Portland Cello Project

Another week, another Mercury music section to ignore as you learn the fascinating news that the rapper opening for Dom Kennedy at Peter's Room at the Roseland on Sunday is none other than Tommy Hilfiger's kid. Choice excerpts from his bio: "Rich Hil (born Rich Hilfiger) always considered himself a black sheep burdened by the family name" (yes, it is unimaginably tough to grow up wealthy in Greenwich, CT). He named his label Limo Life because "Limos are wack, but some people think it's the coolest thing in the world." Makes sense. His new shitty album is called Support Your Local Drug Dealer (pops must be proud) and there's a shitty video from it here in which he proves himself to be ghetto and gangster, and if none of this inspires barfage, you deserve a long life with that terrible taste of yours.

Enough of that! Let's talk about good music. The Portland Cello Project really doesn't need explaining anymore (they're all cellos! They do cool covers! They bridge the gap between classical and popular music!) but they've got a fine new record coming out, and three shows this weekend.
LISTEN:

Portland Cello Project - "H*A*M"

Jeff Mangum is playing two shows next week—yes, really. The reclusive Neutral Milk Hotel frontman is making a very, very long awaited return to the stage, so missing this would be like missing... well, like missing a Neutral Milk Hotel show.
LISTEN:

Neutral Milk Hotel - "Holland 1945"

And the Soul'd Out Music Festival kicked off last night with a couple shows, including one from Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. They've got lots and lots of other shows over the next couple weeks, including two CD release shows from Curtis Salgado tonight and tomorrow.
LISTEN:

Curtis Salgado - "What You Gonna Do?"

Plus a smorgasbord of Up and Coming shows.