Saturday night, Ray’s Vast Basement celebrates the release of their brand new CD Starvation Under Orange Trees at Cafe du Nord. We included an example of the band’s mix of textured beats and melodic acoustic songwriting in our latest Monthly Mix, and the new CD has been receiving strong reviews around the web

The CD draws inspiration from the works of John Steinbeck, as it emerged originally from work songwriter Jon Berson had done for a local production of Of Mice and Men. Reading Bernson’s song-by-song notes over at Largehearted Boy, though, brings home the fact that these songs aren’t just cribbed from Steinbeck, but instead incorporate his characters and themes into personal reflections on location, love and tragedy.

You can hear more at Ray’s Vast Basement’s MySpace page and web site, and you can purchase the CD from Howells Transmitter, where you can also download a couple of tunes.

Saturday’s show is also the CD release party for Sacramento’s Jackpot, whose new CD Moonbreath was recently released on Jackpine Social Club. Find them over at their MySpace page. Kicking off the evening are our good friends The Harbours, whose excellent rock-pop should compel your prompt arrival. We featured the band here and you can hear more at their MySpace page.

The show starts at 9:30pm, is $10 and is 21+.