On the Road - Portland, OR

Brian in his studio. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

We're staying in Portland with my good friend Lisa and her husband Brian before heading out to the Oregon coast for a few days. I met Lisa when she was a DJ at KEXP in Seattle. She now lives in Southeast Portland a few blocks from Hawthorne St. Late one evening, after the ladies retired to their chambers, Brian showed me his basement studio/hideaway. He tells me he sits down here for hours on end, recording, mixing and meditating on vinyl. It was an impressive setup. I had to get a few photographs.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

We descended and talked for a few hours. Small talk, straight talk, deep thoughts... you name it. I loved it down there. I felt far removed from everything—acoustically and mentally isolated from the world outside. There's something uniquely Northwest about these DIY basement set ups. I had forgotten how comforting they are.

In addition to the hospitality Lisa and Brian exhibited, another plus of staying with them is the complimentary bedwarmer that comes standard with the guest bedroom.

Thanks Lisa, Brian and Annabelle.


The Annabelle Bedwarmer. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony