Portland indie-pop combo The Ascetic Junkies are back in town, Saturday at Silver Moon. I spoke with founding members Matt Harmon and Kali Giaritta about their band’s past, present and future, plus something called “Junkies Cologne.” Here’s an excerpt:

So the couple landed in Portland and found one band mate on Craigslist and another busking on Hawthorne Avenue. Over the past year, they’ve played in Bend several times, as well as Seattle, Eugene, and, of course, all over their home town. In anticipation of their second album, which they’re recording now, they also recently signed on with the Timber Carnival Records, home to like-minded, Northwest-based bands like The Dimes, Derby and Hello Morning.

In other words, things are going well for Harmon and Giaritta. Which is nice, because that move to Portland was motivated not just by hiking and other good bands.

“The reason we moved here was to see what we could do and to see how far we could take this,” Harmon said. “So as far as we can go, that’s what we’re in it for. We’ve learned not to set deadline expectations, because sometimes things really surprise you, and then other times it takes a lot longer to sort of get to a level that you’re looking for. But we’ve been really pleasantly surprised and excited about how quickly we’ve been able to progress here.”

This is a great band, and you should go see them. And you should read the whole article by clicking here. And you should check out this blog post for a free download and a chance at getting on the guest list! You’re going to be busy, so get going.

Elsewhere in this week’s music section: Jerry Joseph brings his Jackmormons back to town, the a cappella group Sonos plays a Mother’s Day show, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas are at the Tower Theatre, Inimica and Thorns of Creation lead a bill of local metal, McMenamins Old St. Francis School hosts Casey Neill & the Norway Rats, and The Parental Advisory Tour brings Nashville Pussy, Green Jelly, Psychostick and more to Bend. Plus, an update on Last Band Standing, and there’s always more in our complete music listings.