Like Seattle nearly 20 years ago, Portland is the musical hot spot of the moment. Bands and musicians from around the country, drawn by a desire to be part of the action, are flocking to PDX in astounding numbers. They all have to learn things. For instance: Portlanders often use the abbreviation PDX.



Partly because of the music, but mainly youthful restlessness, I’ve done it myself. I moved to Portland in late 2006, and returned a wiser man to Tacoma a little over a year later. What I learned is what most newcomers to the Rose City discover, and what relocated bands of all shapes and sizes are finding out every day. They’re lessons the Newspapers, an indie pop foursome who moved to Portland from Ohio, have surely come to terms with. The Newspapers will play Le Voyeur in Olympia Thursday, June 19, and Bob’s Java Jive in Tacoma Friday, June 20.



When the Newspapers play Le Voyeur and Bob’s you can ask them what they’ve learned about Portland. Here are some of the lessons I picked up in my year near the Willamette. Perhaps you can use them as jumping off points.

• If at all possible, grow ironic facial hair. If there’s one thing Portland loves it’s ironic facial hair.


• If there are two things Portland loves they’re ironic facial hair and strip clubs. Portland has more titty bars per capita than anywhere in the states. No joke.


• When in Portland, ride your bike. It’s the easiest way to fit in, plus, when you’re killed by a massive cement truck making a right turn the whole city will hold a candle at your vigil.


• If you don’t ride a bike, at the very least drive a Volvo. I believe that rule is part of the city charter.


• If you don’t already love organic food, you better learn. I once saw a man stoned to death near Belmont Street for admitting he bought trucked-in Safeway produce.


• Experiments are a good thing — especially the musical variety. You learn this quickly in Portland.


• Portland loves to drink. When living in PDX it’s best to think of time spent there in dog years for your liver.


• While the music scene in Portland seems intimidating at first, like it would in any art-and creativity-driven nook that’s received the hype and influx of talent that Portland has seen lately, don’t be misled. The artists, bands and musicians (for the most part) are about the art not the competition. Portland, as much as any music scene I’ve dipped my feet into, is inclusive rather than exclusive.

While I don’t know for sure, my guess is these are all lessons the Newspapers have picked up during their time in Portland. Preparing to officially release their second EP, titled Eagle and Snake and available now for download at eagleandsnake.com, the Newspapers just may have moved to the perfect city for their sound. Producing a medley heavy on indie-pop quirk with dabbles of synthesized funk, the Newspapers are both catchy and creative enough to compete on the same turf that bands like the Shins and Menomena have marked as their own. Eagle and Snake puts this fact on display.



“It’s actually the first time,” says guitarist Jake Hershman of the Newspapers’ decision to make the new EP available free for download. “The times are changing. We’d rather have a lot of people hear our music than make a few dollars. We’re obviously not in a band to make money. You don’t start a band for the money.



“It was made on an extremely low budget. Zero dollars, actually,” laughs Hershman. “I see it as a growing process. This record lets people watch us grow. The last album was more indie pop songs. I think we matured a little.”



As intimidating as it can be for newcomers, the Newspapers seem to feel right at home in Portland. Their sound seems to be finding an audience, and friendly faces seem to be finding the band. In all, there’s not much more an indie pop band can ask for.



“The music scene in Portland is excellent. Everyone here wants to have a good time,” says Hershman. “I’m just a Midwest boy. It was a little intimidating at first. Portland was a whole new ballgame, but it’s been really cool.”



The Newspapers will play Le Voyeur in Olympia Thursday, June 19, and Bob’s Java Jive in Tacoma Friday, June 20. This means wherever you pick up the Weekly Volcano, the Newspapers will soon be hitting your neck of the woods. Like it or not, there’s really no excuse for missing out. If you can dig on eccentric indie pop with a funk in its step, the Newspapers are your kind of band.



[Le Voyeur, with Glass Elevator and The Hard Way, Thursday, June 19, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave E., Olympia, 360.943. 5710]



[Bob’s Java Jive, with Tree Roots in the Basement, The Upperhand, Banners and Darren Selector, Friday, June 20, 8 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]