Music Blog

An oddly busy Sunday night in Portland tonight finds Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit at the Doug Fir, along with Justin Townes Earle. Isbell is the former Drive-By Trucker who has recently released his second album under his own name, albeit with his band the 400 Unit this time around. Earle, meanwhile, started out with a lot of attention simply because of his famous father, but has quickly shown that he deserves a look as a musician in his own right. Midnight at the Movies is his second album in as many years, and builds on the promise shown on his debut even while he makes a giant leap forward. Earle is also confirmed for this summer's Pickathon.

MP3: Justin Townes Earle- "What I Mean to You"

Later on in the week, a busy new release Tuesday finds a diverse list, including the long awaited return of Superchunk with a new EP, and the Joe Henry-produced full length from 77 year-old Ramblin' Jack Elliott on Anti. New efforts from Bat for Lashes, The Veils, and Doves also hit stores, as well as the latest from recent in-studio guests The Thermals, with Now We Can See dropping on kill rock stars. Speaking of the Portland trio, they'll celebrate the album with a release show at the Wonder Ballroom on Thursday night with openers Parentheical Girls and Explode Into Colors, and then head south for Salem's Cherry City Music Festival on Friday for what will be the trio's last show in the area for a while as they embark on a long tour.

Speaking of the Cherry City Music Festival, if you haven't heard of it yet, it's because there's never been one before. This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Salem (conveniently referred to as "Cherry City," oh by the way) marks the first such festival, and they're certainly off to a good start. Boasting 140 acts and 15 venues over the three days of action, the CCMF keeps it mostly local (Viva Voce, Horse Feathers, Super XX Man, Panther, and the aforementioned Thermals are a few of the better known acts set to perform, while the likes of kill rock stars, Boy Gorilla, and Tender Loving Empire host label stages), and cheap ($30 gets you an all access wristband for all three days-- eat your heart out, SXSW). In any case, it's certainly worth the drive down, in the process allowing you to re-live the concert roadtrips of your youth, minus the Natural Light and Alice in Chains cassettes, of course. Is Salem ready?

MP3: Viva Voce- "Devotion"

Much more to come here- the thread is open...

Tagged: mp3