demo

Friday, January 17, 2025

Portland's Folk Festival Present

Portland's Folk Festival

Rainbow Girls

Handmade Moments

Haley Johnsen

Christopher Worth

Presidio

Mystery Performer

Graham Patzner

Jacob Westfall

Dustin Dale Gaspard

Blair Borax

Live Art by Pop Wonder

5 pm doors, 6 pm show

$40 Presale, $70 Two Day Early Bird Passes

All ages welcome

Share this event

Add to Calendar

Portland's Folk Festival

Portland's Folk Festival

An annual celebration of folk, Americana and roots music hosted by the historic Crystal Ballroom. See 35 artists on 2 stages with all proceeds donated to Sunstone Way and Music Portland.

Rainbow Girls

Rainbow Girls

"band. enigma. wet meat. song witches. sandwiches. We highly recommend us for you."

Handmade Moments

Hip-hop folk-roots

Handmade Moments

Life’s trials and tribulations are a preparatory course of sorts, a journey of peaks and valleys on a long and winding road, and through the flames of adversity rises a phoenix. On May 21, 2016, Anna Moss and Joel Ludford, the duo of multi-instrumentalists that comprise Handmade Moments, were riding along a different road of sorts. On that fateful afternoon in Northern California, their beloved bio-diesel bus - that they spent six months laboring to build, and lived, toured and gigged in for nearly a year - was struck by two vehicles in a harrowing head-on collision. The resulting wreck required a Medivac for Ludford, who was severely injured from the waist down. He spent a month in the hospital, three more in a wheelchair. Moss herself had a concussion, two other passengers were injured as well, and all four called themselves lucky to be alive.

Up until that point, Handmade Moments was patiently making their way in the music world, products of a fertile art scene in Fayetteville, Ark., where they’d amassed a fervent and enthusiastic following. Born from the ashes of the rock band Don’t Stop Please, in 2014 the quirky, jazzy crew released a self-titled debut Handmade Moments. A series of tours followed, and the prolific pair won hearts beyond the Ozarks, with that came 2015’s critically acclaimed Eye in the Sky. The hip-hop folk-roots group was gigging their way from coast to coast, and soon went international, venturing to South America, where they planted firm roots in Argentina. Their story seemed to be going along swimmingly, until one day, it wasn’t. Their home, vehicle, instruments, just about everything Moss and Ludford had worked so hard for, was destroyed, in merely an instant. But apparent from the moment Moss returned home from the hospital and began writing a song, the calamity had not extinguished their spirits. The ultimate reality check had arrived in death-defying fashion, and they’d live to sing the tale.

Ludford and Moss retreated into the nurturing bosom of Nevada City, Calif., area to recover and begin the healing process the only way they knew how, through music. Over the next three months, these meditations and ruminations fueled the writing, recording and realization of Paw Paw Tree, their third full-length LP and Jumpsuit Records debut. That reclamation came on May 21, 2018, as Moss and Ludford return weathered, stronger and wiser for the time; two years to the day from the accident, emerging a bolstered and emboldened Handmade Moments. The diverse collection of songs is riveting from start to finish, an amalgam of their rock and jazz past, juxtaposed with Southern roots and folk DNA, scrambled together and evolved into the current continuum that reveals Paw Paw Tree.

Ornate instrumentation details the bedrock of their simple yet sophisticated songcraft, and endearing, intoxicating personality. Handmade Moments’ piercing lyricism and carousing croon both tell their own inspirational tale and encompass larger themes that resonate within us all. This musical document unveils a myriad of tones, from walking upright bass to silky saxophone; it embodies an intelligent, progressive culture and celebrates a simple way of life. “Fighting a Mountain” imagines a friend stranded in raging waters, but you are unable to help, restrained by physical barriers. The title track envisions a post-apocalyptic world with desert farms, a pointed statement against input-reliant agriculture and rallying cry to restore the ecosystem. “Junkie” is not your typical lover’s lament, and uses muse and real life metaphor to emphasize emotions that know no bounds, until they are no more. Paw Paw Tree is filled with lyrical life lessons, statements on the state the union and examinations of those fragile, human elements that define each and every one of us.

