Rhythm Nation Podcast

Occasion Vibration Mixes

Peter Marks Dance Mixes

Originals and Edits

Peter Marks Chill Mixes

Eli Goldstein is one half of the DJ and production duo @soulclap, which has built an international reputation for their dance music over the past 20 years. Throughout his music career, Eli has played key roles on music activism projects, including DJs for Climate Action and more recently “Rave the Vote”. On the show, Eli and I talk about how his experience as a DJ, producer and record label owner brought him to activism.

For links to Eli's music and events as well as a playlist of his jams, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/21

DJs For Climate Action with Eli Soul Clap (Episode 21)

Sara Kenigsberg was the supervising producer on both the Biden-Harris campaign and the Bernie Sanders campaign for president. Before that she helped start up a video team at MoveOn in June 2016 and was an early producer at both NowThis and HuffPost. She continues to work as a producer and digital strategist for a number of media and advocacy groups. On the show, we talk about the craft of political storytelling and the healing power of stories and self-care.

For a playlist of Sara's music, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/23

Healing through storytelling with Sara Kenigsberg (Episode 23)

Celebrating my bday in paradise the best way I know how: on my computer making a DJ mix of island vibes (link in bio). Today, on my actual birthday, I’m with the people who made it happen: my parents Chris and Amy. The three of us traveled to the same place they took me when I was 18 months old: Poipu Beach in Kauai. I’ve heard a few different translations for the Hawaiian word “Poipu”, but the one that best captures this place and the spirit of the ethereal dub-pop in this mix is “hole in the clouds”. That phrase feels like a fitting way to characterize this post-vaccine moment. It may also feel fitting when I look back on this moment in a few years. I’m grateful to have a lot of love in my life, but none of it comes easier than from from my parents who made it all possible.

Hole in the clouds

Deena Barnwell is a DJ and stalwart purveyor of great music in the ever-changing Portland music scene. She worked at local community radio station KBOO 90.7 as the station’s Urban Music Director from 1998-2018. On the show, we talk about what brought her to hip hop, what's she's learned as a woman working in the music industry and the collective moments through music that have the power to transform. At the end of the show, we go through a playlist of top-shelf hip hop jams that inspired her.

Find Deena's work at: 
https://soundcloud.com/thesoundbox
https://www.mixcloud.com/deenab1/
https://www.instagram.com/soundboxpdx/

Playlist and more info at https://www.rhythmnation.us/podcast/25

Collective moments with Deena Barnwell (Episode 25)

From the depths of Bat Country, Oregon, residents @petermarks and @spencermiles deliver the day 1 sunrise set of the inaugural Canyon Vibration. Feel free to comment for a track id.

Peter Marks & Spencer Miles @ Canyon Vibration 2021

Megan Andricos, also known as DJ Sappho, is a queer event producer and musical artist based out of Portland, Oregon. She’s a founding member of Rhythm Nation and has been a huge inspiration for me. She’s inspired me musically through our studio collaborations and from her blowing my mind many times listening to her DJ. But deeper than that, Megan has shown me through leading by example how to throw inclusive and welcoming events and how to do community engagement through music. We discussed this leading by example theme during this member spotlight episode of Rhythm Nation. We also discussed representation in electronic music, Megan’s journey growing up as a queer woman in South Texas, her new record label Koritsi Komma Records and how our own missteps in the past inspire us to give back to the community.

For a playlist and more information, check out https://www.rhythmnation.us/podcast/26

Leading by example with Megan Andricos (Episode 26)

Michelle DePass is the current chair of the Portland school board who is currently focused on the unenviable task of re-opening public schools during the onset of the delta variant. It’s an incredibly tough job given that she has to weigh our constantly changing scientific understanding of delta against the varying opinions of thousands of concerned parents. In the episode, we talk through the thoughtful approach she and the board are taking to ensure our students and teachers are healthy. We also touch on lighter topics, such as the artistic path that led her to public office, the roller discos that are getting her through the pandemic, a playlist of her go-to jams and how we can get high school students dancing again.

