PODCAST · society
Stumptown Soundcheck
by Portland Radio Project / Music Portland
This podcast is in collaboration with Music Portland‘s Advocacy Council will provide a comprehensive examination of Portland’s music community, addressing the challenges faced by local musicians, venue owners, and other stakeholders. The podcast aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by the PDX music community and initiate conversations on a variety of topics including cultural arts plans, economic development and music tourism.
Episodes
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Episode 35: Making Room for Music: Rethinking Sound in Portland
Sound can connect us—to nature, to music and to one another—but sharing space also requires understanding and consideration. Music Advocacy Council Sound Committee co-chairs Derek Trost and Brendy Hale join host Anthony Messano to discuss why updating Portland’s noise code may be the clearest and...
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Episode 34: Listening Across Oregon: MusicOregon’s Statewide Listening Tour
MusicOregon’s Statewide Listening Tour set out to hear directly from musicians, venue operators and music professionals across Oregon about what’s working, what’s missing and what support local music communities need most. Tim Wilson, Dick Huey and Cheri Jamison join host Veronica Bisesti to…
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Episode 33: Sidewalk Songs: Busking, Policy and Public Space
What happens when live music becomes part of the soundtrack to your day? This month on Stumptown Soundcheck, host Anthony Messano welcomes David Pollack & Johnny Franco of Curbside Serenade, along with Paul Van Orden from the City of Portland's Noise Program, for a conversation about busking,...
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Episode 32: Fix the Tix… or Fix the System?
If you’ve tried to buy a concert ticket lately, you know how frustrating it’s become. Oregon is stepping in with new laws aimed at bots, deceptive practices, and speculative ticketing—but will they actually change the experience for fans, artists, and venues? Host Anthony Messano is joined by…
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Episode 31: Behind the Festival: Building Music Events in the Pacific Northwest
Music festivals don’t just happen—they’re built. We talk with Chad Colwell (Jackalope Jamboree) and Christina Fuller (Waterfront Blues Festival) about what it really takes to create festivals in the Pacific Northwest.
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Episode 30: Amplifying the Industry: Inside the MusicPortland–MusicOregon Merger
This episode of Stumptown Soundcheck unpacks the merger between MusicPortland and MusicOregon — what changed, what didn’t, and why it matters to everyone in the music ecosystem. Host Anthony Messano talks with Music Oregon Board President Tim Wilson and Music Portland board member (and former...
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Episode 29: Turning the Corner: Music, Policy, and Portland’s Next Chapter
Portland is in the middle of another transition, and conversations about safety, culture, and identity often blur together. On this episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Anthony Messano is joined by Marshall Runkel, political strategist and longtime Portland civic advocate, to talk through how...
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Episode 28: To park or not to park...
With new host Anthony Messano at the helm, Stumptown Soundcheck digs into one of the most universal — and maddening — parts of Portland’s live-music experience: parking. Joined by venue leaders Cheri Jamison (Alberta Abbey) and Jimi Byron (McMenamins/Crystal Ballroom), the conversation explores…
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Episode 27: The State of the Music Economy
In this special episode, Stumptown Soundcheck brings you inside the Arts & Economy Committee meeting of August 12 2025. Councilor Jamie Dunphy introduces “The State of Portland’s Music Economy,” a presentation that examines the scale, significance and vulnerability of the city’s independent music...
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Episode 26: Can Portland be both a sports city and a music city?
Portland’s indie heartbeat is loud—but can it keep tempo as the city leans harder into big-league sports? Host Jamie Dunphy sits down with two insiders who live at that intersection: DJ OG One (official DJ of the Portland Trail Blazers) and Jami Duffy (Executive Director, Youth on Record;...
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Episode 25: Does Portland need a “Night Mayor”?
For most Portlanders, the city doesn’t start until the workday ends—yet the only municipal employees reliably clocking in after 5 p.m. are cops, firefighters, and 911 operators. Could a dedicated advocate for nightlife, culture, and after-hours small business help the Rose City feel vibrant and...
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Episode 24: Rocking the Suburbs!
