Portland Events, Music, Art, Entertainment, Sustainability | PDXPIPELINE.com

By MeaganKate

I'm an eclectic kind of gal.

When I was younger, I listened to Blink 182, Backstreet Boys AND Brandy. I hung with all the crowds, because I understood the value of all music. Even that one time when I purchased Jennifer Love Hewitt's single “Barenaked” by mistake – I wasn't totally disappointed.

So, this week is going to be chalk full of music for me. And by chalkfull I mean I'm going to three concerts and you should all be jealous!

The first one was actually Sunday night at The Aladdin. And I must say it's one of the best shows I've been to in a long, long time. His name is Matt Nathanson, and we are in love. I started listening to him about five years ago when American Wedding came out, and his song, “Laid” was on the soundtrack.

Since then, he's had moderate success and built a solid fan base. With this new album, Some Mad Hope, and its two biggest singles “Car Crash” and “Come On Get Higher”, Matt has begun to dig a spot for himself in the acoustic-crooner-with-a-dirty-mouth genre.

Opening the show was Jessie Baylin, whose voice caught me off guard. I researched her before the show, because I had never heard of her, and wasn't sure I'd be into her based on the songs I listened to online. But, as soon as she started singing, the Aladdin Theater was quiet, and people were totally transfixed by her. It doesn't hurt anyone that she's disarmingly beautiful.

“Hello Portland,” she tantalized, “you perfect city, you.”

Her stage presence was sexy, though her tights, dress and leather jacket covered her tiny frame. I just couldn't stop looking at her, and wondering how this amazing voice was coming out of her. It's raspy, deep and thick. The whole time we listened to her, I couldn't help but think that she made the whole room feel so intimate. She performed for us the way you'd expect a friend to perform for you in their bedroom. She is soulful, insightful and wildly charismatic.

Matt Nathanson, of course, was witty and charming. He announced that he had worn his lumberjack outfit just for us. It consisted of a deliciously rugged flannel shirt and relaxed fit jeans, which served as a nice break from the usual rocker skinny jeans (which end up showing more junk than anyone is comfortable with). Again, Matt proved himself a true musician with audience interaction and intimate performances that kept everyone thirsty for more.

Everyone I have ever talked to who has seen Matt live says that he's much better than his albums give him credit for. I usually don't take that seriously – since everyone says that about every fucking band they have ever seen since they were twelve and saw New Kids on The Block for the first time. This time, nobody was bullshitting me. Matt blew me away. His voice is more raw than could ever be captured on tape, and the emotion he brings thickens the air in the room.

Though neither artist has official dates scheduled to come back through Portland, I encourage all of you to check out their websites for updates — and to look at pretty pictures of them both. Matt made sure to thank everyone who helped sell out the Aladdin Theater for him.

“I been through Portland a lot over the years,” he declared while tinkering with his guitar strings. “I used to play at a little place called Berbati's Pan. There were like, less than no people there. Even the bartender would leave.”

Not anymore, Mr. Matt Nathanson. Not anymore.

Next Up: Missy Higgins & Joshua Radin at the Crystal Ballroom 11/5!

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MeaganKate is a Graduate student with a shopping addiction and a love of crunchy leaves. Her rants can be found at http://meagank.wordpress.com. You can also follow @MeaganKate on twitter.

**Photo by Alicia DeCosta