"'90s-vintage indie rock with flecks of folk, grunge, riot grrrl, and plenty of old-fashioned guitar crunch!" - Portland Mercury.

“What struck me right off the bat with [The Happening] is that glorious feeling I got when I first fell in love with the indie scene in the early ’90s. That point when bands like 7 Year Bitch, Team Dresch, and The Gits were on the scene. It doesn’t feel terribly nostalgic in that way, that’s not what I mean. It feels as URGENT as those bands did during that time. It has the same power and energy and fire.” - Bob Ham

"The Happening don't feel the need to follow trends or play "name the influence" rock. Front-woman and songwriter Em Brownlowe cut her teeth on the alternative records of the 90's. Riot girls, chain-smoking twin sisters, floppy flannel sleeves, lotsa fuzz pedals, lotsa growling, howling, dirty rock screaming. And sure… that's all here, but the voice and songs go beyond the influences and suggest a dyed in the wool rock and roll heroine. There are real songs on this tape. Not just stylish production or cheap nostalgia. Real hooks. Melodies that feel like they already existed somewhere in your gut. These are the things that keep bands going beyond blog hype and magazines and jerk writers like me. It's real deal. I like plenty of bands, but I believe in The Happening." - Colleen Nielson
creditsreleased 19 May 2011
Em Brownlowe - words, guitar, vocals
Shannon Wade - bass
Adrianne Sharrock - drums

Recorded by Shannon Wade.
Mixed by Shannon Wade/Em Brownlowe.
Mastered by Danny Dunford/Adrianne Sharrock.

Art by Matthew Nicely.