The acts listed below have been touted (beyond this blog) as some of Portland’s "bands to know." You keep hearing their names, but you keep missing their shows!

"Ah, well," you say. "A band’s a band. They’d just be up there playing music. And in this town, people play music behind every tree." Too true; when simply walking out your front door puts you in earshot of live music, it’s ironically harder to muster attention, let alone a club’s cover, unless you’re sure that a group’s going to bring some special flavor.

Knowing this, webhead Brennan Novak shoots videos of Portland bands—not playing, but cooking. The idea is that once you’ve been in their kitchen, you’ll feel more at home in their audience—perhaps at upcoming MusicFest Northwest, which plans to host all three of these, and many more!

Fair warning: these videos contain some swearing.

WAMPIRE
Just missed: Saturday, Wave Cave (house venue)
Caught here cooking: "stoner comfort" casserole

Y LA BAMBA (aka Tragos Amargos)
Just missed: Friday, Alberta Rose Theater
Caught here cooking: toasted tempe salad with coconut oil and ginger, fried eggs and tortillas

SALLIE FORD
Just missed: Sunday afternoon, Doug Fir Lounge
Caught here cooking: savory crepes

Still hungry for more rockin’ food options? Check out our food cart videos curated and narrated by PM’s resident fare maven, Karen Brooks.