This fall, the Portland music scene is all about October, a month that will see at least seven major releases from local acts. Here’s the rundown on what to look out for in the coming three months:
• First on the docket is LOVERLESS’ Fighter, out this coming week, and celebrated with a show at the Big Easy, September 22. Look for a review in next week’s “Beat Report.”
• A NEW VISION, featuring ex-members of Ransom, and SUBJECT BIAS, featuring Kevin Ouellette and a cast of characters, both release new albums October 13 (it’s a Friday. Scary). This will be a debut for Vision, third release for Subject Bias.
• HEADSTART release their third full-length October 17. It’s a concept album, as has been reported in this space previously. Needless to say, this is a big deal.
• MOSES ATWOOD, a singer/songwriter throwback, will release his debut record October 21.
• NOW IS NOW, headed by Mitch Alden, release their third full-length with a show at RiRa, October 25.
• Both DOMINIC AND THE LUCID and MOSS MOUNTAIN PROJECT, the first a sort of acid rock act, the second a sort of acid bluegrass act, have plans for October releases, but they’ve not yet given release dates.
• TREE BY LEAF, looking to follow up on the spectacular Of the Black and Blue, from 2005, have plans for a new album to drop in November, hopefully with a show at the St. Lawrence.
• Finally, after much anticipation, GRAHAM ISAACSON (the sexiest voice in Portland?) will be releasing a follow-up to his 2004 album, Nine Days. He’ll be doing it with the help of the Chicago-based SINISTER MUSE RECORDS, which has signed him to a recording contract. Isaacson’s release will only be the second for the new label, but the “business philosophy includes doing whatever it takes to support and develop the artist, including being technologically vigilant, compulsively proactive, blindingly fair, keeping the artist’s vision in mind and giving them control of their sound.” Look for the disc before 2007.
