It's been quite nice moderately transitioning from devil's dick level heat to the gloomy frigid weather Portland is typically known for. While there's many a sad album signifying our respective feelings on this transition, none really does more justice than Arbor Daze's ambient despondence.

Our eyes have been on Aspen Koch's solo project since she tied on one of our Artist of the Month polls a little while back. She's been quite busy since then putting the finishing touches on last month's release, Four Months. Her work as Arbor Daze is fairly minimalistic in instruments wielded yet maximal in its impact on the listener - using just a guitar, a loop pedal and her voice to sonically capture the brood - though she collaborated  with others on Four Months.

Thankfully we're not the only ones to take notice of Koch's efforts (and Sarah Lane's of the Late Great, for that matter!), as there's a show tomorrow displaying a bit of appreciation. 

It's just about the time for the Jade Lounge's October #WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday, just in case you somehow didn't know) Showcase and Arbor Daze, along with Sarah Lane, Jen Deale of Santiam and soulful jazz guitarist Angelica Pray will be performing. Come experience the haze of Arbor Daze in person tomorrow as you fall for the other lovely ladies as well!

Expressing snarky banter and melancholy through fitting songwriting and equally expressive guitar work, The Late Great convey both innocence and feminist tones with their dark pop execution, as seen on their debut album Easy. 

The sincerity of the lyrics from "Shape of the Sea" are a good example of this, where songwriter and The Late Great leader Sarah Lane imparts strength and power by saying "I'll take on the shape of the sea/Lord go on & lay it down on me/I am your pride, I'm your enemy/So go on and take what you want from me." Women do take on a lot in the world and Lane welcomes that weight without fear - a message that's both relatable and empowering. 

Easy will be digitally released on August 17, with a release show happening on August 20 at the Turn! Turn! Turn! with Mike Coykendall and Hollow Sidewalks. Dive into the "Shape of the Sea" below.