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Bart Budwig: 'Sock Song' [Video Premiere]
Chris Young - Dec 4, 2019
Full of goofy nostalgia—and in honor of National Sock Day, natch—the tender-hearted Eastern Oregon singer-songwriter welcomes us into his musical family for a sock fight! Celebrate the release of...
Life as a Hologram: Superorganism Take Over the Wonder
Bren Swogger - Sep 7, 2018
After a stellar debut and a sold-out Doug Fir set in March, the excitement surrounding Superorganism’s Portland return was high when the band’s latest tour kicked off at the Wonder Ballroom on...
Where Folk Rock Meets Punk: Hop Along at the Wonder Ballroom
Bren Swogger - Aug 14, 2018
Though many shows rely heavily on production to feed the crowd, Hop Along’s set at the Wonder Ballroom proved that raw lyrics and vocal presence are enough to captivate a diverse fanbase.
All Over the Map: Unknown Mortal Orchestra Goes Global
Ryan J. Prado - Apr 5, 2018
UMO’s Ruban Nielson may have traveled the world to record his fourth LP, 'Sex & Food,' but he still spent plenty of time in his Portland basement. Enjoy the fuzzy psych-pop record when it drops on...
From Portland to L.A.: In Conversation with Eli Hirsch of courtship.
Bren Swogger - Jan 23, 2018
After finding his roots in the Portland music scene, Eli Hirsch found his home in Los Angeles and a passion project in courtship. While on the road with his band, Hirsch took some time out to...
Three New Records from Three Portland Artists to Watch
Andrea Janda, Jeni Wren Stottrup, Ryan J. Prado - Nov 13, 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, the city of Portland continues to pump out solid releases from newcomers as well as established acts. With two sophomore efforts and a debut, these are three names you...
Happy Halloween! Korgy & Bass and ADDverse Effects Raise Hairs with 'All Hallows' [Song Premiere]
Chris Young - Oct 30, 2017
The electro and hip-hop mashing duo link up with J. Fiji Azzam, emcee for ADDverse Effects, for a haunted offering. Catch K&B at the Jack London Revue on November 1.
The Glow: Sylvan Esso at the Crystal Ballroom
Bren Swogger - Aug 23, 2017
On the second of two sold-out nights, North Carolina duo Sylvan Esso let us bask in the glow of their productions and lose ourselves to dance in their unique electropop sounds
The Power of Rock and Roll: Royal Blood at the Roseland Theater
Bren Swogger - Aug 18, 2017
With a simple stage setup, English rock duo Royal Blood demonstrated their skill in harnessing the power of rock and putting a focus on the energy of the Portland crowd
Marian Hill: An Exercise in Minimalism
Bren Swogger - Jun 16, 2017
Electronic duo Marian Hill brought together the Crystal Ballroom with minimalist beats and simple stage design
Lords of Portland: Portugal. The Man Stake Their Claim as the Rose City’s Best Band
Thacher Schmid - May 5, 2017
After boldly throwing away three years of work only to start from scratch, Portugal. The Man are set to emerge with their most meaningful material to date. Politically charged and pulsing with...
A Q&A with VÉRITÉ
Bren Swogger - Apr 23, 2017
Get to know up-and-coming pop artist VÉRITÉ in an exclusive interview with Vortex before her tour with Betty Who stops at Portland’s Wonder Ballroom on April 28.
Passenger: Scenes from the Crystal Ballroom
Bren Swogger - Apr 3, 2017
On tour to promote his latest record, 'Young as the Morning, Old as the Sea,' British songwriter Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, brought Portland together for moments of emotion and...
Pop, Jazz and Dance: In Conversation with Spencer Ludwig
Bren Swogger - Mar 18, 2017
Before opening for Bebe Rexha at Portland’s Wonder Ballroom on March 13, rising star Spencer Ludwig sat down backstage for a conversation about touring, his inspirations, and the power of jazz.
