Ditto has become a spokeswoman for chub love and queer rights and culture, appeared naked on the cover of two magazines, started her own plus-size clothing line, and in general burst onto the international stage as a powerful, innovative and inspirational rock goddess.

With this year’s release of Music for Men there is no doubt that the world is has heard the bold and beautiful voice of Ditto and is responding in a big way. Saturday they bring the sound home for those of us who have been appreciating the no-nonsense flamboyancy for a decade.

The new album, technically released this fall, has been sweeping the scene since its online release last June. Showcasing Ditto’s strong Arkansas vocal chords as prominently as ever, Music for Men, remains fresh and nuanced. The first single Heavy Cross sends it’s message of vulnerability through a beat-driven rock melody that balances the need for strength perfectly with the our need for community. The varied tempo and intensity of guitarist Brace Payne‘s riff echo the sentiment with aplomb. And it is clear the song has resonated worldwide, as I recently heard the track in a tiny bar in Playa del Carmen.

The Gossip's album artwork for new release 'Music for Men' featuring hot dyke drummer Hannah Blilie

The newer Love Long Distance is a more personal and delicate ballad expressing a soulful diary entry without the overuse of minor chord progressions. Its melancholy is balanced well with the brightly bobbing balloon characitures on skates in the video.

There are also plenty of more hidden gems such as the brazenly gay anthem Men in Love and the working class champion Dimestore Diamond. And the 80s synth-pop intro of Four Letter Word pays homage to the genre without repeating it completely.

In fact the only small misstep of Music for Men is the unfortunate lyrical choice of the line “Emotions are making me sad” on For Keeps. It is a small mistake I’m willing to overlook for this intensely personal peek into Beth Ditto’s psyche. Besides, words hardly matter when listening to her compelling siren’s call.

When the power-trio takes the stage at the Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Russell) this Saturday the 24th their natural energy will be boosted tenfold with a diverse all ages audience that has the energy of tweens in combination with the memory of longtime fans.

Openers, Men, and BoyJoy (featuring frontman Seth Gottesdeiner aka DJ Girlfriends) are perfect queer compliments, playing very different forms of danceable music.

Art school avant-garde rockers Men features former Le Tigre member JD Samson in addition to Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahashi, with contributions from Johanna Fateman and Emily Roysdon. Fueled by the combination of dyke electro-dance and esoteric art-rock, Men should have no problem getting audience members moving. And their name makes them perfect Gossip tour partners.

Smaller local outfit, BoyJoy, should also have even the most reticent toes tapping with their sexy dancer-heavy pop. Gottesdeiner is adept at swaying skillfully and sexily while not sacrificing a note of his rich and beautiful voice. A pop star in the making if I ever saw one.

Similar news:

Unlike

It’s raining Men at the Doug Fir tonight

alleyhector — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:41:42 +0000

Men

I can’t believe I almost forgot about tonight’s Men show at the Doug Fir (830 E Burnside). Le Tigre fans will recognize the electronic artsy dance fun spearheaded by JD Samson.

Here’s a little snippet from the current J/O Diversion:

…Men hits the stage alongside local band BoyJoy. The Brooklyn-based art collective drops tunes that carry its riot grrl roots into an electronic melee of funky disco house and punk that overwhelm the brain with abstract but surprisingly danceable beats.

Group members include JD Samson, Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahashi, with contributions from Johanna Fateman and Emily Roysdon. All are deft at making music that is complex, lyrically thoughtful and fun. Coming on the heels of new gay male trio BoyJoy’s sensual steps and rich vocals, your mind and body are likely to combine in an esoteric dance party that just doesn’t stop.

So whether you responds to the rock or the roll, the sound or the spectacle, the cool Doug Fir basement is the place to be during the height of summer.

Accompanied by BoyJoy, aka Seth Gottesdiener, who is a musician and DJ currently exploding all over PDX, this show will be a nice lush musical break in today’s heatwave.

Check out Men’s newest video for “Simultaneously” by Leidy Churchman.

And if all that wasn’t enough, the night is also a video release party for Sugar Shapiro‘s new Hot Tub remix.

Sugar Shapiro’s new hot dance hit Hot Tub Remix and the new HOT video to go with it – all with the HOT new BAND – MEN… HOT Cats, bodies, and dance/ swimwear INCLUDED. Limited edition goods for sale. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Video starring,Alicia McDazzler Mcdaid, Grand Theft Auto , Sugar Shapiro, Pashly, Allison Halter and more!

"Hot Tub" video still

Similar news:

Unlike

Tomorrow Night: Get Your Gaytriotic On @ Gaycation

perrywinkle — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:17:47 +0000

BOYJOY and DJ GIRLFRIENDS are special guests!

It’s time to get out your best, most gaytriotic partywear and saunter down to Holocene for some of that yum, yum Gaycation Fruit Flavour!

This is truly a special GayCay, featuring DJ’s Snowtiger and Mr. Charming, along with up-and-coming pop hunks BOYJOY. We love BOYJOY since we first saw them at the Athens Boys Choir gig @ Dunes! One third of BOYJOY, DJ Girlfriends (Portland Is Burning, Fruitcake, Rotture, Lubejob, Ascension…this whole fucking town, basically) will also be rocking the decks with his trademark mix of oldskool dance and fresh ‘tude. He’s getting hotter every week and I love he played Adonis’ “No way Back” at Rumpspankers, as well as Pump up the Jam. Just sayin’

BE THERE!
Not to be missed.
Come one, come all. It will be hot so dress less!

21+, $3, 9pm-late, at Holocene, 1oth and Morrison.

Similar news:

Unlike