Ben Salmon

Recent Articles

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.

Oregon Folk Singer Jeffrey Martin Captures Live Music Magic at Mississippi Studios

Martin's heart-on-sleeve folk tunes are like walking past a graveyard of love and loss, light and dark, hurt, hope, faith, and uncertainty.

Fall Arts 2024 Sep 5 3:38 AM

St. Johns' Shoegaze Revival

Members of Portland bands Ten Million Lights and Kallai worked together to organize two-day music fest Dreamgaze PDX.

Music Aug 14 4:00 PM

In the Shadow of Writer's Block, Blind Pilot Triumphantly Returns

Last summer, frontman Israel Nebeker suddenly found a path through his eight-year compositon drought.

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Music Jul 25 1:30 PM

Three Country / Folk-Rock / Psych-Rock Acts That Stood Out at FairWell Festival's Year Two

If you didn't make it down to Deschutes County Fairgrounds last weekend, you should still hear Adeem the Artist, S.G. Goodman, and Black Opry Revue.

Music Feb 8 1:09 PM

New Solo Work From the Owner of Moon Glyph Records Is Reliably Enchanting

Steve Rosborough wants Omni Gardens’ music to feel like a lazy afternoon or your favorite sweater.

Music Jan 11 3:30 PM

Bory Debut Perfectly Splits Elliott Smith's Figure 8 and DIY Vibe of Elephant 6

The comparison comes from producer Mo Troper, but we think they nailed it.

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Music Nov 27 12:00 PM

MusicOregon Awards $57,000 in Grants to 18 Portland- and Vancouver-Area Musicians

The Echo Fund supports a historically overlooked creative pursuit: popular music.

Music Nov 7 1:40 PM

Oregon Jazz Legend Dan Balmer to Release New Album on Local Label

An offshoot of the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, PJCE Records has comissioned new arrangements of Balmer's music for his record release show.

Music Nov 2 1:30 PM

The Wandering Drones of Water Shrew Trio

The local label supergroup of Bud Tapes' Emmet Martin and Oranj Discs' Skyler Pia release a studio album with Boreen's Morgan O’Sullivan.

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Music Oct 2 1:00 PM

As No-No Boy, Dr. Julian Saporiti Turned His Research Into Brainy, Bright Folk Songs

"Empire Electric" sounds like Sufjan Stevens' 50-albums-for-50-states project, but about Asian experience in America.

Music Sep 19 2:05 PM

Finally, the Music of Mort Garson Presented as It Should Be: WITH LASERS

OMSI will host a custom light show set to the music of the synth pioneer.

Fall Arts 2023 Sep 6 3:49 AM

Portland’s Coolest New Record Shop Is Also a Cultural Hub

Beacon Sound, Musique Plastique, Super Electric, Lost Avenue, et al—the signage is going to be intense.

Movies & TV Aug 23 1:00 PM

Six Records for Rotation Before The Elephant 6 Recording Co.

C.B. Stockfleth's new documentary digs into the '90s music collective behind Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal, and the Minders.

Music Aug 15 12:15 PM

Portland Is Losing Its Babytooth

Co-released by local labels Antiquated Future Records and Bud Tapes, the excellent debut is both a hello and goodbye, for now.

Music Jul 27 12:30 PM

Prodigal Portlander Drowse Returns to the Gloom

Kyle Bates on pursuing a doctorate in composition, the long, warm drones he's been making with Chicago sound artist Lula Asplund, and his upcoming show at Mississippi Studios.