Looking for something to do this evening? If you find yourself strolling down Hawthorne Boulevard, stop in local indie label and DIY shop Tender Loving Empire's newest location. Tonight marks the first of their 2016 in-store performances, featuring New Move and Candace. New Move just dropped their debut album on TLE's sister label Bug Hunt and it's filled with doo-woppy glammed out indie rock. Candace will also be playing some new material off their upcoming New Future album.

This all ages event starts promptly at 6pm, so get there early and look around before it starts! If you're of age, free beer will be provided by Gigantic Brewing Company.

-Cervante Pope

There's been quite the buzz flying around the Mt. Portland compilation, and that buzz could not be more warranted. An idea turned reality, solo musician Joel Magid saw how transmuted Portland and its music scene have become, and decided to capture it one track at a time. Featuring 13 of PDX's most beloved and brightest, like the Century, Talkative and what very well may be the last recording from Grandparents to name a few, the Mt. Portland compilation doesn't even come off as such thanks to its production. Each original, previously unreleased track was recorded at Buzz or Howl Studios by owner Stan Wright. Though the bands on the comp aren't bred of the same genre, Wright's analog recording technique melded each contributed track seamlessly, resulting in a collection that's more cohesive than just compiled. Both Wright and Magid fronted recording time, pressings and all other costs themselves, keeping the compilation not for profit and free for us to consume.

Stream the compilation below and check out the Mt. Portland release show tomorrow at Rontoms, for free. Performing will be Boone Howard and Michael Finn (the Domestics), Candace, Joel Magid himself and headlined by And And And. 

-Cervante Pope

If you're bumming on being alone, or just hate the holiday for the sake of hating things, then bask in the delight that is Candace's Valentine's Day weekend release, Teenage Tragedy. The two song drop consists of hazy bedroom pop covers of "I Wonder If I Care As Much" by The Everly Brothers and "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinnings, executed in a manner that's both romantically dreamy and gloomily sappy. Whether you're spending the day single or with a partner, turn out the lights and play Teenage Tragedy on loop. It's much better than every lame love song on the radio.

-Cervante Pope

Amid the terrorizing tragedies that have been involving ISIS recently, the lovely ladies of Is/Is have decided to change their name. In a statement (both emailed to me and now found on their Bandcamp page) the ladies give a little detail about the decision:

In light of realities far beyond our control, Is/Is will thus forward be known as “Candace.”

“Is/Is” (/iz-iz/) has metamorphosed from an intentional non-signifier to an unintentional reminder of what can be horrible in this world.

We hope that the new name will make room for us to be more of what we’ve always meant to be—a reflection of the good and small mysteries that make living worthwhile.

It's a respectful and understandable move for the band, and hopefully won't interfere with their future successess. All former Is/Is related pages and correspondance have been switched in observance of the new name. Their first show under the new moniker will be at the Know on January 16th with Ah God and Seattle's Dræmhouse. 

-Cervante Pope