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Melissa Locker

Melissa Locker is a podcaster and journalist. You can follow her @woolyknickers, but not in real life.
Posted inBooks

Introducing King of the Honky-Tonks Gary Stewart

Portland author Jimmy McDonough has written a 544-page biography on the country singer who moved him the most.
Avatar photo by Melissa Locker

Jimmy McDonough was living in Hoboken, New Jersey, when he was first introduced to the King of the Honky-Tonks. A friend put on a record and McDonough was hooked. “There are times when somebody shows you art or plays you music,” McDonough tells the Mercury, “and even though you don’t quite get it, there’s something […]

Posted inSpring Arts 2026

Jessie Rose Vala Channels Ecological Grief Into The Pollinators

“They are kind of moth-like and plant-like. But they also have neon coming out of their eyes.”
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

When you walk into Jessie Rose Vala’s show at Chefas Projects, you’ll quickly realize: These aren’t your average ceramics. Instead of raku fired pots or pastel hand-thrown vases, Vala’s work transforms clay into mission statements about the state of the world. Combining sculptural ceramics with neon and metallics, Vala’s pieces feel chimeric, bringing in elements […]

Posted inBooks

What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome Documents Justin Townes Earle’s Time in Portland

Music journalist Jonathan Bernstein first knew the singer-songwriter as a fan.
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

When Justin Townes Earle rolled into Portland in 2016, he had already lived a long life for a 34-year-old. Born in Nashville, Earle had been making music since he was a kid and earning plenty of comparisons to his father, country rabble-rouser Steve Earle, along the way. Determined to bust out of his father’s shadow, […]

Posted inMusic

Satyricon: An Oral History

From 1984-2011, the downtown dive was a venue where legends, locals, and total unknowns shared a stage.
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

Before Michaela Watkins’ first shift behind the bar at Satyricon, the manager gave her the tour. “He said to me: ‘Okay, here’s the taps, here’s the keg, here’s the bat.’ And I was, like, the bat? And he’s like: ‘Yeah, the bat.’ I was like, am I gonna use a bat? He nodded: ‘You might […]

Posted inFall Arts 2025

Satyricon: An Oral History

From 1984-2011, the downtown dive was a venue where legends, locals, and total unknowns shared a stage.
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

Before Michaela Watkins’ first shift behind the bar at Satyricon, the manager gave her the tour. “He said to me: ‘Okay, here’s the taps, here’s the keg, here’s the bat.’ And I was, like, the bat? And he’s like: ‘Yeah, the bat.’ I was like, am I gonna use a bat? He nodded: ‘You might […]

Posted inMusic

The Buzz with Melvins’ Frontman King Buzzo

New album Thunderball, grunge history, and what’s next. 
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

When the Melvins roll into Portland’s Revolution Hall on June 3, they’ll bring with them two drummers, tourmates Napalm Death, and a slew of new songs to play from their recent album Thunderball. The release is the latest entry in the band’s incredibly expansive discography of 30+ albums, EPs, and live recordings—all chock-full of the […]

Posted inComedy

Matt Braunger’s Elevator Pitch

The Portland-born comedian explains why seeing his upcoming show is a pretty good idea.
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

Matt Braunger thinks you should go see Matt Braunger at the Aladdin Theater on March 1st. “Why? Because you’re going to see a hilarious stand-up,” Braunger says in his elevator pitch, “someone who’s been doing it 20-plus years, is constantly evolving, and is a son of the soil who has worked altruistically, but also incredibly […]

Posted inCulture

The Mercury’s Favorite Culture Moments of 2024

Doing something stupid in Ladds, dressing up for the movies, and finding catharsis at live shows, et al.
Avatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photo Cameron Crowell, Andrea Damewood, Melissa Locker, Ben Salmon, Dom Sinacola, Corbin Smith, HR Smith, Suzette Smith, and Joe Streckert

We went out a lot this year. We saw bands, rode bikes, ate snacks—all the stuff of life. This list is a hodgepodge of experience, pulling from our culture writing team—who are drawing from both wider and ultra local scenes. This year, we saw PAM CUT join Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street as a spot […]

Posted inBooks

The Mercury’s Favorite Books of 2024

On this list, revolutionary writings share space with Portland zombies and memories of the Barefoot Contessa
Avatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photoAvatar photo Andrea Damewood, Cameron Crowell, Melissa Locker, Suzette Smith, Blair Stenvick, and Joe Streckert

Portland as ground zero for a zombie plague. Bisexual exes on a romcom food and wine tour. And how pointless it is to try to guess what happens next in a MIranda July novel. It’s the Mercury’s favorite books of 2024!

Posted inMovies & TV

Allee Willis: Creative Force, ‘Dangerous Woman,’ Songwriter Behind Friends Theme

A new documentary The World According to Allee Willis reveals your favorite artists’ favorite artist.
Avatar photo Melissa Locker

Allee Willis was your favorite artists’ favorite artist decades before Chappell Roan.

Allee Willis was a truly fascinating, wildly-creative artist who worked almost exclusively behind the scenes. She was your favorite artists’ favorite artist decades before Chappell Roan.

Allee Willis: creative force behind the Friends TV Show Theme, Dangerous Woman to Soviet newspapers
Allee Willis: Creative Force, Dangerous Woman, Queer Songwriter Behind Friends’ Theme
Further Proof That Friends Is Queer-Coded

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