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/handmademomentsmusic/

Website:
http://www.handmademomentsmusic.net/

Haley Johnsen

Singer & songwriter

Haley Johnsen

Haley Johnsen is a singer songwriter best characterized by her powerhouse vocals and unique lyrical perspective. Drawing inspiration from acts like Bonnie Raitt, Grace Potter, and Brandi Carlile, Haley writes and sings with a soulful determination that is willful, playful, but never forced.

During 2017 and 2018, Haley toured as an opener for Sawyer Fredericks and as lead support for The Wind and The Wave all across the United States. Over the course of her career, she has self released two EP’s Through the Blue, When You Lit the Sky, as well as a multitude of singles that have showcased her fluidity as a cross genre artist. She recently released her first full studio album and LP Golden Days now available everywhere.

Haley completed her first headline tour of Europe in January & February of 2019 playing 26 shows in 5 weeks. She is currently on tour in the U.S with electronic DJ and producer Big Wild as his bass player and backup vocalist, and was recently direct support for the band Joseph across the USA through April & May.  

Born in Oregon to musical parents, Haley grew up around everything from pop, classic rock, country, and blues, an appreciable quality that is easily recognized in her original songs. As a student, she began to learn the guitar, quickly shifting her focus from choral and a cappella ensembles to her solo work. Her first national attention came from a strong run on American Idol, and has since maintained a strong following that stretches well beyond her hometown of Portland.

Christopher Worth

Bohemian Blues Hop

Christopher Worth

From the downbeat of the title track on WORTH's Pardon Me, the listener is in for a magical ride. This 3rd album fuses the depth and dynamic impact of modern sound with the soulful rawness of the old school. The music is both haunting and familiar, and touches the addictive vitality of that new thing you can't stop playing in your stereo. Pardon Me is WORTH in full stride.

The first thing you notice when listening to Christopher Worth is the undeniable quality of his voice: it is thick, sensual, raw, and honest. At times he expresses with the buttery richness of John Legend ("I Need You," "Tides"); at others with the feral range and force of Paul McCartney ("Care", "Bayou"). There are delicate moments, too, in which his singing is reminiscent of Amos Lee ("Glory") and even D'Angelo ("Lo and Behold"). At it's core, however, his voice is steeped in the spirit of the blues.

Christopher Worth grew up in the hip hop and r&b of the 90's and you can feel these always in the backbeat of Pardon Me. The performances are also laced with the freedom and expressiveness of rock and roll: drums hit aggressively and are consistently placed hot in the mix. Rhythmic pockets stay deep, vital, and at times delve into a more roots or folk vibe. The instrumental tones themselves are luscious and expansive. Through the course of the record the band explores mellow acoustic valleys, groovy backroads, and electrifying peaks culminating in the anthemic "Fallen Leaves." It is the sweet spot between these genres and dynamics that defines Worth's sound.

The quality of the performances is second only to the seasoned songwriting. "This record is the culmination of almost 10 years of work," says Worth, and this is readily apparent even on a first listen. The songs are tight and timeless while provocative and philosophical. From the lilting rise of "Stay Here With Me," to the smooth invitation of "Tides," to the jazzy hook of "I Need You," Worth's melodic construction entices and never feels imposed. The voices find their wings in soaring melodies and lyrics that resonate as organic and real. These compositions have come from a vast well of emotion and experience.

Led by an accomplished musician and songwriter, Pardon Me exemplifies the living journey. It is a fresh, undeniable work from a consummate artist.

 

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/weareworth

Website:
http://www.worth-music.com/

Presidio

Presidio

Presidio is a Portland-based duo featuring Gabriella De La Cruz on drums/vocals and Will Zesiger on guitar/vocals – the two build their sound around their ethereal vocal harmonies and intimate songwriting style. Their first EP, Telepathy, debuted in April 2020 and garnered over 150,000 streams. They are currently recording their first full-length album.

