Man it’s been a while since I’ve written anything about music, or uploaded a playlist. That is to mean I haven’t had anything to say about the subject until I decided to spend a moment on Typhoon. Sparked, the other day, when I saw the band arrive (largely) intact into a dimly lit cinema where I was sitting and I realized, these people are in my life, why haven’t I posted about them? Happily, I gave a refrained shout out in-theatre with their moniker which was returned by the lead singer, Kyle, with an equally petit “yo.”

Alright the Portland music situation is documented to the point of exhaustion. So here’s some more, but rather than critique I’d love to present, support, and admire. It seems to be the natural response to a group of humans that are talented, and have aligned their purpose with their vision & discipline. Meet Typhoon:

If you live in Portland or Salem and have ears perhaps you’ve already heard of the masses that seem to make up this band. Sometimes there are 7 of them, sometimes 14, always bringing together a cacophony of sound behind a wall of poetry tied to their regional heritage.

I first saw these guys live when friend of the FORT Zachary Schomburg was reading live poetry at Holocene a while back. You may recall the series we did called Zach’s Road as he travelled across the country reading his little heart out. Typhoon was playing that night on the same stage with a vintage video loop on projector playing on top of them (to awesome effect). Immediate hook. These people had it. Emotion, restraint, nuance, vocal chorus, horns, soul. That’s what I was looking for, some Portland soul. Not in the genre, but behind the lyrics, and in the execution.

Of course it’s a group of this size making soul-galvanizing indie music, it’s the product of this city (err, territory?). Just look at them, they look like descendants of loggers and pioneers that picked up percussion and xylophone skills and are ready to jim jam with you. And they will, in houses, basements, Burgerville…

Recently Tyhpoon added a spot they did for Musicfest NW on their website. This is such a perfect representation of what you can expect with one of their albums. Perfect transitions from cascading instrumentalism to vocal stillnesses to the effect of crystal clear mental imagery. It’s so easy to daydream with Typhoon. It sounds true, meaty, and splendidly surprising. I especially love the sequence from 3:45 to 8:00.

Kyle’s vocal performance sounds like a man who is surprised by his own resonance. Like David when he first slung the rocks from his sling and surpassed the might of the giant. I’m sure he was surprised, shocked at his own magnetism. And then he followed that magnetism as fine as the needle in a compass. Empowerment, in vocal form.

“Be kind to all of your neighbors
because they’re just like you.
And you’re nothing special, unless they are too.”

“I had no water, nothing to eat
so I drank the soil from the golden chalice
I grated precious stones between my teeth.
And I regret it, in my lonesome palace.
I should have never listened to other’s tales.”

I’ve taken Typhoon with me to many places. It sounds best though in and around Portland, I think. Especially also at the coast. The song Belly of the Cave is a story that takes place “on the northern slopes of the coast range.” Earlier this year I went to Neahkahnie Mountain and took Typhoon with me as I clamored up the slopes, alone, but in concert with the band. Perhaps they were singing about this same peak? Perhaps they knew its history with the Native Americans and legendary buried European treasure at its base, lost since 1577? What an incredible experience as I reached the summit to this song. Typhoon, sometimes you are too much to handle. Don’t you dare stop.

Typhoon | Hunger and Thirst