Happy belated Halloween and Dia de Muertos, music lovers! This week we’re stoked about a tour that's bringing Moorea Masa and the Mood to the Jack London, Wynne’s first headliner show in her hometown in four years, Revolutions Per Movie's first live podcast taping, and a December show date with Pickathon 2023 favorite at the Get Down. Here's the god music news, Hear in Portland!
MUST SEE:
Upcoming local event(s) featuring local artist(s).
Próxima Parada, Moorea Masa and the Mood
In last week's column, we noted former Portlander Moorea Masa’s new single “Magic” as a must-listen track. This week we’re suggesting everyone go see Moorea Masa and the Mood at Jack London Revue, as she provides opening support for a string of dates with indie soul and groove-based band Próxima Parada, on their Next Stop Tour. (Próxima Parada translates to “next stop” in English.) Before she moved to Cali, during the pandemic, Moorea Masa had established herself as a fixture in our local scene with her sweetly sung soul music. We're looking forward to hearing that smooth and silky voice live once more at this show, where she'll deliver fresh work like “When the Summer Calls,” and hopefully the 2021 single “In the Mood.” Between her set and Proxima Parada’s cinematic sound, the audience can look forward to being immersed in buoyant and sun-soaked R&B. (Jack London Revue, 529 SW 4th, Fri Nov 10, 9 pm, $17, tickets here, 21+)
Wynne
Wynne’s upcoming Portland show has been a long time coming. The last time the Lake Oswego-raised rapper headlined a show here was a December 2019 Hunny I’m Home show at Hawthorne Theater, in support of her debut album If I May… . Since then, the emcee has marked a lot of milestones: She dropped an impressive, technical verse on Sway in the Morning, put out an outstanding six-track EP called Some Like It Hot, and released a never-ending slew of music videos—some of which even premiered on World Star Hip-Hop. The Portland date of the rapper's Hot On Their Heels Tour will be held at the significantly larger venue. Come to hear standout tracks like infectious single “Jaw Morant” and rap along to lyrics like “I don’t give him brain, I give him wisdom/ Fuck like he got trauma that he probably need to heal from.” In addition to other excellent tracks like “Hot Friend,” “In the Mood,” and “What Would Comb Do?” Expect special guests, and some of the Portland-based rap star’s older music, too. Beloved North Portland emcee Mic Capes opens the show up. (Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, Thurs Nov 16, 8 pm, $25, tickets here, all ages)
ADDED TO THE QUEUE:
Some upcoming music buzz to put on your radar.
Revolutions Per Movie Live w/ Peter Buck
We recently praised Chris Slusarenko’s new podcast Revolutions Per Movie, on which guests discuss their favorite music films and documentaries. Next month the production will record its first live show, inside the pitch-perfect location of Cinema 21. Slusarenko (Eyelids, Guided By Voices, Clinton St. Video movie store) will host a rare screening of the 2014 music documentary R.E.M. by MTV, followed by an in-person interview with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck where the audience will also be allowed to pose questions. Get into it live, or listen to it later—either way it’s required. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit the Jeremy Wilson Foundation, and its Musician Health & Services Program, which supports musicians, music industry workers, and their families during medical crises and health-related challenges. (Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, Tues Dec 5, 7 pm, $15, tickets here, film not rated)
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Butcher Brown
Jazz fusionists Butcher Brown absolutely killed their two sets at Pickathon 2023, creating two mind-blowing, body-moving experiences for festival goers. It’s no surprise the Richmond, Virginia-based group is bringing their eclectic and upbeat live act through the area once more, touring to support Solar Music, a brand new album loaded with 20 diverse tracks—there’s something for everyone on it. The album warms up with two lyric-free tracks before moving into soul, with ”I Can Say To You,” featuring Vanisha Gould. The album merges jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop and soul, showing influences from The Roots to MF Doom. Among a myriad of features we noted guitarist Charlie Hunter on “Espionage,” East London rapper Jay Prince on the danceable track “MOVE (RIDE),” and singer-songwriter Julia Shuren on “Turismo.” Solar Music is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, a near-perfect blend of their favorite genres. But nothing can top Butcher Brown's shows, which demonstrate a masterclass of raw energy, improvisation, and the deft integration of Southern Coast hip-hop and Southern rock. Fans will be dancing all night to songs like “DYKWYD” and “No Way Around It.” They'll be getting in their feelings to softer jazz numbers like “This Side Of Sunshine,” “I Can Say To You,” and hopefully “BubbleBath.” (The Get Down, 615 SE Alder, Wed Dec 6, $20, tickets here, 21+)
