The best bands in Cascadia

In the past four decades, the Pacific Northwest has been a hotbed of musical creativity. Most of us know the trajectory of Nirvana and Seattle grunge in the 1990s, which produced memorable, noisy music from Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, and Screaming Trees. And a lot of us can point to Cascadia as the place that gave us Heart, Jimi Hendrix, Modest Mouse, and Elliott Smith.

It's also the birthplace of the Riot Grrrl movement, which, with its origins in Olympia, gave the world the feminist punk bands Bikini Kill, Sleater Kinney, Bratmobile, 7 Year Bitch, and Team Dresch. Special mention should also go to The Gits, the Seattle punk band that burned brightly and briefly until lead singer Mia Zapata's murder in 1993.

But who are the best bands working in Cascadia right now? Here's an attempt at a brief list, by no means complete.

Black Belt Eagle Scout

The Indigenous singer/songwriter of Swinomish/Iñupiaq descent (also known as Katherine Paul) writes quietly powerful songs about love and the lush landscape of Cascadia.

Brandi Carlile

Probably the most famous singer-songwriter to emerge from Cascadia, the alt-country/folk superstar, originally from the tiny town of Ravensdale outside Seattle, is best known for her bittersweet lyrics and for proudly being out as queer.

Built to Spill

Founded in Boise in 1992, Built to Spill is undoubtedly the best band ever to come out of Idaho and should be in the running for best band currently active in Cascadia. Their jangly, sonically creative sounds and wispy lyrics from lead singer Doug Martsch make this band a Northwest original.

The Dandy Warhols

The psychedelic alternative rock band got its start in Portland in 1994 and has been spinning out goofy, catchy tunes for decades – its most memorable being the Rolling Stones-esque "Bohemian Like You."

Death Cab for Cutie

Founded in Bellingham, Ben Gibbard's wallflower lyrics and understated guitars give this Cascadia-based act a quintessential rainy-day moody feel. The album Transatlanticism is one of their best.

Deep Sea Diver

The Seattle-based indie rock band has been a dependable part of the Seattle scene since the mid-aughts. Lead singer Jessica Dobson's ethereal voice grounds the group's punk-pop sound. Their latest album, which will probably topping my best-of list for 2025, is Billboard Heart.

The Decemberists

Colin Meloy, lead singer for the iconic Portland-based band, is probably one of the most talented songwriters of his generation, whether he's spinning a tale of a sailor's revenge or penning an ode to summer.

Haley Hendricks

The Portland-based singer-songwriter is helping keep the City of Roses weird with quirky lyrics and soft, plaintive melodies. The manically desperate line "I NEED TO START A GARDEN" in the song "Ooom Sha La La" will forever stick in my brain as the classic Cascadia response to the stress of daily life.

The New Pornographers

Yes, the Vancouver-based supergroup probably needs a new name after the band's drummer, Joseph Seiders ,was arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material (the band cut all ties with him after his arrest). Regardless they're probably the best band currently out of Vancouver.

Odesza

The electronic music act that got its start in Bellingham in 2012 and has built a deeply loyal fan following for its chill, danceable beats.

Pretty Girls Make Graves

The Seattle-based post-hardcore band, named for a song by the Smiths (which was in turn named for a quote from Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums), was on hiatus for years but did a remarkable reunion tour last year. The 2003 album The New Romance remains their classic.

Pedro the Lion

The Seattle-based indie rock group, which in its autobiographical lyrics, meditates on the messy details of life, has been a mainstay of the Cascadia music scene since its founding in 1995. They're celebrating 30 years with a live show at Barboza in Seattle on July 12.

Shabazz Palaces

Under the helm of Ishmael Butler, the Seattle hip hop act founded in 2009 seems to be broadcasting from another dimension. Their astral, trippy sounds and mystical lyrics prove that hip hop in Cascadia has innovated a ton since the days of Sir Mix A Lot.

Sleater-Kinney

One of the pioneers of the feminist Riot Grrl movement that got its start in Olympia, Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker's brash, lyrically creative band has had its ups and downs but is still going strong after thirty years. Their driving 1997 album Dig Me Out is probably the greatest Cascadia album of all time. But I'm open to other suggestions.

--Andrew Engelson

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