I don't know how I've been asleep on this one, but one of my favorite bands from 2008-09', Point Juncture, Wa has had a new album out since earlier this Spring, and I'm just getting my hands on it now. Their last LP, Heart to Elk landed on our best of year end list in 08' and was the perfect mix of power-pop and indie rock mixed with fantastic boy-girl harmonies.
Their new LP, Handsome Orders is out now via Mt Fuji Records, and if the track, "Violin Case" is any indication this one is not going to disappoint either.
Also be sure to check out below our 2009 'Field Recordings' session we did with the band where they performed the song, "Kings Pt 2"
If you haven't caught on to Portland band Point Juncture, Wa. yet, then your truly missing out on one of the hidden gems of the year. The band released their fantastic album Heart To Elk at the end of last year, and it made such an impression that I had to include it on my end of the year 'Best Of list' after only limited spins. The wonderfully textured album got a wider re-release on Mt. Fuji records several months back, and it mixes effortlessly powerful indie rock, sugary pop, and perfect harmonies.
We caught up with the band while at a tour stop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with The Thermals, where the band gave us a nice intimate performance along a rocky waterfront overlooking the NYC skyline.
Ever since we received Point Juncture, Wa.'s new disc, Heart To Elk (for the review click here) we haven't been able to get it out of our rotation, and we've been heavily recommending the LP to anyone willing to listen. The band who recently saw their new album get a wide spread release after being picked up by Mt. Fuji Records, now will be reaping the rewards of that as they will be heading out on a big national tour supporting fellow Portland acts The Thermals and The Shaky Hands, with an appearance at the Sasquatch festival also scheduled at the end of May.
Point Juncture, Wa. tour schedule: Apr 22 Neurolux Boise, Idaho Apr 23 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah Apr 24 The Marquis Theater Denver, Colorado Apr 25 Slowdown with Omaha, Nebraska Apr 26 Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, Minnesota Apr 28 High Noon Saloon Madison, Wisconsin Apr 29 The Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois Apr 30 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, Michigan May 1 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, Ohio May 2 Big Orbit’s Soundlab Buffalo, New York May 3 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario May 5 Pearl Street Northhampton, Massachusetts May 6 SPACE Gallery Portland, Maine May 7 Middle East (downstairs) Cambridge, Mass. May 8 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York May 9 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York May 12 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 13 Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC May 14 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina May 15 The Pourhouse Charleston, South Carolina May 16 Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia May 24 Sasquatch! Festival George, Washington
If you happened to see our top 20 albums from 2008 list, it's no secret that we're loving the music that's coming out of Portland, Oregon, as 4 bands from the area placed on the list, with three making the top 10. While there is a good majority of folk based bands gaining popularity in Portland, Point Juncture Wa's new disc, Heart To Elk is on a different plain altogether. Though the band has been tagged as indie rock, don't let that fool you, as the album is far more diverse when giving it a full listen. I gotta say that it's an album that made a big impression on it's first listen, but with each one thereafter, after all the layers unfolded and were absorbed, it stuck with me even more. The band isn't afraid to experiment and it shows, as the disc has moments of explosiveness, joyous pop, quiet pastoral melancholy, and lo-fi 90's rock, with a wide array of arrangements and instrumentation. There's a lot of can't miss moments on 'Heart to Elk', but there are a few tracks that push it over the top. On numerous tracks throughout the LP, Victor Nash (keyboards, vocals) & Amanda Spring (vocals, drums) swap vocal duties with the disc not skipping a beat, as both bring something uniquelly different to each track being tackled. A perfect example is on, "New Machine" which has lush harmonies and a playfull vibe between the pair. Other standout moments on the disc include, "Sioux Arrow" which has a slow, steady never ending tension, that despite a few moments of bursting out, still manages to show uncanny restraint. "Biathalon" feels like Sonic Youth at it's best, while tracks like, "Sick on Sugar," "Melon Bird," and "Fleet and Small" show the group's varying degrees of melodic understanding. 'Heart to Elk' which has actually been out since late '08, and just received it's re-release after getting picked up by Mt. Fuji Records. Check it out online or at a store near you.
20 Sigur Ros- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
19 Weinland- La Lamentor
18 Lykke Li- Youth Novels
17 The War On Drugs- Wagonwheel Blues
16 Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
15 The Secret Life of Sofia- Seven Summits
14 Laura Marling- Alas I Cannot Swim
13 Wye Oak- If Children
12 The Dodos- Visiter
11 Land Of Talk- Some Are Lakes
10 City and Colour- Bring Me Your Love
In what was a very good year for acoustic/folk based music, this one flew way under the radar. This solo project from Dallas Green is passionate and effortless. The man simply has a killer voice.
