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Events

Oregon Public House (700 NE Dekum St.)
4:00pm9:00pm Friday, October 27, 2023

All Ages // Free to Attend

Join the XRAY crew as the community comes together to work towards our final goal for the Fall Drive! 

On Air!
1:00pm2:00pm Friday, October 27, 2023

James Mercer of The Shins sits down with XRAY Board President Lee Shaker on the 20th anniversary of the Chutes Too Narrow album. They discuss the album’s rerelease on Sub Pop just last week, the recording process back in 2003, and a take a moment to play a few of James’s favorite songs 🎶

Live On Air!
4:00pm6:00pm Thursday, October 26, 2023

A Portland music legend in his own right - Dave Depper guest DJs on XRAY Thursday 10/26 from 4-6 PM⚡️ 

These days, he’s perhaps best known for being the guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist for iconic indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie. In addition to his work with Death Cab, Dave has collaborated live or in the studio with such luminaries as Robyn Hitchcock, Sharon Van Etten, Ray LaMontagne, Fruit Bats, Mirah, Laura Gibson, and countless others.

Polaris Hall (635 N Killingsworth Ct.)
7:00pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023

With Marisa Anderson, Dragging An Ox Through Water & Strange Babes DJs

All Proceeds go to Mississippi Records Fire Recovery

21+ // Doors 6:30pm, Show 7pm

$15 // TICKETS

Last weekend someone threw a flaming projectile into Portland's beloved Mississippi Records. A magical little shop in North Portland, the store is packed to the rafters with an astonishing collection of music and historical artifacts. It is also a gathering space and performance venue for underground musicians and thinkers, an absolutely essential part of our local music culture. Owner Eric Isaacson's unyielding community spirit and kindness give hope in a cruel world. And although thankfully nobody was hurt, the fire damaged stock and broke windows, leaving Eric with bills. We are coming together October 25 at Polaris Hall to help raise money for something truly worth believing in. Quasi, Marisa Anderson, Dragging an Ox Through Water, and Strange Babes are donating their time, and all proceeds from the show (after venue expenses) go to Mississippi Records. 

On Air!
7:00am8:00am Wednesday, October 25, 2023

James Mercer of The Shins sits down with XRAY Board President Lee Shaker on the 20th anniversary of the Chutes Too Narrow album. They discuss the album’s rerelease on Sub Pop just last week, the recording process back in 2003, and a take a moment to play a few of James’s favorite songs 🎶

TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
7:30pm Sunday, October 22, 2023
All Ages | $22.50 | GET TICKETS

Doors 6:30pm, Show 7:30pm

Identical twin harpists Camille and Kennerly Kitt, known as the HARP TWINS, have achieved extraordinary success by taking Electric Harps and Concert Grand Harps to unprecedented levels and smashing boundaries between different genres of music. The twins’ ability to reinvent the harp has given them the opportunity to represent the United States at four different World Harp Festivals and tour their live show worldwide. The duo has amassed over 2.5 million fans across their social media sites and over 150 million views on their YouTube music videos, making Camille and Kennerly the most followed and recognizable harp duo in the world. Their stunning live show featuring virtuoso harp arrangements of classic rock, metal, and their own Nordic Celtic originals comes to a powerful finale as the Harp Twins are joined by the Volfgang Twins on double Viking Drums. The Harp Twins deliver exciting, comedic, and interactive performances audiences cannot forget!
 
PRESS QUOTES:
“Intrepid musicians. If you live long enough, you get to hear this (Harp Twins’) version of White Wedding!" ~Billy Idol

"Rather than turn their attention to obvious, classically grounded territory, The Harp Twins have made a name for themselves covering the likes of Iron Maiden, offering classics a fascinating new lease on life." ~Metal Hammer Magazine

"Elegant, wistful, excellent!" ~CBS News

“Some things in the world are so beautiful and pure attempting to describe them in words would be futile. Such is the case with electric harpists, and identical twins, Camille and Kennerly.” ~HuffPost


Dream House (412 NE Beech St, Portland)
5:00pm8:00pm Friday, October 20, 2023

FREE! // All Ages

Featuring a Round Robin of XRAY DJs with their spooooookiest records taking turns on the decks!

TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
7:30pm Wednesday, October 18, 2023

All Ages | $20 Advance, $25 Day-Of | TICKETS

Big Top, the new-old Lucky Hound Music release from veteran singer-songwriter Michael Fracasso, is the opposite of what’s commonly referred to as a “grower.” Expertly produced by his fellow Austinite Charlie Sexton, who is probably picking guitar alongside Bob Dylan as you read this, Fracasso’s sweetly affecting voice and masterful songcraft have never sounded so vibrant. To say it another way, Big Top features 10 hook-filled gems that simply demand repeat listens. 
--

“In her own words, ‘I guess Asian-American songwriters aren’t that common.  At least, not in Texas.’  Well, songwriting and singing of this caliber aren’t that common anywhere.” 
– NO DEPRESSION

“BettySoo may well have the most gorgeous voice in Texas …if not in all contemporary folk – its purity and strength can be downright devastating.” – ACOUSTIC GUITAR

“Beautiful, heart-wrenching songwriting that is also edgy and unwavering.” – KUT,  Austin 

“Exceptionally well written and arranged songs with a confidence that speaks volumes.”  AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
7:00pm Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Featuring Mic Crenshaw, Shabaaz & Homie Tom - Moderated by Julianne R. Johnson

Admission is free | Donations are appreciated | RSVP

All Ages | Doors 6pm, Show 7pm

Mike Crenshaw, Malcolm Hoover and Tom Tegner come from different places, among the many ways they are connected are a love of motorcycles, other human beings and a hatred for racism. Crenshaw, Shabazz and the Homie Tom are three middle aged rabble rousing mfs who aim to challenge the status quo when it comes to talking about the issues that face our nation and world. They hope, through sharing their experiences and encounters along the road, to also share tools with other people who want to have these same conversations in their own lives and circles.
 
We Can Listen, strives to build community, educate, and share the positive impact that truly listening to diverse voices can have on us all. Through a cultural intersection of storytelling, film, music, poetry, dance, and personal expression we support individuals and grassroots organizations as they raise their voices on compelling social justice issues. Listening may be the most profound action we can take.


XRAY.FM
12:01am Monday, October 16, 202311:59pm Friday, October 27, 2023

Save the date for XRAY's Fall Fund Drive! 

Fund Drives are very special times at XRAY, because, above all, we believe they should be fun! Rather than spending all that airtime only talking about giving money, we enhance our programming--by covering topics we don't normally, bringing on special guests, putting on live broadcasts, and much more. They're also a great time to get a peek under the hood, hearing from folks that may otherwise not spend much time on air and getting a firsthand look at what's coming next for the station. 

Plus, while listeners can become members at any time of year, we bring out the perks during drives. That means limited edition merchandise designed by different local artists, major giveaways every day of the week, new thank you gifts for those becoming members, and the elusive matching gifts that let you double your impact (which our Board of Directors and Staff work extra hard to make happen in the weeks and months leading up to a drive). 

Join us in having a blast this drive! Or don't, we're not the boss of you, but we'll keep at it anyway. 

Revolution Hall (1300 SE Stark St.)
8:00pm Sunday, October 15, 2023

21+ | Reserved Seating $34.75 - $39.75, PDX Jazz Members receive $5 off | TICKETS

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm

The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.

Now in their 21st year, The Bad Plus continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) – instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus have constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync.

The Bad Plus is set to release their 15th studio recording and debut self-titled album as a dynamic new quartet via Edition Records on Friday, September 30th. “Evolution is necessary for life and creativity,” say Dave King and Reid Anderson. “We’ve evolved, but we’re still The Bad Plus.”

