Wake up and smell those cherry blossoms because it’s officially springtime, motherfuckers! It's also officially time to get excited for dance nights, and planning for more outdoor shows this summer. This week might not be the liveliest, but there’s plenty of quality stuff to get jazzed about, including fresh new tracks from folk artist Matt Dorrien and R&B singer TYuS. Plus, epic instrumental trio Khruangbin is bringing their tour to the PNW this July! That’s right, the natural order is being restored whether we’re ready or not.

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MUST-SEE:
One can’t miss upcoming show.

Global Based Presents: Quiero Cumbia

The return of dance parties is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a fresh installment of Global Based Presents: Quiero Cumbia? We missed this night so much! This particular evening will feature una mezcla of both the traditional folkloric cumbia genre, as well as electro-cumbia, and more. The bill is looking pretty remarkable, with acclaimed Portland-based drummer Papi Fimbres (Orquestra Pacifico Tropicale, Sávila, Mascaras) at the top. The bill is then rounded out by eclectic experimental beat project Psychotropika, DJs like Dethmaiden and Sonido Dead Steady (of the PDX Punky Reggae Party series), and the psychedelic/electro-cumbia sounds of 0.VAMPI, who will bring a their trance and death rock qualities to the stage.
(Sat April 2, 9 pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, $15 adv, $20 door, tickets here)

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MUST-LISTEN:
Two great new releases from locally relevant artists.

“That Gets Me Through,” Matt Dorrien

On March 2, folk singer/songwriter Matt Dorrien released “That Gets Me Through,” a new single from his forthcoming album, Blue Pastoral, which comes out May 13 via Portland indie label Mama Bird Recording Co. The new song follows the previously released lead single “Baby, Will You Come Back Home?,” which dropped in November. “'That Gets Me Through’ is one of the album’s centerpieces⏤my song about aging, finding love, acceptance, and peace, despite having not achieved my life’s dreams," Dorrien said, in a release. "I acquiesce to anonymity in exchange for importance in the eyes of the one I love.” The video sees him crooning over a piano, and spending tender moments with his wife.

“OnYourMind,” D Scott, TYuS

Hip-hop/R&B artist D Scott dropped a new song last week, featuring Portland-born R&B singer Tyus Strickland, who's better known as TYuS. Produced by Everett Saint and D Scott, the one-off single stays in the vein of D Scott’s late 2021 EP Stash House Silk, and adds to TYuS’ ongoing slew of singles, like the most recent “Ridin’ Shotgun,” and “Let’s Talk About It.” TYuS’ distinct voice sounds great on the track—which seems crafted specifically for him: downtempo, pining, moody, and sensual. Sadly, it’s just barely over two minutes in length, but at least this long, never-ending string of one-off singles from TYuS makes the ongoing disappointment that we haven’t gotten a new album from him—since 2016’s lovely Never Forget—sting a bit less.

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ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.

Khruangbin

Instrumental psych- and surf-rock trio Khruangbin will bring their heavy grooves to the Edgefield this summer, on July 9, on the Pacific Northwest leg of their 2022 Space Walk Tour. (Psst! They’ll also be in Bend, OR’s Hayden Home Amphitheater, on July 7.) Back in 2019, the three piece from Houston played an absolutely arresting set at Pickathon, which the audience—this critic among them—wished would never end. Ever since, the band's following has steadily grown. Their mesmerizing, often lyric-free tunes feel like sonic landscape paintings that span the desert, jungle, ocean, and everything in between. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to trip on psychedelics and/or just bask in the beauty of Oregon’s outdoors—that’s why it’s so *chef’s kiss* perfect to have them grace the Edgefield’s vineyard setting, under those big ol’ trees during a summer sunset. Tickets for the show are already sold out, but in this case, Stubhub might be worth the price hike.

Khruangbin - Rules - Slab Sessions @Pickathon 2019 S05E06 from Pickathon Festival on Vimeo.