Website:
https://www.presidioband.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/presidioband/about/

Jacob Westfall

Indie singer-songwriter

Jacob Westfall

Jacob Westfall is a young veteran of the Portland music scene and has gained recognition as one of the fastest growing singer-songwriters in the Pacific Northwest; often seen onstage with a family of collaborators and musicians of his adoptive hometown community. After appearances on shows like NBC’s The Voice (S12) and ABC’s American Idol (S1) he has released two projects: A full length record "Where We Are" (2018) an EP,  "Wonderful (2021), and his latest single, "To Be Loved" (2022)

 When performing he shares his story through genuine songwriting, powerhouse vocals, and pristine arrangements – regaling his tales of love, goodbyes, new friendships, and serial optimism through a tradition of alternative soundscapes and folk authenticity in a pop-style package with a rock & roll attitude.

Website:
http://www.jacobwestfall.com

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/jacobwestfallmusic

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIwhR13Sk4w

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/westfalljacob

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/westfalljacob

Blair Borax

Singer-Songwriter

Blair Borax

Blair Borax is a singer-songwriter who writes tender folk-pop songs to make you feel less alone. "With rich lyrics and a voice like molasses," poet Juniper Klatt says, "Blair Borax makes music that moves you to the heart of being human, offers you a warm cup of tea, and invites you to stay a while."

With vocal stylings reminiscent of 1920s jazz, songwriting that is unafraid to tackle the taboo, and pop melodies that stay with you for days, Blair Borax has something special to offer. She conjures a vocal charm somewhere in between Regina Spektor and First Aid Kit, wordsmithing inspired by the songwriting greats like John Prine, and moody vulnerability like Haley Heynderickx and Big Thief's Adrienne Lenker.

After releasing her first EP ‘everything is light work' in May of 2021, Blair released her debut full-length album "Keep Walking" in June 2022. "Keep Walking" will take you on an emotional journey about moving forward with your head held high, beyond trauma and heartache. It is the perfect companion to help you keep walking too. She is working on her sophomore record, "Tender Lately" this year.

 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/blairboraxyogamusic/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/blairartthou/

  • Friday, January 17, 2025

    Portland's Folk Festival Present

    Portland's Folk Festival

    Rainbow Girls

    Handmade Moments

    Haley Johnsen

    Christopher Worth

    Presidio

    Mystery Performer

    Graham Patzner

    Jacob Westfall

    Dustin Dale Gaspard

    Blair Borax

    Live Art by Pop Wonder

    5 pm doors, 6 pm show

    $40 Presale, $70 Two Day Early Bird Passes

    All ages welcome

    Share this event

    Add to Calendar

    Portland's Folk Festival

    Portland's Folk Festival

    An annual celebration of folk, Americana and roots music hosted by the historic Crystal Ballroom. See 35 artists on 2 stages with all proceeds donated to Sunstone Way and Music Portland.

    Rainbow Girls

    Rainbow Girls

    "band. enigma. wet meat. song witches. sandwiches. We highly recommend us for you."

    Handmade Moments

    Hip-hop folk-roots

    Handmade Moments

    Life’s trials and tribulations are a preparatory course of sorts, a journey of peaks and valleys on a long and winding road, and through the flames of adversity rises a phoenix. On May 21, 2016, Anna Moss and Joel Ludford, the duo of multi-instrumentalists that comprise Handmade Moments, were riding along a different road of sorts. On that fateful afternoon in Northern California, their beloved bio-diesel bus - that they spent six months laboring to build, and lived, toured and gigged in for nearly a year - was struck by two vehicles in a harrowing head-on collision. The resulting wreck required a Medivac for Ludford, who was severely injured from the waist down. He spent a month in the hospital, three more in a wheelchair. Moss herself had a concussion, two other passengers were injured as well, and all four called themselves lucky to be alive.

    Up until that point, Handmade Moments was patiently making their way in the music world, products of a fertile art scene in Fayetteville, Ark., where they’d amassed a fervent and enthusiastic following. Born from the ashes of the rock band Don’t Stop Please, in 2014 the quirky, jazzy crew released a self-titled debut Handmade Moments. A series of tours followed, and the prolific pair won hearts beyond the Ozarks, with that came 2015’s critically acclaimed Eye in the Sky. The hip-hop folk-roots group was gigging their way from coast to coast, and soon went international, venturing to South America, where they planted firm roots in Argentina. Their story seemed to be going along swimmingly, until one day, it wasn’t. Their home, vehicle, instruments, just about everything Moss and Ludford had worked so hard for, was destroyed, in merely an instant. But apparent from the moment Moss returned home from the hospital and began writing a song, the calamity had not extinguished their spirits. The ultimate reality check had arrived in death-defying fashion, and they’d live to sing the tale.

