From solar panels on hospitals to recycling rain water on the roofs of our sky scrapers, the City of Portland is innovative, creative, and unafraid of trying something new. This courage to do something different is the attitude TxE imitated in the making of their latest album, “vs PRTLND”. TxE producer, G_Force (Calvin Valentine), created every beat for “vs PRTLND” by sampling tracks by Portland rock artists. Top that off with Epp and Tope’s talent, an EPK filmed, edited and produced by PortArea Productions, incredible cover art by Tina Le (@tinasnowle), a free, all ages release party at Mississippi Studios and a t-shirt collaboration with Respect My Region, and you’ve got an album release to remember.
TxE has done themselves a huge favor by refusing to be limited to an audience strictly composed of hip hop fans. This album, while being a hip hop release, is accessible to listeners of all genres. Typhoon fans can enjoy the honest, transparent track TxE has created in “Climb”. Starfucker fans can recognize and sing along with Epp to the iconic chorus on “The Sea”. Residents of the Rose City who have never even listened to a single track by a local artist can appreciate all of the references to sights and scenes from the city we love so much.
To choose a favorite track from this album would be impossible. The attitude of this album is up-beat and refreshing, but at the same time, Tope and Epp lay out some very deep verses, spelling out their stories of loss and love. I’ll never forget TxE’s performance of “Climb” at Mississippi Studios this December; Epp sang the lines, “I know my sister can hear me now, I hope she’s feeling proud, because everything I’m doing is because of her,” with a hand reaching up, eyes focused in the same direction. The ability to transfer your emotion to your music is so important and these guys have got that. Both Epp and Tope have expressed that they allow their losses to fuel them, instead of holding them back, and that’s something that needs to be recognized and applauded.
Calvin Valentine has out done himself. The production on this album is golden. When the first single dropped, I was blown away by the beat, specifically. While staying true to his own sound, he has incorporated the style of each of the rock artists who he chose to sample for “vs PRTLND”.
Each of these young men have brought their own touch, and their own talent to the table and what’s become of it is something special. TxE “vs PRTLND” deserves a listen from everyone in the Northwest and beyond.
“We all aspire to be great in a world where instant gratification holds power. When you come from a small city like Portland, Oregon, you often wonder to yourself; how will you be heard? How will you separate yourself from everything that is out right now? Progression, passion and effort. Those three words mean so many things to so many different people, of all walks of life. No matter what your day holds and no matter what you’re going through, never compromise your art, stay loyal to those who have been loyal to you, and most importantly, stay true to yourself.” -Epp
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