• We were disappointed to hear the promising ARMS AGAINST A SEA have decided to call it quits. A very interesting songwriting crew, who managed to be both literary and guttural at the same time, the band are going their separate ways to focus on other projects (the up-and-coming band MAN, THE REFORMER, among them) and, well, going to law school. Look for a final show in July, along with a last six-song EP they say they'll give away for free on site.
• There is a beautiful art and culture mag out of Mexico City called ERR MAGAZINE and they showed great taste in inviting PHANTOM BUFFALO to come play their second anniversary party this past month. The world gets smaller and smaller.
• OK GO are releasing a new live album, 180/365, and one of the tracks, "Last Leaf," was recorded right here in little old Portland, at PORT CITY MUSIC HALL. We're just so dang hip around here, lately.
• The hip-hop sensation that are the DIRTY WHITE HATS — featuring long-time local rockers LEON SAMSON (HIGH-FIVIN' WHITE GUYS, and many more), NICK SCALA (LOST CAUSE DESPERADOS and DARK HOLLOW BOTTLING COMPANY), and JJ KING (LABSEVEN, BOOMBAZI), along with C$BURNS on live production — say they'll soon have a mixtape release. You can check out the first sample at soundcloud.com/dirtywhitehats, with help from DR. ASTRONAUT, JAMIE COLPOYS, HOLLY NUNAN, BOO from COVERED IN BEES, and KENYA HALL.
