Browsing Tag

Portland

Clarke John worries about that impending change on the Chillhop mind-soother, ‘Snowing In Shasta’

Posted on 24 February 2022

With a nostalgically supreme beat that stirs your tired body awake and has you reminiscing about your own life, Clarke John shows us that emotionally hungry track that so many of us can relate to in this anxious world we live in with, ‘Snowing In Shasta‘.

Clarke Weigel aka Clarke John is a Portland, Oregon-based indie Chillhop artist and music producer who has made a Lo-fi single that will have you pressing repeat.

”After discovering his love for music when he was 14, he now uses his passion for the art form to express himself in ways that words cannot.” ~ Clarke John

With a mellow atmosphere that has you in such a reflective mood as you dig deep into those childhood memories, Clarke John brings us a real gem that is wrapped with honest lyrics – and a head-nodding speaker-hugger – that will have you thinking back to what is actually important for you in life.

‘Snowing In Shasta‘ from Portland, Oregon-based indie Hip hop artist Clarke John, is one of the most soulful tracks you will hear all year. This is the story about worrying about change and being scared of that new picture that might end up being cracked and not the same as that previous home you treasure. With a pacifying beat that has you gazing outside and worrying about what is coming next, this is an honest single which is filled with a melodic ambience you will find easy to fall in love with.

For some life is about knowing that everything is staying the same, while for others, constant change is more normal than it should be.

Listen up to this new chill track on Spotify and see more of his style on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Pure Class: Portland fingerstyle guitarist John Evergon shows us into the ‘Reflection’ (Mulan cover)

Posted on 24 December 2021

Written and produced by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel for the soundtrack of Disney’s 1998 animated film Mulan, John Evergon reminds us of the song that become extra famous due to the incredible talents of Christina Aguilera with his own version of ‘Reflection‘ (Mulan cover).

John Evergon is a Portland, Oregon-based indie fingerstyle guitarist who fuses in jazz, blues, and rock, through the lens of the wholehearted love he has for his hometown and its beautiful landscape.

”John Evergon released an instrumental rendition of the Mulan Soundtrack “Reflection” in Dec 2021. This marvellous song wonderfully written by Matthew Wilder & David Zippel more than two decades ago captured John’s attention during the last Christmas holidays right after releasing his rendition of “Hallelujah”. ~ John Evergon

Showing us his premier talents that have you gently shutting your eyes to carefully consume all the tranquil melodies that you hear in your delighted soul, John Evergon leads us into a much happier place that is only filled with his guitar playing of the very highest standard imaginable.

”Writing fingerstyle compositions in many tunings rooted in genres of progressive-rock and smooth jazz, has allowed John to grow and strive as an instrumental artist.” ~ John Evergon

‘Reflection‘ (Mulan cover) from the Portland, Oregon fingerstyle guitarist John Evergon, is a quite brilliant showing from an artist who performs with such a classy mindset. He reminds us that by taking time to think and reflect on our lives, we can indeed move to a much better place than before. With a soulful mentality so clear to see, this is such a peaceful effort that will have you daydreaming about those better days ahead on the better path you have chosen.

See this new single on YouTube and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

No One Stays: Portland’s Mo Schulte knows that she can be ‘Hard To Love’

Posted on 20 November 2021

Spurred on by listening to a Taylor Swift track when she was just six years old, Mo Schulte shows us her splendid vocal ability on her latest single all about possibly being a bit too tough on herself for those lifelong mannerisms on ‘Hard To Love‘.

Mo Schulte is a very likeable and authentic solo indie-pop artist and bedroom music producer, who is based in Portland, Oregon.

”Over the years, Mo has fallen completely in love with songwriting. She loves having the ability to beautifully express such ugly emotions when struggling with mental health and heartbreak. She also uses music to articulate her love and gratitude for the people in her life.” ~ Mo Schulte

Mo Schulte projects her vividly described story into our lives about warning any potential lovers that she might be a bit difficult at first – but once she is comfortable – things will surely change for the better as the trust factor will be there.

‘Hard To Love‘ from the Portland, Oregon-based indie-pop artist Mo Schulte, is an honest track about pointing out those flaws which you know are prevalent in your life. Sung with such a flourishing gusto and written with a cleverly introspective style, this is a singer who knows who she is and isn’t apologizing for anything.

