Art pop and classical stylings converge with elemental hip-hop and r&b through the new duo Sheers, and their distinctive debut single "Depth."

Lily Breshears heads up the duo, bringing her seasoned experience from working with artists such as Big Haunt and Haley Heynderickx along with classical training as a harpist and pianist to the table. Intertwined with her mastered piano playing are melodic refrains, emotionally pertinent lyrics and jazzy beats from drummer and collaborator Grant Pierce. 

Produced by both Sheers and Scott Schaus and mastering done by David Polluck, "Depth" is only the starting point for what is sure to be an established effort for Breshears.

Sheers will be playing Mississippi Studios with Robin Bacior on the 17th, with a co-album release show also at Mississippi with Lynnae Gryffin on September 19th.

Check out the official premiere of "Depth" below. 

Today marks the beginning of WhiskeyFest NW's Whiskeytown USA festival--which pairs whiskey with a natural friend: music. Tonight catch Jackson Boone for a hot, psychadelic mixer. Tomorrow, Blitzen Trapper brings their seasoned folk rock to the stage, a perfect soundtrack to your sippin'. Check out the full schedule and band lineup here.
NW 17th & Front Ave, doors at 4 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday, 21+, tickets

Start your Saturday night early with Catherine Feeny, Chris Johnedis, and Big Haunt at Tender Loving Empire. Catherine Feeny and Chris Johnedis will cool you down with their soulful, compelling tunes. Feeny and Johnedis are celebrating their new release with airy, dark-pop outfit Big Haunt.
Tender Loving Empire (3541 SE Hawthorne), 5:15 p.m., all-ages, free

If you're in the mood for something a bit more bloodthirsty, head to Double Barrel on Saturday to catch a free show from Roselit Bone. Their haunting, chaotic Western music will leave you with whiplash--and they've added an accordian player to the lineup. The band embarks on a West Coast tour this month, and won't be playing in Portland again until June.
Double Barrel (2002 SE Division), 5:30 p.m., 21+, free

Ready to take on the cold weather and darkest days of Portland with a debut EP is the mystical wonderland known as Nature Thief. It is a seasonably fitting name seeing how we just got our warmth stolen from us, but what they take from our weather, they give back with a plentiful amount of soulful musicianship that sails along the lines of acoustical psych rock. It is derived in Pacific NW indie-pop but holds a vintage tone in the wallowing melodies and their greatest weapon is something you don’t see too often in these categories, strong lead vocals.

The band came about this past summer and released their first song, “Docks.” A guitar driven ballad style tune with vocalist, Emma Browne’s pipes leading over its soft drive and smooth transitions. This week, they will release their first EP, Moon, featuring four songs that follow the suit of their single and bring a fresh look at a new Portland treat. The release show is slated for this Wednesday the 19th at the Holocene along with Big Haunt and Coma Serfs. 8:30PM; $5

- Colin Hudson

 Check out our photos of Chad Vangaalen, Cousins and Big Haunt from their show at Mississippi Studios 6/15! Photos by Todd Walberg. 

 Check out the rest of the photos from the night here!

Portland three-piece, Big Haunt, just released their 5-track album, Devotionals, and if I can say one thing, it’s that the band certainly lives up to their name. At the risk of sounding silly, what we have here is some damn spooky indie folk. They tag themselves beneath “dark garden music” which, though cryptic and oddly specific, is fitting for the soundscape they so expertly craft throughout the record. Songs like “Burn Me Up” feature chilling harmonies coupled with ominous lyrical content that practically has you looking over your shoulder for assurance. When front man Lars Ballard sings, “Like a lover on a cold night, death she held me in her arms oh baby,” you damn near have to reach for a night light. “Bitter Water” was my favorite track with a foreboding harmonized refrain like some twisted spiritual to a reverse baptism. Believe me when I say Big Haunt is a welcomed ghost, providing catchy folky tunes that will undoubtedly take up residency in your aural attic space. - Ted Jamison