BE INTERNET BROS WITH "SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS" (DIRECTED BY MATT MCCORMICK, STARRING JAMES MERCER, CARRIE BROWNSTEIN, RENEE ROMAN NOSE AND DAVID WODEHOUSE, PRODUCED BY DAVID CRESS AND NEIL KOPP) TODAY!

EVERYTHING THAT OUR FRIENDS AT WILLAMETTE WEEK SAY IS TRUE! YOU, PROSPECTIVE FILMGOER, CAN (AND, WE THINK, SHOULD) BEFRIEND THE MOVIE ON FACEBOOK AND MYSPACE AND FOLLOW THEM ON TWITTER--YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS SOON IF YOU DO. PLUS, CHECK OUT AND TELL YOUR PALS ABOUT THE NEW "SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS" WEBSITE, LAUNCHED TODAY. CONTACT JOAN *AT* RIOT ACT MEDIA DOT COM FOR INFO, AND READ ON....

Matt McCormick’s Feature Film Some Days Has Website, Will Travel

12:52 PM July 8th, 2009 by Aaron Mesh
Culture / Screen / Visual Arts | Email This Post |

Matt McCormick—experimental-film maven, Peripheral Produce founder,Shins video wizard and the man I still consider “Portland’s next great director”—reports that he’s just about finished post-production work on his first feature film, the Carrie Brownstein and James Mercer romantic meditation Some Days are Better Than Others.

“We just got our website launched, and hope to be premiering the film this fall at some fancy international film festivals,” writes McCormick (pictured above talking with Brownstein on location).

Which fancy festivals he’s hoping for are still under wraps, but the movie hasa handsome, moody website that goes into some detail about its themes and plot. It neglects to mention that a certain WW Screen editor spent most of a rainy winter night on the NoPo industrial waterfront with his back to the camera as an extra in a house-party scene. This is obviously an oversight. There are some pretty great photos, though.

Spin Magazine Is Hot For Portland Cello Project!

Spin Magazine has Portland Cello Project all over their website right now!  

One of the album's standout tracks is "Tallymarks," which originally appeared on Thao with the Get Down Stay Down's 2008 album We Brave Bee Stings And All. On Power Sessions, the song -- with its clever lyrics and pretty, husky vocals -- is a Regina Spektor-esque ballad, backed by cello and acoustic guitar.

As an added bonus, if you head over there, you can download "Tallymarks" and stick it all over your summer mixes!

CATCH THE PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT LIVE!

07.16.09 - Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Festival
07.24.09 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux
07.25.09 - Stanley, ID @ Pioneer Park
08.14.09 - Portland, OR @ Washington Park
08.19.09 - Meinig Park @ Sandy, OR
08.23.09 - Lake Oswego, OR @ Millennium Plaza Park
09.16.09 - Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan

RIP, DUDE.

SHELLSHAG SIGNS WITH DON GIOVANNI, ANNOUNCES WEST COAST TOUR WITH SCREAMING FEMALES, NEW FULL-LENGTH OUT 2-9-10

We are super excited to let you know that our friends at Don Giovanni Records (home of Screaming Females) JUST THIS MORNING announced the signing of Shellshag, who are set to start recording a brand new album set for a February 2010 release date. The record's going to be a follow-up to their self-released (and completely sold out) "Destroy Me, I'm Yours" LP....but you* don't have to wait until next year to see 'em. Why, you ask?

BECAUSE, in August, Shellshag will be touring the west coast with Screaming Females (dates below--get in touch with nathan *at* riot act media dot com for the goods on those dates)! For those unfamiliar, Shellshag are a bonkers, not-to-be-missed live show, and they've garnered TONS of critical praise, some of which I'll quote below in order to give you an idea of their rad stylings.

SCREAMING FEMALES AND SHELLSHAG 2009 WEST COAST TOUR:

July 31 2009 - Oakland, California - SPAM Warehouse

Aug 1 2009 - San Jose, California - Nickel City

Aug 2 2009 - San Francisco, CA - TBA(instore in amoeba or 1234go records)

Aug 3 2009 - Santa Cruz, California - Cypress

Aug 4 2009 - Redding, California - The Downtown Eatery

Aug 5 2009 - Bellingham, Washington - Friendship City

Aug 6 2009 - Olympia, Washington - TBA

Aug 7 2009 - Seattle, Washington - Comet Tavern

Aug 8 2009 - Portland, Oregon - East End

Aug 9 2009 - Eureka, California - TBA

Aug 10 2009 - Berkeley, California - LIsa's

Aug 11 2009 - Isla Vista, California - Biko Garage

Aug 12 2009 - San Diego, California - TBA

Aug 13 2009 - San Pedro, California - Babe's Warehouse

Aug 14 2009 - Los Angeles, California - Spaceland

Aug 15 2009 - San Francisco, California - Thee Parkside - Starcleaner Thrillfest Showcase

