Week Two of the new Portland Radio Project (PRP) –  Portland Center Stage (PCS) concert series “Local Spins” features world/indie/folk favorite Mbrascatu.

Formed in 2010, the five men sing in Italian, the native tongue of lead vocalist, Andrea Algieri. Though his songs sound passionate and celebratory, many touch on the political affairs of his homeland and the world at large.

Algieri and band mates Dylan Dean, John Sabestinas, Dan Sullivan and Lalo Esparza seem like brothers. Some work together, one is a doctor, and they hang out together because they genuinely like one another. The affection between them is apparent to anyone who has seen them perform.

They’ve played venues large and small – from coffee shops to festivals all over the Northwest, to venues large and small. Some might think language would be a barrier, but instead, they bridge one world (Italy) with another (Portland). PRP contributor Teri Briggs says, “Their music is so infectious that the audience can’t help but jump up and dance, while singing along to words we rarely know the meaning of. Does that matter? NOT at all! Just like the brotherhood of the band, the audience is a brotherhood of Mbrascatu fans, and one sees this merry band of followers at all of their shows.” You can hear a sample of Mbrascatu’s sound in this Drop-In Session, live at PRP in December, 2014.

Mbrascatu will perform at the intimate PCS lobby/bar September 22, the second edition of Local Spins. Concerts are held every Tuesday evening at 6:30 through mid-November in the elegant lobby bar of the historic Armory in the Pearl District.

Concert admission is free and open to the public. (No show ticket is required.) However, if you plan to attend a Local Spins concert, and would like to stay and see the play, enter the promo code: LOCALSPIN at pcs.org to get $10 off show tickets.

Local Spins week one, September 15, featured the new local Celtic band, The Seseisiunists (pronounced “secessionists”).

Next week, September 29: Bohemian Blues Hop band Worth.

For details of the entire PCS fall performances, please visit www.pcs.org. And, for more information on “Local Spins,” and PRP.fm, go to www.prp.fm.

 

Rebecca Webb
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