The Recording Issue is out now!
Get the mag mailed to your door each quarter—just join the Vortex Access Party!
Come to our fourth birthday and vinyl release party at Kelly's Olympian on Thursday, April 26 with LEO ISLO, Mic Capes and MAITA! Then learn how to create great audio/visual content at our free, all-ages panel at the Doug Fir on Sunday, April 29.
Or pick up a copy around town at these fine establishments.
CLICK HERE to get the mag mailed to your door! Photo by Jason Quigley
The Recording Issue
The Rose City is chock-full of incredible rooms and basement spaces all dedicated to the process of capturing the sounds of our local musicians as well as national and international talent. In issue #16, we’ll take a look at the economics behind running a studio in a changing city while highlighting notable spaces, producers and engineers who span all genres of the local scene. We'll also hear new music from Laura Veirs, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Moorea Masa, Matt Dorrien, Ezza Rose, The Pariahs, and BlackWater HolyLight, and learn how to set up your home studio.
Join our Vortex
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 as well as access to monthly contests for festival tickets, concert photography, vinyl and more!
You can also sign up for the Vortex Newsletter and a PDF of issue #16 will be delivered to your inbox!
CLICK HERE to join the party!See ya out there in Portland’s musical vortex!
From The Editor
Learning Every Day
Chris Young - Apr 16, 2018
Music is omnipresent these days, so it’s easy to assume it just happens. Come experience some fine synthpop, hip-hop and rock 'n' roll when we celebrate our fourth birthday and vinyl release party...
Portraits of Portland Music
Portia Sabin: Running a Record Label While Being an Educator and Activist for Independent Music
Chris Young - Sep 12, 2018
From leading the storied Kill Rock Stars to launching The Future of What podcast, Sabin sets her sights on the future of music in the Rose City alongside MusicPortland. Find out how they aim to...
Resources
So You Wanna Record at Home?
Steve Murray - Apr 20, 2018
Hey DIYers! Here’s how to set up your home studio. Get expert advice on creating great audio/visual content from Banana Stand Media, Opal Studio and trumpeter Farnell Newton of Marmoset at our...
Portraits of Portland Music
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...
New In #PDXmusic
Some Experienced Portland Artists to Watch This Spring
Dan Cable, Jeni Wren Stottrup, Skylor Young - May 9, 2018
Years of ambiguity, rocking dive bars and just general woodshedding have led these artists to the records they’re now releasing and the stages they’re now headlining. The lesson? Hard work pays...
Albums
Moorea Masa & The Mood 'Shine A Light'
Andrea Janda - May 3, 2018
After touring the world with k.d. lang, the soulful 25-year-old is set to release her debut record on May 11. Celebrate its release at the Doug Fir on May 20—plus enter to win a pile of Moorea...
Albums
Matt Dorrien's Got A Real Case of the Blues
Ryan J. Prado - May 11, 2018
The singer-songwriter's new LP may make you grey, but celebrating the release of 'In the Key of Grey' at The Old Church on May 23 will surely lift your spirits.
Albums
Laura Veirs: Devotional Experiments
Andrea Janda - Apr 13, 2018
The singer-songwriter observes where nature, science, art and activism intertwine on her 10th solo record 'The Lookout.' Celebrate its release at Mississippi Studios on May 19.
Albums
All Over the Map: Unknown Mortal Orchestra Goes Global
Ryan J. Prado - Apr 5, 2018
UMO’s Ruban Nielson may have traveled the world to record his fourth LP, 'Sex & Food,' but he still spent plenty of time in his Portland basement. Enjoy the fuzzy psych-pop record when it drops on...
Portraits of Portland Music
The Life and Times of Portland Recording Studios
Adam Sweeney - Jun 4, 2018
With a city and music industry constantly in flux, Portland’s recording rooms are facing new challenges. Yet, there is no shortage of spaces, whether professional or DIY. Explore basements,...
Portraits of Portland Music
Historic Recording Rooms in Portland
John Chandler - Jun 5, 2018
Portland is a music city and our studios are where we document the sounds of local artists as well as international stars. Legendary studios have come and gone over the years while many are still...
Portraits of Portland Music
The Studio That's Not Bound By Location
Chris Young - Jun 6, 2018
Tucker Martine's Flora Recording & Playback started in Seattle, moved down the I-5 corridor thanks to a blossoming relationship with The Decemberists, and has been based out basements, barns and...
Portraits of Portland Music
Portland's Basement Spaces
John Chandler - Jun 7, 2018
Many underground studios are not, in fact, always underground.
Portraits of Portland Music
The Studio That Builds Its Own Gear
Adam Sweeney - Jun 8, 2018
Hand-built tube mics, a modified board and rare gear, The Map Room takes a calculated approach to its creative space. Photos by Saehee Photography
Portraits of Portland Music
The Hip-Hop Studio-Label Hybrid
Chris Young - Jun 11, 2018
The likes of EYRST, Burn Money Music and It’s Future Time are blazing new trails in the production and dissemination of hip-hop and R&B in Portland by providing local artists with the tools and...
Portraits of Portland Music
Studios That Do More Than Make Records
Joe Duquette - Jun 13, 2018
Whether intentional or not, some Portland studios have developed extracurricular specializations in offering multimedia services or event space—because for The Rye Room and The Hallowed Halls,...
Portraits of Portland Music
The Perfectly Constructed Space
Chris Young - Jun 14, 2018
From individually poured pieces of concrete in the foundation to five isolation rooms to 22-foot-high ceilings, East Burnside's B-Side Studios provides a wooded vibe and a welcoming atmosphere for...
Portraits of Portland Music
From Successful Artist to Producer: Hutch Harris
Adam Sweeney - Jun 21, 2018
As The Thermals began to wind down, Hutch Harris found himself producing records with Victor Nash at Destination: Universe! Working swiftly and on the cheap, he's already spent time behind the...
Portraits of Portland Music
From Successful Artist to Producer: Chris Funk
John Chandler - Jun 22, 2018
Halfling for hire: The Decemberists’ guitar guy puts on his producer hat inside one of the city's most architecturally inspired buildings working with the likes of Stephen Malkmus, Kyle Craft, Y...
Resources
The Mystery of Mastering
Tim Karplus - Jul 16, 2018
Fortunately, Portland has plenty of skilled engineers with various stylistic strengths that’ll match your music.
Art
Let Decent Don Kickstart Your Art
JP Downer - Jul 13, 2018
Wondering how you'll fund your next record? There just might be some decent Portlanders out there looking to lend a helping hand.
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...
