Summer is nigh, letâs get high. Yes, letâs kiss that epic, super-sunny month of May goodbye by getting excited about things happening in June. Namely, Kingsley returns to her old stomping grounds to headline the Thesis, Dust Raps the Blues delivers an impressive third album, and later on, a stacked local bill at Polaris Hall.Â
MUST SEE:
Upcoming local show(s) featuring local artist(s).
The Thesis: Kingsley
Soulful pop singer Kingsley is set to headline the June edition of Portlandâs popular monthly hip-hop series, the Thesis. She left Portland and moved to London last summer, so when she comes back for a visit she comes back to slay. Kingsleyâs been clocking major time onstage, so we're excited to see her grace the small room inside biker bar Kellyâs Olympian with raspy vocals and extra-seasoned live show presence. If youâre looking for a teaser of what to expect, youâre in luck. In the last month, Kingsley released a slew of live performance videos, filmed at the Clinton Street Theater, featuring songs like âLife After You,â heartbroken and radio-ready single âAll Me,â âStill Crying,â and a cover of Calvin Harris and the Disciplesâ collab âHow Deep Is Your Loveâânot to be confused with the Bee Gees song. Also on the Thesis bill, rapper and singer Jai Baby, Horizon the Alien, and IAmJordan will all rock and warm up the stage. (Kellyâs Olympian, 426 SW Washington, Thurs June 1, 9 pm, $15 adv, $20 door, tickets here, 21+)
MUST LISTEN:Â
New release(s) from a Portland-relevant artist.Â
Problems, Dust Raps the Blues
Following up his 2022 Sometimes Itâs Good to Feel Bad, Dust Raps the Blues dropped a new album Problems this past April. In nearly every wayâexcept for his rapping versesâProblems is a blues-informed offering. Within the tracks you'll hear Dust touch on Satan, long drives, and gritty miseryâall blues topic standards. A through-line vibe of self loathing mixed equally with drunken confidence feels appropriately engrossing. Beyond the genre homage, Problems also shows off Dust's impeccable ear for production. Highlights include a gorgeous guitar solo from Rick Klaras (of JRK) on â88 Corvette,â the delightfully chaotic âI Canât Quit You Baby,â and âCircus Net,â which features Cali rapper Planet Asia and production by Eugene artist Calvin Valentine.Â
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:Â
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.
Night Heron, Les Gold, Foamboy
 Hereâs another all-Portland bill thatâs definitely worth putting on the calendar: Indie band Night Heron specialize in super smooth R&B and irresistibly chill vibes. Fans can expect their most recent project, 2021âs excellent Instructions for the Night, is likely the main on the menu for this show, which happens just a couple days after the start of summer! Support for the bill comes by way of melodic indie rock outfit Les Goldâs gloomy disco, and the pop musings of duo Foamboyâproducer Wil Bakula and vocalist Katy Ohsiek. (Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Ct, Fri June 23, 8 pm, $15, tickets here, 21+)
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