It is 9pm and Logan Lynn and The Gentry are scrambling to sound-check in a cavernous warehouse space in Portland’s NW industrial district. “We’re in the Dandy’s kingdom,” Lynn says of The Odditorium, the sprawling studio of the Dandy Warhols.

The main room has giant murals leaning on almost every surface, a small fleet of motorcycles in the rear. There’s a kitchen outfitted better than most restaurants. The oddly placed nooks, crannies, windows and doors suggest a building cobbled together from several smaller ones.

The band is setting up for an early morning video shoot at The Odditorium with local CBS affiliate Koin 6. They’re shooting promo videos too, for a tour they’re kicking off this Thursday, May 27th, at the Doug Fir Lounge with DoublePlusGood and Fleshtone.

Logan Lynn is known for his emotronic, electro-pop, and OMN has profiled him before. In the past he’s mostly performed alone, sometimes bringing along a producer like Cars & Trains, while he stood out front crooning into a mic over layers of soft electronics. But for this Thursday’s show, and this summer’s upcoming tour, he’s brought along a full band: slamming dance-electro rockers The Gentry.

He calls himself a “bad hostess” as the band hurries to set up. He seems anxious, but affable. Will an act that’s gained popularity for soft, emotive electronics sit well with an accustomed fan base after adding a full, raucous band?

“I was scared about what people were gonna do,” Lynn says. But after their first performance at Blow Pony in February, “We had every single ear and eye on us. They were into it. I checked the video just to make sure. It’s real.”

Local queer techno-folk darling Logan Lynn is amping things up. After a brief performance hiatus, the former solo artist has teamed with a new band, The Gentry, and is plugging in to a bigger, badder sound. “Many of you who have seen my live show in the past will be expecting something completely different than you will be getting,” Lynn said in a message to fans. “Things have gotten loud and I’ve moved into the world of electronic rock with full force.”

Often compared to artists such as Lykke Li, Ladytron and Goldfrapp, Lynn’s danceable grooves belie the serious, even emo lyrics beneath. The addition of a backing band gives his music a more pulsing rhythm that pushes through the ear, rather than wafting past, creating a sound that’s more grounded and less ethereal.

As those who got a preview of the new Logan Lynn and The Gentry (LL+G) at February’s Blow Pony can attest, these boys are ready to rock. Folks who missed the show can watch a reworked version of Lynn’s single “Feed Me to the Wolves” on his YouTube channel. Ever generous, the musician has also “leaked” demos from his upcoming album with Y-Tron on his Web site. The tracks are unedited and unmastered but still offer a good taste of what’s to come.

Fortunately, eager fans need not wait much longer to bob and sway to Lynn’s electrically and emotionally-charged beats. LL+G kick off their West Coast summer tour Thursday, May 27 at the Doug Fir, joined by electro-pop duo DoublePlusGood and electro artist Fleshtone. The guys go on to perform for the homo masses at both Olympia’s Capitol Pride on June 12 and Seattle’s Capitol Hill Block Party at The Cuff on June 27.
“The Gentry and I have been hiding since January making things loud and wild, getting ready to take the loud wildness on the road,” Lynn said.

With any luck, the crowds will join in the ruckus raising.

–Erin Rook