Re-opening schools with Michelle DePass (Episode 27)

Manoj Mathew (@dj_manoj_pdx) is a Portland-based electronic music promoter and DJ who has been throwing raves in Portland since 1991. Manoj and I have been in touch a lot lately as we’re planning a Rhythm Nation event together on November 20th at his venue  Epicenter. As we’ve been talking through the event, it became clear that Manoj’s approach to putting on events is deeply personal to the point that it borders on spiritual, so I wanted to get the full story on his views on dance music communities as I think it relates so strongly to the community organizing we do at Rhythm Nation. It happens to include some great stories and tracks of early west coast raves that I think you’ll really enjoy.

30 years of rave community with Manoj Mathew (Episode 28)

The Oregon People’s Rebate is an initiative petition qualifying for the November 2022 election that will rebate about $750 to every Oregonian, every year. This would mean putting about $3,000 in the pockets of a family of four and is projected to significantly address childhood poverty if it passes. The revenue to fund the rebate comes from increasing the minimum tax rate for big Wall Street corporations after $25 million of Oregon revenue to 3%. Currently, their minimum tax rate is less than 1%, which is among the lowest rates in the country. The effort is being led by my guest and fellow Rhythm Nation member, Antonio Gisbert.

Oregon People’s Rebate with Antonio Gisbert (Episode 31)

Oregon's Kurt Schrader has taken the most money from the fossil fuel and pharmaceutical industries as almost any Democrat in congress. Jamie McLeod-Skinner is challenging him in the primary in Oregon's 5th District on May 16th. From repairing schools in war torn countries to developing climate protection policies in Silicon Valley to wildfire recovery in Oregon, Jamie has a record of producing solutions and models for people-centered leadership. We’re going to talk about her plans for the 5th district and also about the music stories that lead her there.

Eye of the Tiger with Jamie McLeod-Skinner (Episode 32)

Between his podcast, Rhythm Nation, and his party Occasion VIbration, community organizer Peter Marks stays very busy. We feel lucky he had time to record this cosmic mix to share with us.

To download this, any other podcast as well as exclusive edits and other content please consider joining our Patreon --> www.patreon.com/bed_of_roses

Bed of Roses Podcast Series

Bed of Roses Podcast LXVIII - Peter Marks

In our third interview with candidates for Portland City Council Position #3, we chat with Vadim Mozyrsky about his vision for Portland. Vadim works as an Administrative Law Judge in the field of disability law and has spent his life advocating on behalf of underserved communities with a focus on immigrant and refugee populations and issues of disability rights. Mozyrsky, a Jewish refugee from Kiev, Ukraine, fled anti-Semitism arriving in the United States in 1979.

Vision Of Portland With Vadim Mozyrsky (Episode 33)

House music is bigger than ever in America, yet the story of its origins are widely unknown outside of the heads who follow the records. We have a member of our organization who saw it unfold first hand. Cee White was coming of age in Chicago in the late 1980s right as house music was taking shape and came on the program to talk about it. We’ll hear stories of going to the music’s namesake venue “The Warehouse”, listen to the records that moved the floors in the early days, and hear what has stuck with him to this day.

History of house music with Cee White (Episode 34)

On today's show, I share my own experience of some recent travels I had to South Africa and then playing a mix of South African house music, including some new records I picked up. The week I spent in South Africa exceeded my expectations in almost every respect. It’s more naturally beautiful than the photos make it out to be and I was moved by the history in ways I didn’t anticipate. However, what shocked me the most was “deep house” music being bigger in South Africa than I could have ever imagined. The more I learned about the history of the place, the better I felt I understood the phenomenon.

The depths of South African house music (Episode 35)

Made this breaks mix while navigating some life transitions. While the tracks have some tough edges, there's a feeling of energy aliveness that resonates with me in this moment. Here's to living life at 135bpm :)

Photo by Tim Trautmann. Comment for a track id ❤️

Tough Breaks

Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, non-profit leader, and former 2020 presidential candidate. Yang’s New York Times bestselling book The War on Normal People helped introduce the idea of universal basic income into the political mainstream. He supports Oregon People’s Rebate, an initiative petition that would rebate about $750 to every Oregonian, every year and is paid for by raising taxes on corporations making over $25 million a year.  On the show we talk about how Oregon People’s Rebate relates to universal basic income and discuss a playlist of Andrew’s favorite music, including Prince deep cuts.

