The largest metropolis in Oregon is thought of as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities on Earth. Its nickname as The City of Roses also demonstrates Portland’s beauty, however its reputation as an ‘indie mecca’ has brought the city attention across the globe.
While the skit comedy show Portlandia makes humour of the city’s hipster status, as the home of The Decemberists, Gossip, M. Ward and The Dandy Warhols the music scene is no laughing matter.
It appears the likes of Modest Mouse, The Shins, Spoon and former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus would agree. All have moved to Portland over the years to revel in the metropolis’ music community.
With an abundance of indie labels the local music scene is bolstered not just by the presence of talented musicians but people who want to support them.
The result is a music community bonded by a strong sense of camaraderie. As Jeremy Peterson from OPB Music told NPR “it clearly empowers creation and makes the work coming from the city that much stronger. It also makes it feel like a much smaller place”
Its growing prominence as a destination for musicians is caused undeniably from its prestigious music history, which has allowed for a music scene that is envy of the independent music world.
As Peterson points out, “Add names like (KD. Lang, Peter Buck and Johnny Marr) to the homegrowns and long-timers you’ve heard of and the ones you haven’t (yet), and it equals a rich and vibrant place for musicians to be”.
As most would surely agree if it’s a thriving home for musicians than its definitely a scene worth experiencing for fans.
Shop
2nd Avenue Records, 400 SW 2nd Avenue,
You’ll find one of the biggest new and used vinyl collections in Portland here. It’s might be a little cluttered, but the records are undeniably cheap. Try walk of 2nd Avenue Records without buying a CD, vinyl, t-shirt or some form of memorabilia. We dare you!
Crossroads Music, 3130 SE Hawthorne,
This record store is quite simply huge. With 35 different dealers nostalgia-buys like 8-track, cassette tapes, CDs and vinyl are all on offer. With just about every genre represented all music fans are catered for.
Powell’s Books, 1005 Burnside,
Most book stores pale in comparison to this Portland destination. With obscure sections (such as ‘Lesbian Mysteries’) to say Powell’s Books is diverse is an understatement. Naturally the music books section is much bigger than what most small bookstores or even record stores would offer.
Listen
This six-day festival brings the best indie of music together with a tech component added in for the 34,000 strong crowd that attend every year. It’s exactly the festival you would expect from an indie music mecca. On the strength of the 2013 lineup alone this festival is a hipsters wet dream.
Mississippi Studios, 3939 North Mississippi Avenue,
Formerly a Baptist church this music venue offers quality live acts for just $10. With a small balcony lining half the walls seeing the band in this small venue shouldn’t be a problem either. The near perfect acoustics are just another feature to warrant a visit here.
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 East Burnside Street,
This two level space log cabin venue has both modern and nostalgic elements. The downstairs space is intimate and the bands that fill the stage are some of the best local acts or touring groups in Portland at that time.
See
First Thursday and Last Thursday Gallery Walks
On the first Thursday of every month galleries and shops in the areas of Old Town, The Pearl District and downtown invite the public with later closing times and new exhibitions and site-specific installations. Complimentary food, drink and music performers are also on hand to enhance the night.
The last Thursday of the month event puts artists, food vendors and musicians on the street to create a much more spirited evening.
These huge markets have everything from local performers, artists, tarot card readers to international food. Opened from 10am to 5.30pm the markets are closed during January and February. But for the rest of the year this is a great place to experience not only the local arts culture but also the many musicians who make up the local scene.
Ace Hotel
Known as the ‘music hotel’ the Ace brand’s Portland outfit is located minuted from the Pearl district and is a staple for any music lover. While countless indie musicians have stayed there, it’s a go to for musical sight seers . Did we mention every room is decked out with a turntable and collection of records?
Bands You Should Check Out
Agesandages – Soundcloud
Imagine if Jack white and the Polyphonic Spree did a musical collaboration. Excited? Well you might just explode when you hear Portland eight-piece Agesandages. Lead singer Tim Perry sounds like a happier version of the Raconteurs frontman, while his seven other bandmates provide an amazing chorus that sends this stunning band soaring. Check out he track below.
Radiation City – Soundcloud
This five-piece are made up of two couples and a fifth wheel and make synth-heavy indie-rock that sounds like what might happen if people in the mid-90s were trying to impersonate music from the future. With boy-girl vocals and harmonies to boot, this five-some bring back the emotion of Rilo Kiley while adding a modern twist to emotional indie.
Onuinu – Soundcloud
Who said Portland music was all about indie-rock? The electro-music maker is making big waves in the Portland scene and with his Thundercat-esque disco-infused jams we’re counting down the days ’til he gets picked up by Flying Lotus. Check it!
