Let’s get into an interview with a local who is bringing a long roster of lively performances to Portland stages! Today we’re talking to Trevor Solomon, the talent buyer at True West, a concert promoter and event producer in the PNW. If you’ve been to a show at the Aladdin or Roseland Theater or a concert at the Oregon Zoo, you’ve more than likely seen one of their shows! The group is putting on concerts in The Square through September 18, with big names like Modest Mouse, Spoon, Interpol and Shakey Graves, and you can get your tickets here. Let’s find out about Trevor’s involvement in the local music scene and his favorite things about this gorgeous city.
Who are you? What do you do?
My name is Trevor Solomon and I am the talent buyer at True West Presents.
Wax poetic for a minute and tell us: what brings you most alive about this city?
The city has a long history and culture and I think you can feel it in various parts of the city. Whether you go downtown to the square, or walk around Sellwood, the city has some really great neighborhoods and memories that have made a big impact on me. Also when you walk around the city listening to Dead Moon, Crackerbash, Poison Idea, Team Dresch, Wipers, Eyelids, and other local bands, you really feel the city in the best way.
What’s your favorite Portland memory?
Getting married at Rose Garden, our son being born here, doing my first Pioneer Square show in 2010 with The Decemberists, punk shows at EJ’s, and Berbati’s Pan watching GBV.
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cioppino at Gino’s in Sellwood.
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Portland day.
Subaro’s Sushi, Yuzu in Beaverton, and a jog through the Laurelhurst neighborhood.
What’s your favorite local social media account (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or etc.) to follow and why?
True West Instagram, fun to see which shows we are working on.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Support local bands.
How does Portland help you do what you do/influence your work?
I put on shows for a living so having people come out and support is a huge help. I feel so grateful now that I’m seeing folks enjoy going to shows again after the pandemic. For 25 years I’ve been able to promote shows in this awesome city and I try not to forget how lucky I am to live here and get support from locals.
What’s an unpopular opinion you have about the city?
Unsure if it’s unpopular, but I like how some things are or feel a bit old school Portland and I wish there was a bit more of this. Long live places like The Sandy Hut, B Side, Dots, My Fathers’ Place, etc.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Going to Pioneer Square shows, and our upcoming fall lineup with a ton of shows in various venues.