- Jon Ransom photo by Vincent Ferguson; Those Willows photo by Elise Mesner
Two local folk acts are separately celebrating record releases this evening, and while you can’t be in both places at the same time (can you? If you can, please get in touch, we should probably do a story on you), it’s worth checking them out online at the very least, as both have their new work streaming in full on Bandcamp. Seriously, Bandcamp has got to be the best site ever. Well, second best, after portlandmercury.com 😀
Jon Ransom‘s second album, The Chief Mourner, comes on sumptuous gold vinyl in a hand-silkscreened sleeve from the folks at Gorbie International, who also put out St. Even’s great last record. Ransom was all over that album, too, and much of the crew appears on The Chief Mourner, including St. Even’s Steve Hefter, plus Barry Brusseau, Dao Strom, and others. Tonight Ransom plays the record release show at Alberta Street Pub with Towns & Villages and Small Souls. You can check out the full thing on Bandcamp (and order a copy of the limited edition vinyl); in the meantime, check out gorgeous album track “Torches.”
Those Willows are the duo of Michiganders-turned Portlanders Mel Tarter and Jack Wells, and their new EP, Three Books, came out on Tuesday. It’s sprightly, sad, soft, and striking, and was recorded with Old Wave’s Adam Brock (whose voice I hear I can swear in a couple instances, although it’s possible that Tarter and Wells bear a vocal resemblance to him, as they do to each other). Patti King and Zach Banks also make appearances. Tonight, Those Willows play a release show at the Alhambra Theatre opening for Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers. Check out Three Books in full on Bandcamp where it’s a pay-what-you-want download, or listen to the lovely title track right here.