Being yourself is the best way to live after all, as long as you aren’t hurting anybody else along the way.

Check out this top new track on Spotify and see more of their stories on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Something Special: Strange and the Familiars are compellingly brilliant on ‘This Is a Test’

Posted on 6 November 2021

Moving on from romantic themes they performed before, Strange and the Familiars are quite superlative on the jazzy/rock and soul filled new single ‘This Is a Test‘.

Strange and the Familiars is a 4-piece Portland, USA-based indie genre-defying band who are lead by the scintillating lead singer Stephanie Strange.

Taken off their latest 9-track album ‘Strange World‘, this is a mesmerizing effort from a band at the peak of the creative powers, with a truly ear-warming vocal experience that certainly perks your ears up like a curious kitty cat.

”Combining crafted lyrics laced with dark humor, with rock and blues guitar and orchestral cello and drums, Strange leads captivated audiences from a neighborhood in NE Portland to the dreamscape and back home where humanity sits at a crossroads.” ~ Strange and the Familiars

‘This Is a Test‘ from the incredible Portland-based indie jazz/rock/soul outfit Strange and the Familiars, is one of those rare songs that gets your reflective mind into a whole new world of facination beyond comprehension at times. There is a real world class quality to swim into here as you go underwater, that takes your mind away from all worries. This is definately one of the more absorbing songs you will hear all year, as there is something extra special to investigate like Sherlock Holmes would.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Karyn Ann delivers arcane soul in style in her folk single, ‘Wasting Time’

Posted on 14 October 2021

The Portland-based soulstress, Karyn Ann, released her debut album in 2015; after her sophomore album released in 2018, she started to garner critical acclaim and international airplay for her effortlessly powerful vocals and the emotional depth of her lyricism.

Her latest single, Wasting Time, gracefully captures the collective anxiety around watching the sands of time slip while failing to keep hold of anything that brings intrinsic meaning. After we’ve all endured 18 months of lockdown to some degree, Wasting Time is the perfect playlist staple for anyone seeking a little compassion.

The Americana singer-songwriter’s ability to weave a narrative through emotion, poetry and arrestingly minimal melodies is almost unparalleled. We’re fairly certain that this won’t be the last time that Karyn Ann leaves us mesmerised by her almost arcane sense of soul.

Wasting Time is available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Another Town Awaits: Excellent Portland soul-folk artist Hayley Lynn is born to run on her move-quick new single ‘Tail Lights’

Posted on 4 October 2021

As she looks for the new adventure on the horizon and moves speedily to the next town that awaits her, Hayley Lynn pushes away anyone who doesn’t understand her vision on her latest incredible single called ‘Tail Lights‘.

Hayley Lynn is a University of Victoria in British Columbia Performance graduate and moody soul-folk solo artist from Portland, Oregon. She blesses us with a 90s throwback track which shows her immense vocal ability, whilst also blending in her love for pop and rock music.

”Hayley’s music has been placed on ABC, the 700 Club, and Big Ten Network, expanding Lynn’s reach outside of the Northwest to international audiences.” ~ Hayley Lynn

With a confident edge and an elegantly sassy energy that doesn’t take any nonsense, this is a go-get-it attitude that is taking her places. Her stunning honey-laced vocals seems to grab hold of you instantly and takes you under her sensational spell for just over three minutes – as she sings with an obvious class which shakes like ice in a glass – that engulfs the enthralled speakers and takes you places you never knew existed in your soul.

”Hayley’s sound echoes the work of Feist with the bite and grit of Elle King and Sharon Van Etten.” ~ Hayley Lynn

‘Tail Lights‘ from the seductively brilliant Portland, Oregon-based indie soul-folk solo singer-songwriter Hayley Lynn, is that song all about wondering if you will ever find someone who is loyal enough and looking for that real love. The backseat moments have come and gone – as you look for more with a special heart who will go and travel with you – as you find your true calling.

Made with a really honest lyrical elegance and sung so beautifully, this is a track all about leaving behind the past and whoever isn’t open minded enough, to clearly see where you are headed in life.

Hear this lovely new single on her Spotify and find out more about those adventurous travels on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Shake up your indie post-punk playlist with [glazier]’s prog-rock single, down.up.down.