On the band’s 5th studio release, Connection, Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog have pushed their long-brewing tension between traditional pop songcraft and avantgarde improvisational music to the breaking point, bridging their customary genre-agnostic approach with elements of glam boogie, minimalist disco, psychedelic boogaloo, garage-punk-against-the-machine agitprop, and so much more. Recorded at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn, NY and mixed by Ben Greenberg (Danny Elfman, Depeche Mode, Lamb of God) the album sees Ribot – whose prodigious, impossible-to-categorize body of work as bandleader and musician spans no wave and jazz, Brazilian and Cuban music, roots and avant-garde and protest songs (often at the same time) alongside legendary collaborations with Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, The Lounge Lizards, John Zorn, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Caetano Veloso, and Laurie Anderson (to name but a few) – continuing to utilize Ceramic Dog as the vessel for his distinctive stream-of-consciousness songwriting, penning three out of the album’s four vocal tracks including the groove-infected “Ecstasy” (showcasing Anthony Coleman’s slinky Farfisa and longtime friend and associate Syd Straw behind the mic). From the anthemic manifesto “Soldiers in the Army of Love” to the unhinged ranting of “Heart Attack” and indescribable “No Name,” Ceramic Dog unleash a fury of complex time signatures, blues abstraction, and free-blowing energy to create their most unapologetically audacious collection thus far, their one-of-a-kind daring evidenced by the unlikely cover of Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz’s “That’s Entertainment,” written especially for the 1953 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film The Band Wagon but here, in Ribot and Co’s hands, deconstructs Hollywood cliches while simultaneously winking at both the post-punk and post-Cultural Revolution iterations of the Gang of Four. Fueled by what Ribot calls “several bolts of creative lightning,” Connections stands as a vibrant, odd, and in many ways definitive milestone in what is truly a singular creative journey for Marc Ribot and Ceramic Dog, its zeitgeist-busting sound and vision not only affirming their place in the musical universe but raising the stakes for whatever comes next.

TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
7:30pm Sunday, October 15, 2023
All Ages | $18 | TICKETS

Doors 6:30pm, Show 7:30pm

“Classical music gamechanger” -The Line Of Best Fit 

“Few artists are so effortlessly able to twist your heartstrings into a contortion of joy, sorrow and despair like Eydís Evensen” -Wonderland Magazine ​

The 29-year-old – who also sings on the album, for the first time – confronted her own hardships and sorrows in order to create The Light. Some were born from the crises we all endured together: the Covid-19 pandemic; her horror at Russia’s war on Ukraine; her dread that the glaciers and natural wonders of her native Iceland that inspired her to write music in the first place will soon be devastated by the impact of climate change.

There were also personal ordeals – ghosts from her past to be exorcised, demons in her closet that pushed her to challenging brinks. As the toll of these situations weighed on her, Evensen did what she always did: she sat at her piano, stretched her fingers and began to play.

“It’s always been like that,” smiles the artist. “I remember [as a child] walking to the piano and being able to let something out by playing the keys. It became a therapist and a best friend to me – I always felt better after I played.”
TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
8:00pm Saturday, October 14, 2023

All Ages | Advance $30, PDX Jazz Member $25, VIP $70, Student $20 | TICKETS

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm

GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje, releases the second single from their highly anticipated debut album. “(You Are) The Oracle”, featuring vocal virtuoso, Michael Mayo. Music Video and artwork from multidimensional artist Phil Beaudreau.
(Release Date April 14th)

säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage
Featuring: Michael Mayo, voice; Dawn Clement, piano; Ben Williams, bass; Christian Euman, drums

Music and Lyrics by säje. Vocal Arrangement by Amanda Taylor and Erin Bentlage with Johnaye Kendrick/Sara Gazarek. Produced by säje; rhythm section recorded by Pete Min at Lucy’s Meat Market; vocals recorded and edited by Amanda Taylor and  Erin Bentlage. Michael Mayo recorded and edited by Michael Mayo. Audio mixed and mastered by Rich Breen. Music video and album art by Phil Beaudreau

“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world.”
— Micah Hendler, Forbes

“…[säje is] taking the vocal jazz ensemble into the 21st century.”
— Abe Beeson, KNKX/NPR

“…transcendent music.”
— DownBeat Magazine

While it may come as a surprise to hear that the newly formed vocal super group, säje (rhymes with beige), received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” for their first original composition “Desert Song”, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, and a Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Group”, those in the know continue to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre defining group.