    Ludford and Moss retreated into the nurturing bosom of Nevada City, Calif., area to recover and begin the healing process the only way they knew how, through music. Over the next three months, these meditations and ruminations fueled the writing, recording and realization of Paw Paw Tree, their third full-length LP and Jumpsuit Records debut. That reclamation came on May 21, 2018, as Moss and Ludford return weathered, stronger and wiser for the time; two years to the day from the accident, emerging a bolstered and emboldened Handmade Moments. The diverse collection of songs is riveting from start to finish, an amalgam of their rock and jazz past, juxtaposed with Southern roots and folk DNA, scrambled together and evolved into the current continuum that reveals Paw Paw Tree.

    Ornate instrumentation details the bedrock of their simple yet sophisticated songcraft, and endearing, intoxicating personality. Handmade Moments’ piercing lyricism and carousing croon both tell their own inspirational tale and encompass larger themes that resonate within us all. This musical document unveils a myriad of tones, from walking upright bass to silky saxophone; it embodies an intelligent, progressive culture and celebrates a simple way of life. “Fighting a Mountain” imagines a friend stranded in raging waters, but you are unable to help, restrained by physical barriers. The title track envisions a post-apocalyptic world with desert farms, a pointed statement against input-reliant agriculture and rallying cry to restore the ecosystem. “Junkie” is not your typical lover’s lament, and uses muse and real life metaphor to emphasize emotions that know no bounds, until they are no more. Paw Paw Tree is filled with lyrical life lessons, statements on the state the union and examinations of those fragile, human elements that define each and every one of us.

    Facebook:
    http://www.facebook.com/handmademomentsmusic/

    Website:
    http://www.handmademomentsmusic.net/

    Haley Johnsen

    Singer & songwriter

    Haley Johnsen

    Haley Johnsen is a singer songwriter best characterized by her powerhouse vocals and unique lyrical perspective. Drawing inspiration from acts like Bonnie Raitt, Grace Potter, and Brandi Carlile, Haley writes and sings with a soulful determination that is willful, playful, but never forced.

    During 2017 and 2018, Haley toured as an opener for Sawyer Fredericks and as lead support for The Wind and The Wave all across the United States. Over the course of her career, she has self released two EP’s Through the Blue, When You Lit the Sky, as well as a multitude of singles that have showcased her fluidity as a cross genre artist. She recently released her first full studio album and LP Golden Days now available everywhere.

    Haley completed her first headline tour of Europe in January & February of 2019 playing 26 shows in 5 weeks. She is currently on tour in the U.S with electronic DJ and producer Big Wild as his bass player and backup vocalist, and was recently direct support for the band Joseph across the USA through April & May.  

    Born in Oregon to musical parents, Haley grew up around everything from pop, classic rock, country, and blues, an appreciable quality that is easily recognized in her original songs. As a student, she began to learn the guitar, quickly shifting her focus from choral and a cappella ensembles to her solo work. Her first national attention came from a strong run on American Idol, and has since maintained a strong following that stretches well beyond her hometown of Portland.

    Christopher Worth

    Bohemian Blues Hop

    Christopher Worth

    From the downbeat of the title track on WORTH's Pardon Me, the listener is in for a magical ride. This 3rd album fuses the depth and dynamic impact of modern sound with the soulful rawness of the old school. The music is both haunting and familiar, and touches the addictive vitality of that new thing you can't stop playing in your stereo. Pardon Me is WORTH in full stride.

    The first thing you notice when listening to Christopher Worth is the undeniable quality of his voice: it is thick, sensual, raw, and honest. At times he expresses with the buttery richness of John Legend ("I Need You," "Tides"); at others with the feral range and force of Paul McCartney ("Care", "Bayou"). There are delicate moments, too, in which his singing is reminiscent of Amos Lee ("Glory") and even D'Angelo ("Lo and Behold"). At it's core, however, his voice is steeped in the spirit of the blues.

