Friday, July 17, 2009

Heading down that dusty road

Eternal Otter Records is taking a little summer retreat starting tomorrow, but we will be making a triumphant return in August.

First, some important news. The Tower of Song is being temporarily shutdown, so that construction can begin on the building. We are currently negotiating to host the show in a studio across the street, but everything is up in the air at the moment. However, whatever ends up transpiring, you'll be hearing from us long after we're gone.

Second- People Take Warning! The Panda Bandits return to Portland on August 12th for their show at SPACE Gallery with Jesse Pilgrim. Your presence is required.

Until next time.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper on World Tour

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper has started her world tour (of Maine) with S-Bot (formerly of Feel It Robot). You can follow their progress on twitter. It looks like they will be playing in Mexico today. Seems like as good a chance as any to hear Aly play "Mexico, ME" from Handsome Animals. Lady Lamb the Beekeeper will return to Portland on Saturday, August 11th to play at the Empire. She will be joined by labelmate Johnny Fountain & The Manes.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

All aboard!

Happy Independence Day!

If you are planning on heading down to the Eastern Promenade early to get a good spot for the fireworks, I suggest that you first make your way down the the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and catch their 6:30 pm train. Rides are free (or by donation).

As an added bonus, Eternal Otter Records will be presenting a folk music show right on the train as it chugs on down to the promenade. This show will feature Jesse Pilgrim and Johnny Fountain trading old standards, children's songs, toe-tappers, and maybe cracking a few jokes.

This is also a little warm-up for a much larger train concert that we hope to put on sometime in September, and that will also include Over A Cardboard Sea & Samuel James.

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum is an indoor-outdoor museum interpreting Maine’s industrial history and technology primarily through its working two-foot gauge railroad. The Museum is open from 10am to 4 pm every day. Trains run on the hour from 11am to 4 pm. This weekend, the MNGRR will be running steam Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Birds flyin' high in the sky, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

It's the Friday of July (and the first day with sun in a week) and that means TOWER OF SONG IS BACK!!!

We'll be kicking things off from the top of the Schwartz Building with Mr. Johnny Fountain at 5 pm. After that we'll be playing host to four beautiful sirens- Aly Spaltro (Lady Lamb the Beekeeper), Denise Dill, Meghan Yates, and Amanda Gervasi. Bring your sunglasses.

I also have to announce somewhat sad news. Effective July 31st, 602 Congress Street is being vacated in order to allow for construction that will bring the building up to fire code. This means Tower of Song will temporarily be going on hiatus, but we are confident that we will be able to bring it back once the construction is complete (it is projected to be done in 2 to 3 months). But this is the last Tower of Song fix you'll be able to get this summer, so I hope to see you here.

Also, Eternal Otter Records is working on bringing you some other great events while Tower of Song takes its summer vacation. I will keep you posted.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Chriss Sutherland & The Boy Who Spoke Clouds LIVE @ Buoy Gallery this Thursday 6/2

Completing the trilogy of Cerberus Shoal "Where Are They Now" blog posts- I'd like to point you to Chriss Sutherland's show at Buoy in Kittery tomorrow night. I've waxed poetic about Chriss Sutherland in this blog before- besides being the co-founder of Cerberus Shoal, he is also one of the driving forces behind Fire on Fire (just named by the Phoenix as the best band in Maine), and the creator of two amazing solo albums. Best of all, his shows are always full of surprises as he picks liberally from his solo career, FF tunes, and an assortment of great cover songs (I Shall Be Released, The Circle Will be Unbroken, Big Blood's Oh Country, Darlin' Cory). Alicia is convinced that he transports himself to some transcendental plane when he sings. I agree.

He will also be joined by his mate from Australia- The Boy Who Spoke Clouds. He's touring behind his debut solo release- apparently it was recorded on a camcorder microphone to a cheap sound card, but I would never have guessed it as he manages to create a dense, dreamlike atmosphere with his songs- filled with ominous hand clapping and restrained intensity that crashes forward like waves in the moonlight.

Check it out.