Crystal Quartez Creates Soundscapes for Self-Healing in the Instagram Era

“Ceremonial sound art,” Crystal Quartez’s self-described genre, might evoke Instagram altar displays, yoga retreats and flower crowns. But the Portland musician’s first full-length album, Causal Loop, is hardly some passive, love-and-light spa soundtrack.

With Bonny Light Horseman, Portland’s Eric Johnson is Giving Centuries-Old Folk a Modern Update

Kate Davis Left Portland as a Jazz Prodigy. Now She Returns as an Indie-Rocker.

Until recently, Davis, who currently lives in New York City, has made her career as a cocktail dress-wearing jazz singer and double bassist. But on her new album, Trophy, she’s pivoted to full-blown indie-rocker, trading vocal jazz in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday for introspective songwriting in the tradition of Liz Phair.

A New Opera Addresses Sexual Harassment in Silicon Valley

Opera is rarely seen as fresh and contemporary. Fair enough—the operatic canon hasn’t really been updated in the past 100 years, and the racism of Madame Butterfly and sexism of Cosi fan tutte don’t usually sit well with younger audiences. But librettist Amy Punt believes the form has untapped potential.

Thirty-One Years After His Murder, a New Chamber Music Piece Pays Tribute to Mulugeta Seraw

“I was just shocked immediately when I saw a photo of him because he looks just like our dad—same hair, same glasses, same mustache,” says Francis. “It made his death feel kind of personal to me in a way, because I wondered if our dad had seen stuff about him in the news and how it made him feel. I think that he probably would have died if he were on the same block as Seraw.”

After Years As Portland’s Viral Rapper, Wynne is Putting out Her First Full-Length Project

“The title If I May is posing a genuine question to hip-hop, like ‘Can I do this?’” she says. “White people, we come in and take things. And as a guest in this culture, it’s important that I approach it like, ‘I know what this looks like, let’s talk about this.’”

Before Dodgr Leaves Portland for L.A., She’s Playing One Last Blowout Show Full of Unreleased Music

Dodgr remains humble despite all of her bomb accomplishments. Before her biggest headlining show yet, WW talked to Dodgr about becoming friends with Ronson, and her next big projects.

More than 40 Years After it Was Recorded, an Obscure Portland Jazz Classic Gets its First Wide Release

Ernest Hood’s 1975 album is a little-known piece of Portland musical history, made by a man whose fingerprints are all over the city, even though he’s hardly a household name. On Oct. 11, Neighborhoods will get its first wide release on Swanson’s Freedom to Spend label. Its closing track, “Night Games,” is already available to stream.