Young the Giant: Live From the 'Home of the Strange'
Bren Swogger - Feb 6, 2017
Touring in support of their latest record, Young the Giant took over the Roseland Theater for two sold-out nights full of upbeat yet politically charged anthems.
Darker Tastes: A Preview of XYLØ
Bren Swogger - Oct 24, 2016
Prior to their first visit to Portland, which will kick off their tour with The Naked and Famous, synthpop brother-sister duo XYLØ give Vortex a sneak peek of their music and live set.
James Blake: A Perfect Silence
Bren Swogger - Oct 19, 2016
British electronic singer-songwriter James Blake filled the Roseland Theater with a beautiful and hypnotizing set.
Foals: What Really Went Down at the Crystal Ballroom
Bren Swogger - Oct 5, 2016
Oxford outfit Foals brought their wild and energetic set to the Crystal Ballroom, and their fans did not hold back.
The Bigger, the Better: Nothing But Thieves at the Wonder Ballroom
Bren Swogger - Sep 27, 2016
The British rockers brought their self-titled debut back to Portland for a second time this year—this time to a larger venue, with help from Civil Twilight and The Wrecks.
A Kinship of Music: In Conversation with KT Tunstall
Bren Swogger - Sep 26, 2016
Ahead of her stop in Portland, Vortex talked with acclaimed singer-songwriter KT Tunstall about her new album, 'KIN,' and her US tour so far.
Aesop Rock: A Bazooka Tooth Lives In The Rose City
Sam Gehrke - Aug 17, 2016
After some two decades in the indie rap game, Ian Bavitz's journey has led the vocal acrobat to Portland as he inches closer to becoming a household name.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium and JJUUJJUU at the Roseland Theater
Roddy Jasa - Jul 14, 2016
WARNING: Possible hallucinations may include life-sized dancing crickets, stop-motion animation of body parts, breathing walls and the ghost of John Lennon. Should you choose to endure such...
Local Natives Ready Their Best Album Yet
Sarah Midkiff - Jun 27, 2016
Chatting about the process of making new music and why routine is the bane of creativity before their recent Doug Fir show, Local Natives will return to Portland on September 19 with their third...
Summer Cannibals: An Accidental Breakup Record
Chris Young - May 5, 2016
Everything’s coming together for Portland’s Summer Cannibals as they prep to release their third album on May 27, yet some things have to break apart before it all falls into place. Photos by...
The Enduring Weirdness of Aesop Rock
Sam Gehrke - Apr 29, 2016
Portland’s newest resident brings his verbose rhyming to the Wonder Ballroom on May 7.
The Return of The Gritty Birds Podcast with YACHT
Chris Young - Apr 27, 2016
Go behind the scenes of the music industry and get gritty with pop-punks YACHT, then tune in to XRAY.fm every Thursday from 1 to 1:30pm for new episodes.
The Thermals Won’t Disappear
Chris Young - Mar 8, 2016
Making it look easy for the seventh time, the post-pop punk trio tackles technology, love and death on their new studio record, 'We Disappear,' due out March 25. Catch them at the Wonder Ballroom...
Sticking with What We Know: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at the Wonder Ballroom
Katey Trnka - Jan 26, 2016
Claiming not to be one for the sentimental, Rateliff and his Night Sweats dove right into a soulful set tinged with equal parts snark and nostalgia. Photos by Miss Ellanea
Anything Could Happen: Deerhunter at the Wonder Ballroom
Justin Chase - Oct 23, 2015
The five-piece band embraced spontaneity in a show that encouraged audience participation and improvised music. Photos by Emma Browne
Banjos, Fiddles and Mosh Pits: The Oh Hellos at the Wonder Ballroom
Bren Swogger - Oct 7, 2015
Folk rockers The Oh Hellos, with help from local sisters Joseph, made a stop at Portland’s Wonder leading up to the release of their sophomore album.
