When Conor Oberst went from angsty indie to twangy country, he sounded a little ridiculously in foreign territory. But when Kevin and Anita Robinson of the fuzzy, psychedelic Portland rock duo Viva Voce expanded to become the rootsy country quintet Blue Giant, the transition seemed much smoother. The Robinsons have roots in their blood, originally coming to the Northwest from Nashville by way of Alabama. Since forming in 2008, Blue Giants spent much of their career playing shows in their hometown with friends like Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney, M. Ward, and the Portland Cello Project. But now theyre touring in support of their new self-title full-length, a collection of full and folksy songs deeply steeped in the blues. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Thu., July 15, 7 p.m., 2010
