Benjamin Krogh

Indie

A native of Northeastern Wisconsin, Benjamin Krogh composes stories within songs that allow listeners to place themselves within the narratives he constructs. Currently based in Portland, Oregon, he has spent the last decade focused on translating life experiences into his songwriting, resulting in a span of work that is both accessible and mysterious; simple yet layered with complexities.

That has never been more apparent than on his latest effort, Beck and Call, released on Deeper Well Records in November 2018. The album is full of journeys and strangers, questions and longings of the soul. The songs paint pictures of life in the midst of seeking greater truths, as well as moments of love found in quiet places. The album draws on years of musical influences, from Damien Jurado to Tom Petty to The War on Drugs, resulting in an honest and approachable sound. Beck and Call was recorded at Bungalow 9 Studio in SE Portland, and Produced by Evan Way (The Parson Red Heads).

Website:

https://noisetrade.com/benjaminkrogh/beck-call

Micah McCaw

Indie-folk

Between the sloping hills of Southern Oregon, Micah McCaw explores multiple worlds through his music, taking folk and blues to create a sound one-of-a-kind to himself. If Paul Thomas Anderson's movies were made into music, they might look something like the musical projects McCaw has undertaken so far. McCaw's newest Album, titled Imbalances, is set to release early next year and will feature more guitar driven alternative rock and progressive rock.

Website:

https://micahmccaw.bandcamp.com

Stephan Nance

Piano/Pop

Stephan Nance is a queer Portland, Ore.-based singer-songwriter specializing in poetic piano pop. In 2012, following a modest tour of vegan-friendly frozen yogurt shops, they released their debut album, A Troubled Piece of Fruit. The album enjoyed favorable reviews, and the song “Japanese Garden” earned a nomination in the 2012 OUTMusic Awards. This marginal success was followed by a prolonged interval of trauma-induced creative block, which lasted from 2013 until 2016. After years of therapy and immersion in the world of birding, Stephan finally returned to music with newfound vigor, churning out dozens of new songs. In spring of 2017, Stephan played a nine-show tour of Japan which included Q&As at Japanese high schools. That fall, they collaborated with Hotel RL, performing at hotels throughout the U.S. Stephan wrapped up the year with the first leg of their Incredible Distance Tour, with stops in the UK, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Italy, France and Morocco. Early 2018 saw the release of Stephan's Incredible Distance EP and the Japan leg of the Incredible Distance Tour, with shows in Sapporo, Fukuoka, Ibusuki, Saga, Shunan, Okayama and Shimosuwa. Somehow, in the midst of all this, Stephan graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, with a minor in French and a strong focus on Queer Studies. Look at the Harlequins!, a new six-song EP, was released on January 11, 2019. In June 2019, they went on a mini-tour in support of the EP, with shows in the UK, Russia and New York. Stephan lives in Portland with their partner and two parrots. Stephan is currently working on their second full-length album, Sparkbird, and a young adult novel set at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon.

Website:

http://www.stephannance.com/