Sign o' the times with Andrew Yang (Episode 36)

Two years ago, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize all drug possession with the passage of Measure 110. How is it going? On the show today we have Ron Williams with Health Justice Recovery, a statewide advocacy organization fully focused on implementing Measure 110. Ron is a community organizer who has resided in Portland, Oregon for nearly 40 years. On the show we get an update on Measure 110 and also hear about the role music played in Ron’s social justice work.

Health Justice Recovery with Ron Williams (Episode 37)

This November, Oregon voters get to vote on the Right to Healthcare Amendment to the state constitution, which establishes a state obligation to ensure every Oregon resident has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate, and affordable health care. Norman Sylvester is a long-time health care activist, a member of Health Care for All Oregon as well as a legendary boogie musician who was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2011. On the show, we talk about the experiences as a musician trying to afford and access healthcare. Later in the show, Daniel Molkte and I talk about the measure’s specifics with State Representative Rob Nosse, who was a champion of the measure in the legislature, and is currently chairing the House Health Care Committee.

Right to Healthcare with Norman Sylvester and Rob Nosse (Episode 38)

Reyna Lopez is the Executive director of PCUN, who’s mission is to empower farmworkers and working Latinx families in Oregon by building community, increasing Latinx representation in elections, and policy advocacy on both the national and state levels. On the show, we talk about the balance of power she’s seeing shift between farmworkers and their employers, then discuss a playlist of some of music that’s inspired her work.

Organizing farmworkers with Reyna Lopez (Episode 39)

Resident @petermarks brings the sunset vibes from 6-9pm. Comment for a track id!

Peter Marks @ Canyon Vibration 2022

Mix for slowing down and unwinding in the summer months, channeling the cross genre spirit of balearic music, touching on dub, r&b, dad rock, ambient and bass music. 

Tracklist:

Ptaki - Czuła Jest Noc
Angie Stone - Pissed Off
Tems - Avoid Things
Sade - Stronger Than Pride (Alex Nut Remix)
Joanna Law - First Time Ever (Mellow Groove)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - From The Beginning
Paul Simon - The Rhythm of the Saints
Babalwa M - Intro (feat. XolaniGuitars & Kelvin Momo)
Chaos In The CBD - Drum Therapy
Chari Chari - Night Stream
Wayne Snow - Seventy
Oklou - God's Chariots
De La Soul - 4 More
Mark Barrott - Bush Society
Satoshi & Makoto - Crepuscule Leger
Pretty Ricky - U&Me (Nick León Ambient Breaks Mix)
Bullion - Thirty Two
Barker - Paradise Engineering
Pangaea - You & I
Saint Etienne - Carnt Sleep
Brendon Moeller - Atmosphere
SKY H1 - Huit
Chestnut People - III
Dimitris Petsetakis - Clearance Part I+II
Ulla Straus - Net
Jessica Pratt - Aeroplane
Max Essa - Fanfare for Shadows
Lucky Pierre - Ghost Two

Summer Slowdown 2023

Sunset over a hazelnut orchard in Newberg, Oregon. 

Feel free to comment for a track ID

Photography by Drew Cornwall
IG: @drewcornwall
www.drewcornwall.com

Orchard Vibration 2023 - Sunset Set

I put together some 90s-trip-hop-inspired downtempo tracks that I feel captures the meditative and melancholy reality of winter alone, mixed with the upbeat optimism of better springs to come. 

Part of what I was channeling in this mix are the dub-laced sounds I’ll be exploring in the parks of DC this spring, where I plan to make playing records outdoors a semi-weekly reality. More to come on that :) 

I titled the mix “a time to break the silence” in honor of MLK’s famous anti-war speech that seems about as relevant today as it did in 1967. While I don’t claim this mix to be any sort of political statement beyond that, the name also speaks to the universal need to escape to some pleasant sounds during times of global and personal anxiety. I hope you find some peace in it.

A time to break silence

@isaiahmark and @petermarks go b2b at Echo Garden in Malcom X Park in DC.

