Good Cheer Records is defining the sound of alternative rock for the next generation. How do they do it?
Before getting into the music, let’s get the background info out of the way. Good Cheer Records is a Portland-based record label, founded by Mo Troper and Blake Hickman in 2014, whose aim has been “to document the thriving DIY scene in Portland without artifice or mercenary ambitions." I was introduced to Good Cheer in college, going to house shows and knowing a few people in bands and such who were connected to the label in various ways. Living in the Portland for going on five years now, I’ve learned a bit about Portland’s history with music. Mississippi Records, Tender Loving Empire, Cavity Search Records, to name a few influential labels; Pink Martini and Elliott Smith being some artists.
That being said, Good Cheer stands out as having managed to bring together some of the most compelling talent that Portland has to offer over the last few years. Currently, the roster is composed of Cool American, Boreen, Floating Room, Gillian Frances, Little Star, Mo Troper, Surfer Rosie, Turtlenecked, Babehoven, and Vari Vice. There’s some attitude for ya, believe me when I say. Talking about music usually doesn’t do it justice, so just go ahead and have a listen (playlist below!). There will be something on that roster for you. While no longer a label fully made up of artists and bands necessarily residing in Portland, (I know Maya Bon, of the mighty Babehoven, and Harrison Smith, renegade at the helm of the indomitable Turtlenecked, have been spending time recently in LA and New York, respectively) the label nonetheless is carrying on a rich Portland tradition of DIY music and values.
In addition to housing truly outstanding and unique talent, Good Cheer has other qualities that makes it an admirable venture, one that any music fan can get behind. Good Cheer preaches “an institutional commitment to charitable giving, community involvement, and artist-oriented business practices." They say, "Our bands are given half of each product run we manufacture upfront, free of charge. We don’t own masters or take part of their publishing. This label is dedicated to developing artists, and scene documentation.”
Again, some words and motivations to get behind. Check out Good Cheer’s website, toss a follow on Facebook, do your research, folks. Every single artist on the roster is worth giving some time to. I’ve had the fortune of seeing many of these groups and artists live, and, not to make comparisons, but it’s more lively and quite frankly more exciting than A LOT of what’s out there right now. The people are nice too.
Good Cheer Records is fighting the good fight. Let us join them.
That being said, Good Cheer stands out as having managed to bring together some of the most compelling talent that Portland has to offer over the last few years. Currently, the roster is composed of Cool American, Boreen, Floating Room, Gillian Frances, Little Star, Mo Troper, Surfer Rosie, Turtlenecked, Babehoven, and Vari Vice. There’s some attitude for ya, believe me when I say. Talking about music usually doesn’t do it justice, so just go ahead and have a listen (playlist below!). There will be something on that roster for you. While no longer a label fully made up of artists and bands necessarily residing in Portland, (I know Maya Bon, of the mighty Babehoven, and Harrison Smith, renegade at the helm of the indomitable Turtlenecked, have been spending time recently in LA and New York, respectively) the label nonetheless is carrying on a rich Portland tradition of DIY music and values.
In addition to housing truly outstanding and unique talent, Good Cheer has other qualities that makes it an admirable venture, one that any music fan can get behind. Good Cheer preaches “an institutional commitment to charitable giving, community involvement, and artist-oriented business practices." They say, "Our bands are given half of each product run we manufacture upfront, free of charge. We don’t own masters or take part of their publishing. This label is dedicated to developing artists, and scene documentation.”
Again, some words and motivations to get behind. Check out Good Cheer’s website, toss a follow on Facebook, do your research, folks. Every single artist on the roster is worth giving some time to. I’ve had the fortune of seeing many of these groups and artists live, and, not to make comparisons, but it’s more lively and quite frankly more exciting than A LOT of what’s out there right now. The people are nice too.
Good Cheer Records is fighting the good fight. Let us join them.
