photo by Jim Bennett (view set)
It’s hard to imagine the Portland music scene without Quasi. In one form or another -- either together as Quasi or performing individually with Heatmiser, Sleater-Kinney, Elliott Smith, Built to Spill, Blues Goblins, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, or other local bands -- Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss have helped develop the fiercely independent Northwest music community into what it is today. And what better proof of staunch determination then their eight albums and over 15 years devoted to this project? It’s far longer and more productive than anyone could have imagined for a two-piece band! Now, Quasi is a trio, having added touring bassist Joanna Bolme (and Weiss’ Jicks co-member) as a regular part of the band. During KEXP’s broadcast from SXSW, Weiss, Coomes, and Bolme took the stage of Gibson Showroom in Austin for a set of bluesy songs from their new album, American Gong:
