There's a tendency among modern musicians to overshare, especially online. The logic being to keep themselves and their work constantly in the easily distracted minds of today's fans. That's how we wind up with artists venting their spleens on Instagram, sparring with folks on Twitter, and, especially, digitally sharing every last bit of music they made.
That's what makes the forthcoming split cassette release by Portland artists Night Heron and Martha Stax so refreshing. Both acts are releasing new material in the form of a physical product and... that's it. The only way you're going to be able to own these tunes is to purchase the damn tape.
And you're gonna want to purchase the damn tape. How do we know? Well, Night Heron and Martha Stax are kindly allowing us to premiere a pair of tracks from the cassette, one from each artist. And as you'll hear, both tunes are white hot.
As Night Heron, Cameron Spies (formerly of Radiation City) continues to explore his love of sultry R&B and quiet storm jams that came of age in the '80s. The track he's sharing with us, "Eyes Wide," is a slow burning come on, fanned to a blaze by some sweet, sweet saxophone from Nicole McCabe and the blush-inducing vocal interplay between Spies and a singer known only as T.
"Soft and Chewy," the new tune from sextet Martha Stax, is the perfect flip side to "Eyes Wide." The mood has shifted, with ragged early R&B grooves, dancing organ melodies, and bleary girl-group harmonies suggesting the glistening afterglow of some hot and heavy sex. It's a kiss on the forehead, sending you into blissful, dream-free slumber.
After listening to those tracks, you will likely be het up to grab a copy of the cassette. To do so, make your way to the Doug Fir Lounge on August 7. Both bands will be performing that night, including a one-time-only live collaboration where we've been promised they "will re-create a couple of dreamy classics in their own special way." They've not given any hints as to what those classics will be, but I'm waiting with bated breath to hear them.
