Fall is looking OK to me, now that I’ve laid eyes on the fabulous line up of new releases coming out of Kill Rock Stars this fall. The iconic indie label, formerly home to the likes of Elliott Smith, Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney, is proving that they still haven’t lost their cool.
First up, the Shaky Hands and Panther have a dual album release date today, as well as a shared release show on Oct. 1 at Berbati’s Pan. Panther’s new release Entropy, is a lot more poppy than some of their previous stuff and seems a bit more toned down. Don’t be fooled by the new direction, though. Seeing them at Musicfest NW a couple of weeks ago, they still pack a punch with lead singer Charlie Salas-Humara’s off-kilter vocal stylings and spastic dancing.
The Shaky Hands are keeping it mellower with Let It Die and their typical brand of nasally indie rock. Their music has a vintage quality to it and a unique tone that sets them apart from other local acts. Plus, they play splendid live shows with plenty of jumping and dancing.
The next date you’ll need to remember is Oct. 13, the release date for Thao with the Get Down Stay Down’s new work Know Better Learn Faster. Like a less crazy but just as talented Björk, Thao’s voice strains out to her listeners, crooning straightforward lyrics like “What am I, just a body in your bed?” in “Body.” She’s an explosive performer and will be treating Portland to a showcase of her talent on Oct. 21 at the Doug Fir Lounge.