It’s officially spring, music nerds! This month is shaping up to be pretty nice in terms of weather and the local music climate. There’s some quality stuff here, from an empowering new single and video from Joseph, an unofficial Latin music night, and a one-year anniversary for the Get Down. Let’s get into it.
MUST-SEE:
Can’t miss upcoming events.
The Get Down One-Year Anniversary
We love to see Portland’s independently owned music venues win whenever possible. If you're in the mood to move your body, head to the Get Down on Saturday, April 8, when the relatively new music venue is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a concert starring electronic music duo BoomBox. Originally founded by producer Zion Rock Godchaux, BoomBox now comprises his brother Kinsman MacKay. The evening will showcase the indulgent grooves of the Muscle Shoals-based brothers, who play an eclectic and euphonious mix of house, soul, funk, rock, and blues. Considering the many changes to Portland’s small business landscape since 2020, the fact that the Get Down is still rocking a year later is worth celebrating. (The Get Down, 615 SE Alder, Sat April 8, 9 pm, $25, tickets here, 21+)
MUST LISTEN:
New release(s) from a Portland-relevant artist.
“The Sun,” Joseph
Portland-grown indie folk and pop trio Joseph just released an empowering new single, “The Sun,” which also serves as the title track on their forthcoming LP, out April 28 via ATO Records. At the end of the galvanizing chorus, the Closner sisters sing: “I thought I was the light switch you turned on / But I was the Sun.” Is it just me, or is the titular lyric reminiscent of Grey’s Anatomy (season 10, episode 24), where MerDer are in a spat over whose prestigious career to prioritize, and Cristina Yang delivers her final poignant nugget of the entire series: “Don't let what he wants eclipse what you need. He is very dreamy, but he is not the Sun. You are.” Meredith eventually realizes she is the Sun, and Derek eventually dies, and that’s what this joyful song feels like. Sort of. Anyway, “The Sun” also comes with a fabulous new music video that sees the sisters leaning on each other, jumping, and dancing around joyously–again, very Grey’s–while sporting some identical mauve jumpsuits by beloved Portland boutique WildFang.
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.
Edna Vazquez, Mariachi Tradición
Behold: an exciting evening of Latin music held at downtown’s intimate music club Jack London Revue. Get there on time to catch Mariachi Tradición fever. Lesslie Nuñez started the Mariachi Tradición music program as an after-school club at Neil Armstrong Middle School in 2016, but the program’s popularity grew into a high school and middle school elective course. Forest Grove High School’s excellent audition-based ensemble will warm up the downtown basement with the troupe’s eight violins, two trumpets, one guitarron, one vihuela, two guitars and, of course, vocals. Stay to hear singer-songwriter Edna Vazquez tear up the mic with her iconic, emotive covers like Consuelo Velázquez’s bolero song “Bésame Mucho,” and Daddy Yankee’s “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó.” There’s also the option to make it a super swanky night out, by reserving a three- or six-person VIP table or booth. (Jack London Revue, 529 SW 4th, Sun April 9, 6 pm, $20-180, tickets here, 21+)
