Portland

On ‘Champain’, Portland transforms hardship into a raw and deeply personal collection of songs. Portland is more than a nod to Elliott Smith. It is a port city, a symbol for a new beginning… What started with Jente Pironet as the winner of Humo’s Rock Rally and De Nieuwe Lichting, quickly grew into a project that found its way to stages like Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, Eurosonic, and The Great Escape. His hazy dreampop, reminiscent of Beach House and School Of Seven Bells, stood out for its melancholy, layering, and an impressive vocal range. On ‘Your Colours Will Stain’ (2019) and ‘Departures’ (2023), Portland already sounded accurate, but the story took an unexpected turn in 2023. The new album ‘Champain’ (2025) reads like a completely honest travel diary of a wandering soul, from stage to hospital to writing desk and back. About falling and getting back up again. About hoping and persistently persevering. Portland openly carries the scars of his difficult years, but at the same time expresses an indomitable zest for life. Pure and sonically beautiful!