Rhiannon Giddens made a stop in the Portland area to promote her latest album, You're the One. She played two sold-out shows at The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton, Oregon. She was joined by a band full of collaborators from throughout the years and supported by fellow North Carolinian, Charly Lowry. Charly walked out on the stage beating a hand drum with a mallet, and sang acapella for a couple of songs, capturing the crowd with Brown Skin Girl. The former American Idol contestant asked the crowd if she should sing Jolene or Crazy, the crowd cheered about equally for each and ..read more

Eight of Oregon's celebrated performing artists joined forces with a great band and are on the road in March and April to bring to seven cities in Oregon and Washington their dynamic and joyful concert, "She’s Speaking-LIVE: A Celebration of Women Songwriters." They will be in Portland at the Alberta Rose Theater on April 20. "The superpower of She's Speaking-Live is the combined talent, energy and diversity of our artists' backgrounds and musical influences," said Kristen Grainger, co-founder of the She's Speaking project. "Blues, jazz, R&B, Americana, rock, folk, gospel - there is defini ..read more

As the snow, wind, and ice barreling towards Portland, Portland's Folk Festival opened the first night of the festival with a hope and a prayer.  The opening night was a magical night of performances from the downbeat to the closing curtain, all, in the cozy warmth of the Crystal Ballroom.  Outside, swirling around the building, the storm intensified with unusually high winds and the City began to shut down.  When the audience was leaving for the night, they were greeted by a slick dusting of snow...With ice predicted to follow, the promoters made the difficult decision to cance ..read more

Portland has a way of keeping secrets.  Headlining Sunday night at Portland’s Folk Festival with the Shook Twins is Greg Holden.  Scottish born, English raised singer-songwriter who sold everything he had, including his guitar, to move to New York in 2009.  He loved New York and it was his dream to live there.  Extremely talented, he soon found work touring with Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlile, and Grace Potter and many others while touring extensively, playing in bars, clubs, theaters, and arenas around the world.He moved to Portland in the fall of 2021. Greg i ..read more

Portland Americana duo Brightwell and Moran have had a landmark year in 2023. Their latest record, Land of Plenty, was released March 2023, and their award winning song, "Bare Boards,” was recorded at Abbey Road studios in London, England and released in February 2023. Land of Plenty opens with “River Flow” that takes us on a journey through the heartland of our lives. Each song on the record encourages us to find our places of inspiration and growth. “Bare Boards” is a bonus single that reminds us that love is work. Who says it’s never too late? They entered the Talent Is Timeless 2022 Songwr ..read more

Gordon Lightfoot’s relationship with Portland was close. Fifty years ago, Tom May played a few songs for him in Omaha, Nebraska. That began a long friendship with Gordon. Gordon suggested that Tom come to Canada and try his luck there, and he offered to help make connections. Friday, November 17 25 artists saluted Gordon Lightfoot to a sold-out crowd to honor his 85th birthday at the Alberta Rose Theater. The show was live streamed to an international audience. Each artist performed a song that was personally meaningful to their life. For Kate Power, "57 years ago, my dad drove me to a folk co ..read more

The headliners John Craigie, Darlingside, Donna the Buffalo, and Steve Poltz filled the big tents to capacity with enthusiastic and welcoming audiences and they delivered stellar performances. Their performances bring the crowds that support the magic of the Sisters Folk Festival. Two-thirds of the performers appearing in Sisters are appearing for the first time introducing new artists to a welcoming audience.  Among them were Jorge Glem, Damn Tall Buildings, Humbird, Bad L'Bluz, Handsome Moments, Goodnight Moonshine, Olive Klug, Crys Matthews, Chastity Brown, the Sensation ..read more

Crys Matthews first appearance at the Sisters Folk Festival was greeted enthusiastically. Matthews is a social-justice songwriter, who believes her duty is to keep breathing hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.  She brought her message of compassion and hope to Sisters.  “I believe in hope,” she says. “Those four words are what has sustained me these past four years. Dr. King said, ‘hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,’ and I believe that hope is what fuels a love powerful enough to do that.”  Her latest work, the hope-fueled, love-fi ..read more

Opening night is more that one person can cover. Fortunately, most artists play three sets throughout the weekend. Three of the artists marking their first appearance at the festival were Siri Undlin, the songwriter behind the band Humbird. From Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, Siri embodies the narrative folk song and balladry tradition in her music.  Daniel Rodriguez, from Denver, Colorado is a founding member of the band Elephant Revival. Daniel wrote and sang many of their well known songs, such as Birds and Stars and Sing to the Mountain and now tours solo with his ..read more

Olive Klug, raised in Portland, graduated from Wilsonville High, has emerged as key player in a new wave of contemporary folk singers. Sisters welcomed them enthusiastically.  They are an independent singer/songwriter with a rare vocal gift. Olive (they/them) is known for their beautiful tone and vividly honest storytelling. Their music is rooted in the "Golden Age of American Folk Music," with a uniquely modern lyrical sensibility of their generation. Their songwriting is inspired icons that have come before them, including Joni Mitchel, Joan Baez and Taylor Swift.  A ..read more