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• Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? Whatever you do, don't ask SEAN SLAUGHTER. The ferocious CLUBBER LANG singer (and otherwise totally affable dude) has advanced to the second round of "Queen Extravaganza," a nationally conducted composite search led by Queen drummer Roger Taylor to find the best suited members to tour in the band's name throughout 2012. Slaughter utterly slayed his first-round video audition of "Somebody to Love," getting over 200,000 views while showing range far bolder than his duties in Clubber Lang demand (then again, very few contemporary singers take to their job like Freddie Mercury did). For the second round, he tackles "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and in our opinion, nails that song's Elvis-gone-Broadway vibe. Competition's a little tighter now (Slaughter's one of 24 remaining contestants), and though our boy's a good bet, he deserves as much local support as he can get. Go to queenextravaganza.com and vote hard. While you're there, turn in a nod for local bassist (and fellow Clubber Lang-er) JASON MARSHALL, also in the second round with a version of "Another One Bites the Dust." Slaughter and Marshall are under pressure until Monday, November 28, when voting closes.
• Old Portland native ZACHARY WILSON, now one half of the Brooklyn future folk/drone outfit Andy and Zeus, released a four-song pill titled Don't Panic this month. The EP steps away from the steeping meditations of Wilson's drone work to summon some thoughtful and synth-heavy dance cuts. Vocal-less, Wilson oscillates these 25 minutes between the Kosmische sounds of Tangerine Dream and the floor-forward fatness of Detroit Techno, closing with the gorgeous, beatless threnody "Reflection Pool." Available for two bones on homeboy's bandcamp (zacharywilson.bandcamp.com).
• Mansions, SELBYVILLE's fifth and latest record of plucky, post-rock shanty songs, hit the streets this month. The 10-song album contains the gossamer folk ballad "Born Tying Knots," the video for which band member/filmmaker/animator Derek Kimball arranged views of a desolate Portland harbor in mellow waltz. Considering Kimball's previous video (for Selbyville's "Until Dark") received over 25,000 views on its Vimeo page, you may already be familiar with his work. With guests appearances from Emily Dix Thomas, Aleric Nez, and Overtone Dave Noyes, Mansions is a fine offering from this under-the-radar band. Visit teafirstrecords.com for more.
• Local musicians to officially pledge support for the Occupy movement so far include CHRISS SUTHERLAND (Olas, Cerberus Shoal, and Fire on Fire), MICAH BLUE SMALDONE, and ANTONIO MACOMBER (of rock band the Stolen Mural). It's an impressive list, which includes names like Ian MacKaye, Laurie Anderson, Talib Kweli, John Zorn, and Amanda Palmer. Are we missing anyone? Check occupymusicians.com for more.
