I Break Horses Perform “Hearts” in Room 205

Today we premiere the second installment of Room 205 with special guest I Break Horses. Inspired by the stark intimacy and rising euphoria of “Hearts,” set designer Tamarra Younis turned Room 205 into a soft cocoon of billowing muslin gauze. Thereafter, director Forrest Borie shot the entire performance through dozens of tiny glory holes cut into the fabric. But why? Well, as directors go, Borie’s a bit of a peeping tom. He wanted to capture I Break Horses doing what they do best—getting lost in the moment. The resulting video offers a beautiful, glowing snapshot of the band in all its blissed out glory.

Look for the final I Break Horses x Room 205 performance, “Load Your Eyes,” to launch Monday, September 24th.

MusicFestNW, Keeping Perfect Time

After five days of non-stop shows Portland’s MusicFest NW is now finally over. As part of Incase’s 6th-year returning sponsorship, this year festival organizer Trevor Solomon tasked us with curating two nights of shows at the downtown PDX venue Ted’s (formerly Berbati’s Pan). Rad.

On Friday, Sept. 7th, we debuted ‘Room 205 live’, bringing together a cadre of recent Room 205 musical guests for a night of live performance and sweaty, spasmodic dance moves, (including sets by Tropic of Cancer, Craft Spells, Crystal Antlers, Chelsea Wolfe, and hometown favorites BLOUSE). For this special event we filmed a concert documentary with celebrated director Greg Hunt, dp Gregg Schmitt and audio engineer Griffin Rodriguez. Look for the first episode of the doc to launch mid-October and the second half in mid-November.

On a related-but-entirely creepy note, Incase also sponsored the MFNW art show and pop-up shop of enigmatic entertainer Neckface at the One Grand Gallery on East Burnside. Titled “A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL!!!”, the exhibit showcases a wide range of Neck’s newest pen & ink drawings and a bevy of chilling tchotchkes, (including t-shirts, hoodies, poster prints, and pentagram-frosted chocolate cupcakes). For the occasion Incase created custom laser-etched Incase iPhone 4s cases brandishing one-of-a-kind Neckfacian one-liners like, “DRUNK AGAIN…,” “Snake Eyes,” and the ominous “YOU LOOK LIKE A MESS…THAT’S THE ONLY LOOK I’VE GOT LEFT”. Yes, it was a packed house. And yes, Ako Jefferson DJ’d using only an iPhone 4s and an RCA cable connected to a blown out PA. Brilliant. The gallery show and pop-up shop run Sept. 7th—Oct. 5th. Go if you’re feeling ghoulish.

On Saturday, September 8th, we hosted the Captured Tracks label showcase with Mac DeMarco, DIIV, The Soft Moon and Wild Nothing. From doors at 9PM until last call at 1:45AM, it is no exaggeration to say both night’s were sold out and sweaty beyond belief. All in all, both showcases went far beyond our expectations and made a lot of super-fans and festival attendees very, very happy.

Thanks again to Trevor Solomon, Matt Manza, Nathan Ostrander, Kenric Ashe, and Fasil Debeb at MFNW. Thanks again to our A/V crew Greg Hunt, Gregg Schmitt, and Griffin Rodriguez. Your friendship and considerable kindness have truly made this festival our favorite event of the year thus far. Thanks again to all of the performing artists and the extended Portland music community. We love this festival and are excited to return next year. Enjoy a quick Flickr set from MFNW 2012.

New Room 205 Episode with I Break Horses

Room 205 welcomes you to the densely layered world of I Break Horses, the nom de plume of Maria Lindén and musical partner Fredrik Balck. While on a recent US tour supporting M83, the duo stopped into Room 205 for a deeply weird live session during a brutal heatwave. It was HOT and they were sick as dogs, so they stripped to their underwear before a single note warbled from their synths. Even so, the vibe created by the white light/white heat/white underwear delivered the first almost-perfect episode of Room 205.

Residing in Stockholm, Sweden, I Break Horses quietly crafted their 2011 debut album Hearts via stolen moments gathered up over a span of three years. Although heavily (and openly) influenced by MBV, Slowdive and Jesus & Mary Chain, I Break Horses is far from an exercise in typical shoegaze fare. Coupled with Lindén’s vocals, a gorgeous Scandinavian croon bathed in layers of oceanic reverb and tremelo, and God only knows how many synths, drum pads and ornately effected guitar chords, I Break Horses offers a unique sonic experience unlike anything else you’ll soon hear.

Look for the next installment of the episode to launch next Monday, September 17 with a performance of “Hearts”.

