Itâs no secret that Portland is attracting a shitload of transplants and newcomers, but thatâs probably ultimately a good thing, at least for the music climate. And itâs not all just folk singers and indie-rock bands either! This city is home to a plethora of talented artists and bands creating hip-hop, pop, soul, cumbia, electronic music, and much more. Hereâs just a smattering of them.
Amenta Abioto
Portland singer/songwriter Amenta Abioto has yet to release a debut full-length, and she only has a couple of loosies available on streaming services. But thatâs okay, because the best way to consume Abiotoâs music is live, where the artist weaves her soulful voice through a looping machine, creating her tracks right in front of you. This allows her songsâlike the chill-inducing call-to-action âRevolutionâ and the come-hither anthem âI Would Likeââto sound a little different each time.
Dan Dan
Dan Dan is Eric Burch and Sarah McKenna playing synths, along with vocalist and bassist Misty Mary and drummer Parker Hall. The four-piece makes dance-y, electro-futurist rock, and their debut album 77 is loaded with Krautrock influences, space vibes, and psychedelia. âFreestyle Memoriesâ is a definite highlight, blending an emotional riff with robotic vocal effects and live drums.
Reva DeVito
Portland-based pop/R&B singer Reva DeVito has been making waves for a while now. In 2014 she linked up with electronic/hip-hop/dance producer KAYTRANADA for âFriday Night,â and then again in 2016 for âThe Move.â In 2017, she put out This Time, a collaborative, ocean-themed album with producer B. Bravo that blends soul influences with a nostalgic â90s pop sound. Now sheâs working on her next solo album and playing new material around town.
Brown Calculus
Space-jazz duo Brown Calculus comprises vocalist Vaughn Kimmons (Brown Alice) and producer/keyboardist Andre Burgos (Brown Calvin), who also play together in Tribe Mars. (Earlier this year, Kimmons was invited to become a voting member of the Recording Academy, AKA the Grammys.) The duoâs known for their soothing sound, a sort of interplanetary post-soul that pairs Aliceâs mesmerizing vocals and spoken-word verses with Calvinâs prowess on the keys. Stand-out tracks from their debut EP Live at the Map Room include âSelf Careâ and âGood Job.â
Tribe Mars
This soul/hip-hop fusion bandâwhose sizeable lineup includes an MC, three vocalists, drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, and a saxophonistâis one of the townâs greatest treasures. The group came into their own with the addition of vocalist Vaughn Kimmons and Andre Burgos on keys. Their impressive self-titled debut from 2018 plays around at the intersection of psychedelic soul, hip-hop, and jazz. Songs like the subdued âSun Raisin,â or the funkified âBest Fishesâ are just two highlights from this bandâs beautifully complex catalog.
Plastic Cactus
Plastic Cactusâ desert-inspired psych-surf has a super-cool, easygoing vibe, and the bandâs sunset performance at PDX Pop Now! was an audio/visual treat. Led by the exquisite harmonies of Brooke Metropulos and Michaela Gradstein (both guitar/vocals), the quartetâs dreamy, guitar-driven surf and desert rock sounds like a movie soundtrack waiting to happen. Check out their most recent project Moth Eyes, the follow-up to 2017âs Pricks.
Fountaine
In the past Iâve referred to rapper/producer Fountaine as a hometown hero, because heâs one of the most visible, talented, hilarious, and interesting hip-hop artists working in the scene. Fountaineâs rise has been characterized by his affinity for animeâa prominent theme in his earlier rapsâand willingness to cross over into R&B territory. As an MC/DJ/producer, Fountaineâs potential knows no bounds.
Cry Babe
Indie rock/dream pop trio Cry Babe is one of Portlandâs coolest new bands. Their 2019 debut EP Be Cool is a radical selection of crashing drums, punky guitars, and lead singer AnaĂŻs Genevieveâs hearty, pitch-perfect vocals. A Mercury favorite is âSoft Honk,â which claps back at a street harasser (âYouâre not my friend/youâre just some creepy guyâ) with a catchy melody and some of the most relatable lyrics of all time.
Orquestra Pacifico Tropical
Led by drummer Papi Fimbres (Portlandâs busiest musician), Orquestra Pacifico Tropical (OPT) includes members of MĂĄscaras, Dreckig, Bitchân, And And And, Eagle Sun King, Point Juncture WA, Modernstate, Jippedo, and Quiet Countries. Last year the 11-piece band released El Tren to positive reception. Having become famous (at least locally) for their lively performances that get everybody on their feet, OPT is now one of the hottest tickets in town.
Mic Capes
North Portland-bred rapper Mic Capes is one of the hip-hop sceneâs most beloved and celebrated acts. In addition to being charismatic and commanding onstage, Capesâ content is raw, and the MC just keeps the quality output coming. Capes followed up his debut LP Concrete Dreams with a Sheesh EP in 2017, and then recently dropped his Cold Blooded project. A Mic Capes starter pack for noobs: âFive Finger Discount,â âBlack Pearls,â âWell Known,â and âMenace.â