Warehouse Live Presents: Thao And The Get Down Stay Down with Portland Cello Project, David Schul...

Thao and the ever-versatile Get Down Stay Down (Adam Thompson on bass, keys and additional guitar, and Willis Thompson on drums and percussion) return with the follow up to their critically lauded and riotously applauded previous album, “We Brave Bee Stings and All”, the breakout success and best-selling record of 2008 for Kill Rock Stars. With super-producer and friend Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Bill Frisell, Spoon) again at the helm, Know Better Learn Faster perfectly captures the band as their more mature, tastefully raucous, tastefully subdued and musically adventurous selves. Honed, trimmed and tightened over the last year and a half of constant touring, the now-trio delivers Thao’s cleverly crafted and emotionally evocative songs with vibrant, innovative instrumentation, incredible energy and a still-acutely-solid sense of what sounds good. The new batch of songs spans all genres and influences, all the while staying faithful to their distinct style, sharp wit, and the infectious and enamoring exuberance of their renowned live shows.

But the band can be serious too. Know Better Learn Faster is in many ways a boisterous, frenzied, and resigned break-up record, and with that territory comes a few songs wherein Thao does not employ her trademark method of juxtaposing brighter melodies with melancholic content. “A few of these are just straightforwardly sad. Sometimes there’s not much room to mince words and music when you feel like shit,” she says.

The diverse and wide-ranging songwriting only helps to showcase the trio’s formidable musicianship: all members have stepped up and expanded their repertoires to fill out the trio’s sound. To further help the cause, the band was thrilled and humbled to enlist album guests Andrew Bird, Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper, Laura Veirs, Horse Feathers, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists, and close friend and new 4AD artist Tune-Yards.





Portland Cello Project

Similar Artists: Judgement Day | Dori Hoffman | Julia Kent | Zoë Keating | Bonfire Madigan


Bio “Independent” and “Orchestra” are not two words you often hear in the same breath. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what The Portland Cello Project is: an “indie cello orchestra” The somewhat intimidating 8-16 cello ensemble, The Portland Cello Project (or, PCP, as their fans affectionately call them), has had a meteoric rise in the vibrant Portland music scene. The group has a deep-rooted philosophy of building a stronger music community – a belief that collaboration is the ironic cornerstone of independent musicianship — that has led them to collaborative performances with a veritable “who’s who” list of Portland musicians, from Laura Gibson and Horse Feathers to The Dandy Warhols and The Builders and The Butchers. PCP performances are unique and eclectic, as likely to mix a Salt N Pepa cover with Bach and follow the medley with something sublime by Arvo Pärt or WEINLAND, as they are to enlist beatbox/comedian/playwright Reggie Watts to collaborate on-stage with them in front of 700 people with no rehearsal to cover a Britney Spears song. In keeping with this philosophy and the spirit of their eclectic live performances, the group has independently produced an LP available nationally August 12, 2008. Featured on this recording are collaborations with Laura Gibson, WEINLAND, Loch Lomond, 3 Leg Torso, a cover of Toxic, Manuel De Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance, and… a few more surprises. “From contemporary classical pieces to 80’s hair covers to movie themes to answering many bands’ question, “what would happen if we added cello?” (and really, what band doesn’t ask that question?), this evening had a bit of everything. “–mel.opho.be Live Review “A compelling listen, the cellos sounding like genius crickets in their organic metronome regularity and alacrity for counter-point harmony. Wonderfully quirky, in both composition and lyrical content.”–Stereo Subversion “Known for their lush, immaculately-arranged covers, the band is equally adept at bringing classical compositions to life.”–Large Hearted Boy “To say that this is not your father’s cello ensemble is a vast understatement. Though classically trained, members of the Portland Cello Project have managed to stray far beyond their roots, even incorporating a little Outkast into their repertoire. “–Portland Tribune “The majority of the evening… was filled with many quiet songs, given the extra touch of gushing beauty that only 12 cellos can provide. The performances were on the whole impeccable, and the second half of the show featured some moments of truly breathless wonder, thanks to the surfeit of singer/songwriter talent on display.”–Oregon Live reviews The Portland Cello Project’s show at the Aladdin Theatre, 8/8/2008 “Tackling Spears’ “Toxic” or Outkast’s “Hey Ya” with every bit as much ferocity and passion as they use on Beethoven’s 7th Symphony or Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra, PCP basically covers all the musical territory one could possibly imagine – and they do it all (mostly) with cellos.”–Everybody Cares, Everybody Understand.