Dystoria: Breaking In a New All Ages Portland Venue
- Jenna Mitchell
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
Article by: Hilde Lysiak
Coming off the buzz of their trek across the West Coast, Dystoria continues to hit the stage guns blazing, not only breaking in a new member, but a new venue.
Portland-based alternative-shoegaze band Dystoria continued to impress at their December 19th show at the freshly opened Portland venue The Off Beat, showcasing songs such as Shine, Inda, and Prawler, from their debut album Lace as well as a few very memorable unreleased tracks.
Dystoria also introduces a third official member, sticking to their recent theme of new beginnings. The new bass player Jarvi Lanning fit right in—holding down the low end flawlessly, complementing the exceptionally melodic guitarist Chase Kochis, all while powerhouse drummer and vocalist Miles Reed tied the trio together seamlessly.
Observing Dystoria before performing, the expectations of nerves were not met. They seemed focused, energized, but without a trace of fear. When the dreamy guitar introduces their opening song, Shine, it is apparent why. They manage to radiate an innate intuition for owning a stage, seeming like this is their natural place of being, all while giving a theatrical experience to the audience.
As someone who is highly pretentious and very close with this new member, I came to this show prepared to silently scoff and give factitious praise. However, my urge to indulge in my favorite activity, judgment, was not satisfied. Looking up at the stage, it was easy to forget I was surrounded by a cacophony of Christmas decorations and the sweaty atmosphere of a packed crowd. The choruses seem to swell up into a high while the verses come and sink you into a trance, making you feel caught in the oceanic current of reality.
The Off Beat, in collaboration with Friends of Noise, is a rare exception to the Portland norm in the fact that it is always all ages. Not only did it host a great sense of energy and sound, walking in, you get hit with the feeling of excitement held by everyone in the room, giving an immediate sense that you're part of a community. Due to how new the venue is, there is a prideful element of being in one of the first few crowds in a room that will surely hold amazing performances for many years to come.
Regardless of if you are a die-hard fan or have never heard the name, you should snatch up the opportunity to catch them live when you can, to experience an unforgettable tug towards the beauty of sound and life. If you had the misfortune of missing this show, fear not, as they have many shows scheduled soon, including one at The Off Beat on February 7th.
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