New northwest music released this month

Multiple Oregon acts have complied their latest audible musings into tangible form, now available for their fan’s perusal. Releasing their new albums with live CD release shows, concert goers can sample the fresh music in person first.

The Misty Mama’s and Paula Sinclair are two of many local musicians promoting their new work. On March 21, the four piece woman’s bluegrass band The Misty’s Mama play their CD release party in Stayton at Art Gone Wild. Seating for the event is limited for the show that is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person, with children under 12 admitted for free with paid adults.

Sinclair, a Portland based artist, debuts her new album “Steadygirl.” Her collection of eleven new tracks showcase her folk/country sound that is acoustic in nature. On March 28, her CD release show is scheduled for 7 p.m. at McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom in the rose city. Tickets are $10. For fans who can’t make this show, later this spring, on May 15, Sinclair will travel down I-5 to play at Salem’s Boon’s Treasury.

Local, independent CD manufacturing companies merge

Many Oregon based musicians, especially those in the Mid-Valley are often independent, working alone to create, produce, and market their own music. One local company sees itself as part of the local music business equation which aims to assist local acts as well as national ones.

Cravedog, Inc. and CD Forge, have merged into one, retaining the name Cravedog, Inc., and combining forces to offer businesses and musicians alike a one-stop shopping experience for all their manufacturing and merchandising needs.

From CD/DVD/vinyl replication and packaging, to apparel, promotional items, graphic design, and full service printing, Cravedog, Inc. is a virtual promotional and business to business marketing force for their local, national and internationally based clients.

CD Forge president Mike Jones and Cravedog president Todd Crosby decided they didn’t have to compete with each other anymore and could form an alliance to better serve their clients.

Jones, a Salem native, explains the transition of his Portland based company.

“By merging, we allow a much higher level of service, the ability to get the message farther out into the marketplace, and increase the quality of services we can provide by leaps and bounds.”

One of the company’s newest offerings is short-run duplication and packaging for CDs and DVD’s.

“This is the same for the new band, label, filmmaker or business owner that is not sure they are going to need 1000 discs or more. We are the only company that I know of that can do 100 CDs or DVDs in digipaks,” Crosby said. “Our local clients are really going to benefit from this merger. The music scene in the NW is so close-knit and everyone seems to know each other so well.”

Concert celebrates “Heart and Cole”

Bringing a bit of cabaret into church, the Willamette Valley Confluence Chorus plans a Cole Porter tribute concert for March 14.

“Heart and Cole: Celebrating the Music of Cole Porter” will have on its program songs “Begin the Beguine,” “Anything Goes,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” The performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the First Congregational Church of Salem, also has individual chorus members performing solo acts and songs.

Ray Elliot, the chorus’ Artistic Director is conducting the concert accompanied on the piano by Raven Sanders.

Tickets are available at the door. General admission is $15, students w/ID or 65+ are $12, though no attendee is turned away for lack of funds. For more information visit, www.confluencechorus.org.