Originally, celebrating this year's Memorial Day weekend was highlighted by a much-wanted performance by Frank Ocean at the Sasquatch Music Festival in the Columbia Gorge. But, in true Frank Ocean fashion, fans were faked out as he dropped off one of the headlining slots. In all honesty, heading out to the Gorge is a hassle anyway, especially when the chance of running into Fred Armisen, who's got a set of his own at the fest, is ever increased. Thank goodness the first annual What Was Sound Fest is happening, so much closer to home, with so much less hipster novelty to deal with.
Sub Rosa Curation teamed up with the Portland Mercury, Do503, Next Northwest, XRAY.fm and the Rose City Festival to bring Brooklyn dream rockers DIIV and El Ten Eleven's mellow post-rock with everyone's favorite indie folkers Woods and Fruit Bats down to Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Local support from Bed., the 11 piece funky afrobeat of Jujuba, Small Leaks Sink Ships and the recently added Sunbathe round the lineup out with some good balance in their first year.
Next Northwest and Vortex Music Magazine are hosting a free What Was Sound launch party tonight at White Owl Social Club, featuring a performance from Small Leaks Sink Ships. Come through and get a sneak peek of what will be happening at Waterfront Park on Saturday, and listen to the newest Small Leaks' track "Dancing Devil" below.
