Ranker MusicList RulesOnly artists born or raised in Oregon or bands formed in Oregon.
Here are the best artists and bands from Oregon. When you drive around Oregon, you will find it is an incredibly diverse state. You may pass through Portland and see a thriving city landscape and an hour later down the road, you are in the middle of the wilderness. Oregon also has a diverse range of musical artists who have come out of the state. Artists in hip hop, electronic, pop, jazz, rock, country, and blues have made a name for themselves and found fame outside of the Beaver State.
The best musical artists from Oregon perfectly encapsulate everything great about the state. A lot of people associate Portland with its weird, eclectic aesthetic, and this is seen in various artists who have come from Portland or nearby cities. This includes bands like The Decemberists, The Dandy Warhols, and Elliott Smith. Many of these artists have referenced Oregon life in their songs. For example, The Decemberists sing about Downtown Portland, more specifically the Portland Transit Mall, in their song, "On the Bus Mall." Some of the most popular Oregon artists and bands include She & Him, Everclear, Kutless, and The Slants.
You are bound to find one band, singer, or rapper on this list of famous Oregon musical artists you love. You have the power to tell the world what makes Oregon so great, so start voting for your favorites and add any other artists with Oregon roots.
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3811Elliott Smith
Indie pop, Folk rockAlbums: From a Basement on the Hill, XO, Figure 8, Either/Or, Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003) was an American singer,... more on Wikipedia2
3515Everclear
Rock music, GrungeAlbums: Sparkle and Fade, So Much for the Afterglow, Songs From an American Movie, Volume 1: Learning How to Smile, Slow Motion Daydream
Everclear is an American alternative rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1991. The band... more on Wikipedia3
3212The Decemberists
Indie pop, Rock musicAlbums: The Hazards of Love, The Crane Wife, Her Majesty the Decemberists, The King Is Dead, Picaresque
The Decemberists are an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon. The band consists of... more on Wikipedia4
259The Kingsmen
Rock music, Garage rockAlbums: Louie Louie, Louie Louie: The Very Best of The Kingsmen, The Best of The Kingsmen, The Kingsmen in Person, Since We've Been Gone
The Kingsmen are a 1960s garage rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States. Their 1963... more on Wikipedia5
227Pink Martini
Lounge music, Latin American musicAlbums: Hey Eugene!, Splendor in the Grass, Hang On Little Tomato, Sympathique, Sympathique (Je ne veux pas travailler)
Pink Martini is a musical group that was formed in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in... more on Wikipedia6
228Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Ska punk, Third-wave of skaAlbums: Soul Caddy, Ferociously Stoned, Kids on the Street, White Teeth, Black Thoughts
The Cherry Poppin' Daddies are an American swing and ska band established in Eugene, Oregon,... more on Wikipedia7
239The Dandy Warhols
Rock music, Garage rockAlbums: Horny as a Dandy, Special X-Mas Single, Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, Dandys Rule, OK?
The Dandy Warhols are an American rock band, formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1994 by... more on Wikipedia8
184Sleater-Kinney
Riot grrrl, Rock musicAlbums: The Woods, One Beat, Call the Doctor, Dig Me Out, All Hands on the Bad One
Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The... more on Wikipedia9
218Carrie Brownstein
Alternative rock, Punk rockAlbums: Portlandia
Carrie Rachel Brownstein (born September 27, 1974) is an American musician, actress, writer,... more on Wikipedia10
206M. Ward
American Primitivism, Alternative countryAlbums: Hold Time, Post-War, Transistor Radio, Live Music & The Voice of Strangers, Duet for Guitars #2
Matthew Stephen "M." Ward (born October 4, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter and... more on Wikipedia11
207Quarterflash
New Wave, Rock musicAlbums: Quarterflash, Back Into Blue, Take Another Picture, Girl in the Wind, Harden My Heart... The Best of Quarterflash
Quarterflash is an American rock group formed in 1980 in Portland, Oregon. The band was... more on Wikipedia12
2211Esperanza Spalding
Neo soul, Jazz fusionAlbums: Chamber Music Society, Esperanza, Junjo, Radio Music Society
Esperanza Emily Spalding (born October 18, 1984) is an American jazz bassist and singer.... more on Wikipedia13
198Portugal. The Man
Garage rock, Rock musicAlbums: In the Mountain in the Cloud, Church Mouth, Waiter: "You Vultures!", Evil Friends, Censored Colors
Portugal. The Man is an American rock band from Alaska. The group consists of John Gourley,... more on Wikipedia14
209She & Him
Indie pop, Pop musicAlbums: A Very She & Him Christmas, Volume One, Volume Two, Volume 3, Thieves
She & Him is an American indie duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. The band's first... more on Wikipedia15
209Kutless
Nu metal, Christian alternative rockAlbums: Strong Tower, Hearts of the Innocent, Kutless, Sea of Faces, Believer
Kutless is a Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 2001. Since their formation,... more on Wikipedia16
Bradley J. Wilk (born September 5, 1968) is an American musician, actor, and activist. He is... more on Wikipedia131Brad Wilk
Rock music, Rapcore17
209Ash Black Bufflo
Experimental musicAlbums: Andasol
Ash Black Bufflo, sometimes spelled Buffalo, is the professional name of Portland-based music... more on Wikipedia18
154Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Rock and rollAlbums: Untamed Beast, Dirty Radio
Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside was an American rock band from Portland, Oregon. The band... more on Wikipedia19
177Todd Snider
Americana, Folk rockAlbums: Near Truths and Hotel Rooms, Songs for the Daily Planet, East Nashville Skyline, Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables, Step Right Up
Todd Daniel Snider (born October 11, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter with a musical... more on Wikipedia20
177Oregon
Ethno jazz, New Age musicAlbums: Oregon, Music of Another Present Era, Ecotopia, In Stride, Distant Hills
Oregon is an American jazz and world music group, originally formed in 1971 by Ralph Towner,... more on Wikipedia21
166Floater
Rock music, Heavy metalAlbums: Sink, Angels in the Flesh and Devils in the Bone, Glyph, Alter, Burning Sosobra
Floater is an American rock band currently based in Portland, Oregon. The band was started in... more on Wikipedia22
Defiance are an American anarcho street punk band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1993. Their... more on Wikipedia1910Defiance
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155Falling Up
Nu metal, Experimental rockAlbums: Dawn Escapes, Hours, Captiva, Crashings, Midnight on Earthship
Falling Up is an American experimental rock band from Albany, Oregon. Falling Up formed in... more on Wikipedia24
178A Weather
IndieAlbums: Music for Six Twilights, Cove, The Feather Test, Everyday Balloons
A Weather is an indie band from Portland, Oregon, fronted by Aaron Gerber and Sarah... more on Wikipedia25
167The Slants
Synthpop, Rock musicAlbums: Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts
The Slants are known as the first all-Asian American dance rock band in the world. The band... more on Wikipedia
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