Love Our Arts & Culture Coverage?
You can help fund it!

Give now
Avatar photo

Nolan Parker

Nolan Parker is the Mercury’s music and Blazers editor. They also run the Portland-area community resource, Government Palace. Follow them on Instagram and Letterboxd. Send pitches, releases, and collaboration ideas here.
Posted inMercury Music Picks

Mercury Music Picks: Erykah Badu (hopefully), Moondog’s Music, and Unga Dunga’s Second Show

Plus PNW folk punk, the handsomest family, and Portland music news!
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

The reason Portland has such an expansive music ecosystem is not luck, it’s because a lot of hard working people are deeply passionate about music—live music specifically—and pour themselves into making live music accessible and fun. Don’t take that for granted, y’all! Without the support of the greater Portland community—going to shows, buying records and […]

Posted inMercury Music Picks

Mercury Music Picks: The Music Of Alice Coltrane, Steve Reich, and Hardcore Punk

Plus we’re adding local music news to the mix! 
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

If you want something to do besides watching the puddles gather rain, then this week’s Mercury Music Picks round-up is for you! With the continuation of PDX Jazz Festival, lots of local and national punk, and a DJ from South Africa pulling into town, there’s literally something for everyone. Plus, we’ve added a local music […]

Posted inMercury Music Picks

Mercury Music Picks: Erykah Badu at PDX Jazz Fest, Mars Volta at the Moda

Plus three local record release shows + more!
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

Welcome to the (re)launch of Mercury  Music Picks! Every week we’ll sift through the sea of concerts, gigs, and shows to let you know what’s really good in Portland. This week we’ve got three(!) local artists hosting album release gigs and the Queen of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu, pulling up to town. See you in […]

Posted inMusic

PDX Live Concerts Take Over the Square Again This August

Featuring Jamie xx, returning favs the Roots, and beloved Portland band STRFKR!
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

Welp, the team at True West have done it again, folks! Yesterday they dropped the full line-up of PDX Live shows they’ll be hosting at the the Square, AKA Pioneer Courthouse Square, in August, and it’s a real doozy, per usual. Find the line-up and ticket links below. If you’re even thinking about checking out […]

Posted inMusic

Say “I DO!” To Live Music and All-Nighters This Valentine’s Day Weekend

Queer hip-hop, black metal, and underground raves make for a packed V-Day weekend  in Portland!
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

“Everyday the 14th!” or so claims Cupid Valentino, AKA André 3000, on one of the sexiest Outkast tracks out there. Saint Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, an excellent excuse for Portland (and you) to pop off extra hard all weekend in a month that can otherwise feel a bit sleepy. There’s a […]

Posted inMusic

Introducing the Portland Mercury’s New Music Editor, Nolan Parker!

How they went from publishing a grass roots music newspaper in Berlin to being Portland’s ONLY music editor.
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

Hi, my name is Nolan Parker! I’m the new music editor at the Portland Mercury, and I’m “Truly Madly Deeply” so thrilled to be here!  Initially moving to Portland in 2011, I cut my teeth on the city’s vibrant music scene working at Beacon Sound Records, and DJing all the bygone watering holes like Tiga, […]

Posted inMusic

Eric Isaacson of Mississippi Records Is Retiring From Booking Shows

He wants you to take up the mantle.
Avatar photo Nolan Parker

“To make good art or to do good community work, often a gauntlet is thrown down: You either don’t concern yourself with money and do good work, or you do shitty work and you’re interested in money. I just felt like I had to stop in order to avoid burnout and to maintain the quality of other things going down.”

Gift this article