On Point Juncture, WA's website, they helpfully point out that "it's a band, not a place."

It's actually quite a relief that I don't have to try to draw parallels between a place I've never been and the band's music.

Point Juncture, WA is a Portland-based, four-piece band that uses atmospheric instrumentation (including a vibraphone!) to complement their low-tempo, blissed out indie rock. The effect is often really shimmering and beautiful with the electronic melodies complimenting the male/female harmonies. That would be fine if that was all that they did, but the members of Point Juncture, WA aren't content to being a straight-forward indie rock band with electronic flourishes and the occasional time change. Take my favorite song in their catalogue, "Sioux Arrow", which gets injected with some noise and chaos during the song's last two minutes and makes for some beauty in its own right.

The band released their most recent album, Heart to Elk, on local label Mt. Fuji earlier this year.

Point Juncture, WA plays Bumbershoot in the EMP Sky Church at 1:45pm on Monday, September 7.

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at Chop Suey

The lineup at Chop Suey on Saturday night was uneven. It started strong with Grant Olsen’s project away from Arthur and Yu. The country twang of his songs was subsumed by The Moondoggies harmonies ringing out behind Olsen’s slow, almost spoken, singing. The songs were tight and the bass hooks kept even their simplest songs interesting. This didn’t sound like a side project.

Next, Black Whales played a derivative set accompanied by an epilepsy-inducing light show. Song by song, Black Whales delivered tunes that wore their influences on their sleeve. The extra toms and cymbals next to the full drum set seemed superfluous, as the main drummer was the best part. The band seemed to flounder for a distinct sound, something that would make a listener say, “hey, isn’t this Black Whales?” Rather than ask if it’s The Stones.

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All parts Oregon, Point Juncture, WA is going to rock you. Slowly. In their collectively cradled arms. And when they do, you should look at the calluses on their hands and be thankful that someone out there is working hard to provide for you. They released Heart To Elk in February 2009 on Mt. Fuji Records.

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Seattle electro-rock due Head Like a Kite are going on a mini West Coast tour with new Mush Records labelmates Her Space Holiday. Exciting!!

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Loads of great Northwest bands will be playing the PDX Pop Now! festival August 3-5, 2007.

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