Alphabet Town Records
Alphabet Soup:
An Evening with Alphabet Town Records
Josefina Del Norte Reports:
The Laurelhurst neighborhood is beautiful. Colorful houses. The vestiges of a retreating Summer. Orange-yellow trees line lamp-lit streets, and Portland becomes less and less green. I wander my way towards a small group hidden in the backyard of a house, next to a staircase leading to a basement; Yep, it’s them. Some of the boys are outside waiting for the public to arrive. I approach the stairs and descend underground for “Alphabet Soup”, the celebratory release of a new independent record label; Alphabet Town Records.
Alphabet Town is about recording and filming emerging independent PNW musicians. Makani Kalanui is in charge of visual media, while Chris Haverland spearheads audio recording and engineering, both having studied their crafts for years. I had the pleasure of interviewing them both over the course of the night.
They tell me the name of the label is inspired by Elliott Smith and his music. Elliot Smith lived much of his life in Portland, eventually moving to LA (much to the chagrin of many Portlanders), converse to Chris and Makani, founders of Alphabet Town, who chose Portland over LA.
The place is cozy. On entering there is a small collection of boutique clothes for sale. The sound of a typewriter clicks away while poet Jojo scribes their verses. Visible water pipes on the ceiling are just inches overhead. It's a true underground space if there ever was one. Color-changing lights illuminate a small stage in the corner.
Opening the lineup is the duo Shoplifters, composed of two guitars and a shared microphone. They’re followed by a parade of artists from a wide variety of genres. Big Pill, Cody Vonier, Dos Girl, singer-songwriter Justine, and the fast rising Eel Sallad each have their turn. The vibes - friendly. The music - calming. Chris and Makani take a lot of pride in their ability to create this type of intimate, communal art space. There is an atmosphere of thoughtful listening. The crowd quiets to give their focus to each artist and erupts with applause after every song. Finally Chris and Makani themselves bring the night home with an emotional performance laced with vibrato that bends the ear.
They tell me Alphabet Town Records is not based on finding or becoming popular artists, but to provide an oasis for the artistic community. They both feel they grew up with a lack of support as artists, and now seek to defy that trend with a very grassroots, come-one-come-all mentality. “Most of the artists who played today are not known at all but they have a lot to give musically.” - Makani
With Halloween fast approaching, Chris shares a harrowing experience from last year that led to a shift in priorities: "On Halloween last year we were shot while we were in the car and the bullet passed inches from our heads, and we didn't die, but it made us take life more seriously since then. All of this led us to decide that we wanted to do what we love, because it is all so important.” - Chris
Their love for what they do isn't lost on anyone tonight. The evening ends organically as people slowly shuffle on. Producers, performers, and friends exchange hugs goodbye. A new artistic organization blooms in the Rose City. Follow Alphabet Town Records on all platforms as they grow. Or better yet, come hang out, and see for yourself.
“I know what you want
And it's what I want
So let's go out, I'm ready to go out
I'll show you around this alphabet town”
Elliot Smith, 1995