"Move over, Sid and Nancy. Free form rock is the new black, and Brooklyn, NY do-gooders Jen and Johnny from Shellshag are the ultimate musical couple. Years ago while performing in separate bands, they were involved with a public arts warehouse and living experiment in San Francisco called Starcleaners, Fast forward to present day, where Starcleaners has become a haven for the artistic community, releasing limited-edition music including Shellshag's first full-length album, 'Destroy Me, I'm Yours'. For a band that performed at buzz-festivals like CMJ and SxSW and boasts a high-energy live show, there really isn't anything lost in translation on this recording. Released on 12" vinyl with a CD included for those who refuse to part with their iTunes, 'Destroy Me, I'm Yours' encompasses all of the garage-rock glory of the duo's influences, Sonic Youth and Pavement." --Feminist Review

"Lead singer Shell shrieks at times through “Shut Up”, but sounds just as much like David Bryne on other occasions. Think Death From Above 1979....“Bridge” and especially “Make Love” could have been recorded by The Breeders in their heyday....things get back to normal with “Little Birdy”, which could have been found on Paul Westerberg’s Mono/Stereo album."--PopMatters

Shellshag on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shellshag

Let me know if we can get you more info on Shellshag, Screaming Females or Don Giovanni, mmmkay? xo Joan

*unless you do not live in these cities; we'll keep you posted on additional Shellshag dates as they're confirmed.

RIOT ACT: SUMMER/FALL '09!

Aside from having a newly redesigned site, we've got many a fine thing upcoming here at Riot Act;the release schedule is below. We've got digital downloads, hi-res photos, bios and more for each band on said redesigned site (check out our "roster" page, click on the artist, and voila!)--and there are tour dates galore across the board!

Here's what's on deck. Please get in touch about these and others (All Smiles' "Oh For The Getting And Not Letting Go" just came out on Small Aisles, and Portland Cello Project's "The Thao and Justin Power Sessions" is now out on Kill Rock Stars) by e-mailing me at joan #at# riot act media dot com.

7/21: Pocket: "HEAR IN NOISEVILLE" feat. Steve Kilbey (The Church)

7/27: Quieting Syrup: SONGS ABOUT A SICK BOY (Lovitt Records)

8/18: Vortis: S/T (self-release)

9/8: Glorytellers: ATONE (Southern)

9/15: Black Whales: ORIGINS (Mt. Fuji)

10/13: Finn Riggins: VS. WILDERNESS (Tender Loving Empire)

10/27: Ben Davis: CHARGE IT UP! (Lovitt Records)

Aside from these releases, there's even more news: the Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars have just announced their summer tour (YEAH!), which you should e-mail Nathan about at nathan #at# riot act media dot com--and, don't forget--Screaming Females are about to jam on the road with Dead Weather, and Loch Lomond is heading out this week with Blitzen Trapper. Yay!

Vortis Album Release Party Tonight At The Hideout!

DETAILS:

at The Hideout Chicago, IL Thursday July 2 9:00 $8 Vortis w/ The Cathy Santonies Blane Fonda Hot and Heavy Burlesque

VORTIS ALBUM RELEASE PARTY TONIGHT AT THE HIDEOUT IN CHICAGO!

Good morning! Tonight Vortis takes the stage at the Hideout in celebration of release of their s/t fourth album of triple-vocal-attack agit-punk! The new album is their most intense sounding release to date. Give one listen to a cut like "Glad I'm Not You" and you'll know it's going to be a hellstorm live! If you haven't heard the album yet, please let me know. It hits the stores August 18th and the members of the band are availble for interviews. Want to check the show out tonight, let me know! Thanks a bunch, Nathan

Vortis playing at Sylvie's November 23, 2007

Holy cow, our website redesign is super friendly!

Good afternoon!

Today we launched our brand new site design. Basically, it's wonderful! Less basically, the artist page is now separated by what media they work in, there's a super-extensive FAQ, and a much more detailed page on all of our services...

For instance, did you know that we also work with several non-profits? Yep, it's all in there--poke around and have a look!

Hope you're well,

Nathan