We here at the Marmoset office love the stories that music evokes; hip-hop tells those unique stories like the one in this video that we can't stop watching here at the office.

Based out of Brooklyn, Jo-Vaughn Scott (Joey Bada$$) has been paving new ground with his vivid storytelling and lyrical creativity; he's also been carrying the baton with old-school sensibilities to his beats that are well beyond his years. One important note to make is that Jo-Vaughn is only 18.  Borrowing influences from the 70's and 80's, he has been confident in his delivery and has been speaking to experiences as an old soul.

We're excited to find out that Mr. Bada$$ will be coming to Portland in September for MusicFestNW, until then we're anticipating his show with videos like this.

PICKATHON - AUGUST 2-4

If you want to get away from the city and the bar venues for a little while, this is your festival.  Started as a small festival on the outskirts of town showcasing a few bands over one night, Pickathon has boomed into something massive and one of the most immersive festivals in just over a few years.  Nestled in Pendarvis Farms, this festival's goal is "juxtaposting alternate realities" and it does exactly that.

Beautifully set up stages and camp sites are the only things set up, with an emphasis on sustainability.  Pickathon is bringing in their best lineup yet with the likes of Feist, Andrew Bird, Kurt Vile, Divine Fits, and Felice Brothers to name a few.  So bring your sleeping bag and cowboy boots - barn stomping is highly recommended.

Find out more HERE.

DOE BAY FESTIVAL - AUGUST 8-11

Further north in our neighboring state of Washington, there is another incredible festival happening this summer.  In just it's 6th year, The Doe Bay Festival is bringing in some of the most innovative bands to hit the stage.

Set in the mythical-sounding Orcas Island, the festival takes place on the picturesque Doe Bay Resort. The experience has been described as "musicians on vacation" and camping is encouraged.

We, here at Marmoset couldn't be happier being a sponsor for Doe Bay Festival, especially with the incredible lineup this year including Built To Spill, Bobby Bare Jr., Radiation City, and Shabazz Palaces.

Find more details HERE.

Doe Bay Fest 2012 from Jesse Michener on Vimeo.

MUSICFESTNW - SEPTEMBER 3-8

In the recent years, MusicFestNW (MFNW) has taken over the month of September.  By far, being the biggest music festival in Portland, most of the city becomes involved in this celebration of music. From the intimate venues like Doug Fir, to the grandiose spectacle of Pioneer Court House Square, bands are everywhere.

With the lineup just unveiled, this is set to be the most exciting year yet. In just scratching the surface, bands such as Animal Collective, Neko Case, The Head & The Heart, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Superchunk, Helio Sequence, and Dan Deacon are coming to town.

Behold, and find more info HERE.

MFNW 2013 Promo from wweek.vimeo on Vimeo.

Whether in times of solace or in chaos, there is always a romantic lens to each of his pieces.  Here is a good example with this new music video.

Nick Jaina is a storyteller, first and foremost.  While his musicianship and arrangement is very strong, it only serves as foundations supporting his vast world of novel-esque imagery.  Reminiscent of other troubadours such as Tom Waits and Elvis Costello, his songs evoke old sunburnt photos pulled out of a clunky old chest.

Nick's lyrics are simple, present and bring vivid clarity to a moment in time.  Even though he might have not have experienced everything that he sings about, you still believe he has and in the story.

This outfit doesn't waste time with frills, they recall your 90's vinyl collection with their own unique spin and talent.  Being in a band in the City of Rock has a lot of weight and pressure to it, and these gents handle it with ease.

We're pumped to have these guys on our roster and we're equally excited for you to hear them.  Check out this new video from their new self titled album.

Destroy This Place: Graves from Scott Allen on Vimeo.

Falling in line in a lineage of other strange and magical structures including Watts Towers, Forevertron, and The Orange Show, the Cathedral of Junk serves as many things, and one of them was as a stage for our friends in Radiation City.

During the hot days of SXSW, GoPro chose different bands to film and they captured the unique band playing in an equally unique landscape.  This is an exceptional video showcasing a moment in time and the imaginative world(s) that we create around us.

Radiation City is on the road right now - check out their tour dates HERE.

The newly reformed synth-pop duo is now based on the other end of the country in Brooklyn, NY creating glowing and lush electronic sounds and landscapes.  Their songs echo an 80's sensibility, and moves with a sci-fi aesthetic with a lot of vocal textures and samples - incredibly engaging.

The Portland Mercury reviewed  them as "... a ravishing, powerfully yearning bit of synth pop, both full of intoxicating sparkle and dirt-under-fingernails feeling." We couldn't agree more, and we're so stoked to be working them on our roster.

Download + Tiny Song 1 by My Body +

As you know, we love Yellowbirds here at Marmoset (check out our recent write up HERE) and we're excited to see some of our favorite music in harmony with our favorite explorer.

This video sends you on a psychedelic underwater adventure bringing the recently unearthed analog footage with digital animation.  After checking this out, you'll want to immediately re-watch The Life Aquatic