I fell in a hole, but I'm climbing out

Wow. Can I just start off by saying, I feel so out of touch.

Never fear my friends, I always mantained an open ear, my search never came to a halt. I was just sidelined by some new exciting endeavors and by that inevitable coming of age. My life is in full swing with two boys a wife and a, real, full-time job. I am still writing but it has been for Oregon Music News and they have mostly been out of town shows. However, I have been staying connected with Salem and found a lot of great things are beginning to surface in Salem's music scene. Typhoon (now living in Portland), is the first and most obvious subject, with their immense success and recent appearance on Letterman.



Symmetry/Symmetry has become even more experimental as a three piece band. Bands like Monoplane and Massive Moth are invading Portland's elite music venues. The re-re-re-birth of the Roxxy Night Club has begun. Journey's, Dean Castranovo, has helped create a music program for kids at the local Boys and Girls Club. The Great Idea and Cherry City Music Festival were both great successes.



... I can go on and I intend to.

So, this is long over due, but, check out the official music video for Massive Moth's "Patrons of Wanderer's Way". Also, if you haven't already seen promotion for this, Massive Moth will be playing with the legendary one hit wonders from the 80's, Men Without Hats and Portland's The Slants at the Grand Theater, Sept. 10th




and this actually needs no promotion cause everyone goes to the State Fair, so.....

One of my favorite musical outlets to recently rise up is Doug's World with Elizabeth Schulte, Doug Hoffman has been consistently streaming media from CCTV with his show and keeping Salem current on all things awesome.

Lastly, well there is no lastly, Salem is maturing musically and I am excited to be here to see it happen. Local music lovers are starting to become the voice we so desperately were seeking here in Salem, including myself and my wife with our newest endeavor These New Legs come check it out, music is on the way.

So, that's all I have time for now. talk soon!

Cheers,

Alva Valencia

This Weekend: Cherry City Music Festival

For the past 5 years Ross Swartzendruber has been creating a common, yet seemingly (up until last year) ineffective and chaotic way to expose Salem's music scene dubbed, the Cherry City Music Festival. this year however, the festival is making huge strides in the right direction due largely to the DIY nature of modern music. Also, in part, due to the fact that Ross has had 5 years to fine tune this beast. This years line up is overflowing with talent like local favorites Typhoon, Y La Bamba, Loch Lomond and Norman. Starting Thursday the festival will be in full swing and the music will be pulsing through Salem until Saturday.

Y La Bamba - "Juniper" by terrorbird

In my opinion, Ross Swartzendruber is in need of positive recognition. considering the fact that this is entirely too big of an event to single handed take on yet, he pressed on and made it into something tangible something beautiful. the road was rough and there were a lot of moments where things seemed unrepairable, but this week/weekend we will be able to look at the final product and say "Wow, that is pretty awesome." So cheers, Ross you have made my list of Salem Essentials, coming to my blog 2011 ;)

I remain very optimistic about this week/weekend and look forward to watching things unfold first hand. Join me, wont you?

Cheers,
Alva

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