• Fresh from a New York jaunt where his band recorded/toured with LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER, Milkman's Union frontman HENRY JAMISON uncapped a slick new video for his song "Bright and Future" this week. Filmed by erstwhile Portlander and Hillytown founder Bryan Bruchman, it shows Jamison performing in a Brooklyn studio and doing his thing, which here strikes us as a more mischievous Nick Drake. See the Milkmen's Union back home this Saturday at Frontier Café in Brunswick, where they play with Wry Climate.
• Local pop chanteuse SARA HALLIE RICHARDSON released a new six-song EP titled Restless this week, which marries her heartstrung ballads to more ambitious and adventurous musical arrangements than we've previously seen. Reminds us a little of the Cardigans in their twinkling prime. Check iTunes for download info.
• Former Portland hard rock band HIGHWAY JACKSON recently attained an odd level of success: getting featured in the trailer of a full-length Hollywood film titled Exit Strategy, a sort of lighthearted bro's flick made by 50 Cent's new film production company, Mayweather Productions. A funny fit for a classic-rock revival act, but we're sure they'll take it.
• Portland's foremost Balkan duo CINDER CONK continue their celebration of their 2011 full length Kukeri, playing at all sorts of off-the-grid locations statewide. 2011 saw them as segue music between CIFF films in Camden-Rockport, at a First Friday celebration in Portland Artist Studios, and appearing at the annual Free Range Festival in Belfast. Comprised of accordionist Matt Schreiber and double bass player Xar Adelberg, the duo continue the trend in 2012, playing the New Gloucester Village Coffee House (in a revamped Congregational Church) this Saturday at 7:30 pm. If you're wondering, Kukeri is named after a traditional Bulgarian ritual designed to scare away evil spirits, which might come in handy in the last year of the Mayan calendar . . .
