*photo by Sean Gutierrez

Today we're premiering the third single from The Secret Sea's U.S. debut and 7th album, Everest, which was recorded and mixed by Larry Crane of Jackpot! Studios.

His previous singles "Army of Souls" and "Canada" opened the door to the intimate confines of Amit Erez's soft acoustic world, but it's the thoughtful lyrics and imagery of "My Beautiful Hell" that takes us further and deeper into the revelation of his story.

Steadily rolling forward in a lush full-band arrangement, this song is the journey of a protagonist through his past and present, reflecting on events that shaped his life as an artist and as a person with haunting visuals and metaphors. Lyrically heavy, "My Beautiful Hell" pulls the listener into a hallucination, questioning the perceptions of home, happiness, and the endless chase after one's own calling. 

The track also features guest musicians Gil Assayas of GLASYS on keys and former Elliott Smith and current Eyelids drummer Paul Pulvirenti. 

Amit will be joined by a full band for the first time onstage for the album release show for Everest, taking place at the Liquor Store on November 16th. The show will also be a single release for Arrows in Orbit, along with a performance from GLASYS.

Limited edition cassettes with download codes from Dazzleships Records will also be sold at the show and Everest will be digitally available on all known platforms on Nov 15th, with a pre-order on iTunes from Nov 12th.

After months of strenuous hard work, the 13th annual PDX Pop Now Festival is here to be enjoyed by Portland's newest wave of all-age music appreciators. Each year, numbers of volunteers spend so much of their personal time trying to make the festival happen by showcasing the city's best up and coming artists and today, the fruits are now ripe for entertainment.

Sabonis, a somewhat shoegazey, somewhat lo-fi alt indie group is opening up the fest, using the chill vibes to ease everyone into a weekend of craziness. Saola, playing after Sabonis, is probably one of the greatest bands out there right now that still happens to be in high school. They're bringing the heaviest element to the day's lineup, with a doom metal output.

Folky stylings are represented by Loch Lomond, Dragging an Ox Through Water and Snowblind Traveler, with a country-ish twang coming from Jenny Don't & the Spurs.

Ali Muhareb's Mujahedeen and Eyelids are the trippiest of the bunch and electronic lovers Gold Casio are helping one of the only hip hop acts, Mic Capes, get bodies moving towards the end of the night.

The first day of PDX Pop Now offers a little bit of something for everyone, as do the other two days of the fest. It officially begins at 6pm tonight, so be sure to come out. It's free!

When it comes to having a good time in Portland, we all know who to call. We call the Party Boyz. These two, the delightful duo of Rachel Milbauer and Elizabeth Elder, have been curating shows and parties, and documenting the life of creative Portlanders for some years now. Tonight, they're releasing "Party Boyz: A Lifestyle Zine Vol. III," which exhibits some of the finest work being created by our locals. From essays to photos to recipes, the magazine features entries from the likes of Sallie Ford, Aan's Bud Wilson, Moon By You's Kevin Clark and many more. 

The release show is happening tonight at Mississippi Studios with performances by MY BODY, Eyelids and x Hour. Doors open at 8pm and it's $10 to get in, so stop by, grip your copy of the zine and take in the scene.

-Cervante Pope

Record Store Day is on Saturday—the best day of the year to stand in line and fight over rare vinyl releases while supporting local businesses. This year, Portland record stores will stock hundreds of RSD exclusive releases, including some local treats.

In October, Blitzen Trapper recorded Neil Young’s Harvest in full at the Doug Fir. Score the live album Live Harvest on Saturday. Listen to their take on “Heart of Gold” before you buy the record.

Eyelids, Portland’s psych-pop super group, are releasing a split 7” with The Phoenix Foundation, produced by Peter Buck.

Pickathon partnered with Easy Sound Recording Company to release a split 7” of Those Darlins and Diarrhea Planet (both from Nashville) recorded live at the festival last summer. Preview the tracks here.

Jackpot Records is releasing a limited edition record of short-lived Portland band No. 2’s No Memory. Mixed by Elliott Smith, the album is “the missing link between the end of Heatmiser and the beginning of Elliott Smith’s major label debut,” according to Jackpot.

In store performances abound throughout the day. Everyday Music on the Westside will feature DJ sets by members of Typhoon, Modern Kin, Laura Veirs, Summer Cannibals, and more, plus performances by Edna Vasquez, Ryan Sollee (Builders and the Butchers), Sam Coomes (Quasi), The Shivas, The Ghost Ease, The Ganders, and the Dandy Warhols. See the full schedule here.

Tender Loving Empire will host an officially unofficial RSD party at their SE Hawthorne store featuring Genders, Ali Muhareb, and Run On Sentence.

Jackpot will pour you free coffee if you peruse their shop or stop in for their DJ sets.

Across town, Music Millennium will host Portland punk legends, Dead Moon.

Make sure you check out early opening times for your favorite record store, and study the release list ahead of time.

Happy Record Store Day!

-Zibby Pillote