It is through their four previously released singles, ardent social media/patreon following, and multiple self produced music videos that this all female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers, garnering critical acclaim and fostering a widespread and passionate fanbase.

In their first debut album single (“As This Moment Slips Away” September 13th, 2022) from their self produced debut album, listeners got a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that they can expect from the record itself. In collaboration with three time GRAMMY® winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the single positioned säje as an empowered, genre defining, and socially conscious powerhouse ensemble. surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal collective.

With their second single, there is more to hear than just lush harmonies, powerhouse vocals, complex contrapuntal lines, and symbiosis with their band. There is a deep relationship with the value systems found in purposeful artistic collaborations, an authenticity and connection to shape, texture, interaction, and storytelling. There is a real mastery of craft, not least of which can be heard in the mind blowing improvisations from featured guest vocalist Michael Mayo. With “(You Are) The Oracle” we see that säje is a group to be watched – and that their newest single is only a mouth watering snapshot of what’s to come.

TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
8:00pm Friday, October 13, 2023

All Ages | $25 | TICKETS

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm

If you must put him in a box, make sure it’s a big box! Undefinable by genre, crossing over and through folk, rock, singer-songwriter, and kids music, Dan Bern is a captivating live performer with a loyal, multi-generational following. He has written thousands of songs, released dozens of albums, and played shows across North America and Europe–from coffee shops to Carnegie Hall,  and he most recently opened for The Who. 

Dan’s songs have appeared in numerous films (“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” “Get Him to the Greek” “The Bubble” “Zero Effect”) and TV shows (Amazon Prime’s award-winning kids program “The Stinky & Dirty Show”). 

A rare, and true renaissance artist, Dan is the author of several books, is a prolific painter, has his own podcast, and internet radio station. During Covid, his online “Hunkered in the Bunker” shows developed their own passionate community of followers. His topical sports songs are regularly featured on “The Tony Kornheiser Show.”


TOC Concert Hall (1422 SW 11th Ave)
8:00pm Thursday, October 12, 2023

21+ | Advance $37.50, PDX Jazz Member $32.50 | TICKETS

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm

A long-awaited collaboration between GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato and acclaimed guitarist Lionel Loueke, Lean In tells the story of 20 years of connection, inspiration and friendship between two musical soulmates.

The very first duo recording from two musicians who have performed together for more than two decades, Lean In is all about healing, deep trust, love and family. In a time when warmth and compassion are needed more than ever before, both artists felt compelled to make a record sharing songs of inspiration, reflection, wonder and unity, with the title encouraging us to ‘lean in’ to ourselves and to those around us.

The intimacy of the duo songs reveals the depth of the trust and connection between the two artists at the core of the music, an intensity that gradually unfolds and blossoms out into a larger, universal whole as they are joined on the record by members of their families: Mark & Marley Guiliana, Lisa Loueke, & close friend Burniss Travis.

Both Gretchen and Lionel are individually renowned for the extraordinary mastery of body and voice in their music enabling them to create intricate, infectious rhythms. Fans will undeniably be excited to hear what happens when these two rhythmic virtuosos come together – the two styles seamlessly intertwined – and the resulting sound is truly magical: soothing yet joyful and full of light with Gretchen’s love for Brazilian music and Lionel’s West African roots shining through – it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before! Due out May 19, 2023 on Edition Records, this really is a record for the soul.


Online!
8:00am9:00am Thursday, October 5, 2023

RSVP Here | Streaming Online for Everyone!

Free to Attend | Raising funds for Street Roots

Pre-Show Stream: 7:45 AM, Broadcast 8-9 AM

Every year, the Street Roots community gathers for a live, virtual broadcast, to update supporters on their work and give an inside glimpse into the ongoings of their mission and movement.  The Broadcast is an opportunity to support Street Roots and elevate the work of their vendors through our biggest fundraiser of the year! 

This year, they'll focus on Street Roots as a unique space of belonging and community support that uplifts vendor voices and increases access to civic and social engagement.

Doug Fir Lounge
8:00pm Wednesday, September 27, 2023

21+ // Doors 8 PM // Show 9 PM

Tickets $15

XRAYFM and the Doug Fir Lounge present Bijoux Cone on Wednesday September 27th.

