PDX Pop Now!
Encyclopedia
PDX Pop Now! is both a local annual music festival held in Portland, Oregon
, and the non-profit music education organization that organizes and promotes the event. Both the organization and the event are dedicated to "celebrating, promoting, and enhancing Portland’s vital and diverse music community." The festival was first held in 2004, and has occurred every year since that time.
for Portland musicians, fans, and writers interested in discussing the local music scene. The first post was made by Rachel Blumberg
, former Decemberists drummer, and occasional M. Ward
and Bright Eyes tour musician.
In 2004 members of the list worked toward organizing the first PDX Pop Now! music festival, which was held July 9-July 11 at Meow Meow, a music venue on Portland's industrial east side. In support of the large number of underage fans, the organizers made the conscious decision to open the festival up to all ages. To prevent other barriers to attendance, they made a similar dedication to keep festival admission free of charge and to hold it at venues close to public transportation routes. To fund the festival, organizers curated a two-disc local music compilation. Subsequent festivals were held in 2005 and 2006 at Loveland, and in 2007 at AudioCinema. 2005, 2006, and 2007 also brought additional music compilations, for which the organization has received considerable attention from the media . 2006 also brought a live DVD of the show, which sold at local Portland music stores and coffee shops.
, Alan Singley and Pants Machine
, Blitzen Trapper
, The Blow
, The Decemberists
, The Helio Sequence
, Hockey (band)
, Lifesavas
, M.Ward, Menomena
, Mirah
, Quasi
, Sleater-Kinney
, The Shins
, The Shaky Hands
, and The Thermals
.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, and the non-profit music education organization that organizes and promotes the event. Both the organization and the event are dedicated to "celebrating, promoting, and enhancing Portland’s vital and diverse music community." The festival was first held in 2004, and has occurred every year since that time.
History
PDX Pop Now! began as a listservLISTSERV
LISTSERV was the first electronic mailing list software application, consisting of a set of email addresses for a group in which the sender can send one email and it will reach a variety of people...
for Portland musicians, fans, and writers interested in discussing the local music scene. The first post was made by Rachel Blumberg
Rachel Blumberg
Rachel Blumberg is an American drummer and singer, best known for her tenure as the drummer for the indie rock band The Decemberists. Blumburg was a member of many Portland, Oregon-based indie bands, including Sissyface, Boycrazy, Norfolk & Western, The Minders and M...
, former Decemberists drummer, and occasional M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
and Bright Eyes tour musician.
In 2004 members of the list worked toward organizing the first PDX Pop Now! music festival, which was held July 9-July 11 at Meow Meow, a music venue on Portland's industrial east side. In support of the large number of underage fans, the organizers made the conscious decision to open the festival up to all ages. To prevent other barriers to attendance, they made a similar dedication to keep festival admission free of charge and to hold it at venues close to public transportation routes. To fund the festival, organizers curated a two-disc local music compilation. Subsequent festivals were held in 2005 and 2006 at Loveland, and in 2007 at AudioCinema. 2005, 2006, and 2007 also brought additional music compilations, for which the organization has received considerable attention from the media . 2006 also brought a live DVD of the show, which sold at local Portland music stores and coffee shops.
Musician Support
A number of notable Portland musical acts have appeared on the PDX Pop Now! compilation or at the festival, including 50 Foot Wave50 Foot Wave
50 Foot Wave is an American alternative rock band, formed in 2003. The band is fronted by Kristin Hersh, who writes the group's songs with collaborative efforts from the other group members in composing and arranging the music. The group's name is a reference to both an illustration and the term...
, Alan Singley and Pants Machine
Alan Singley and Pants Machine
Alan Singley and Pants Machine is a Indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, made up of Alan Singley, Gus Elg, Leb Borgerson, and Scott Hayden. Alan Singley and Pants Machine is a fixture of the Portland, Oregon independent music scene...
, Blitzen Trapper
Blitzen Trapper
Blitzen Trapper is a Portland, Oregon-based experimental alternative country/folk band signed to Sub Pop Records. Formed in 2000, the band currently operates as a sextet, with Eric Earley , Erik Menteer , Brian Adrian Koch , Michael VanPelt , and Marty Marquis...
, The Blow
The Blow
The Blow is the moniker of Brooklyn, New York-based musician Mikhaela Yvonne Maricich, who has recorded several albums for K Records. Jona Bechtolt, aka Yacht, was also a member of The Blow from 2004 to 2007....
, The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
, The Helio Sequence
The Helio Sequence
The Helio Sequence is an American alternative rock band. They are a duo from Beaverton, OR, a suburb of Portland, OR signed to label Sub Pop. Their music environments are optimistic and uplifting with a dash of psychedelic...
, Hockey (band)
Hockey (band)
Hockey is an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon.-Members:Until October 2010, the band consisted of singer Benjamin Grubin, guitarist Brian Stuart White, bassist Jeremy Reynolds, drummer Anthony Stassi and touring keyboardist Ryan Dolliver, and have been compared in their sound to bands...
, Lifesavas
Lifesavas
Lifesavas are a hip-hop group from Portland, Oregon. Jumbo the Garbageman is an MC/producer and Vursatyl is an MC. DJ Shines has also been involved in much of the production and DJing on their albums.- Discography :* Spirit in Stone...
, M.Ward, Menomena
Menomena
Menomena are an indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States; currently made up of Justin Harris, Danny Seim and more recently Joe Haege of 31Knots and Tu Fawning...
, Mirah
Mirah
Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn , is an American musician based in San Francisco California. She has released five albums under the K Records label.- Background :...
, Quasi
Quasi
Quasi is an American indie rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by ex-husband and wife Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss . Since 2007 the group has been a trio, following the addition of bassist Joanna Bolme.-History:In 1990 , Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat...
, Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
, The Shins
The Shins
The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, indie rock,...
, The Shaky Hands
The Shaky Hands
The Shaky Hands are a Portland, Oregon based rock group, formed in 2003 by musician Paul Culp, of "Lonesome Radio Heart" and Colin Anderson. Nicholas Delffs joined soon after on vocals and guitar...
, and The Thermals
The Thermals
The Thermals are an American indie punk band based in Portland, Oregon. The group was formed in 2002. With influences heavily rooted in both lo-fi punk, as well as more standard rock, the band's songs are also known for their political and religious imagery.- History :The Thermals came together in...
.