About this Event
The Bridge is a monthly songwriter showcase that helps artists build connections in Portland’s music scene while giving audiences a deeper look into the stories and creative process behind each song through thoughtful onstage interviews. Designed for artists who are new to songwriting, new to performing, returning to the stage, or new to Portland, The Bridge offers a welcoming listening-room environment where songwriters can share original music and connect with an attentive audience.
For listeners
The Bridge offers audiences a chance to discover emerging songwriters in an intimate setting built for listening.
For those who already know and support the artists, it is also an opportunity to hear their work in a quieter, more intentional room where lyrics land, dynamics breathe and the songs can be experienced fully.
The evening runs approximately two hours and includes a short intermission.
For songwriters
The Bridge exists to help songwriters cross from open mics into listening room performances. The Bridge is for emerging artists who are new to songwriting, new to performing, returning to the stage, or new to Portland.
Artists share well developed original songs in a supportive but focused setting alongside two other writers. The format encourages connection between artists and audience while keeping the music at the center of the evening.
Artists receive:
- A base performance honorarium
- Shared tips from the evening
- Full merchandise sales
- High quality video footage of their performance
About the host
is a Portland-born songwriter, filmmaker, and creative educator with a passion for building community through storytelling. He leads the band Kyle Glenn & The Wandering Kind and performs with his wife as the duo gardentender. His background spans digital media production, music marketing, and education — including leading storytelling workshops for hundreds of students and organizations across the Northwest. Kyle is the Marketing Lead for Trout Lake Hall and brings a mix of strategy, creativity, and care to his role at PSG as the social media manager. He’s excited to help grow PSG’s reach and support Portland’s vibrant songwriting scene.
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Performing Artists
JOEL HARRIS
Joel Harris is a singer/songwriter who makes music that reflects the wonder and mystery of being human. Growing up in between the ocean, mountains and desert, his songs are inspired by the landscape, and his place in relationship to it. His greatest musical interest is trying to find a meeting place between organic and synthetic sounds. His influences include Arvo Pärt, Thom Yorke, Sigur Ros & Jon Foreman.
Video
BURKE WARD WALLACE
is an indie/folk musician hailing all the way from Iowa in the midwest. He is debuting his music for the first time here in Portland, as he has just moved here a couple months ago. Taking inspiration from artists like Shakey Graves, Nathaniel Ratliff, Neil Young, and many others. Burke blends somber guitar picking with a tenor range that surprises in volume. Writing original songs since he was 14 years old, he is honored to be one of this month's featured songwriters and hopes that the PDX crowd will enjoy his originals.
Video
ABIGAIL BORELL
Abigail Borrell is a singer-songwriter drawn to stories about love, memory, family, and the strange way our past follows us into the present. Her songs combine intimate storytelling with carefully drawn details, exploring the complicated process of letting go while trying to reconcile the people and memories we carry with us.
Event venue & nearby stays
Artichoke Community Music, 2007 Southeast Powell Boulevard, Portland, United States
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