Preview: London Grammar Postpones Wonder Ballroom Show in Portland

London Grammar at Wonder Ballroom in Portland on March 28The buzzy London trio called London Grammar are getting bigger by the moment and all the action on their dance card must be taking its toll because, unfortunately, they had to postpone their Portland appearances due to health issues. So, while we wait for that rescheduled date, dig their crazy, super-slow cover of INXS' "Devil Inside"!

Preview: Yellow Ostrich at Doug Fir Lounge in Portland on March 21

Yellow Ostrich at Doug Fir Lounge in Portland on March 21I had several chances to get to talk to Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie whenever he shopped at the cool grocery store where I used to work. We mostly talked about our shared love of Sloan and 'Favourite Worst Nightmare', but one of the last times we talked I asked him what new band he was most excited about and he said it was Yellow Ostrich. The bold Brooklyn band recently replaced one founding member with two new members as their fifth full-length ‘Cosmos’ invokes Carl Sagan’s (and I guess now, Neil DeGrasse Tyson's) way of staying amazed at the world.

Preview: Nick Waterhouse at Doug Fir Lounge in Portland on March 12

Nick Waterhouse at Doug Fir Lounge in Portland on March 12With a sound so effortlessly classic, Nick Waterhouse could be on Daptone Records alongside the other new soul standouts. While he ended up canceling their intimate set at the Bing Lounge, they still brought the sleek soul sound to the classy confines of the Doug Fir - one of Portland's best sounding venues. His new record 'Holly' just landed two weeks ago, but it's evocative sound is already making waves.

Preview: Sallie Ford at Mississippi Studios in Portland on March 7

Sallie Ford at Mississippi Studios in Portland on March 7Named Portland's Best New Band back in 2010, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside would release two full-lengths and an EP before Sallie said "smell ya later" to the Sound Outside. As we reported to you in December, her new backing band is all female. As OPB notes: "Ford is in between labels, but she's got the look of someone about to show the world exactly what that Camaro's got under the hood. She's heading a brand-new band, fresh out of the studio with material produced by Chris Funk... So this band of Sallie's - it's an all-lady line-up, with heavy hitters like Anita Lee Elliot, who used to be in [the late] Viva Voce." Here's the interview:

If there's any justice, the sky should be the limit for this hot, young band who has new music in the can and (I would hope!) their choice of labels. "The Eagle has Landed," indeed!