Pitchfork

All the experts will tell you: start 'em young. Prolonged exposure to superlative indie rockers beginning at an early age will lead to a heightened awareness of one's own unique talents, improved taste in music, and increased chances of churning out quality indie rock later in life.

And who are the folks at Portland's Buckman Elementary School to question the experts? For their 2008 "Buckman Bash" benefit concert, they've rounded up two of the brightest indie stars to emerge from the Rose City in modern history: Stephen Malkmus and Shins frontman James Mercer.

M & M will perform at their hometown's Jupiter Hotel on April 11 for the benefit bash, with proceeds going toward Buckman and its Arts Focus programs (which focus on, you guessed it, the arts). Performance artist Andrew Dickson will emcee the event, while a third, as yet unannounced music act will open.

The Buckman Bash is but one part of the 18th annual Buckman Art Show & Sell festival, which runs from April 11-12 at the school. And if this Buckman name keeps ringing bells, this isn't the first time they've treated their young people to the beneficial effects of indie rockers. A swag auction this past spring featured contributions from the Decemberists, Isaac Brock, Mercer and his Shins, and Mr. Malkmus' Jicks bandmate Janet Weiss.

After a busy 2007, Mercer and his Shins have kept otherwise quiet of late (er, mostly), while Stephen Malkmus and his Jicks are just getting started. Real Emotional Trash arrives March 4 on Matador, while the band's tour kicks off March 19 in Minneapolis following a couple recently added in-stores.

Rock focus:

03-03 Seattle, WA - Sonic Boom Records (in-store)
03-05 San Francisco, CA - Amoeba Records (in-store)
03-19 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue *
03-20 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater *
03-21 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre *
03-22 Indianapolis, IN - Vogue Theater *
03-23 Newport, KY - Southgate House *
03-25 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge *
03-26 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse *
03-28 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
03-29 Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore at the TLA *
03-31 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
04-01 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
04-02 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
04-03 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club *
04-04 North Adams, MA - MASS MoCA *
04-20 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa #
04-21 Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre #
04-23 Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad #
04-24 Tucson, AZ - Plush #
04-28 Sacramento, CA - Harlow's #
05-03 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards #

* with John Vanderslice
# with the Joggers