Rodger B2B Peter Marks @ Echo Garden - 4/20/24

Bassline heaters I’ve been feeling of late. Comment for a track id :)

Photo by Drew Cornwall

Summer Heat 2024

Sunrise set (5am-8am) at Orchard Vibration 2024 in Newberg, Oregon. 

Comment for a track id!

Sunrise B2B with Bobby Souers @ Orchard Vibration 2024

I'm starting 2025 with a simple goal: post one @_echogarden DJ mix a month! 

Similar to the Echo Garden event series, which aims to bring complimentary sounds to DC's public spaces, the Echo Garden mix series aims to bring complimentary sounds to your daily day life. Expect relatively chill "balearic" mixes, i.e. a cross-genre journey of positive and trippy vibes.

While I enjoy a lot of different kinds of music, I feel compelled to make these mixes because I'm craving these chill and steady sounds in my own life. It helps me stay steady and focused through uncertainty by reminding me of the beauty that I'm always surrounded by, whether that's the music I hear, the environment I find myself in or the people in my life. 

Those who have been listening to my questionable music taste for a while may remember I did a monthly mix series 10+ years ago that became @occasionvibration. You never know where these projects aimed to make music more a part of your routine will take you! 

To new beginnings and where they might lead :)

Echo Garden - January 2025 Mix

This month's edition of our podcast features party purveyors Andy Warren and Ginkgo.  The duo host the monthly Believe You Me shindigs in Portland at the Liquor Store and are renown for bringing amazing talent to the night as well as their own top notch skills at moving the dancefloor.  This recording is the first half of a 3 hour set played summer of 2017 at Occasion Vibration's "Orchard Vibration" party featuring Solar and is a perfect specimen of their spell weaving ways.  You can catch them both sharing the bill with Multi Culti boss Von Party of Berlin and Innerflight's own J-Sun this Saturday March 10th at the Monkey Loft. 

More info about the party here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1804373016281811

Photo credit: Michelle Rajotte (Heliotrope Photography)


Believe You Me's Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/believe-you-me

Andy Warren's Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/andydwarren

Ginkgo's Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/ginkgo

Von Party's Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/vonparty

Innerflight Podcast 85: Andy Warren B2B w Ginkgo live at Orchard Vibration 2017 pt 1

Dark Entries label boss Josh Cheon joins us from San Francisco for some nautical nonsense to commend the closing of our wintergarden tent:  April 20-21, 2018.

With his label, Cheon has rereleased and remastered some of the best underground italo, electro and new wave tracks of the 80s, and helped resuscitate forgotten treasures like Patrick Cowley's gay porn soundtracks.  @darkentriesrecords also champions contemporary like-minded material from exciting artists such as Bézier, Red Axes, Helena Hauff, Bill Converse, The Hacker, and Looky Looky.

Special thanks to Occasion Vibration (Portland)for this live recording from April 7, 2018.
__________
Artwork by Naro Watanabe

Radio Buttons #25 - Josh Cheon

Sunrise over an Oregon hazelnut orchard with residents @petermarks and @spencermiles. The event also featured killer sets from @sappho, @palmstrax and @mysticbill. This was 100% our best event yet. We're happy to id anything you comment on, enjoy!

July 2018 Mix - Peter Marks & Spencer Miles live at Orchard Vibration

I created this mix of my favorite ambient/chill/balearic tracks on vacation in Greece last month. Perfect listening for taking a nap in the sun or venturing out on a vision quest in mysterious lands. Inspired by @jasonruff's dream flow mix, records from @music-from-memory and everything @jose-padilla-ibiza. Tracklist below. Enjoy! - @petermarks

1. Underworld - Mmm Skyscraper I Love You
2. Joanna Law - First Time Ever
3. John Makin & Friends - No Lie
4. Paul Simon - The Rhythm of the Saints
5. Tornado Wallace - Voices
6. Ptaki - Stoneczny Pyl
7. Enzo Carella - Parigi
8. d'Eon - #03
9. Suso Saiz - The Guardian
10. Terekke - Nuwav2
11. Laraaji - Meditation #2
12. Kuniyuki Takahashi - Imagination
13. FM223 - Cheater
14. M83 - Let Me Burn Stars
15. Lucky Pierre - Ghost Two
16. Bark Psychosis - Pendulum Man

August 2018 Mix - Peter's Balearic Vision Quest

Thank you Peter and Spencer for having me over. Thank you party people of Portland. The second half was not recorded, so that stays with those who were there. If you were there, you were there, if you weren't you weren't.

