It's been quite nice moderately transitioning from devil's dick level heat to the gloomy frigid weather Portland is typically known for. While there's many a sad album signifying our respective feelings on this transition, none really does more justice than Arbor Daze's ambient despondence.

Our eyes have been on Aspen Koch's solo project since she tied on one of our Artist of the Month polls a little while back. She's been quite busy since then putting the finishing touches on last month's release, Four Months. Her work as Arbor Daze is fairly minimalistic in instruments wielded yet maximal in its impact on the listener - using just a guitar, a loop pedal and her voice to sonically capture the brood - though she collaborated  with others on Four Months.

Thankfully we're not the only ones to take notice of Koch's efforts (and Sarah Lane's of the Late Great, for that matter!), as there's a show tomorrow displaying a bit of appreciation. 

It's just about the time for the Jade Lounge's October #WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday, just in case you somehow didn't know) Showcase and Arbor Daze, along with Sarah Lane, Jen Deale of Santiam and soulful jazz guitarist Angelica Pray will be performing. Come experience the haze of Arbor Daze in person tomorrow as you fall for the other lovely ladies as well!

This last round of the Deli Portland Artist of the Month poll resulted in a tie between two different nominees. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does it shows the wealth of good music offered in the city that just can't be ignored. That being said, both Two Moons and Arbor Daze are artists deserving of more than just local attention.

Arbor Daze, a solo project by Aspen Koch, is actually quite indicative of the moniker itself, educing the state of calm often felt while taking in the beauty of a forest. Koch illicits a certain halcyon ambiance, dressed in a doleful cloak. Her interesting usage of looping adds texture to Arbor Daze tracks, taking them to a whole other level of interest and turmoiled relation.

Two Moons bring out a different sort of reaction with their songs of heavier broodiness. Guitarist and vocalist Aaron Liu takes the term "shredding" to a whole other level, using his guitar as a fierce weapon supporting his at times emotionally savage vocality that's especially heard during live sets. While not necessarily always applying the "loud, quiet loud" structure to their songs, Two Moons have proven they've mastered just the right amount of force to strengthen soft songs and the appropriate amount of delicacy to abate benevolently porcine tracks.

Congrats to both Arbor Daze and Two Moons, the latter of which will be playing their next show Sunday at Kelly's Olympian with Fringe Class. The newest round of the Deli AOTM poll features Bruhn, the Empty, Seahorse C-Section and Toothbone, so be sure to give them all a listen and vote for the one(s) you dig!