Stumptown Soundcheck

Portland Radio Project / Music Portland
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Launching on April 23rd, this podcast in collaboration with Music Portland‘s Policy 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.

  1. Episode 31: Behind the Festival: Building Music Events in the Pacific Northwest

    MAR 22

    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.

    40 min
  2. Episode 30: Amplifying the Industry: Inside the MusicPortland–MusicOregon Merger

    FEB 23

    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 president) Kate O’Brien about advocacy, statewide expansion, and the real impact these organizations have behind the scenes. From policy wins to artist investment and membership changes, they clarify the biggest misconceptions and explain who should be paying attention now. If you’re an artist, venue, or industry worker wondering who’s fighting for music in Oregon, this conversation is for you.

    29 min
  3. Episode 29: Turning the Corner: Music, Policy, and Portland’s Next Chapter

    JAN 26

    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 music and cultural policy intersect with the city’s future. The conversation touches on public investment in arts and entertainment, statewide support for cultural infrastructure, and why music venues matter beyond nightlife. Rather than revisiting what’s been lost, the episode looks toward what could be built next.

    24 min
  4. Episode 28: To park or not to park...

    11/27/2025

    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 how parking availability influences ticket sales, audience turnout, artist load-ins, neighborhood relations, and overall venue operation

    28 min
  5. Episode 27: The State of the Music Economy

    11/27/2025

    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 sectorportland.gov. You’ll hear from Grammy‑winning artist Esperanza Spalding, who reflects on the importance of community music programs; Mara McLaughlin of Music Portland, who presents economic data showing how Portland’s music scene outpaces many other industries; and venue operator Jim Brunberg, who explains why independent venues are cultural and economic anchors. The meeting also features policy proposals—ranging from agent‑of‑change development guidelines to noise‑code reforms—and public testimony highlighting the need for living wages and more rehearsal space. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a policymaker or someone curious about how music shapes Portland’s identity, this episode offers a front‑row seat to a pivotal discussion about the future of the city’s music ecosystemportland.gov.

    30 min
  6. Episode 26: Can Portland be both a sports city and a music city?

    07/27/2025

    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; Co‑Manager, Underground Music Showcase; Denver Cultural Affairs Commissioner). Together they unpack how arena culture, public policy, and grassroots scenes collide— from the WNBA’s return to Rip City to Denver’s stadium districts and community benefit agreements. OG One shares how he’s turned the Moda Center into a platform for local artists—slotting indie tracks into game ops, building halftime/concourse showcases, and creating a pipeline that trains young DJs for pro teams. Duffy offers a playbook from a championship sports town: treating music and sports as one entertainment ecosystem, getting artists at the table early, and safeguarding independent venues when shiny new stadiums add concerts to their calendars. In this episode: Sports investment vs. arts investment—and where policy actually moves the needle Practical ways teams can platform local musicians (and why intention matters) Stadium districts, noise, and CBAs: protecting neighbors and nightlife How music and sports fans can learn from each other to build a more inclusive scene A candid, actionable conversation about identity, equity, and the future of Portland’s culture. Press play and join the huddle.

    34 min
  7. Episode 25: Does Portland need a “Night Mayor”?

    05/25/2025

    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 safe again? Host Jamie Dunphy sits down with two of America’s leading nighttime-economy strategists: Scott Plusquellec – Nightlife Business Advocate, City of Seattle Julia Heath – Policy & Outreach Manager, Office of Nighttime Economy, City of New Orleans Together they unpack what a “night mayor” really does (and why that title makes them cringe), how COVID reshaped urban after-hours life, and what Portland should consider before launching its own program. If you care about music venues, late-night jobs, or simply being able to grab a taco and hear a band at midnight without stepping over red tape, this episode is for you.

    30 min
  8. Episode 24: Rocking the Suburbs!

    04/27/2025

    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, Vancouver, and beyond—where guitars are repaired faster than city councils can file another noise-ordinance memo. Geoff Metts, co-owner of Five Star Guitars, reveals how a suburban shop morphed into a West-Coast gear mecca, why NAMM has him testifying on Capitol Hill, and which of his former guitar students now teach him a lesson or two. Sheri Jamison, opera-singer-turned-arts-power-broker, dishes on Vancouver’s shiny new 0.1% cultural-access tax, brewing plans for a 1,200-seat performing-arts center, and the secret to coaxing city hall into funding mosh pits. Plus: post-pandemic venue survival hacks, Live Nation shade, commute-induced existential dread on the I-205 bridge, and a love letter (with scorch marks) to Dante’s at 3rd & Burnside. Whether you’re a policy wonk hunting economic-impact numbers, a suburban parent praying for a hometown date-night gig, or a jealous downtown club rat wondering where the crowd went—this episode lays out the dollars, decibels, and drama driving the greater-Portland music engine.

    28 min
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About

Launching on April 23rd, this podcast in collaboration with Music Portland‘s Policy 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Portland Radio Project / Music Portland
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    Stumptown Soundcheck