In case you didn't know, or have maybe been trying to avoid it, it's Valentine's Day (or, as I like to call it, the holiday the launched 100,000 mix tapes-- nearly half of which were made by yours truly in mostly futile attempts to win love and graces over the years, but I digress). While it tends to be an unquestionably divisive "holiday," there's a lot of good musically that comes out of it-- 90% of pop songs are in one way or another about love, after all, and February 14th pulls the best (and occasionally worst) of them out of the woodwork. Like a lot of people, I hate being told to attempt romance on cue, but I can never resist an excuse to make a new Love Mix (best read in a Barry White voice). I must say, I'm pleased with this year's result, too-- 27 tracks from everyone from Stevie Wonder (the good, early 70's version) to Buck Owens, Vampire Weekend to Barry Louis Polisar-- all of it longer lasting than roses and healthier than chocolates (although it's closer if they're dark chocolates) in a grand sonic expression of (Barry White voice) LOVE.

But this isn't about me, this is about you. As in, you got plans for the night yet? Opportunities abound in the Rose City tonight-- even if you come down squarely in the anti-Valentine's camp, in which case you can take your love on the town just because, you know, it's Thursday and you're in love (or some variation thereof), to paraphrase Robert Smith. Our friends in the Portland Cello Project are teaming up with Vagabond Opera for a romantastic evening at the Wonder Ballroom, complete with a kissing booth, a chocolatier, and something called a love clairvoyant. Most of all, the evening promises great music, from Villa-Lobos to Guns n' Roses as the PCP mixes it up like only they can while encouraging you to do the same. You can, of course, stream their opbmusic in-studio session here.

Another option for what will doubtless be a classy evening is to catch the Stolen Sweets at the Kennedy School. In the process you'll be helping to fund the European tour the band will be undertaking in March. I predict a jaw-dropping version of "My Funny Valentine" tonight. Less holiday-centric possibilities include Basia Bulat with opener Amoree Lovell at the Doug Fir. Bulat's new album, as heard right here, is Oh, My Darling. Elsewhere, Portland's own Amelia, from whom we're anticipating new music soon, is at Mississippi Studios with Silk & Olive, and the Builders & the Butchers bring their manic stage show to Linfield College in McMinnville.

Oh, by the way, speaking of romance: don't miss our in-studio session with Nick Jaina and his band this Saturday night at 9 on In House (FM/AM/online/HD). Jaina's upcoming full-length Wool is full of the kinds of songs that sound like they could have been written anytime over the past hundred years or so-- they're out of time, in other words, and sure to soften the heart of the most hardened hipster. The set includes an unreleased stunner, "Winding Sheet," a song destined for the mixtapes of Valentine's future. Jaina plays tonight at Roadside Attraction in Portland before two CD release shows for Wool next Friday the 22nd-- one early, one late, at Mississippi Studios.

MP3: Nick Jaina, from Wool- "Maryanne"

Also, don't miss free and legal downloads, available today only, from Mobius Band (a covers EP featuring songs from Neil Young, Daft Punk, The National, Daniel Johnston, and more) and the Two Man Gentleman Band (their brand new album, Heavy Petting, the relevance of which should be obvious).

Oh and you must have these, too.

LATE EDIT: Finally, I have to include the video for "Valentine" from the wonderful Richard Hawley's latest, Lady's Bridge.

Posted by jpetersen on Thursday, February 14 at 5:07pm