Join Ghostly International for 4 Days of Sound, Art and Inspiration + Download an Exclusive Compilation

Incase is proud to support Ghostly International: Of Art and Artifice, a multi-day event presented by the Art Directors Club CRE8 Series that promotes art connected through a spirit of inventiveness and anti-genre thinking. In the years since its birth in 1999, Ghostly has grown from a boutique label known for its experimental-pop and -techno acumen to an internationally recognized platform for the work of the world’s best visual artists, designers, technologists, and musicians.

As a multi-platform cultural curator, Ghostly International is a tightly knit aesthetic universe fulfilling the roles of art gallery, design house, clothing designer, technology innovator, music-publishing company and record label, all in one. From September 13-16, The Art Directors Club will house a comprehensive exhibition that gives a peek into what’s next after 13 years of creativity from Ghostly International, highlighting an essential selection of work from the Ghostly family in a never-before-seen collection. In addition to the exhibition, Of Art and Artifice will also encompass a series of events that include an Opening Gala with live performances by Com Truise, Lusine and NYC’s own Michna, as well as two days of talks with Ghostly artists hosted by Incase.

In celebration of the upcoming event, we are proud to feature an exclusive compilation of tracks from Ghostly International’s lineup of artists available for streaming and download only at goincase.com.

Tickets for Of Art and Artifice are available now via Eventbrite.

Incase x Pitchfork Music Festival 2012

So what did the 8th Annual Pitchfork Music Festival look and sound like, you ask? Well, this year we experienced a bit of everything; rain, thunder, lightning, 87-degree heat and humidity, dozens of food vendors, scores of indie labels and poster artists.

Three stages, and nearly 60,000 wet n’ sweaty music lovers wilding out for three days…all howling along to their favorite artists, (including standout performances from Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, Beach House, Real Estate, The Field, King Krule, and a triumphantly reunited Chavez!). Thanks Chicago, we’ll see you again next year. Yes, we took lots of photos.

We’re Going to the Pitchfork Music Festival!

In just a little over 72 hours a throng of joyful, minimally attired patrons will again glide briskly onto the fields of Chicago’s Union Park to attend the 8th annual Pitchfork Music Festival.

Held July 13-15th, Pitchfork is by far North America’s most eagerly anticipated outdoor music festival of summer. As a returning sixth-year sponsor we’ll be on hand gifting Pitchfork performing artists, festival attendees and production staff with a barrage of helpful Incase goodies.

As always, we recommend bringing a hat, ear plugs and comfy shoes. Maybe remember to eat snacks and drink water— it’s gonna be an all-day scorcher. Yup, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Grimes, Chavez, The Field, King Krule and Thee Oh Sees are all playing.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago soon.

James Blake Rocking Our Headphones

Stoked to see musical genius James Blake utilize a pair of Sonic Headphones during his performance at the Meet In Town Festival in Rome.

Incase x MWTX6

March 15-17th, Incase is excited to again sponsor the MWTX party during the annual SXSW music conference in Austin, TX. Now in its sixth year, this FREE, ALL-AGES music festival has become the most anticipated unofficial gathering of the entire week.

Please join us for three days and nights of live performances from (among others) Built To Spill, We Were Promised JetPacks, Deerhoof, Titus Andronicus, Cloud Nothings, Chairlift, Ceremony, White Arrows, and Yelle (DJ set).

In total, nearly 30 bands and electronic artists will grace the stages of the 20,000 sq-ft MWTX indoor venue and adjacent 20,000 sq-ft outdoor courtyard. Whether you wanna lurk in the dark or bask in the sun, it is guaranteed to be a great time for everyone. Drink water, bring earplugs. We’ll see you soon.

We’ll be at the 7th Annual Pitchfork Music Festival

In just a little over two days the Pitchfork Music Festival’s horde of disheveled, breezily attired patrons will again descend on Chicago’s Union Park. Held over the course of three delightful (albeit extremely hot+loud) days and nights, Pitchfork is hands-down the most anticipated independent outdoor music event of the summer. As a returning sponsor of the festival Incase will again be on hand gifting performing artists and festival attendees with a barrage of helpful goodies.

As always, please remember to bring a hat, ear plugs and comfy shoes. Eat something. Drink water. Perhaps even have a nap. Maybe bring a sheet or small blanket for lurking with pals on the lawn. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago soon!

One Polaroid A Day by Ted Leo

We are excited to premiere a new installment of Room 205 with Ted Leo, who brings us an intimate, stripped down rendition of “One Polaroid A Day” from the album The Brutalist Bricks.