@petermarks, @spencermiles and @occasionvibration

www.residentadvisor.net/events/1210268

Skatebård in Portland, Oregon, February 16th 2019, first half of the set.

Cameroon Boogie and Funk Edit by myself and Peter Marks.  The original was released  by Uta Bella on her "Nassa Nassa" LP in the late 70s. Enjoy!

Uta Bella - Enyin (Sappho & Peter Marks Edit)

This mix was recorded just before Rona hit us. I met the promoter, Spencer Miles in Berlin while playing maybe one of the best sets of my life with David Muallem at Panorama Bar. Spencer played before us and stayed almost the entire 16 hours of our set. He told me about this little party he threw in Portland for 200 people and asked me to come so I did a few months later. The party was wild. Real. American. Leftists. Intellectual outsider shit and one of the best parties I’ve ever played in America. There was a giant Ouija board on the wall. It was a true freak out. This is part 1 & there's also apart 2 to this mix. All vinyl and me playing some really freaky stuff... A-Z, here to there and a good portrayal of where I was musically before the world changed.

Occasion Vibration - Watershed PDX, Portland - 15.02.20 (Part 1)

This mix was recorded just before Rona hit us. I met the promoter, Spencer Miles in Berlin while playing maybe one of the best sets of my life with David Muallem at Panorama Bar. Spencer played before us and stayed almost the entire 16 hours of our set. He told me about this little party he threw in Portland for 200 people and asked me to come so I did a few months later. The party was wild. Real. American. Leftists. Intellectual outsider shit and one of the best parties I’ve ever played in America. There was a giant Ouija board on the wall. It was a true freak out. This is part 2/2 of this mix. All vinyl and me playing some really freaky stuff... A-Z, here to there and a good portrayal of where I was musically before the world changed.

Occasion Vibration

Occasion Vibration - Watershed PDX, Portland - 15.02.20 (Part 2)

To mark the release of Peter Marks and Sappho's Lime Appeal record out today on Bottom Forty ( bottomforty.bandcamp.com ) we ring in mix number 101 with Peter Marks himself !

@petermarks is the co-founder of @occasionvibration, which puts on some of the most talked about dance music events in Portland. He’s also a political activist who’s built digital tools for Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and some of the largest labor unions in the country. The intersection of these two worlds is explored on his podcast “Rhythm Nation”, which features conversations with politically influenced musicians and musically influenced activists. 

Today, 9/4/2020, sees his debut release on @bottomforty with @sappho-presents-chingo. Their track “Lime Appeal” creeps in around the 9 minute mark of this hour long odyssey of tripped out dub, breezy house and breaks, 303-laced electro and low-slung disco. Comment on any track you would like him to id! For more on peter’s music and activism projects, including a music-community organizing initiative for 2020 Oregon ballot measures, visit his website at https://petermarks.us/.

Bottom Forty Mix Series

Bottom Forty Mix 101 :: Peter Marks

Bill Brewster is a producer, promoter and DJ who was one of the original residents of London’s renowned Fabric club. He’s also one of the foremost historians on DJ’s and dance music and has written multiple books on the subject. We discuss why dance music’s origins in marginalized communities are so misunderstood and other inequalities in the dance music space. Later, Peter mixes a selection of early and influential house music tracks. 

For a playlist of songs, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/1

The marginalized history of dance music with Bill Brewster (Episode 1)

Mia Fermindoza is a media director with a passion for producing political content that stops your scroll. She'd come from producing original live shows for social platforms at NowThis before joining the Bernie 2020 campaign to lead and support its video operation. On this episode, we talk about Bernie’s vision for music on the campaign, particularly in the livestreamed events Mia continues to direct and produce. We also talk about “cinematic beat matching” and go through songs from films that Mia credits as having influenced her activism.

