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The Maker Issue
The Rose City is full of boutique manufacturers—from guitars, pedals, amps, cables and microphones to innovative technology that’s breaking barriers. In issue #18, meet your local instrument and gear makers who fuel our music scene and economy.
We also hear new music from soul legend Ural Thomas alongside rising talents Donte Thomas, Maarquii and May Arden, explore several local record labels to watch, and learn how to sell merch.
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Just like a vortex in nature revolves around a central axis, our magazine revolves around our people—aka you! Become a member of the Vortex Access Party and get our mag mailed to your door each quarter as well as access to contests for festival tickets, concert photography, vinyl and more!
You can also sign up for the Vortex Newsletter and a PDF of issue #18 will be delivered to your inbox!
CLICK HERE to join the party!See ya out there in Portland’s musical vortex!
From The Editor
You Gotta Fight For Your Right
Chris Young - Oct 18, 2018
Calling all musicians and makers, "Let’s stand together as a united group," says Larry Crane of Jackpot! Recording Studio. Now is our time to disrupt our city’s development in a meaningful way...
Community
The Portland Underground: The Underground Rules!
Ollie Collins - May 15, 2019
The Golden Rule says you should treat people how you want to be treated. Horseshit.
Resources
How to Sell Your Merch
Chris Young - Oct 12, 2018
Get Paid! is our new panel series with MusicPortland and J-Fell Presents. Our first quarterly session is all about creating, marketing and selling your merch. Come to the Doug Fir on November 4...
New In #PDXmusic
Artist to Watch: Donte Thomas Readies His Summer Swag
Mac Smiff - May 14, 2019
The young rapper has been sitting on his colorful sophomore release for a minute now. With all of the elements nearly in place, get ready to hear a polished piece of stylish Portland hip-hop this...
New In #PDXmusic
Artist to Watch: May Arden Is Bringing Opera Back to the People
Harris Newman - Dec 21, 2018
Is opera unapproachable for modern audiences? May Arden believes she can make it not just relevant but irresistible as her notes "physically invade people. The sound gets into people’s bones. It...
New In #PDXmusic
Artist to Watch: Maarquii Pushes Portland Hip-Hop Into New Realms
Nancy Slavin - Nov 29, 2018
On 'C.A.B.O.,' Marquise Dickerson lets their non-binary, black, femme sexuality and identity take up space with no apologies. Alongside production duo JVNITOR, it's time for them to “Cut a Bitch...
New In #PDXmusic
Four Portland Record Labels to Watch in 2019
Robin Bacior, Robert Ham, Ryan J. Prado, Chris Young - Dec 14, 2018
Some of the strongest curatorial forces in the Rose City are not bound by the city’s limits. Far-reaching ambitions from the likes of Mama Bird Recording Co., Beacon Sound, Fresh Selects and It’s...
Portraits of Portland Music
Made In Portland
Chris Young - Nov 16, 2018
Meet the Portlanders who are crafting innovative, world-renowned instruments, gear and technology—fueling our music scene and economy—right here in your own backyard. Photos by Sam Gehrke
Portraits of Portland Music
Koll Guitar Co.: Bringing It All Back Home
Steve Murray - Dec 11, 2018
Saul Koll masterfully crafts sublime and adventurous guitars in his SW Portland backyard.
Portraits of Portland Music
Divine Noise: This Is Not A Glitter Factory
Harris Newman - Dec 12, 2018
Nobody cares about cables as much as Divine Noise: "I put my full ass into every single one." —Gil Divine
Portraits of Portland Music
Ear Trumpet Labs: Amplifying Artists' Natural Noises
Robin Bacior - Dec 13, 2018
Ear Trumpet Labs handcrafts mics for the acoustic world in a NE Portland workshop.
Portraits of Portland Music
The Brave New World of Benson Amps
Steve Murray - Dec 14, 2018
Chris Benson builds a new American classic for the likes of David Bazan, The Decemberists and Ryan Adams.
Portraits of Portland Music
The PDX Pedal Board
Adam Sweeney - Dec 17, 2018
Stumptown has its fair share of folks tinkering with stomp boxes, but Malekko Heavy Industry, Catalinbread and Spaceman are three to keep your eyes and ears on. Photos by Sam Gehrke
Portraits of Portland Music
The Color of Sound
Andrea Janda - Nov 15, 2018
Myles de Bastion of CymaSpace and Audiolux Devices lights the way for inclusive encounters with music through his groundbreaking technology.
The Portland Playlist
The Portland Playlist: Ural Thomas
Chris Young - Oct 12, 2018
It’s time for Ural Thomas to spread love and bring The Pain—he shares the songs that inspire his music, plus a couple that he just can’t live without. Listen to his playlist now!
Vortex Marketplace
Portland and Oregon's vibrant music scene is supported by a bevy of local businesses and artists who value music in our community. The following supporters of Vortex Music Magazine play a vital role in encouraging, enabling and cultivating the music that circulates through the veins and culture...