    Christopher Worth grew up in the hip hop and r&b of the 90's and you can feel these always in the backbeat of Pardon Me. The performances are also laced with the freedom and expressiveness of rock and roll: drums hit aggressively and are consistently placed hot in the mix. Rhythmic pockets stay deep, vital, and at times delve into a more roots or folk vibe. The instrumental tones themselves are luscious and expansive. Through the course of the record the band explores mellow acoustic valleys, groovy backroads, and electrifying peaks culminating in the anthemic "Fallen Leaves." It is the sweet spot between these genres and dynamics that defines Worth's sound.

    The quality of the performances is second only to the seasoned songwriting. "This record is the culmination of almost 10 years of work," says Worth, and this is readily apparent even on a first listen. The songs are tight and timeless while provocative and philosophical. From the lilting rise of "Stay Here With Me," to the smooth invitation of "Tides," to the jazzy hook of "I Need You," Worth's melodic construction entices and never feels imposed. The voices find their wings in soaring melodies and lyrics that resonate as organic and real. These compositions have come from a vast well of emotion and experience.

    Led by an accomplished musician and songwriter, Pardon Me exemplifies the living journey. It is a fresh, undeniable work from a consummate artist.

     

    Facebook:
    http://www.facebook.com/weareworth

    Website:
    http://www.worth-music.com/

    Presidio

    Presidio

    Presidio is a Portland-based duo featuring Gabriella De La Cruz on drums/vocals and Will Zesiger on guitar/vocals – the two build their sound around their ethereal vocal harmonies and intimate songwriting style. Their first EP, Telepathy, debuted in April 2020 and garnered over 150,000 streams. They are currently recording their first full-length album.

    Website:
    https://www.presidioband.com/

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/presidioband/about/

    Jacob Westfall

    Indie singer-songwriter

    Jacob Westfall

    Jacob Westfall is a young veteran of the Portland music scene and has gained recognition as one of the fastest growing singer-songwriters in the Pacific Northwest; often seen onstage with a family of collaborators and musicians of his adoptive hometown community. After appearances on shows like NBC’s The Voice (S12) and ABC’s American Idol (S1) he has released two projects: A full length record "Where We Are" (2018) an EP,  "Wonderful (2021), and his latest single, "To Be Loved" (2022)

     When performing he shares his story through genuine songwriting, powerhouse vocals, and pristine arrangements – regaling his tales of love, goodbyes, new friendships, and serial optimism through a tradition of alternative soundscapes and folk authenticity in a pop-style package with a rock & roll attitude.

    Website:
    http://www.jacobwestfall.com

    Facebook:
    http://www.facebook.com/jacobwestfallmusic

    YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIwhR13Sk4w

    Instagram:
    http://www.instagram.com/westfalljacob

    Twitter:
    http://www.twitter.com/westfalljacob

    Blair Borax

    Singer-Songwriter

    Blair Borax

    Blair Borax is a singer-songwriter who writes tender folk-pop songs to make you feel less alone. "With rich lyrics and a voice like molasses," poet Juniper Klatt says, "Blair Borax makes music that moves you to the heart of being human, offers you a warm cup of tea, and invites you to stay a while."

    With vocal stylings reminiscent of 1920s jazz, songwriting that is unafraid to tackle the taboo, and pop melodies that stay with you for days, Blair Borax has something special to offer. She conjures a vocal charm somewhere in between Regina Spektor and First Aid Kit, wordsmithing inspired by the songwriting greats like John Prine, and moody vulnerability like Haley Heynderickx and Big Thief's Adrienne Lenker.

    After releasing her first EP ‘everything is light work' in May of 2021, Blair released her debut full-length album "Keep Walking" in June 2022. "Keep Walking" will take you on an emotional journey about moving forward with your head held high, beyond trauma and heartache. It is the perfect companion to help you keep walking too. She is working on her sophomore record, "Tender Lately" this year.

     

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/blairboraxyogamusic/

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/blairartthou/

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