9 Point Juncture, Wa- Heart to Elk
This one may have appeared even higher if we just didn't recently come across it. Although it's still relatively new to our ears, it had to be included in the top 10. Gorgeous, dreamy, textured pop gems that seem to build and build.
8 Blitzen Trapper- Furr
Our 3rd entry from Portland in the top 20, Blitzen Trapper deliver a detailed new album that grows on you with each listen. Great rootsy old Americana feel, with excellent harmonies.
7 Jessica Lea Mayfield- With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
Amazing debut from the 19 year old Mayfield. Strong album from start to finish and she sounds wise beyond her years. A distinct fresh voice that we think you'll be hearing a lot of for years to come.
6 Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead Our 4th Portland band in the top 20,the album features two of the years strongest tracks in, "Lately' and "Shed Your Love". Singer Brandon Summers severely damaged his vocal cords, which led the band to re-invent it's sound. The result is an ambitious album that beautifully blends, indie rock and folk, with ambient and synth led numbers.
5Ra Ra Riot- The Rhumb Line If you know the story of the tragedy the band went through, losing there drummer John Ryan Pike to a drowning accident while recording the LP, you can't help but feel the heartbreak that plays out on the disc. Pike wrote some of the LP's most ironic tracks such as, "Dying is Fine" and "Ghost Under the Rocks." Excellent melodic indie rock album.
4 She Keeps Bees- Nests
In a music world that is often times lacking some true soul to it, She Keeps Bees delivers. The NYC powerful two piece is gritty and raw, and frontwoman Jessica Larrabee is one of the finest there is.
3 Damien Jurado- Caught In The Trees
Usually known for his fictional storytelling prowess, Jurado gets personal on his latest disc and delivers his best work yet. For a guy that's been around as long as he has, it's about time he gets recognized for this disc.
2 Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
What can you say, the guy had a killer year, but still one that I just kept coming back to again and again. One of the years most intimate records. It truly takes you away to that cabin in the Wisconsin woods, where you can feel the despair.
1 Frightened Rabbit- The Midnight Organ Fight
Raw, visually blundt, emotional, exceptionally strong songwwriting. Plays out very cinematically with a beginning, middle and end. You won't find a better album from start to finish then this one.
One of our newest discoveries that we've been excited about at Burn The Bowery, is the band Point Juncture, WA. We stumbled across the Portland band on myspace recently, and they instantly added to the theory that there just has to be something in the water in the Northwest city. The group have come out with their 2nd full length Heart To Elk, which is available now through thier website, with a full national release scheduled for February 10th by Mt. Fuji. You can check out the single "Sioux Arrow", which gets the nod for this weeks choice for 'Video and Song of the Week'.
If you happened to see our top 20 albums from 2008 list, it's no secret that we're loving the music that's coming out of Portland, Oregon, as 4 bands from the area placed on the list, with three making the top 10. While there is a good majority of folk based bands gaining popularity in Portland, Point Juncture Wa's new disc, Heart To Elk is on a different plain altogether. Though the band has been tagged as indie rock, don't let that fool you, as the album is far more diverse when giving it a full listen. I gotta say that it's an album that made a big impression on it's first listen, but with each one thereafter, after all the layers unfolded and were absorbed, it stuck with me even more. 
10 City and Colour- Bring Me Your Love
9 Point Juncture, Wa- Heart to Elk
8 Blitzen Trapper- Furr
7 Jessica Lea Mayfield- With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
6 Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead Our 4th Portland band in the top 20,the album features two of the years strongest tracks in, "Lately' and "Shed Your Love". Singer Brandon Summers severely damaged his vocal cords, which led the band to re-invent it's sound. The result is an ambitious album that beautifully blends, indie rock and folk, with ambient and synth led numbers.
5 Ra Ra Riot- The Rhumb Line If you know the story of the tragedy the band went through, losing there drummer John Ryan Pike to a drowning accident while recording the LP, you can't help but feel the heartbreak that plays out on the disc. Pike wrote some of the LP's most ironic tracks such as, "Dying is Fine" and "Ghost Under the Rocks." Excellent melodic indie rock album. 
4 She Keeps Bees- Nests
3 Damien Jurado- Caught In The Trees
2 Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
1 Frightened Rabbit- The Midnight Organ Fight