Rumspringa represents a window of teenage hedonism. In homage to the Amish tradition—which ultimately leads to either resigning the rest of one’s life to the church or hurling towards an uncertain future outside of it—experimental electronic outfit ear’s sophomore album Rumspringa, released in May 2026 on A24 Music, hits the nail on the head. On the brink of their own life-altering success, the duo is careening into the unknown with a thrilling throng of new sound.
Jonah Paz and Yaelle Avtan, also known as ear, met in the halls of Bard College, where they produced their first song “Nerved” in 2024 on an iPhone in the school’s library. The collage of soundscapes, samples, and soft vocals laid out the groundwork for their haunting, yet hopeful, Rumspringa. This Thursday, October 8, ear will take over the Den in Southeast Portland with a sold out show alongside producer cranes and musician Asa Smiles cathartic musical experience.
Ear’s signature layered production and whisper-like vocals are refined on their latest release. Underneath the spattering of samples and glitchy sounds are poems faintly strung together by Avtan’s voice. The result is a piece of music that feels weightless. And in this levity, ear has taken the Rumspringa tour to places few artists have performed before, from helicopter pads in New York City to church basements in Toronto.
Promoter of the show and DJ Harrison Smith says ear’s management tasked him with finding all the weirdest venues in Portland. He floated a few ideas, including Topaz Farms on Sauvie Island, the Old Church, and the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), but ultimately decided on the Den, a traditionally 21-plus EDM venue that is opening its doors to all ages for one night only.
“I remember when I was growing up in Portland. Being under 21, you miss out on so many shows,” he says. “So, it feels really good to give [younger audiences] a really cool electronic show.”
Electronic producer/DJ and Portland native, Owen Jablonski—also known as cranes—will be opening for ear again after performing with them at Western Washington University on Sept 29. Jablonski said ear are some of his favorite people to do shows with. “You’ll see at the show, but they have such an interesting routine on stage,” he adds. “It’s just really inspiring to me.”
Jablonski has been producing for other artists since he started making beats in high school. He is now a full-time DJ and producer based in New York City, having produced for a wide variety of electronic artists including (but not limited to) xaviersobased, nettspend, and fakemink, as well as touring with Snow Strippers in 2025.
Although Jablonski has been making music for a very long time, it was only recently that he started creating music for himself and his taste. “I’m trying to do more instrumental-based music moving forward, instead of just producing for other people,” he adds.
His latest album, Mild Euphoria, released last September. It reflects that shift towards a more atmospheric, electronic sound, with a goal to capture the feeling of not being able to sleep “because you’re so excited for tomorrow.”
Yaelle Avtan’s sister Ayala Avtan, AKA Asa Smiles, will be making her Portland debut with a sound that contrasts ear’s glitchy overtones. She began violin lessons at age five, later starting LA-based rock band Trevors Everywhere at age 15. Ayala admits that although she loves playing rock, she has “always wanted to do a pop star thing.” So, after moving to London in September 2025, she began a solo career as Asa Smiles.
“I would tell people when I was 16, ‘When I become a pop star, it’s over,’” she laughs. “But I think there’s a lot of people who do ‘pop star’ in a really ‘rock star’ way, and that’s what I draw inspiration from.”
Ayala has released two mixtapes as Asa Smiles, Time and Promise, that both experiment with how she wants to convey her message as a pop/rock act. She said she started her solo career making more “sad, spacey, ambient music,” but quickly decided that it no longer resonated with her. She’s more interested in the challenge of creating positive music.
“In all my shows, I want to get you high. But not in a ‘drugs’ way,” she says. “I want you to feel lighter and better about the world.”
Ayala’s rock star moment, and cranes’ mix of instrumental highs and lows, will set Portland up for a rowdy moshpit to ear’s transcendent set.
The Den, 116 SE Yamhill, Oct 8, 7 pm, SOLD OUT, more info here, all ages