Seattlest: Seattlest Roundtable: Is Portland's Music Scene Cooler than Ours?

guest

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:14:55 -0800

As someone who's just sick to shit of indie rock, I'm happy in Seattle, thanks. Portland's great too of course, but they have the same gentrification problems as Seattle is having right now. In fact, Portland's home to Tonya Harding aka Pabst Hilton.

Kris

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:15:16 -0800

Living in Seattle, but visiting Portland often, I believe that Portland by far has the better scene. Witness: PDX Pop Now! which produces an three-day festival each year that puts the Vera Project to shame; the migration of prominent musicians from around the country to Portland for the scene (James Mercer, as mentioned, but also Britt Daniel (Spoon), Kristen Hersh (Throwing Muses, 50 Foot Wave), M. Ward (though he just left), Sleater-Kinney, Mirah, and even Seattle's own Laura Veirs and Chris Walla (Death Cab)). Throw in the home-spun talent (Decemberists, The Blow, Blitzen-Trapper, Helio Sequence, Menomena, The Thermas, and Lifesavas) and we're beat by a mile. And if you want hear what I think is one of the best artists coming out of Portland, check out DJ Copy (Seattle born and raised!)

sciencevsromance

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:15:48 -0800

I haven't been to a show in Portland; so I wouldn't dare to compare the two scenes, but "only about four clubs" is a big underestimate. off the top of my head, not counting jazz: el corazon, chop suey, neumo's, the crocodile, showbox, triple door, nectar, high dive, the tractor, sunset tavern, vera project, skylark. Then there's bigger places like the paramount & the moore and giant places like key arena and wamu. I also wonder what you mean when you say "music cities" and call Seattle the worst of them all.

guest

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:43:44 -0800

Portland today reminds me of Seattle years ago- before the Paris Hilton clones from the East-Side showed up in Ballard and Freemont.

guest

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:31:27 -0800

Something else I've noticed is that in the past few years it has gotten harder to get people out to shows. Seems this wasn't the case a few years ago. I can't say whether the same is true in PDX these days. I think Seattlest could help by covering local bands and shows rather than just the guys with hype that pass through. There is new interesting music all over Seattle that really deserves more attention. The Carousel festival a few weeks ago was way underappreciated.