Shake Appeal Finds Chicago More, Um, Appealing

Portland, we should have seen it coming. Or at least, I should have seen it coming, since when I interviewed Shake Appeal Records founder and native Portlander Joe Dixon back in June, he kept talking about how disillusioned he was with the music in this town. The same inspiration that created Shake Appeal--namely, Dixon's frustration that the Portland scene doesn't support the rough, jangly garage rock he loves--also led the 26-year-old to flee the Rose City for the Windy City.

After checking out Shake Appeal's MySpace page earlier this week, I noticed the tagline, "Now in Chicago!" and promptly emailed Dixon to find out what happened. Here's what he wrote back:

I did in fact move to Chicago (and the record label came too). It was a pretty impromptu decision- I love Portland, but needed a break. I've been here only a few weeks but things seem good so far.

If it's any consolation, at least dirty garage rockers Pure Country Gold, who released a 7-inch single on Shake Appeal earlier this year, still call this indie-rock-loving city home. Looks like "young white bands ripping off Chuck Berry," as Dixon calls PCG, haven't forsaken Portland altogether.

So, here's a picture of Dixon for old time's sake. Good luck in Chicago.


Shake Appeal logo from the label's MySpace page.

Links:
Shake Appeal Records
Shake Appeal on MySpace
Pure Country Gold on MySpace