Posted on 23 September 2021

If your indie post-punk playlists need a shakeup, the jagged, complex time signatures in the standout single, down.up.down, from the three-piece powerhouse, [glazier] will do exactly that.

While most artists experimenting with unorthodox time signatures usually do so with an air of inaccessible pretension, [glazier] take a more affable route by ensuring that there’s as much emotion to connect with as there is experimentation to get excited by.

With drums that will easily win over fans of The Walkmen, the sweetness of Elliott Smith, the hooky magnetism of Queens of the Stone Age and the chill of Interpol, [glazier] really are the entire package. It is only a matter of time before they find themselves presented with a major-label deal.

The official video to down.up.down premiered in May 2021; you can check it out for yourselves on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Don’t Make A Fit: California rapper MidTrip is only rolling the potent soul-calming ‘Slopes’

Posted on 7 August 2021

Released from his latest eight-track ‘Sheet of Tabs Vol. 1‘ album, MidTrip keeps it real on this new quick-fire track about staying relaxed with so many distractions around as he keeps in the buzzing zone with ‘Slopes‘.

MidTrip is a Portland, Oregon-born, Hollywood, California-based indie rapper. He has a wildly vivid imagination, that strikes a sharp-witted whirlwind of gusty rhymes into our earth-bound stratosphere.

This is the story about wondering when his crush is going to come around as he urges her to keep it chilled, as his mind isn’t keen for any extra drama. His mind is all about making money and doing what he loves right now, as he keeps happy while disregarding all the smoke and mirrors around him.

With a self-assured swag and rampaging flows which leave you gasping for air at times – and featuring a foot-stomping beat – he emphatically puffs out the doubts of others and only smokes in the good vibes, as he throws down a rigorous effort.

‘Slopes‘ from the highly confident Hollywood, California-based indie trap artist MidTrip, is a fast track which has your mind racing like a finely-tuned sports car throughout. He raps with such a mighty style which has your heart beaming with intrigue, as he takes us for an introspective look into his world of breathtaking bars-filled speed, that will have you blazing to this new track.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and see more stories via the IG channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

David Wakeling has released his grungy jangle-pop earworm, ‘Extraordinary’.

Posted on 6 July 2021

One of Portland’s most notably virtuosic singer-songwriters, David Wakeling, has unleashed his latest absolving single, Extraordinary; a mellow yet sonically ardent aural invitation to simultaneously explore the golden eras of indie and grunge.

With the fuzz of Dinosaur Jr paired with the enlivening new wave indie jangle-pop guitars, it is a revival like no other.

With his love for rich and captivating vocal harmonies manifesting through Extraordinary that lamentedly explores expired romantic possibilities, the soundscape is one of those tragically rare cathartic hits that allows you to pour your own emotions into the progressions.

You can check out Extraordinary for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Stars Are The Moon: Children of Minerva bring so much calm away from the daily winds on ‘Ode to a Poetess in Shades of Green’

Posted on 3 July 2021
Ode to a Poetess in Shades of Green (Single Version) by Children of Minerva

From their forthcoming album ‘Nec Forma Est Verum‘ which translates to But neither form in Latin, Children of Minerva tell us the sweet story of a talented female poet with ‘Ode to a Poetess in Shades of Green‘.

Children of Minerva is a nostalgic New York and Portland-based indie pop-rock duo. They make that old school style of music which has you thinking back to the simpler days, which has you appreciating their admirable vintage feel.

”After taking folk-rock as far as he could, Mick Cantone forged a collaboration with Portland-based lyricist Amy Green and wrote songs that show his ardent passion for psychedelic baroque pop/rock.” – Children of Minerva

His voice is mature and warm, as her lyrics are peaceful and made with an energy which takes you back to your childhood somehow. This is the type of song that young and old can enjoy, its meaning is for all to see and it only intended to have your mind pure again, after so much hardship.

‘Ode to a Poetess in Shades of Green‘ from the NYC/Portland indie rock-pop duo Children of Minerva, is the story of a kind soul who made no demands, as she peacefully went about her day. This is a song that feels like it is from another generation, as its style is authentic and made with so much love.

Support their music on Bandcamp and see the social journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen