At the time of this column’s filing, I am 12 weeks postpartum, potty training a three year old, and exclusively breastfeeding a three month old. As someone who’s already overwhelmed with the happenings of my inner world—while also being aware of the atrocities, injustices, genocides, wars, fascism, and disenfranchisement happening globally—I don’t have much of an appetite for music “news” these days. Just give me the good stuff, slam it straight into my veins.
This September, I am honing in on the necessities—choosing quality over quantity so I can be fully present, maximize joy, and just feel fucking good as I spend this fall emotionally processing my three year-old starting preschool. Here are three local music developments and experiences that might just feel cathartic for all of us.
MUST SEE:
Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s).
The Thesis: Majik9 / Wavy Josef / [E]mpress / Dissimilar / DJ Verbz
Lollipop Shoppe owner Elizabeth Elder recently put out a call for financial help on social media, explaining that the venue is on the verge of having to close its doors due to financial reasons, appealing to Portland’s dense music communities for support. In both an Instagram post and on Lollipop’s GoFundMe page, Elder urges the venue’s fans, and members of the music community to pay them a visit soon, or, if one is able, to support the Central Eastside staple with a monetary donation via their GoFundMe (or alternatively, by sending contributions via Venmo to @loseyrmind). The venue is an invaluable part of Portland’s music ecosystem, having become a consistent gathering place for music and dance nights since Dig A Pony opened in 2011, with Elder now continuing that tradition as Lollipop Shoppe, curating a music calendar welcoming an ever-expanding variety of genres and music communities.
The best way to support the venue is by attending shows and ordering a couple rounds of drinks—the monthly hip-hop showcase, The Thesis, is a great place to start! The 10-year concert series moved from its longtime home at Kelly’s Olympian to Lollipop Shoppe in spring of 2024, where the monthly currently maintains its streak of delivering live hip-hop (as well as R&B and other subgenres) every first Thursday without fail. The September 2025 installment looks particularly appealing, with rapper/singer Majik9 as headliner. We love her catchy summery single “Dum Ditty Dum,” as well as the Destiny’s Child-influenced “Leave Ya Man,” both flute-tinged, made with producer Evvnflo. She’ll be joined by Thesis regulars and emcees including the versatile Wavy Josef, rap/rock fusionist [E]mpress, plus the debut of Dissimilar, a crew and collective led by Majik9. As always, legendary resident DJ Verbz is on the 1s and 2s getting the night going, maintaining stellar vibes throughout. Tickets are just $10 if purchased in advance, $15 at the door. (Lollipop Shoppe, Thurs Sept 4, 9 pm, more info here, 21+)
MUST LISTEN:
New release(s) from Portland-relevant artist(s).
uLu Selects Vol #2 by Portugal. The Man
In June, Portland-based experimental-pop, psych-rockers Portugal. The Man dropped a surprise EP, uLu Selects Vol #2. Named after an ulu, a traditional crescent-shaped knife used by Indigenous Arctic peoples, the EP’s four songs developed during sessions for their previous album, 2023’s Chris Black Changed My Life. Across four tracks, the band gets vulnerable, leaning into the current chaos. There’s the swelling and moody opener “V.I.S.” and the Jeff Bhasker-produced “Silver Spoons” featuring Lucius, feeling like a high and its inevitable comedown. The tracks see their protagonist become a “demon in a devil town” to survive earth’s harsh environment: “I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth / Now that Daddy's gone / It's time to bring the devil out / Been sucking on the titty of the city / Now it's drying out.” There’s also “Big Baby Bigota" featuring Francisca Valenzuela, Estereomance, and Jeff Bhasker, and the danceable closer “I Got This” featuring Paul Williams. This November, the Wasilla, Alaska-to-Portland, Oregon rock band kick off their “Denali Tour” with two back-to-back nights at Portland’s Revolution Hall. “What a turbulent world, what a discombobulated time. What a moment to move through, what a country to tour,” reads a recent caption from the band’s Instagram announcing “The Denali Tour,” proceeding to explain the meaning behind the tour’s title: “It’s the name of a mountain, twenty-thousand feet high, 6 million years old. Some things are bigger than the present, steadier than feelings: Certain, defiant, unmovable, clear. Maybe—maybe—music is one of them too. Let’s keep our chins up. Because that’s the only way to see the mountain: A fury of hot magma that turned into rock. Music is one of them too.” The band also teased an upcoming full-length record, so their tour kickoff shows at Revolution Hall in November should be epic.
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to add to your radar.
Ice Cube
Where the fuck does the time go? It’s been almost a decade since Ice Cube (AKA O'Shea Jackson Sr.) last performed live in Portland. In 2016, the rapper-songwriter-actor rocked a thrilling, bucket list-worthy set at Project Pabst in Waterfront Park, fresh off the heels of the film Straight Outta Compton’s success in which his son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. (who is the spitting image of his father) plays young Ice Cube. During his Project Pabst set, Jackson Jr. actually joined his father on stage to perform classic N.W.A. hits like “Fuck Tha Police,” “Gangsta Gangsta,” and more. This time Cube brings all that West Coast gusto to an even bigger Portland audience, delivering nostalgic renditions of songs like “It Was A Good Day.” One of the greatest rap songs of all time that, for some of us, was part of the soundtrack to our adolescence and young adulthood. (Moda Center, Mon Sept 22, 8 pm, more info here, all ages)