Forget the tired “Keep Portland Weird” bumper-sticker: the real action is happening in the neighborhoods you keep cruising past on the MAX. In this month’s Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy drags the spotlight off downtown and plants it firmly on Portland’s orbital music hubs—Beaverton,...
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Episode 23: Music Policy Forum founder Michael Bracy
In this episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy sits down with Michael Bracy, co-founder of the Music Policy Forum, to explore the intricate relationship between music, policy, and community-building. Michael recounts his early experiences advocating for artists’ rights with the Future...
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Episode 22: What King County Creative Economy Accomplishes
In Episode 22 of Stumptown Soundcheck, we tune in to the raw, unfiltered passion that Kate Becker brings to building and sustaining Seattle-area arts. Once a scrappy rabble-rouser, she’s now the head honcho at the King County Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy. (Yes, that’s a...
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Episode 21 – What does a “music city” look like?
In this episode, host and city councilor Jamie Dunphy sits down with Music Policy Council rock star Jesse Valencia to survey the big question: “How can Portland become a true music city?” Listeners chime in on everything from parking solutions to city-led agencies that cut through red tape. They...
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Episode 20: Music is on the Agenda
In this episode, host Jamie Dunphy engages with newly elected Portland City Councilors Sameer Kanal and Olivia Clark to explore the pivotal role of music in shaping public policy. They discuss strategies to support the local music industry, address subjective law enforcement issues related to…
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Episode 19: Which Candidates Are Music Champions?
In this enlightening episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, special guest host Jesse Valencia welcomes back Music Portland's founder and executive director, Mara McLaughlin. Together, they delve into the pivotal role of Portland's independent music industry in the city's economy and culture, especially...
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Episode 18: A Primer on Music Policy in Portland
In Episode 18 of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy welcomes Jesse Valencia, the newest member of the Music Policy Council, for an in-depth discussion on the vital intersection of music and public policy in Portland. They explore tangible ways policy can support the city's thriving…
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Episode 17: Portland’s Three New Venues?
Despite having more live music venues than other “music cities”, Portland has long been bypassed by tours due to a significant gap in venue sizes. The tide is turning with three new performance venues currently in various stages of planning. But at what price to our music community? Host Jamie...
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Episode 16: Finding Portland’s Queer Music Scene
Episode 16: Finding Portland’s Queer Music Scene Host Jamie Dunphy and guest Co-Host Renée Muzquiz delve into Portland's queer music scene. Joining the conversation are dynamic queer performers Karma Rivera and Shrista, who share their personal journeys and struggles as musicians in the hip-hop…
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Episode 15: Protecting music workers, protecting music jobs.
In this episode, Jamie Dunphy sits down with Mont Chris Hubbard of AFM Local 99 to discuss the new FTC rule banning non-compete agreements and its implications for musicians. Learn how this new regulation compares to Oregon laws, the specifics of radius clauses, and how it could shape the future...
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Episode 14: Shain Shapiro will make Portland better with music
Join us on this month’s episode of Stumptown Soundcheck as host Jamie Dunphy sits down with Shain Shapiro, the author of "This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your Cities Better" and founder of Sound Diplomacy. Tune in to hear about Shain's insights from his global book tour, and how…
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Episode 13: Live Nation is targeting Portland. So what?
In this stirring episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy delves into the growing influence of Live Nation in Portland's local music scene and how it could reshape the cultural and economic landscape of this independent music haven. With insights from Amy Maxwell, the seasoned founder…
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Episode 12: What is Live Nation?
In this eye-opening episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy takes a deep dive into the seismic shifts within the 2024 music industry, with a special focus on the colossal influence of Live Nation. Joined by the esteemed LA Times music reporter, August Brown, they explore how streaming,...
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Episode 11: Is Portland’s Black music scene more than history?
Stumptown Soundcheck is your monthly invitation to explore the heartbeat of Portland's music community, with a special focus on the rich, vibrant presence and contributions of Black musicians within the city. This episode, guest-hosted by champion for racial justice reform and music enthusiast,...
