VIDEOS

RICHNESS OF PEACE | José Medeles & M. Ward - From the album Railroad Cadences & Melancholic Anthems

To make his Fahey tribute, Railroad Cadences & Melancholic Anthems, Medeles enlisted a group of his favorite guitarists – Marisa Anderson, Chris Funk, and M. Ward – and recorded a series of inspired improvisations that capture Fahey’s spirit. On “Richness of Peace,” M. Ward’s guitar melodies slink through empty streets illuminated by the golden hour, meditating on Fahey’s rhythmic character and content in the contemplative cadence. Ward’s playing is lyrical and captivating, buoyed by Medeles’s ruminative approach.

In the video directed, filmed, and edited by Rachel Blumberg, this feeling is captured in the slowly-unfolding black and white footage. Days pass as lifetimes in a journey that never stops moving forward even while looking back at what came before. Together with the music, it’s a stunning, original tribute to Fahey.

Railroad Cadences & Melancholic Anthems will be released on May 20 via Jealous Butcher.

DrummerPlusDrummer | Brendan Buckley & José Medeles

This week’s installment of @drummerplusdrummer features the wonderful @josemedeles. Some people know of José as the owner of @revival_drum_shop in Portland, OR. Others might know of José as the drummer from @thebreeders. Still, others might recognize him as the author of the @stoicdrummer book. I know José through his connection to the legendary @prodrumhollywood shop (shout out to Stan & Jerry). Thanks for jamming with me José!

MARMOSET MUSIC Artist Profile Series
1939 Ensemble

For most artists, music isn’t simply something they “do.” It’s a way of life, the reason why they get up in the morning, and the thing that helps them sleep at night. When we bring artists into our community, we’re not only welcoming their music, but their unique stories, struggles and successes. We are inspired by our artists everyday and thrilled to be able to share their stories with you in our new Artist Profile series.

Kicking off the series is Portland-based musician, Jose Medeles -- one half of 1939 Ensemble and the founder of Revival Drum Shop. We followed Jose through a day in the life as he shared his journey from his days as river kid in La Salle, Illinois to touring with The Breeders and owning his own drum shop.

 

DRILL | 1939 Ensemble

JEALOUS BUTCHER RECORDS: From the album New Cinema by 1939 Ensemble, mixed by John McEntire (Tortoise, Stereolab); Directed by Gregg Hale

 
 
 
 

DESTINATION UNIVERSE | by Jeremiah Hayden

A Short film by Jeremiah Hayden, shot at the beautiful DESTINATION UNIVERSE STUDIO in Portland OR. Session engineered by Victor Nash & Hutch Harris; Additional noise by Knate Carter.

 
 

RECEPTION | by Jeremiah Hayden

Short promo video for Reception; Directed by Jeremiah Hayden.

 

TEDX TALKS BEND |
1939 Ensemble Performance

Portland instrumental duo 1939 Ensemble moves artfully between ominous dissonant noise and sharp bombastic beats to create random precision noise. Musicians Jose Medeles and David Coniglio use metal, wood, drums, vibes, beats and melody to create sound that not only crosses genres, but embraces and exploits them, inviting listeners in through the familiar and leaving them with something new to explore.h & Hutch Harris; Additional noise by Knate Carter.

 

HUFFER | The Breeders

Taken from 2002's 'Title TK' album. This lineup of The Breeders features Kim Deal, Kelley Deal, Mando Lopez, Richard Presley and Jose Medeles.

 

WOLVES | 1939 Ensemble

From the album New Cinema by 1939 Ensemble, their new song “Wolves,” Portland’s 1939 Ensemble blurs the lines between rock and jazz with a flurry of interesting, contrasting textures.

Drummer Jose Medeles starts the song with a snare roll and a driving beat; David Coniglio layers on cool vibraphone in descending melodies; guitarist Knate Carter and Josh Thomas (keys) join in and push the song to a crackling, staccato ending. “Wolves” is a standout new track from the band’s latest album, “New Cinema,” released last month on Portland label Jealous Butcher Records.

In the new video directed by Gregg Hale (Blair Witch Project), the song draws out a group of masked figures from the shadows like an incantation. Primitive meets edgy, the masked ones turn out to be children, and they eventually overtake the band members and mask them too.

 

SABATOGE | 1939 Ensemble

Official music video for Sabatoge from Howl & Bite album; Directed by Jeff Rowles.

 
 

MEANING & RHETORIC | The Sonic Explorations of José Medeles
by Kiino Villand

Jose Medeles, drummer for The Breeders, spends his down time creating new & unique percussive works. This is his story.

 

VORTEX MUSIC | Portraits of Portland Music: José Medeles

Seven musicians of diverse genres and backgrounds offer their perspectives on the community, culture and business that's alive in Portland's music scene today. Featuring insight and anecdotes from rockin' front lady Sallie Ford, hip-hop emcee Tope, drummer Jose Medeles, electronic diva Natasha Kmeto, Zia McCabe of The Dandy Warhols, multi-instrumentalist Lewi Longmire, and Skip vonKuske of The Portland Cello Project, pick up a copy of the first issue of Vortex Music Magazine to read the whole story or visit VRTXmag.com for more: http://www.vrtxmag.com/articles/portr...