Issue 1 — May/June 2014
Vortex Music Magazine
From The Editor
We Have No Choice
Chris Young - May 5, 2014
“I really think what it comes down to for any musician is that you’ve got to be half crazy and you can’t just be doing it because you love it—you do it because you have no choice.”
The Portland Playlist
The Portland Playlist: Aan
Chris Young - May 1, 2014
Local artists tell Vortex about the songs that inspire their music—plus a couple of tracks they just can't live without. Listen to Aan's playlists and then download a track from the band's latest...
The Portland Playlist
The Portland Playlist: Liv Warfield [Previously Unreleased Song Premiere]
Chris Young - May 1, 2014
Local artists tell Vortex about the songs that inspire their music—plus a couple of tracks they just can't live without. Listen to Liv Warfield's playlist and then download a brand new, previously...
New In #PDXmusic
Paradise Lost—and Found
John Chandler - Apr 22, 2014
A rock and roll couple survives the labor pains of making a second album. Out today, the Portland four-piece will celebrate its release on May 3 at the Doug Fir with The Upsidedown and The Suicide...
New In #PDXmusic
Coma Serfs: Like a Punk Kid Waltzing with a Polar Bear
Thor Benson - Apr 28, 2014
Psychedelic rock that feels like ruining someone's beach party, Coma Serfs hold down the fort at Bunk Bar—as they've been known to do—on May 1 with The Pharmacy and The Blank Tapes' Matt Adams and...
New In #PDXmusic
Joy Pearson: Breaking and Mending
Andrea Janda - May 1, 2014
The agnostic daughter of a pastor father, Joy Pearson’s first seven-track EP, 'Breaker,' is out this May. Citing Willie Nelson’s 'Red Headed Stranger' as an example of how to communicate a...
New In #PDXmusic
Exroyale: Moon Music
Eric Skelton - May 1, 2014
Without revealing band photos or even their own names, the mysterious trio of Portland electro-poppers have managed to establish a strong image for themselves—even though they've only released one...
Ex-PDX
Joe Haege Checks In From Parts Unknown
Ryan J. Prado - May 5, 2014
From L.A. to Leipzig, Germany, Joe Haege may have left the Rose City for the time being, but he still has plans for another 31Knots record in the fall and has been plugging away at a new Vin...
Side Projects
Side Projects: Dreamboat
Robert Ham - May 5, 2014
Listening to the collaboration between singer-songwriter Ilyas Ahmed and the experimental duo Golden Retriever, comparisons aren’t easy to come by, yet there’s a strange inevitability to the...
News
Northwest Summer Festivals and Concert Series
Chris Young - May 5, 2014
Whether in rain or (preferably) shine, we Portlanders flock together en masse to enjoy the season’s offerings of outdoor music. Explore what's happening this summer using our budding Northwest...
Portraits of Portland Music
Portraits of Portland Music
Chris Young - May 5, 2014
Seven musicians of diverse genres and backgrounds offer their perspectives on the community, culture and business that’s alive in Portland’s music scene today—featuring insight and anecdotes from...
Portraits of Portland Music
Behind The Scene: Jealous Butcher Records Founder Rob Jones
Ryan J. Prado - May 6, 2014
While you may not know his name, you definitely know the names of the artists he’s worked alongside. Photos by Autumn Andel.
Resources
Turntables
Jeff Dorgay - May 5, 2014
Longing for a turntable? Vortex's Jeff Dorgay offers three tables that come in small, medium and large prices that'll affordably get you spinning vinyl—so you can, of course, save the rest of your...
History
Vortex I: A Strange Oregon Trip
Matt Love - May 6, 2014
Matt Love, the resident historian of our namesake festival, looks back in time to the only state-sponsored rock festival in American history and offers new, never-before-published anecdotes and...-
Portland's Masquerade Ball featuring MarchFourth Marching Band, Just People and Cellotronik at Refuge on Dec. 14, 2013
Photos by Autumn Andel
February 21, 2014 9:25pm
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Sallie Ford's Final Night with The Sound Outside at the Doug Fir Lounge with Wooden Indian Burial Ground on Dec. 21, 2013
Photos by Kyle Carnes
February 27, 2014 10:51am
Winter 2021
Through the pandemic, police violence and racial injustice, Black music remains resilient in Portland. Full of the Black voices and perspectives that Portland needs to hear like #PDXmusic makers and shakers Parisalexa, Jordan Fletcher, People Music., Trap Kitchen, Produce and many more.
Spring 2020
When the world goes dark, music is our light. In a blink, Covid-19 devastated the music industry. Together, we'll adapt and evolve. Vortex will continue to provide hope and offer perspective—plus share new music from Sir Nai, Isabeau Waia'u Walker, Frankie Simone, Gaytheist and Wipers.
Winter 2020
Being a musician isn’t just sex, drugs and rock and roll. In fact, that’s a very unsustainable lifestyle. In pursuit of health and wellness for Portland musicians, let’s explore how we can support the well-being of our community. Plus new music from Lisa Vazquez, Rose City Band and MAITA.