Villagers at the Wonder Ballroom
Veronica Rose - Sep 29, 2015
Opening for legendary Brit rocker Paul Weller, be sure to show up early for a set of beautiful, intimate songs from Conor J. O'Brien on October 1. Photos by Veronica Rose
Memories, Music and the Remarkable Staying Power of Blonde Redhead
Sam Gehrke - Sep 21, 2015
Warm and fuzzy nostalgia hung heavy in the air of the Wonder Ballroom on September 19 as the dreamy noise rock trio left an elegant, mysterious impression on Portland.
The Growlers with The Pesos at the Wonder Ballroom
Roddy Jasa - Sep 13, 2015
The ballroom keeps the summer heat aflame with a heavy dose of sun-scorched surf rock on September 16. Plus a second date has just been added for the following night at Mississippi Studios.
Shut Up and Play the Hits: Wilco at Edgefield
Roddy Jasa - Aug 12, 2015
The Chicago rockers gave Edgefield's sold-out crowd far more than they bargained for on August 9 with a huge set list just weeks after dropping a surprise new album. Photos by Emma Browne
Wilco Returns to the Lawn at Edgefield
Roddy Jasa - Aug 6, 2015
McMenamins' Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn welcomes back Chicago’s most famous alt-rock band for an evening of snappy hooks and exploratory rock and roll on August 9.
Showmanship Comes to the Forefront for Smallpools
Bren Swogger - May 29, 2015
Supporting their debut album, Smallpools brought their incredible indie pop back to the Wonder Ballroom along with Grizfolk and Hunter Hunted.
Of Monsters and Men Share ‘Beneath the Skin’ with an Intimate Crowd
Bren Swogger - May 26, 2015
In the weeks leading up to the release of their new album, the Icelandic folk band performed to a small, sold-out crowd at the Roseland on back-to-back nights.
Tame Impala and Kuroma at the Roseland Theater
Roddy Jasa - May 15, 2015
In the midst of a hectic summer of festival touring, the ambassadors of Aussie psych rock look to awaken Portland’s consciousness on May 27.
Sylvan Esso: Promoting Electronic Energy Without Electronics
Bren Swogger - Apr 30, 2015
North Carolina electronic duo Sylvan Esso busted down the digital wall with a ravishing set at a sold-out Crystal Ballroom. Photos by Tomas Alfredo Valladares
Rediscovered Treasures and Future Classics: Belle and Sebastian with Perfume Genius at the Roseland Theater
Robinson Eaton - Apr 8, 2015
See two pop classics—one present and one future—on April 9.
The Districts and Pine Barons at the Doug Fir Lounge
Roddy Jasa - Feb 25, 2015
Youthful energy will liven up a Monday night in Portland on March 2.
Tennis Brightens Up Winter
Ollie Collins - Jan 21, 2015
Sometimes when a band’s sound develops, they lose touch of their roots. This was not the case with Tennis at the Wonder Ballroom on January 16. Photos by Christina Bargel
A Family Affair With The Fords
Chris Young - Nov 19, 2014
A day out with Sallie Ford and her decidedly original family. Photo by Benjamin Wu
Starfucker: From Doug Firs To Desert
Chris Young - Nov 18, 2014
STRFKR's Josh Hodges has been looking forward to a year off since moving to L.A. Unfortunately, 2014 wasn't that year—but it did see the much-loved PDX dance makers play both Coachella and Red...
Peter Hook Revisits Some of New Order's Classics
Marlowe Merrill - Nov 6, 2014
Hooky, the ex-New Order member, in conversation with Vortex in advance of revisiting both ‘Low-Life’ and ‘Brotherhood’ in their entirety at the Wonder Ballroom on November 20 with his band The Light.
Mostly Smooth Sailing: A Q&A with Tennis’ Patrick Riley
Ollie Collins - Oct 22, 2014
Although Tennis was forced to reschedule their October show in Portland, in the days leading up to it Vortex got the chance to chat with Riley about food, the new album ‘Ritual In Repeat,’...
Brooklyn Pop in Portland
Ollie Collins - Oct 15, 2014
New York bands The Drums and Beverly provided the pre-rain soundtrack at Portland’s Star Theater on October 8.
