Tag Archive for oregon

Fun Facts: State Flower: Oregon grape, State Song: “Oregon, My Oregon,” State Seashell: Oregon Hairy Triton

Home of: The Kingsmen, The Gossip, Elliot Smith, The Decemberists, The Thermals

Continue Reading 50 States In 50 Weeks…Week 37: Oregon

When you’re a touring band you have a tendency to accept the “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong” attitude. Portland’s Crosstide knows this sentiment all too well. The band’s first trip to the music mecca that is Austin’s SXSW in 2006 almost didn’t happen. At the time, the band was gaining major headway in the Oregon music scene after landing a few choice opening spots for megastars like The Killers and Spoon. But  a busted van in Utah and skyrocketing credit card debt spelled trouble. Somehow the band managed to make it to the stage in the knick of time but the victory was short lived. The little rock band that could faced inner turmoil after their original bassist announced he would be moving to New York the very next day. Band vocalist Bret Vogel was determined to keep making music under the Crosstide banner. Lucky for us, Bret’s observational style songwriting helped the band forge through line up changes and assorted personal drama. A few months ago Bret gave us a peak into the social commentary behind the Indie Pop Channel favorite “I Feel Like a Polar Bear” on Liner Notes. This week the Crosstide guys were kind enough to offer up “Thinking Out Loud” as this week’s OurStage “Download of the Week.” The lush orchestral arrangement features intricately- placed layers of piano, organ, jingle bells and guitars to keep you daydreaming. As this week’s “Needle in the Haystack” featured artist, you can expect to here more on Crosstide all this week on OurStage and MTV Music.

Portland, Oregon’s Rafael Vigilantics is turning the punk and hip hop worlds upside down. He first appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, on a bill with local hardcore punks (and future Horns Up Records labelmates) The Altarboys. Vigilantics won over the largely punk crowd, and within 6 months was opening for independent hip hop superstars like Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip and B. Dolan.

Rafael Vigilantics on the cover of his album 'Bury Me Standing'

Continue Reading Punk On The Rocks: Rafael Vigilantics

With recent success, landing a spot opening Maroon 5 and Counting Crows, pop-rockers, Merrill have been tearing it up. Honoring their recent accomplishment we have a track for download today that proves, “It’s U” (helping great music succeed!) A shockingly sunny sound from oft rainy/cloudy Portland, Ore., Merrill overcame missing equipment and technical difficulties, at the Maroon 5 set, to rock the crowd. Discover, Merrill.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Merrill | It’s U
Need help downloading? Click HERE for step-by-step instructions.