Rare Diagram's latest release, Secret Shot, boasts an elevated sound from the band. Taking a more orchestral route to their already voluminous chamber-esque indie pop, Secret Shot shows Rare Diagram in their next phase.

To properly express their higher level, Rare Diagram's next show will be ramped up for proper execution. Their live set will now feature two additional backup singers and a trombone quartet, enhancing the beauty of the stage performance to match the album's grace.

Also on the June 8th Bunk Bar show bill is Astro Tan, who are dropping their new psych tinged r&b cut Whiskey + Water EP and Old Wave, who will be rounding out the night with their twee, Of Montreal like indie pop.

Come witness the new bloom of Rare Diagram, pick up a new tape and sway about.

Recently launched PDX label Smoking Surgeon is preparing to release its first compilation, You Play Music Like A Girl, just before the holiday hits. Don't let the title upset you though, Portland. The main focus of the compilation is to spotlight Portland's various female-inclusive acts, attempting to counteract the phrase's negative connotation in a satirical and talented way, bringing new life to the phrase.

...Like A Girl will feature some of the city's finest in fem power, from bassists and guitarists to keyboardists and songwriters. Vocalists, too. Enjoy the sounds of locals Old Wave, Haley Heynderickx, Coco Columbia and Pony Village on the comp, plus many more.

A release show will be held in celebration of its launch at the Liquor Store on December 22nd. Playing the show will be Lubec, The Century and Moniker with entrance only being $5. Just so you know, $8 will get you entry plus a copy of the comp!

Smoking Surgeon Records was bred by lovely lady musician Emma Browne and Justin Chase, who happened to come from a home of musically inclined women. Aside from a mutual passion and respect for women in music, the two also share the stage as part of the band Rare Diagram. Both in the band and as a record label, the two only manifest a greatness worthy of all our attention.

-Cervante Pope

If you're a fan of the music by Adam Brock and his talented band of merrymakers as much as we are, you'll surely be excited about the quartet's reincarnation as Old Wave. Feast your ears and eyes on their brand new single "Indian Summer," accompanied by a playfully wacky dance video, off of their forthcoming debut full-length album out January 15th. An official release show is scheduled for January 18h at Mississippi Studios with Big Haunt and the stunningly beautiful (both physically and sonically) Luz Elena Mendoza (of Y La Bamba and Tiburones). 

- Travis Leipzig

There are a few things you need to know about the arcane, shoegaze-deconstructivist rockers Lubec.

By now I’m sure you’re all well aware of the shoegaze renaissance that our happy country has been experiencing for the past five years. Despite what some music snobs will tell you--things like, “There’s nothing new to expand on in the genre beyond the MBV “atmosphere”--I’m happy to report that even in today’s day of imitating imitators, there are still plenty of avenues for the genre to explore (and h8ers can suck it).

Giving truth to my bold statements above are local genre-breaching, boundary-spurning, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, dreamy art-rockers Lubec. They combine the the layered texture of MBV, the erratic unpredictability of Swirlies, the philosophy of youth advocate/empowerment bands like Sonic Youth, with an irreverence to orthodox compositional guidelines. The result? A slice of non-clichéd (unlike this statement) sonic heaven.

But don’t take it from me--the guys are releasing their debut album The Thrall on September 21 at Mississippi Studios with Night Mechanic and Old Wave (formerly the Adam Brock 4), and they were nice enough to sit down with me (albeit lacking one member) and chat about it amongst other things...

Read the full article and interview here!

Words by Bryce Woodcock, photo by Keli Pennington.