Tag Archives: Portland

Leo Islo – Retrograde Now

Leo Islo

Portland-based Leo Islo shares his sparkling new single ‘Retrograde Now’.

Born in Santiago, and spending a lot of his youth travelling, Islo appears to have taken his sense of wanderlust onboard when creating his music, which often explores both club and laid back sounds in a nostalgic manner.

Beautifully produced, the song expresses “what it’s like to love someone even after the realization that you have little in common other than the past you share”.

Sounds like: Viigo, Caribou, Tourist, Golden Vessel, Ben Khan, RÜFÜS DU SOL

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Griffin Oskar – Hostage

Griffin Oskar - Hostage

Griffin Oskar – Hostage

21 year old pop producer Griffin Oskar moved to Los Angeles from Portland. This was to be his big break. After Griffin shared his music under the guise of Småland, dance producer, Danrell, reached out to him to remix the track. Millions of plays later, Griffin this signed to Republic Records.

The result is ‘Hostage’, with rocketing vocals and a beautifully heavy chorus.

Sounds like: Draper, KYKO, Honne

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Pleasure Curses – Under the Moonlight (ft. Christen Cappello)

Pleasure Curses

Pleasure Curses

When we first heard ‘Under The Moonlight’ by Portland-based duo, Pleasure Curses, we knew we had to have them on Indietronica.

The childhood friends founded Pleasure Curses in Washington before moving to Portland. They create pure, indulgent synth pop, influenced by electro, disco, new wave and early hip hop.

‘Under The Moonlight’ features Brooklyn vocalist Christen Cappello, and is said to explore “the coercive attraction of the lunar cycle and the furtive implication of decisions made under the impulse of the night.”

Sounds like: Paperwhite, Monogem, Evvy, Micky Blue, Pistol Shrimp

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Echoes – All I Want (Dawn Golden Cover)

ECHOES

ECHOES

There seems to have been a slight shift to a more rock-based sound in recent months and Echoes are no exception.

Their sound is a cauldron of rock, indie and electronica.

The Dawn Golden cover of ‘All I Want’ starts of with atmospheric, ethereal electronic, and only kicks in 3/4 of the way through, but when it does, it gives us a glimpse of what Echoes maybe like live.

It’s also the first time they have sung together on a track.

Sounds like: Oh Wonder, Skies, London Grammar, The 1975, Banks, Fickle Friends, Monogem, Paperwhite, PROM, Kaleida, Sirena, 1987, IYES, Two Door Cinema Club, Until The Ribbon Breaks

Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

Karl Kling – I Will Wait

Karl Kling

Karl Kling

Another great artist from Portland. This time it’s Karl Kling, and he’s taking a breather from RAC to produce his own material.

Watch the David Lynch inspired video for ‘I Will Wait’; a surreal exploration of love and expression, it features a leading woman who, in a dream, has lost her mouth. She meets another woman, a shadow reflection of herself, who helps her to find it.

Sounds like: The Postal Service, RAC, Washed Out, Satin Jackets, Pink Feathers

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

Continue reading

Patternist – Gone

Patternist

Patternist

Patternist (aka Gabe Mouer) is a Portland based DIY electro pop multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.

You may recognise his voice as he was a co-founder of the Portland band The Welcome Home, who’ve previously opened up for The Ataris and Train. This would explain the emo-tinged synthpop sound he has produced with his Patternist project.

He’s begun a new singles campaign with the MuseBox, where he’ll be releasing new music and accopanying videos at the rate of one per month.

Check out the latest track, ‘Gone’.

Sounds like: The 1975, LANY, City & Colour, Great Good Fine Ok, Yeasayer

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Mackintosh Braun – Interview and We Ran Faster Then

Mackintosh Braun

Mackintosh Braun

Portland dreamy electro-duo, Mackintosh Braun releases ‘We Ran Faster Then’; a stunning electro track with dreamy vocals. The perfect end to a hectic bank holiday weekend.

We caught up with Ben…

How and why did you start making music?

We both started at a young age. Ian was a member of his family band growing up and was interested in song writing and production very early on, writing and producing his own music.

I (Ben) grew up around music my whole life. My dad played drums for Hall & Oates for over 20 years which spurred my interest in musicianship and songwriting. I’ve been producing and writing music since I got my first drum machine at 11.

We both love what writing brings out of us, and are very connected creatively on that front.

Describe your sound in three words.

nostalgic-future-pop.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

We both grew up on Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and Bowie. Some more current and constant inspirations include Holy Ghost!, Midnight Juggernauts and Phantogram.

We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?

Some current favs are Tame Impala, Mew and Beach House. The music scene is vast and inspiring, so much to listen to these days.

What is next for you? Are you planning a tour?

Yes we are planning a tour and are exciting to get our new album Arcadia out to the world and play new songs for everyone. It’s going to a fun ride.

Listen below to ‘We Ran Faster Then’:

Sounds like: The Colourist, Cassettes Won’t Listen, Your Vegas, Holy Ghost!, Mew, Phantogram, Hey Champ, Washed Out, Summer Heart, M83

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Murphy N Weller – Gloria & Alien

Murphy n Weller

Murphy n Weller

Murphy N Weller is a Hispanic/American electronic solo project from Portland, Oregon that began in 2011.

Their sound has been described as Italo pop, synthpop, disco, and R&B soul.

New track ‘Gloria & Alien’ is taken from their upcoming ‘Soft Horror EP’.

Sounds like: Washed Out, Summer Heart

Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

Le Youth – Feel Your Love (Feat. Javeon) (RAC remix)

Le Youth - Feel Your Love Feat. Javeon (RAC remix)

Le Youth – Feel Your Love Feat. Javeon (RAC remix)

Le Youth is back, this time with Javeon in tow and complete with a remix courtesy of RAC.

Javeon’s voice remains intact on ‘Feel Your Love’, but RAC breathes some summertime vibes into what is already a sterdy 90’s inspired R&B based track by the L.A. producer.

We were initially concerned that Le Youth may have pigeoned himself into a genre that will soon pass in popularity, but having watched him play last week we are certain that the talented producer is here to stay.

Pre order the original on iTunes.

Sounds like: Javeon, RAC, Disclosure, Lane 8, Ben Pearce, Ben Khan, Duke Dumont, Foxes

Le Youth
Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

Javeon
Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

RAC
Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

Yacht – Plastic Soul

YACHT

YACHT

Fun-kids YACHT bring back summer with new track ‘Plastic Soul’.

Currently based in L.A. (but originally from Portland), the core group consists of Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans, but expands to include musicians Rob Kieswetter (aka Bobby Birdman) and Jeffrey Brodsky as touring members.

We haven’t seen much of YACHT since their last album ‘Shangri-La’ was released in 2011. However, this isn’t to say they haven’t been busy. Far from it, as they have been developing their own comedy sketch show based on “life on the rock n’ roll road, as seen through the eyes of its least glamorous participants: the opening band”.

YACHT have still found time to make a music video for ‘Plastic Soul’ and show that they continue to have more fun that us!

With the assistance of Buh and Power Violence, watch the $5K music video for ‘Plastic Soul’ below:

The track has been released via DFA Records.

Let’s hope another album is on its way…

Sounds like: Bobby Birdman, Shit Robot, Holy Ghost!, LCD Soundsystem, The Juan Maclean

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Tumblr

Continue reading