For a playlist of Mia's songs, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/4

The revolution will be live[streamed] with Mia Fermindoza (Episode 4)

Shabd Singh is a political organizer as well as the host and producer of The One, a podcast exploring Sikh history, philosophy and culture. Prior to this episode I really didn’t know much about Sikhism other than that they’re known for showing up and supporting fights for justice. On the show, I learned how Sikhism and a love of music put Shabd on a course to the Bernie Sanders campaign. We also chat candidly about our time together as staffers.

For a playlist of Shabd's music, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/5

A Sikh’s journey to progressive politics with Shabd Singh (Episode 5)

Misty Rebik is a lifelong organizer who led the Bernie Sanders campaign to a popular vote victory in this year’s Iowa caucus. She is now Executive Director of the Friends of Bernie Sanders PAC, the organization tasked with continuing the momentum of Bernie’s movement. We talk about her history of dance and why dance parties are essential for building movements for the long-haul.

For a playlist of Misty's music, visit http://petermarks.us/podcast/6

Movements require dance parties with Misty Rebik (Episode 6)

@petermarks & @sappho-presents-chingo - Lime Appeal (Original Mix)
Label - @bottomforty

Release Date - 04/09/2020

♫ Info + Buy ♫: https://www.sinchi-collective.com/premiere-peter-marks-sappho-lime-appeal-bottom-forty/

Montezuma/Lime Appeal

♫ Info + Buy ♫

PREMIERE - Peter Marks & Sappho - Lime Appeal (Bottom Forty)

They're not gonna do our town like this. We can't sit back and let Portland be the punching bag of the GOP. Not with vitally important measures on our ballots that can transform the way our community is policed, our kids are educated and the balance of corporate power in our state government. Join the Rhythm Nation Organizing Team to educate your friends and family members about this critical election and make sure they vote. Register to join a kickoff call at https://petermarks.us/action

While there is no guest on this episode of Rhythm Nation, there is still music! Listen in to the playlist that put me on this activism journey. Stream it wherever podcasts are streamed. For a transcript and playlist, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/7

Fuck this, let's organize with Peter Marks (episode 7)

Out Now: https://bottomforty.bandcamp.com/album/lime-appeal

Lime Appeal

Sappho & PeterMarks - Montezuma - Bottom Forty Records

Universal Preschool For All (Measure 26-214) provides free preschool to all 3 and 4 years olds in in Multnomah County with an income tax on the top 5% of earners while providing quality paying jobs to educators. I chat with one of the brains behind the program, Sahar Muranovic, about the details of this policy and the intersectional issues it confronts.

Later in the show I bring on my longtime friend Dustin, who is a public school teacher in the Portland area, to talk about his work on the Rhythm Nation Organizing Team as well as a playlist on the importance of education. For a playlist of the episode and for more information on our organizing program, visit my website at https://petermarks.us.

Universal Preschool with Sahar Muranovic (Episode 8)

The tech industry is perhaps the most polarizing aspect of American capitalism. It’s changed the world many times over, but the impacts of that change are grossly unequal. In her book Abolish Silicon Valley, former believer turned critic Wendy Liu challenges the myths of the tech industry, and offers a galvanizing argument for why and how we must reclaim technology’s potential for the public good. On the show, we discuss similarities in our stories as well as the political economy of music.

In hour 2, I play a techno set and talk about the story behind the tracks in this playlist as it relates to the interview. Support the artists in the mix buy purchasing their tracks: https://buymusic.club/list/petermarks-rhythm-nation-abolish-silicon-valley

Abolish Silicon Valley with Wendy Liu (Episode 11)

Drake Hunt is a college activist and a rising leader of the Sunrise Movement, the nation’s leading youth activism organization centered around climate justice. On the episode, we talk about the Drake's upbringing in Georgia, the upcoming Senate runoff and Sunrise Movement's youth organizing taking place in the state. We also go through a playlist of jams that inspired Drake's activism.

For links to Drake's work and a playlist of his music, visit https://petermarks.us/podcast/17

Georgia on my mind with Drake Hunt (Episode 17)

Co-founder of @canyon-vibration and @occasionvibration

Peter Marks

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks