Hello dear readers! It’s your starry-eyed music editor here back from a revitalizing week in Sou’Wester. (Did y’all see that eclipse?) 

For the uninitiated, Sou’Wester is an enchanting little getaway in Seaview, Washington, just across the bridge from Astoria. It serves as a resort of sorts, with an array of charmingly decked out vintage trailers. They often host live shows, ceramic workshops, and artist residencies—plus, it’s walking distance from the beach. I stayed in the Champion—a cute little camper with a piano, wooden amp, and assorted percussion instruments—and buckled down to write a flurry of strange sounds. I spent a cool four nights out there fervently putting together an eccentric mix inspired by Música Popular Brasileira (Popular Brazilian Music A.K.A. MPB), samba, and screamo, with an accent of panic chords in my new favorite guitar tuning: DADGAE. 

All this to say… forgive me, for this week’s music picks are a bit shorter than usual! But while short, they are sweet, and I put a lot of thought into my Top 4 (four is a nice even number, right?) and added a list of more with a speed date kinda feel. Now go put yourself out there and let’s dance!

Thursday, September 3

Silvana Estrada

For fans of Violeta Parra, Natalia Lafourcade, Mon Laferte

Atop a soft and gentle croon of organic instrumentation, Silvana Estrada’s voice floats like a shooting star gliding across the sky. Passionate, raw, and utterly charismatic, Estrada carries the heart of Veracruz with her—alongside a Latin Grammy and a heap of well-earned acclaim. I’m sitting here watching Estrada’s Tiny Desk performance with my jaw dropped, trying not to burst into tears in the Mercury office. Not only is her voice undeniably incredible (wow), but the way she carries a performance from a gut-wrenching grief-stricten tonality to a twinkle-eyed smile seamlessly speaks volumes to her devotion to performance. The true admiration of the musicians playing alongside her seems to attest to this as well. Like a star, Estrada is one of a kind, and one you’ll want to hear.

(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8 pm, $45 – $61.25, more info, all ages)

Friday, September 4

Noname—10-Year Anniversary of Telefone

For fans of Erykah Badu, Jamila Woods, OSHUN

It’s been 10 years since Noname’s acclaimed release Telefone (2016) entered the world and it’s time for a little birthday celebration. Chicago-born rapper and activist Noname got her start in slam poetry, eventually building hype around the highly anticipated release after an appearance on Chance the Rapper’s Acid Rap. Noname’s debut experimental mixtape feels as personal and intimate as curling up in bed, whispering secrets on the phone to a friend. Pairing sweet choir harmonies with authentic lyrics, Noname swims in an expressive ocean, floating atop soft beats, steady organ, and lofi jazz that carries a current of both grief and hope. Now a decade past its release, Noname is back to celebrate the start of her musical journey. 

(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8 pm, $50.50-$72.25, more info, all ages)

Zoh Amba, Bijoux Cone

For fans of Big Thief, Wednesday, Bright Eyes

What do you get when you combine the vocal sensibilities of Wednesday and Joanna Newsom, and toss in a bit of Adrianne Lenker’s Big Thief energy mixed with a dash of Patti Smith’s avant-garde progressions? Well, you’d get close to the likeness of Zoh Amba’s latest concoction: Eyes Full. It’s a little bit country, sure, but laced with the complexity of an intricately trained jazz all star—which Amba most certainly is. Known in the free jazz circuit, Amba is returning to their Tennessee roots, sonically switching gears with this latest release on Matador Records. Eyes Full seems to serve as a unique and refreshing commentary on the complexity of sound, twisting twang with something altogether deep and dissonant. And what a perfect pairing to have Portland’s own avant-punk star Bijoux Cone sharing the bill! This is a night for all you tender-heated art freaks out there (calling myself out, I personally can’t wait for this one!) 

(Show Bar, 1300 SE Stark #101, 8 pm, $19.27, more info, all ages)

Saturday, September 5

Powder, Nico Tobón

For fans of Cosmo, Nina Yamada, Elena Colombi

Portland may look sleepy after bar hours, but there’s still a place to party deep into the night. Weekends at Process PDX are a journey from the dance floor into the depths of movement, bringing a wide array of talented international acts to the underground scene. Japanese artist Momoko Goto—known on the dancefloor as Powder—takes a delicate and detailed approach to DJing by mixing complex rhythmic jazz with groovy house as a celebration of time, honoring dance as a form of self transformation. Powder will be joined by the talented Denver-based artist and founder of event series Con Amor, DJ Nico Tobón. 

(Process PDX, 5040 SE Milwaukie, 10 pm-4 am, $27.60-$33.15, Trans and BIPOC tickets available for $11.05, more info, 21+)

But wait, there’s more! Be sure to check these out:

Wednesday, September 2

Mini Trees, Coral Grief, Alexandra Burress
(Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Ct, 8 pm, $18-$23.38, more info, 21+)

Patrick Barber, Anna Vo, Haunta
(Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8 NE Killingsworth, 8 pm, $10, more info, 21+)

Thursday, September 3

Dae Bryant Group
(The 1905, 8 NE Killingsworth, 8 pm, $10, more info, 21+)

Friday, September 4

Juno Driver, MyVeronica, Keysmash, Spiderling
(Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8 NE Killingsworth, 8 pm, $10, more info, 21+)

Friday-Sunday, September 4-6

Montavilla Jazz Festival
(Various locations, $25-$255, more info, all ages)

Saturday, September 5

Sand Duney (Album Release), Cynthia Nelson Band (Album Release), Dragging an Ox Through Water
(Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8 NE Killingsworth, 8 pm, $10, more info, 21+)

W.I.T.C.H.
(Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, $40.31, more info, all ages)

Zastava, Yudai, Hewn
(Musicians Local Union 99, 325 NE 20th, 7:30 pm, $10, more info, all ages)

Tuesday, September 8

Yuma Abe, Dakota Theim
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $20-$26.20, more info, 21+)

Wednesday, September 9

Pallbearer Ordh, Shield Maiden
(Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Ct, 8 pm, $25-$32.36, more info, 21+)

Vista House, Babytooth, Bory
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $5-$7.72, more info, 21+)