Stanley Ross (aka Nicholas Meiers) is back with a free ep, MN-EP from Rock Proper. This EP follows his two self-released albums and finds him working with some new musicians and creating a new sound. The album features Tim Cronin of Camera Obscura, Domenico Ferri of Brother Truck, and many other talent musicians. The EP was produced by Gary Burger of 60’s legends The Monks! It is a subtle slow burner that will guide you into the summer.

MN-EP will be released on April 6th, and will be a free digital album. Stanley Ross plays with Joe Jack Talcum of The Dead Milkmen at Schubas on April 8th.

Nick Jaina’s got a busy month ahead of him. He’s wrangled up 11 musicians, some from the likes of bands such as Loch Lomond and Laura Gibson, to play with him on his West Coast tour. And what better way to say Bon Voyage than with a record release show? The alt-folk bandleader’s celebrating the release of A Bird in the Opera House, his fifth album on Portland-based label HUSH Records at Doug Fir on April 2—a little early for its April 13 release, but necessary considering it is also his tour kickoff.

The record was conceived when Jaina’s friend, Lee Howard, offered the musician not only the opportunity to record in his basement studio, but a room in his home to stay in as well. The two gradually recorded the album in the studio’s in-between times, allowing Jaina to sit in his room and have time with his songs, to think about the direction they were taking, to deconstruct them and put them back together.

“Sleep, Child,” the first single off A Bird in the Opera House, is a gleaming example of the importance of time and intimacy in the recording process. The song’s structure begins simple—guitar chords accompanied by faint percussion and Jaina’s strong, smooth vocals—but the absence of a chorus allows the track to build on itself, swelling with intensity and ending in a beautiful orchestra of vocal harmonies, pounding drums, and soaring violins.

With this taste of the album, I cannot wait to hear more.

Listen to “Sleep, Child”:

Check out the video for “Days in My Room,” also off A Bird in the Opera House:

TOUR DATES

4/2 -Portland, OR - Doug Fir (CD Release Show!)

4/7- Eugene, OR – Sam Bonds

4/8- Davis, CA - Sophia's

4/9- Modesto, CA - Cafe Deva

4/10- Merced, CA - Partisan

4/11- Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place

4/12- San Francisco, CA - Elbo Room

4/13- Chico, CA - Cafe Flo

4/14- Los Angeles, CA - Echo Curio

4/15- Joshua Tree, CA - Pappy & Harriet's

4/16- San Diego, CA - Lestat's

4/17 -Flagstaff, AZ - Mia's

4/19- Torrey, UT – The Patio

4/20 – Salt Lake City, UT - State Room

4/21 -Provo, UT - Velour

4/22 -Boise, ID - Early show @ the Modern/Late show @ the Linen Building

4/23- Kennewick, WA - Red Room

4/24- Pendleton, OR - Great Pacific

-Katrina Nattress