"best-new-bands-2019"

Fountaine Creates Shape-Shifting Hip-Hop That, Like His Personal Health, Is in Constant Upheaval

When Fountaine scored an invite to Anderson Paak’s album release show last November, he didn’t expect to meet anyone famous. He certainly didn’t expect to meet Dr. Dre, or for it to happen while the Portland rapper was stoned.

The Members of Plastic Cactus Can’t Decide if Their Music Sounds More Like “Spongebob Squarepants” or a Spaghetti Western

Considering that the nearest beach is more than 80 miles away, it’s somewhat of a stretch for any Portland band to truly count as surf rock.

Shadowgraphs Update 60s Psychedelia With Unexpected Flourishes

There are plenty of rock groups who revere ’60s psychedelic pop and sound like mere copycats of the Kinks or the Zombies.

Bocha Processes Heartbreak and Homelessness Over Booming Tracks

For many of us, heartbreak comes at the hands of a lover. For William Bocha Hayes, it came at the hands of a loved one.

Dan Dan’s Synth-Heavy Sound is Driven By a Sense of Humanity and Humor

Four years ago, Sarah McKenna bumped into Eric Burch at vegan punk haunt Black Water Bar.

Karma Rivera Wants to Be the Next Rapper to Take Portland Hip-Hop into the Mainstream, and She’s Bringing Other Queer Artists in the Scene Along With Her

Karma Rivera didn’t think it was a big deal when she donated some stage time to Maarquii during last summer’s Portland Hip-Hop Day.

With Only Singles and a Mixtape to Her Name, KayelaJ Already Has a Fan Base. Once She Drops Her Debut Album “D.Y.K.E.,” Her Following Is Sure to Get Even Bigger.

KayelaJ has been playing the music game for years. Now, she’s really ready to tell everyone what’s up.

Willamette Week