By now you’re probably beginning to think I’m obsessed. You may have even diagnosed the situation as a massive “man crush” — which wouldn’t be that far off.



Obsessed with the Nightgowns, that is — Tacoma’s indie wonderboys. I’ve spewed plenty of words about Trevor, Cody, Kyle and BJ — from the cover story a few weeks ago to multiple articles from their time as the Elephants.



If this week is any indication, it’s a trend that won’t be petering out soon.



Mind you, this story isn’t specifically about the Nightgowns, but dammit if those perpetual popsters haven’t found a way to infiltrate it. They’re crafty like that, and I’m a sucker for the music that they — and more importantly to this article, their friends — produce. As an infatuation, it’s like a snowball rolling downhill. There doesn’t seem to be much touched by the Nightgowns that I don’t dig the hell out of — and it’s picking up speed.



Enter Portland’s Egg Plant, led by former Tacoman Luke Short. Friends with the Nightgowns’ Trevor Dickson, Short is releasing his band’s debut, self-titled record this Saturday at The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma.



Naturally, Dickson will open the show playing solo, and Kyle Brunette will be manning the sound. 



But enough about the Nightgowns … at least for a moment. Egg Plant has plenty of qualities worth discussing. Like sarsaparilla for a dusty throated cowboy, Egg Plant combines sleepy pedal steel ambiance with Magical Mystery Tour fun and a dose of pop sensibility. Throw in Short’s unique vocal delivery and knack for lyrical wit — and, well, you’ve got a band brimming with potential.



What I’m telling you is the pieces all line up. If this show isn’t one of the weekend’s best, you can have the money you paid for your Weekly Volcano back. I promise.



“I was born in Puyallup and lived around Tacoma most of my life. My oldest and dearest friends live there. I went to junior high with Trevor Dickson and Ryan Pope (of Artificial Steve) in Sumner. Ryan taught me my first chords. Trevor, Ryan and I were in our first band together,” explains Short of his 253 roots.



“I spent a lot of time making low fidelity recordings, and I hoped one day I could make a real record — one that I could listen to without wincing or puking in my mouth,” continues Short. “About two years ago I was introduced to Tyson Griffin. He had a lot of old vintage recording gear set up in a cramped band practice space in Tacoma. He knew I wanted to make a record and volunteered to produce it. He really put his love and blood into these cookies.



“After that I asked Peter from Umber Sleeping to record the drums. It just kept building from there. A lot of great Tacoma musicians are on this (new record). Cody Jones from the Nightgowns played upright bass. Jason Falk from Mono in VCF played marimba and djembe.”



While the self-titled debut record Egg Plant will officially release Saturday may have been made with the help of a number of Tacoma’s current musical luminaries, Short has since enlisted a troupe of his own — one he can take on the road from his new home in Portland, and one that should fill the New Frontier with maximum musical mojo come Saturday.



“When Tyson and I were about a year into (the new record) I had to go to sea for six months as a merchant marine. By the time I got back, Tyson was living in Portland so I followed him down to wrap it up with trumpet, piano and strings,” says Short. “After we finished recording I realized I didn’t actually have a band to play the songs. So I played as a solo act until I was able to build a band one member at a time.”



The result — a new, tight, washboard-scratching band toting a classic sounding record that smells like Portland but bleeds Tacoma.



Check it out yourself Saturday.



[The New Frontier Lounge, Egg Plant, with Trevor Dickson, Boy and Bean, Saturday, May 30, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]