Portland Insider Music – Our Story, Mission, and Growing Impact

Portland Insider Music (PIM) began just a few months ago with a simple but powerful idea: Portland’s local musicians deserve deeper, more meaningful coverage than what they were getting from mainstream media. The founders (Robert Davis & Michael LeClair) saw an incredible amount of talent playing in clubs, community events, backyard shows, and small venues across the city. Yet, many of these artists had little to no documentation of their work, their stories, or their impact on the local scene. PIM was created to change that, offering long-form interviews, feature stories, and radio content that treats local artists with the respect and attention they deserve.

From the very beginning, PIM’s mission has been to act as a living archive and megaphone for Portland’s music culture of musicians and bands that have been playing in and around Portland, Oregon for over 20 years or more. The goal is not just to promote shows, but to capture the voices, histories, influences, and personalities behind the music. Every band, every solo artist, and every creative contributor has a story worth preserving, and PIM strives to document those stories in depth. By focusing on authenticity, community, and long-form storytelling, PIM positions itself as a cultural record of Portland’s evolving sound.

In just a few short months, Portland Insider Music has conducted a growing list of interviews with bands and musicians across multiple genres, from funk and blues to country, rock, punk, indie, and experimental music. These interviews dive into how bands are formed, their influences, memorable gigs, the challenges of being a local musician, and what Portland means to them creatively. Groups like Soul Vaccination and Pure Country, along with many emerging artists, have shared their journeys, offering listeners and readers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Portland’s music ecosystem.

A key part of PIM’s outreach is its partnership with KBOO Community Radio founded in 1968, one of Portland’s most respected and long-running community supported, independent radio stations. By broadcasting interviews featured on KBOO, PIM brings local artist stories to a broader, dedicated listenership that values community media and independent voices. These radio segments help connect musicians with fans who might not otherwise discover them, while also reinforcing the importance of community-supported radio in Portland’s cultural landscape.

Alongside KBOO, Portland Insider Music operates its own online radio station and digital platforms, allowing interviews and shows to reach listeners beyond traditional broadcast ranges. This dual-platform approach ensures that Portland artists can be heard locally and globally, with archived content available for on-demand listening. The online station also provides flexibility to feature longer interviews, special programs, and curated playlists that highlight the diversity of Portland’s music scene.

As PIM continues to grow, its vision is to expand interviews, build a comprehensive Portland music archive, and strengthen partnerships with venues, festivals, and community organizations. By combining written journalism, radio broadcasting, and digital distribution, Portland Insider Music aims to become a central hub for local music culture. The project is fueled by community support and donations, artist collaboration, and a shared belief that Portland’s music deserves to be documented, celebrated, and amplified for years to come.

Both Portland Insider Music’s website’s are at www.PIMradio.site and www.radioPIM.site as well as KBOO’s FM station at www.kboo.fm/listen-now.