Music is blooming all around. There’s a little something for everyone this week, from local bills boasting folk rock and electro-pop, to mainstream hip-hop collabs, and an upcoming visit from indie soul phenom Emily King.


MUST-SEE: 

Can’t miss upcoming events. 

Sunday Sessions: Silvertongue, New Body Electric

Every Sunday, East Burnside bar Rontoms throws a free live show called “Sunday Sessions,” featuring performances by local musicians in a hipster-chic environment. The next installment, on April 23, showcases indie-rock quintet Silvertongue. Pulling from disparate influences like Young the Giant, the Black Keys, and Phoebe Bridgers, the band's vulnerable singer-songwriter folk catalog—best sampled on their 2022 album Arboretum—travels from alt-rock to beach-bound pop. Hope for highlights, like the radio-ready “Monster” and the tranquil “Peach Rings.” Adding to the appeal is Utah-to-Portland duo New Body Electric, who'll get the party started with funk- and disco-infused electro-pop. Comprising singer-songwriter Aaron Peterson (who you might find on guitar, synths, and trumpet) and multi-instrumentalist Evan Smoker, this group now performs as a five piece. We're excited to hear live versions of the group's latest single, “Running Out On a Feeling” and the delightful, catchy track “Awake, Animal 4 U,” from their 2017 EP, Color Balm.  (Rontoms, 600 E Burnside, Sun April 23, 8 pm, FREE, 21+)


MUST LISTEN: 

New release(s) from a Portland-relevant artist. 

 “4Eva,” Aminé, KAYTRANADA, and Pharrell Williams

Portland-raised rap star Aminé put out a new single last week—with Canadian record producer Kaytranada and Pharrell Williams—giving fans a first taste of the forthcoming joint album from Kaytranada and Aminé, appropriately titled Kaytranime. The track features that distinct Kaytranada electronic dance sound; an accompanying visual shows Aminé and Kaytranada dancing alongside their larger-than-life, AI counterparts. Considering Aminé’s taste for bright, sugary, animated production, this collaboration makes a lot of sense. The two have collaborated before, in the past, when Kaytranada produced Aminé’s 2015 tracks, “Buckwild,” “YeYe,” and “La Danse.” Heads up that the video doesn't contain the full song. The full version has two consecutive verses from Aminé, so if you're only vibing to the video you're missing out on lyrics like: “I told her, ‘get a grip,’ then she hit me with a grip (In public)/ She so loud, she sound so disgustin'/ We so loud it sound like a discussion/ I hit it with some rhythm, call it pussy percussion.”


ADDED TO THE QUEUE: 

Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.

Emily King

In a month, Portland will host one of this columnist's favorite singer-songwriters Emily King, as she visits our city on her Special Occasion tour—supporting a soon-to-be-released record of the same name. Special Occasion is King's fourth album, and the first major work we've seen from her since the Grammy-nominated Scenery, in 2019. We couldn't be more excited to hear more of King's vulnerable, poignant, soothing pop and indie soul. Working closely with longtime collaborator and Grammy-nominated producer Jeremy Most, the project asks the listener to reflect on the ways we love, grieve, and eventually stumble toward a greater sense of self-awareness. King is perhaps best known by some Steven Universe fans (me) as the voice and writer behind the Steven Universe Future original songs “Being Human,” and “Can’t Hold Me.” We’ll be geeked if she performs either of these cult classics.  Until then, we'll be listening to Special Occasion’s two excellent lead singles, “This Year” and “Medal” on heavy rotation. (Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, Wed May 17, 8 pm, $35-119, tickets here, 21+, w/ Joseph Solomon)