Portable Shrines

Just got a batch of excellent photos from Andrea Brunson, who documented Escalator Fest 2009 at the Lo-Fi Performance Gallery and the Vera Project. Escalator Fest returns in 2010 on October 22 and 23 at the Lo-Fi Performance Gallery in Seattle, WA.

Lots more photos after the jump.

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Friday September 3, 2010 7pm at Elliott Bay Book Company Ralph Metzner will speak about the good old days of experimentation way back in the 1960′s.

Ralph Metzner, veteran (with Ram Dass and Timothy Leary, among others) of the experimentation with mind-altering substances at Harvard, speaks about his experiences in those early days, as chronicled in his new book, Birth of a Psychedelic Culture: Conversations about the Harvard Experiments, Leary, Millbrook and the Sixties (Synergetic Press). Ram Dass and Gary Bravo are co-authors. Co-founder of the Green Earth Foundation, Ralph Metzner also practices psychotherapy and is professor emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies. His many books include Alchemical Divination and MindSpace and TimeStream.

This Thursday at the Fun House, unknown legends of skronk and roll Trumans Water make a rare stateside appearance. The show coincides with the release of their 13th album O Zeta Zunis on Asthmatic Kitty who have plans to release the bands entire back catalog. Originating in San Diego in the early 90′s they’ve spent much time overseas in the past decade or so, but never stopped producing amazing and confounding music.  Falling somewhere between Beefheart and Flipper Trumans Water still stand up next to most of the greats of 90′s noise rock but have remained elusive to many folks in the states. Trumans was a big favorite of John Peel who had them on for several Peel sessions over the years and once played their entire album uninterrupted over the BBC airwaves effectively melting the minds of the entire populace.

The strange and mysterious Dahga Bloom will be making their Seattle debut at the 2nd annual ESCALATOR FEST October 22-23rd. Stay tuned for the full lineup and more details coming soon…

More appropriately appropriated footage. Jan Svankmeyer’s Faust as it was meant to be….

Torbjörn Abelli, bassist for Swedish psychedelic legends Trad Gras Och Stenar has left the Earth.

The futuredelic sounds of Black Science will close out the Founders Day fest in Belltown tonight along with Kinski and a zillion other bands and stuff. Free.

“Apocalypse does not point to a fiery Armageddon but to the fact that our ignorance and complacency are coming to an end.” -Joseph Campbell

Also: Gift Tapes- Synth Night Friday the 13th at the Chapel Performance Space 4649 Sunnyside Ave N. (50th & Sunnyside, Wallingford)

Waves of deep electric energy brought to you by Pulse Emitter, Stella Haze and Spare Death Icon

Dude about town name of Mitchell Saulsberry has been recording and sharing some real nice reverb-tanked fuzz bombs and moody machine dreams that you should probably check out. Dark bubblegum jams. Close your eyes and focus your energy crystal toward the PERPETUAL RITUAL!

This thursday in Pioneer Square some funky happenings for you-

Thunderbitch -a retrospective of cool rock posters and such by some of the Northwest’s finest womenfolk.

Mystic Sons of Morris Graves- a tribute of sorts to that kooky mystic himself on this his 100th year.

And later that eve- Diminished Men at the Can-Can down in the Market. Check out the Stranger’s interview with the D-men HERE

Dahga Bloom – coming soon to ESCALATOR Fest 2010 Oct. 22!!!
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TONIGHT

From a meditative murmur to an orgiastic outcry, vocalist, bandleader and charismatic costuming queen, Janina Angel Bath, spins a dizzying halo of exotic rainbow sound and sight about her. Accompanied by an ever-changing tableau of spirited fellow musicians and cosmic travelers (on Sitar, Harmonium, Tabla, snake flute and whatever suits the occasion), Janina Angel transforms the stage back into the haze and daze of the wonder that once was.

- Joe Niem

Currently based in Oakland, psychedelic songstress Janina Angel Bath is a former member of Portland’s Eternal Tapestry and has toured with Seattle’s Midday Veil.  A student of North Indian classical vocal music and Native American flute, Janina’s current musical project revolves around her hypnotic, spiritually soothing melodies and enchanting, minimal accompaniment.  This afternoon at Wall of Sound, Janina will be giving a free instore performance in support of her limited edition LP Gypsy Woman, currently available from Prophase Music.  The show begins at 6 p.m. sharp, and Janina will be giving tarot readings beginning at 5 p.m.

If you’re in Portland, be sure to catch Janina tomorrow, July 29, at Dunes (1909 NE MLK) with Datura Blues and Midday Veil.

Music for heads.

More molten fonts of doom courtesy of the phantasmic Darwin Rodriguez

9pm @the Josephine-
Audiwasska Travelers
Macrocosm (PDX)
Lethe
Tiny Light

This Moonday July 26th we fill the Funhouse with molten puddles of oozing sonic mind-melt.
Tecumseh (PDX featuring Garek*story of rats* Druss)
Barn Owl (SF Thrill Jockey)
Tiny Light (w/ special guest David Golightly of Midday Veil)
Adam Svenson (Dull Knife, Du Hexen Hase)
Projections by Portable Shrines Light Show Society

Free yourself from the chains of thought. Become one with the now.