Bijoux Cone (Formerly Bryson Cone) is a musician, producer and multimedia artist based out of Portland OR. Her music explores themes of love, loss and identity paired with lush melodramatic synth pop and disco synth grooves. A transgender woman, her music celebrates and defends queer perspective. Bijoux Cone performs and tours actively as both solo artist, as well as with a full backing band.

Bijoux Cone's debut album "Magnetism" was released February 19, 2020 on LA based label Cleopatra Records. Her forthcoming sophomore album is pending release September via local Portland label Literal Gold Records.

Bijoux's live band includes/has included members such as Hannah Blilieh (The Gossip, Chromatics), Bambi Browning (Reptaliens, Blouse), Ben Steinmetz (Kyle Craft), Thomas Mabus (Reptaliens, Wampire), Chris Hoganson (Fur Coats, Wampire) and Cat Hoch (Blackwater Holylight).



Doug Fir Lounge
7:00pm Monday, September 25, 2023

21+ // Doors 7 PM // Show 8 PM

Tickets $25

XRAYFM and the Doug Fir Lounge are hosting CHAI on Monday, September 25th.

CHAI is a revolutionary four-piece, made up of miracle twins Mana and Kana, and the impeccable rhythm section of Yuuki and Yuna. Combining their powerhouse musical prowess with “pinkish punk” sensibilities, CHAI has managed to create a huge splash in the music scene in their homeland, Japan, and abroad. CHAI is gearing up with their new label to release even more new music into the world.

Dream House (412 NE Beech St, Portland)
5:00pm7:00pm Friday, September 22, 2023

FREE! // All Ages

This is all about fun, no agendas just vibes with the XRAY crew! Music Medieval (Sun 7-8AM) and VCR TV (Fri midnight-1AM) will be on the decks, and you're invited to join the community at one of our favorite places in town!


Alberta Abbey (126 Northeast Alberta Street)
8:00pm11:00pm Saturday, September 16, 2023

All Ages | Doors 7pm, Show 8pm

TICKETS: $25 Advance GA, $30 Day-Of-Show GA

The Alberta Abbey is a non-profit venue nurturing the arts in NE Portland by providing affordable studio and performance spaces and diverse programming for the community.

LOCARNO is the Latin project of JUNO Award winning musician, Tom Landa. Like him, the music is equal parts Mexican and Canadian. Tom was born and raised in Mexico City, and moved to Canada in his teens. In the mid nineties he formed the Folk Roots band, The Paperboys, who have been touring worldwide for over 20 years. Tom has always dabbled in Latin music, and in 2005 decided to immerse himself more into genre, and started working on material for an album. In 2006 he was awarded a Canada Council Grant to study traditional Mexican Music in Veracruz, Mexico. Tom spent his days learning the jarana (an 8 string guitar), and learning songs from the Son Jarocho repertoire. Upon his return to Canada, Tom started working on what would be Locarno’s debut CD.

In 2009 Tom decided it was high time to make the album he had been threatening to make. He joined forces with producer Joby Baker (Alex Cuba, Adonis Puentes, Cowboy Junkies) and trumpeter Miguelito Valdes (Omara Portoundo, Afro Cuban All Stars) who helped bring the album to life. In 2010 Locarno released ‘Una Mas Y Ya Nos Vamos’ The music is a mix of Son Jarocho inspired folk tunes with Afro-Cuban rhythms. The album went on to be nominated for a WCMA and garnered rave reviews.

Since then the band has honed in on their sound and incorporated more of their influences such as music from Columbia, African Sukous, Mexican Marimba Music, Venezuelan Joropo and Brazilian Forro Music. Perhaps where the band shines the most is in the live shows which features Tom Landa on jaranas and guitars, Kalissa Landa on violin, Robin Layne on marimba, congas and timbales, Pedro Mota on guitar an vocals, Aaron McKinney on bass, Liam MacDonald on drums, congas and pandero, Mark D’Angelo on trumpet and Nick La Rivere on trombone.

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