Fall 2019
Explore the experimental in Portland music: Discover our city’s experimental music sanctuaries, where nothing is off limits and diving deep is celebrated. Plus new music from Wynne, Abronia, Green Hills Alone, Projekt Records and Spotted Peccary Music.
Summer 2019
In Bridge City, our music community seeks to overcome immigration politics and connect global communities by building bridges, not boundaries. Plus new music from Rasheed Jamal, Nosila, Help, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, J. Graves, Summer Cannibals and Aan.
Spring 2019
In Portland’s music scene, the pairing of music and Mary Jane goes beyond stereotypes. Cannabis complements—and improves—the lives of local musicians. Explore the ways they intersect, plus new music from Kid Indigo, The Get Ahead, Haley Johnsen and Anna Tivel, record labels to watch, podcasts...
Winter 2019
The #MeToo movement affects individuals at all levels, but we have the power to create change! Explore insight from Olivia Awbrey, Y La Bamba, Shook Twins and #WomenCrush Music, plus new music from Merō, KayelaJ and Fox and Bones, record labels to watch, podcasts and more.
Fall 2018
Get to know the Portlanders who craft innovative, world-renowned instruments and gear right here in your own backyard—from guitars, pedals, cables and amps to microphones and more. Plus new music from Donte Thomas, Maarquii, May Arden, soul legend Ural Thomas and record labels to watch.
Summer 2018
Explore where food, drink and music collide with restaurants, chefs, festivals and beverages that pair with the music world. Plus new music from Chanti Darling, YOB, Witch Mountain, No Kind of Rider, Fritzwa and Samuel Eisen-Meyers and a look at the career of blues legend Norman Sylvester.
Spring 2018
The Rose City is full of incredible rooms dedicated to capturing the sounds of our local musicians. Take a look at several notable spaces, producers and engineers, plus hear new music from Laura Veirs, UMO, Moorea Masa, Matt Dorrien, Ezza Rose, The Pariahs, BlackWater HolyLight and more!
Winter 2018
Portland's music community is just that. Explore family and friendship in the local scene through Typhoon and the traditions of roots music, including a very special home at the LaurelThirst. Hear new music from Fruition, Kyle Craft, Drowse, Salvatore Manalo, Reo Cragun and more!
Fall 2017
Portland’s do-it-yourself attitude is one of our greatest assets. Explore Aminé's DIY roots and rise to fame, check out new #PDXmusic from Autonomics, Wild Ones, Mo Troper and Lenore., and take a peek at Damian Lillard's rising rap career.
Summer 2017
Your guide to summer sounds in Portland features the best new #PDXmusic from Myke Bogan, The Domestics, RAC, Sunbathe, Tribe Mars, Nick Delffs and more—plus Dolly Parton!
Spring 2017
From emerging new artists to Portland's reigning royalty, this issue features Portugal. The Man, Eyelids, Little Star, Skull Diver and Cassow alongside a guide to Northwest festivals, The Portland Underground, beer and bands, insights into music licensing, and our birthday playlist.
Winter 2017
This year, turn challenges into opportunities. Find inspiration in the sounds of new #PDXmusic—from pop to hip-hop to the protest song—and come together as a community at concerts. It’s up to us to make this year better than last.
Fall 2016
Minority populations have made significant contributions to the Rose City’s culture while being systematically excluded at the same time. We must grow together to preserve the communities and culture we want to succeed in Portland.
Summer 2016
The Portland Underground is alive and well: Explore new music and record labels and dive into the DIY all-ages scene, plus read features on Thanks and Aesop Rock.
Spring 2016
Can a band really make it big in Portland? What does that even mean anymore? This issue explores possible answers as Storm Large, The Decemberists, The Thermals, The Dandy Warhols, Mo Troper and others offer their advice and insights.
Winter 2016
Exploring the evolution of an overlooked scene in Portland, find out about the city's jazz history and look at where the homegrown, incomparably worthy scene is going. Plus new music from The Thermals, Radiation City and The Ghost Ease, and learn how to sell out your next gig!
Fall 2015
Portland's for sale but that brand doesn't fit into a neat Portlandia-sized box: Look at what's sold versus what’s real through the lens of the local hip-hop and heavy metal scenes to find out what it means to go from surviving to thriving—and maybe even sold. Plus, read features on EL VY, Grace...
Summer 2015
Following the road to the perfect festival, Waterfront Blues Fest performers share their playlists while an in-depth article looks at the history of Pickathon. Plus, members of The Decemberists, Blind Pilot, Pink Martini and RAC share their festival survival tips. And more!
Spring 2015
From women in music to a guide of Portland venues, there's room for indie rock legends Sleater-Kinney, The Thermals and The Decemberists as well as the burgeoning talents of Shy Girls and Manny Monday alongside the incomparable Thara Memory and drummer extraordinaire Papi Fimbres—plus more!
Winter 2014
What's in store for issue #3? A feature on Larry Crane of Jackpot! Recording Studio and Tape Op magazine, Farnell Newton's Portland Playlist, the history of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, a holiday gift guide and much more.
July/August 2014
Gary Houston, Willy Vlautin, Curtis Salgado, Blue Skies For Black Hearts, Scott Pemberton and more.
