Features > Portraits of Portland Music
Shining a spotlight on stories of the Portland music scene and the people who make it go round.
Vortex On Vinyl, Again!
Chris Young - Apr 9, 2018
Happy fourth birthday to us! To celebrate, we gathered eight unreleased songs from local artists and, thanks to Vinyl On Demand, cut a danceable, rock-and-rollable, emotional smattering of stellar...
What Is Dolly Parton Doing In This Portland Bar Bathroom?
Chris Young - Mar 9, 2018
The man who took the most iconic photo in all of rock and roll history—the only image that’s ever appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone twice—also has photography hanging in a local bar's powder...
The Handing Down of Portland Roots Music
Phil Favorite - Feb 7, 2018
Portland's roots scene is an inspiring community where legends impart wisdom and outsiders find a welcoming spirit.
Finding Family at the LaurelThirst
Brad Parsons - Jan 30, 2018
The pub that’s now owned by its community has offered daily music—two, even three shows—for 30 years. And it’ll continue strong, with your support.
Enter the Innovator: Cloudy October
Harris Newman - Jan 23, 2018
Take a look at the meticulous process of one of the most elusive voices in the local hip-hop scene.
Insanity and Family: Creating Typhoon’s New Dystopian Magnum Opus
Thacher Schmid - Jan 11, 2018
Exploring what it’s like to lose your mind, Portland's beloved eight-piece rock orchestra come together to lose themselves and emerge with their fourth album ‘Offerings’—one of the most ambitious,...
From PSU to 200 Million YouTube Views: A Firsthand Look at Aminé’s Rise To Stardom
Brian Kinnes - Dec 15, 2017
It all started on a whiteboard in an unlocked Portland State classroom: This is the story of Aminé's "Caroline" video and his ascension to the top of a new class of hip-hop artists—all seen...
Damian Lillard's Serious Game, On The Court and Mic
Mac Smiff - Nov 17, 2017
As he climbs the list of greatest Blazers, Damian Lillard also proves he’s a serious artist off the court. It might be time to stop talking about him as a "slash" rapper: Dame D.O.L.L.A.'s...
Lords of Portland: Portugal. The Man Stake Their Claim as the Rose City’s Best Band
Thacher Schmid - May 5, 2017
After boldly throwing away three years of work only to start from scratch, Portugal. The Man are set to emerge with their most meaningful material to date. Politically charged and pulsing with...
Vortex On Vinyl
Chris Young - Apr 20, 2017
To celebrate our third birthday, we asked 11 of our favorite local artists to give us an unreleased song and, thanks to Vinyl On Demand, we cut Portland’s hottest new tracks to wax! 'Our City, Our...
Golden Brown’s Casey Burge Talks Craft
Vanessa Soza - Apr 17, 2017
The Minden frontman talks about his solo work and what keeps him going in our vibrant local music scene.
Power, and Music, to the People
Thacher Schmid - Feb 15, 2017
Portland musicians embrace the challenge of making important political music in 2017. All scenes and cultures across our city are poised to make powerful new music—from hip-hop emcees Cool Nutz,...
Why There's Hope in 2017
Chris Young - Feb 10, 2017
Raise a flag in the name of protest, progress and #PDXmusic because Portland music will prevail.
It’s Time to Take Ownership: Our Community, Our Culture
Glenn Waco - Nov 3, 2016
Minority populations have made significant contributions to the Rose City’s culture, yet the same people have been marginalized by the bureaucratic machine and left out of the development...
It Takes A Village
Farnell Newton - Nov 2, 2016
Why did Farnell Newton help establish the Portland Black Music Festival? Because we have incredible strength when we come together.