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Episode 10: Have Our Stages Really Been Saved?
Welcome to Episode 10 of Stumptown Soundcheck, entitled "Have Our Stages Really Been Saved?" In this thought-provoking discussion, host Jamie Dunphy explores the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Portland's music scene and dives into whether the legislative efforts, including the...
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Episode 9: Portland Music Month!
In today’s episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy takes you through the incredible landscape of Portland's Music Month. Get a front-row seat to the lively discussions with key figures who shape our city's soundtrack—Meara McLaughlin of Music Portland and Gina Altamura from Holocene!...
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Episode 8: When it’s more than a phase: Musicians and Mental Health
In the latest installment of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy invites listeners to a significant conversation surrounding the intersection of music and mental health. Joined by Kyleen King, a member of Brandi Carlile's touring band and a proactive contributor to the Jeremy Wilson…
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Episode 7: More than a nice to have: the need for change in all-ages access
In this engaging episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy explores the complexities, triumphs, and challenges of the all-ages music scene in Portland. Guests Andre Middleton, founder of the non-profit Friends of Noise, and Rina Marthaler, a young musician and advocate studying in...
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Episode 6: Don’t reinvent the wheel - what works in other music cities?
Jamie Dunphy sits down with Scott Strickland, a professional musician from Austin, Texas, and Christopher Naoum, a lawyer and local music organizer in Washington, D.C. They discuss the challenges faced by independent musicians and venues in their respective cities, and what can be learned from...
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Episode 5 - Building Booms and Noisy Rooms: Music in Urban Development
In Episode 5 of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy delves into the intersection of music, development, and public policy in Portland. Joined by guests Brian Wannamaker, a local developer known for his support of the arts, and Thomas Fang, an educator and board member of the Synth Library...
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Episode 3 - Thin walls and the death of music
Join us on this episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy delves into the intersection of music and public policy in Portland. With the city experiencing rapid growth and the loss of music venues to new developments, Jamie explores the need for better acoustic design and protections for...
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Episode 4 - Is there a creative future for Portland?
Join us in the latest episode of Stumptown Soundcheck where host Jamie Dunphy engages in a thought-provoking discussion with City of Portland Arts Manager, Jeff Hawthorne, and Oregon Arts Commissioner, Subashini Ganesan-Forbes. They share their experiences in the arts sector, the importance of…
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Episode 2 - The Real Size of the Portland Music Industry
In episode two of Stumptown Soundcheck, we delved into the economic significance of Portland's music industry with host Jamie Dunphy. Our guests, Meara McLaughlin, Cheri Jamison, and Donna Greene-Salter, detailed the results of a recent economic study, which highlighted the vibrancy and…
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Episode 1 - Harmonizing Portland: Advocacy, Challenges, and the Future of the Local Music Scene
Tune in to this informative podcast episode, where host Jamie Dunphy and guests Meara McLaughlin, Bruce Fife, and Eben Hoffer discuss the importance of music in society and its economic impact on Portland's music scene. Explore industry challenges, advocate for fair and equitable policies, and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast is in collaboration with Music Portland‘s Advocacy Council will provide a comprehensive examination of Portland’s music community, addressing the challenges faced by local musicians, venue owners, and other stakeholders. The podcast aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by the PDX music community and initiate conversations on a variety of topics including cultural arts plans, economic development and music tourism.
HOSTED BY
Portland Radio Project / Music Portland
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Stumptown Soundcheck have?
Stumptown Soundcheck currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Stumptown Soundcheck about?
This podcast is in collaboration with Music Portland‘s Advocacy Council will provide a comprehensive examination of Portland’s music community, addressing the challenges faced by local musicians, venue owners, and other stakeholders. The podcast aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by the...
How often does Stumptown Soundcheck release new episodes?
Stumptown Soundcheck has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Stumptown Soundcheck?
You can listen to Stumptown Soundcheck on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Stumptown Soundcheck?
Stumptown Soundcheck is created and hosted by Portland Radio Project / Music Portland.
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