Malkmus, Shins' Mercer Play Portland School Benefit

24 Febrero 2008 - 2:17pm

por adrian

All the experts will tell you: start 'em young. Prolonged exposure to
superlative indie rockers beginning at an early age will lead to a
heightened awareness of one's own unique talents, improved taste in
music, and increased chances of churning out quality indie rock later
in life.

And who are the folks at Portland's Buckman Elementary School
to question the experts? For their 2008 "Buckman Bash" benefit concert,
they've rounded up two of the brightest indie stars to emerge from the
Rose City in modern history: Stephen Malkmus and Shins frontman James Mercer.

M & M will perform at their hometown's Jupiter Hotel on April 11
for the benefit bash, with proceeds going toward Buckman and its Arts
Focus programs (which focus on, you guessed it, the arts). Performance
artist Andrew Dickson will emcee the event, while a third, as yet
unannounced music act will open.

The Buckman Bash is but one part of the 18th annual Buckman Art Show & Sell
festival, which runs from April 11-12 at the school. And if this
Buckman name keeps ringing bells, this isn't the first time they've
treated their young people to the beneficial effects of indie rockers.
A swag auction
this past spring featured contributions from the Decemberists, Isaac
Brock, Mercer and his Shins, and Mr. Malkmus' Jicks bandmate Janet
Weiss.

After a busy 2007, Mercer and his Shins have kept otherwise quiet of late (er, mostly), while Stephen Malkmus and his Jicks are just getting started. Real Emotional Trash arrives March 4 on Matador, while the band's tour kicks off March 19 in Minneapolis following a couple recently added in-stores.