FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KILL ROCK STARS SIGNS PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT, ANNOUNCE UPCOMING CD FEATURING THAO NGUYEN AND JUSTIN POWER

PORTLAND, OREGON, FEBRUARY 13, 2009: The legendary Kill Rock Stars label is proud to announce the signing of the Portland Cello Project.

The somewhat intimidating 8-16-person cello ensemble has experienced a meteoric rise in the vibrant Portland music scene, thanks in part to the group’s deep-rooted philosophy of building a stronger music community through collaboration. Portland Cello Project performances are eclectic and incredible things—the cellists are as likely to mix an impeccably arranged Salt n’ Pepa cover with Bach and follow the medley with something by Arvo Pärt or classic Nintendo game songs rewritten for cello as they are to enlist beatbox/comedian/playwright Reggie Watts to collaborate on-stage with them in front of 700 people, covering a Britney Spears song on the fly.

In addition to working with artists from across the nation, the PCP has collaborated and performed with a veritable who’s who list of Portland musicians, including Laura Gibson, Horse Feathers, The Dandy Warhols, The Builders and The Butchers, Mirah and Loch Lomond. Given this, it’s natural that they are now working with Kill Rock Stars artist Thao Nguyen of Thao With The Get Down Stay Down and musician Justin Power, and just as natural that they’ve found a home with the most quintessentially community-based label in the Pacific Northwest. The album, which features four collaborative songs apiece from Thao and Power, is being released on June 9th, 2009.

In its usual grand and exciting style, the group is excited to perform five pre-release shows at the much-anticipated opening weekend of Portland’s brand new Mississippi Studios: two shows (7 and 10 PM) on Friday, March 6th with Storm Large, Justin Power and Thao, two shows (same times) on Saturday, March 7th with Tu Fawning, Justin Power and Thao, and one 2 PM all-ages matinee show on Sunday, March 8th with Justin Power and Thao.

More details on Portland Cello Project’s upcoming 2009 efforts on Kill Rock Stars will be revealed soon.

In the meantime, check out this video (one of many, many, many on YouTube) of the PCP with The Builders and The Butchers at Portland's Aladdin Theatre.