Dark Dark Dark Rain Rain Rain

Well, after a little vacation, Eternal Otter Records just got back to Portland, but the sky is dark and the rain falls endlessly.

However, that doesn't mean that there aren't still great things to do in the city. The awesome indie-folk collective Dark Dark Dark is rolling through our town today. Their new EP- Bright Bright Bright- is absolutely excellent. First, they will be stopping to play DJ Roy's Liberation by Sound at 4 pm. Listen here.

Next, you can catch them in-person at SPACE Gallery tonight with one of our favorite local acts- Dark UrrrU (comprised of members of Big Blood and Brother Oak).

There's also lot more in store this week, with a performance by Chriss Sutherland's flamenco-inspired Olas on Thursday, also at SPACE Gallery. And the weather should break and the sun should shine just in time for the First Friday Art Walk and the return of the Building of Song.

Where have we been?

So, I know it's been awhile since I've last posted to the blog, but that doesn't mean that nothing is happening over at Eternal Otter Records- quite the contrary. What's in store for Spring?

First, if you need a reminder, we now have the Death, Rebirth & Transformation vinyl series in stores all across Portland- including:

Madgirl World. Madgirl World is a really awesome clothing and design store on Commercial Street (they currently have a fashion display at Port City Music), and they have also setup a great listening station for local music (so you can actually spin the records before you buy them.




Strange Maine & Time-Lag Records. Offbeat record stores (and more) that - one above, one below.



You can also buy the entire series as a hemp-bound set at Bull Moose Records. For our Portsmouth friends, you can find the records at Odessey & Oracle in Portsmouth (on Fleet St across from Friendly Toast)

We'll keep expanding the availability of the records, but if you can't make it to Portland or (Portsmouth), the series can be ordered by mail order here.

Also, coming up soon is the release of the second Eternal Otter Records Vinyl Single Series, "Mystic Chords of Memory". This collection includes new songs from Portland's Neo-Americana scene, featuring Jesse Pilgrim, Dana Gross, Samuel James, and Over A Cardboard Sea. You'll be hearing a lot more about this series as we get closer to the release date.

Earlier this month we also hosted what might have been our best Building of Song yet! It started with an experimental "Chakra Ledge" performance by Matthew Lajoie (founder of the extraordinary l'animaux tryst label), which used various sounds and instrumentation to chart a course through the human body - it started at the feet with improvisational drumming and ended at the head with the ringing of bells. Meghan Yates & the Reverie Machine followed next and held Portland spellbound with their otherworldly melodies. Finally, Dominic Lavoie (joined by Lajoie on electric guitar) gave a loose but riveting performance. Dominic's band, the Lucid, also just played a show at the EMPIRE last night after a long break and will be releasing their third album this springs- Garlands for the Conqueror.

Our radio show, The Red Telephone, also recently hosted a live performance by psych-rockers Planets Around the Sun. We'll be debuting a spiffy new website soon, and we'll post sample tracks from all 18 of our Red Telephone sessions! Stay tuned. In the meantime, you can check out our next show tomorrow from 10 am to Noon (ET), right here.

Finally, since I always like to pass on tips about good shows, welcome in the season with the Spring Equinox show at SPACE, featuring two of my favorite bands - Big Blood & Uke of Space Corners.

Portland's "Most Influential"

I'm very honored to be named by the Phoenix as one of Portland's "Most Influential Movers & Shakers" for the work I've done with Tower of Song and Eternal Otter Records. I started these projects because I love this city and wanted to properly showcase its many talents, so I'm glad that they have been recognized as a vital contribution to our local culture.

Also, these projects couldn't have succeeded without the help of many dedicated and creative supporters, some of whom were also recognized by the Phoenix, including Aly Spaltro (Lady Lamb the Beekeeper), Bryan Bruchman (who has given us lots of great publicity through his hillytown blog), and Kris Johnsen (who has designed a number of posters and album covers for us). Even more people were left off, but are equally deserving of attention, including John Fountain, Alicia Sampson, Roy Ghim (Liberation by Sound on WMPG), [dog] and [pony], Dominic Lavoie, and many others.

In any event, Eternal Otter Records plans on continuing its efforts to celebrate Portland's music. The Phoenix is also hosting a reception tonight at Bull Feeney's around 7 pm - hope to see you there.

First Friday Art Walk

Tomorrow is February's First Friday Art Walk in Portland. As always, Eternal Otter Records will be contributing to the celebration of our city's art and artists.

Naturally, we will be kicking off Building of Song around 5:30 pm. Meander your way through the crowd and to Congress Square to hear live music echoing out of the 5th floor of the Congress Street Building. If you want to get closer to the action, make your way up the stairs of 142 High St and into the Eternal Otter Record Studios. Dominic Lavoie will be playing along with special guest, D. Gross.



Next, make your way across the street to the Hope.Gate.Way (185 High Street), where Panda Bandit Alicia Sampson is hosting her solo show, "I sail oceans in maps". The exhibit will include her collage poster series she created for Tower of Song/Building of Song, as well as watercolor and gouache paintings, drawings, and an experiment in digital collage called Nature in Motion featuring sights from Maine and New Jersey. Alicia also currently has a piece on display at SPACE Gallery's "Free for All" exhibit.

The recently released "The Death, Rebirth & Transformation" vinyl singles series will also be available at Time-Lag Records starting tomorrow. You can also pick up the records at Building of Song and the Hope.Gate.Way. Eternal Otter Records T-shirts will also be available for sale.

Liberation by Sound Podcast

Check out the Podcast from last weeks' Liberation by Sound, featuring interviews with Will Ethridge and Alicia Sampson of Eternal Otter Records. DJ Roy asks them about the "Death, Rebirth & Transformation" vinyl single series that was released on January 29th. Also features music from performers featured at the Eternal Otter Records Vinyl Release Party.

The "Death, Rebirth & Transformation" vinyl single series is now available for mail order online.

Don't Miss This Show!

Port City Music is hosting an incredible show tonight that you won't want to miss. Two of our city's most talented ladies- Lady Lamb the Beekeeper and Dilly Dilly- are taking the stage starting at 8 pm. This will likely be Dilly Dilly's last Portland performance before she moves to L.A. Tickets are only $2 and there will be $2 drafts all night!

Vote for Building of Song as "Best Public Event"

The Portland Phoenix is hosting its annual poll of the Best of Portland!

Please nominate the Building of Song/Tower of Song as Best Public Event (City Life category). You can vote once per day.

If you need further convincing, please come by Congress Square this First Friday of February to hear live music by Dominic Lavoie and Dana Gross! If you are feeling particularly adventurous, make your way to the 5th floor of the Congress Street Building to check out the musicians up-close.