Hello and Happy Friday, sickos! There's lots of happenings on in the Portland scene, and a rising number of concert cancellations thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak. While it's understandable that many of you folks will want to avoid crowds right now, also keep in mind the financial strain that public health panic has on local businesses, and your local creative community. If you're young, healthy, and able, perhaps this is actually a great time to go out, and enjoy music, arts and culture in venues that are likely less packed, and probably also cleaner than they've ever been. But if you're simply too paranoid about getting sick, it's also a great time to stay your ass at home and support your local music community while in isolation. Here are some rad (and not so rad) new developments related to the Portland scene to be aware of. Press play!

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Today SXSW announced its cancellation of the March festival for the first time in 34 years due to the City of Austin's concerns about spreading COVID-19.
"We are devastated to share this news with you," the statement reads."As recently as Wednesday, Austin Public Health stated that 'there’s no evidence that closing SXSW or any other gatherings will make the community safer.' However, this situation evolved rapidly, and we honor and respect the City of Austin’s decision. We are committed to do our part to help protect our staff, attendees, and fellow Austinites."
SXSW is currently exploring their options to reschedule, and are working on providing a virtual SXSW online experience ASAP for 2020 participants. According to the statement, the fest will soon be in touch with all the venues, theaters, vendors, production companies, service industry staff, and other partners involved. A FAQ will also be posted soon. Read the full statement here.

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As EarthGang's "Mirrorland" tour came to a close, the tour's Portland-based supporting act Wynne dropped this live Vevo performance video for single "Ego Check," and album opener "Roll Call," which happens to be one of my favorites from the MC's debut mixtape If I May... Unsurprisingly, Wynne kills it, demonstrating yet again why she's deserving of all this continued hype. And ICYMI, check out this video of rapper Twista reacting to Wynne's rapid-fire "Roll Call".

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Ahead of their upcoming reunion tour—which includes two stops at the Crystal Ballroom later this month—feminist punk band Bikini Kill is coming through Portland's Bodecker Foundation (2360 NW Quimby) on Monday, March 9, for a Q&A hosted by the Decemberists' Chris Funk. The event, featuring an appearance from goes from Kathleen Hanna and Kathi Wilcox, goes from 5-7. Space is limited, so you should definitely RSVP at hello@bodeckerfound.org.

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On March 3, the Portland Opera announced its 2020-21 season lineup. There's lots to see and hear coming up, but a couple stand out as particularly lovely/important: a celebratory performance detailing the life and influence of prolific Mexican painter Frida; and "Songs of Remembrance," comprising two pieces that'll "honor the lives of Jewish victims of the Holocaust by illuminating their stories with song." The first piece is centered around the Diary of Anne Frank, with "a series of moments sung from the pages of her diary, as she and her family go into hiding in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation." The second is For a Look or a Touch, about "a love story threatened by the persecution of gay men during the Holocaust, with text based on historic records—including the journal of Manfred Lewin, before his murder at Auschwitz-Birkenau." Check out the full 20-21 season on PortlandOpera's website.

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Check out all special releases you'll be able to cop this year on Record Store Day (April 18, 2020). Portland releases of interest include a new LP by Blitzen Trapper (Unreleased Recordings Vol. 2: Too Kool), a 7" from Dandy Warhols called Femme Fetale, Team Dresch's Choices, Chances, Changes, and a bunch of stuff Jackpot Records is releasing. See the full list here.

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She Shreds magazine just announced their print publication is going away, but the platform is transitioning to become She Shreds Media instead. The decision is explained in a detailed letter from editor Fabiola Reyna on the She Shreds website that acknowledges the influence She Shreds has had in the guitar industry, how women are portrayed in guitar media, and the truth regarding gender demographics and guitar musicianship (it's about 50/50).

"Thanks to the incredible vision, drive, passion, dedication, and skill of our staff, contributors, volunteers, and fans, we have successfully achieved every goal that we set out to meet through the print medium. It’s time for us to let it go, support other women and non binary focused and run music publications flourishing around the world, and shift our energy into creating digital media, and in-person experiences focused on providing tools to ensure the permanency of our voices."

In conclusion, Reyna promises that we can "expect a whole lot of new, exciting, and possibly surprising changes and announcements in the following months." In the meantime, readers can pre-order Issue 20, the final iteration of She Shreds that'll be released in June 2020.

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Today Portland indie pop band Doubleplusgood dropped their climactic new single "Northern Lights," from their forthcoming album Who's Your Man, set for self-release on June 19. According to a recent press release, the new album will reportedly see singer-songwriter Erik Carlson openly addressing his sexuality for the first time, channeling singers like Elvis and Roy Orbison, and boldly sharing "stories of gay men yearning for romance and connection in the exuberant tone of classic radio balladry."

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Earlier this week, Myke Bogan put out yet another new music video, this time for his party anthem "Quarterdeck." The ultra turnt-up, silly visual is set on a party bus, at a karaoke bar, and sees Bogan rapping from a toilet seat. With lots of kissing, substance-sharing, and twerking in close quarters, this wild party looks like exactly the type of get together you'll want to avoid during the coronavirus outbreak. Enjoy:

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Unrelated to Portland but still important nonetheless:
The Dixie Chicks recently released "Gaslighter," the title track from what will be their first new album in 14 years! Gaslighter, produced by Jack Antonoff, will be out May 1, and I would now like to start a prayer circle to ensure this trio of bad bitches come to the Pacific Northwest when they tour.

Three highly anticipated hip-hop albums just dropped. Lil Uzi Vert's Eternal Atake (check out "Homecoming" for a quick tease), Jadakiss' bar-heavy Ignatius, featuring Pusha T, John Legend, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign, 2 Chainz, and more.

And after getting the go-ahead from a judge yesterday, Megan THEE Stallion took to Instagram to announce she was moving forward with dropping her new project Suga. Megan's been in a battle with her label 1501 Entertainment as of late, claiming they will not allow her to release new music. While her legal battles with 1501 and Carl Crawford are far from over, late last night the Stallion dropped her 9-track Suga, and it is beyond delightful. Dive in immediately.

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FACTS ARE FACTS AND THE FACTS ARE PUBLIC ‼️ I’m extremely pleased that 1501 and Carl Crawford were denied the request to dissolve the Court order and try to stop my music from being released. I will proceed with the release of “SUGA”. On Friday March 6, To be clear, I will stand up for myself and won’t allow two men to bully me, I am NO ONES PROPERTY. Y’all are choosing to highlight the issue of music splits...talk about everything else. This has nothing to do with anyone else including JAY-Z, stop deflecting and trying to make this a publicity stunt, I want my rights, The facts are; 1. 1501 doesn’t want to approve my budget to put out my project that the court is allowing to be released. 2. 1501 tried to stop my release, I prevailed in court 3. 1501 tried to fight the decision today, the court denied 1501’s request🤷🏽‍♀️ respect my deceased mother, she’s not here, you don’t know her, you weren’t involved, Carl should speak for himself, All the facts are public record available at the courthouse in Houston.

A post shared by Hot Girl Meg (@theestallion) on Mar 5, 2020 at 10:26am PST