Rubin Recommends

(Part of The Weekly Check In series)

I met Ezra because he was running Slowdance Records and I was a fan. He put out some really great stuff on that label. He lives in Portland, OR, haven’t seen him since SXSW 2 years ago, and that’s no good.

You can keep up with him on the blog for The Portland Mercury called End Hits. He’s the music editor for the Mercury, It’s great. Also check out Slowdance Records. It really was a great label.

RR: What are you currently working on or just finished that you’re excited about?

Caraeff: I’m slowly putting the record label, Slowdance, into the ground. After a decade of losing money I decided that there are better ways to go broke that still include the same recklessness as running a small indie label—these include heroin habit, betting on horse (or dog) races, or possibly a combination of the two. Other than that, I’m still exciting for the day job, being married, living in Portland, and watching Blazers games from press row.

RR: Where have you traveled so far this month?

Caraeff: Not too much traveling, although I am headed to the Willamette Valley for some wine tasting this weekend, where I am told there will also be some horse back riding. I look forward to being drunk on a horse. In a few weeks I am traveling to LA to see Van Morrison do an Astral Weeks concert at Hollywood Bowl. I’m going with my father, which means a lot to me since he was the one to get me into his music way back when.

RR: What’s your favorite music right now?

Caraeff: The conflict of interest pony says I can’t rave about the new Jealous Sound EP (it’s finally on iTunes!) since I once toured with them, but fuck it—it’s amazing. I’m also recently basking in the glory that is the new Janelle Monae EP, plus the latest records from Passion Pit, Felice Brothers, Astronautalis, and Gaslight Anthem are all quite nice.

RR: Best food you’ve had in your neighborhood lately or while you were traveling?

Caraeff: Dalos! It’s a quaint little Ethiopian joint around the corner from my house that we eat at about 1-2 times a week. We’ve been going there for years and watched them go from a tiny closest-sized place, to their larger current location. Their vegetarian platter is comically inexpensive and manages to easily feed a pair of hungry eaters. Plus, they serve Harar, which is my favorite Ethiopian beer on the planet.

RR: Anything Else You Want To Mention?

Caraeff: I’m anxiously awaiting election day and am optimistic that Obama will runaway with it. I’m also deeply fearful that he will lose somehow, and I will be emailing you as a Canadian citizen a few months from now. Don’t force me to take up curling, round bacon, and the Tragically Hip. Vote Obama.