Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners might be the most charming band that Portland has to offer. Their music is influenced by the country and blues of the early 1900’s and infused with fingerpicking ragtime guitar fronting an arrangement of both traditional and makeshift instruments. Upright bass, washboard, harmonica and even the occasional kazoo can be heard supporting Jacob and Joy as they trade lead vocals and harmonize with each other radiating the carefree and nostalgic energy that uptempo blues creates. Over the past month, they’ve spread their music all across stumptown; with a slew of shows booked in January and the promise of a new release in the spring, they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. If you want to experience The Crooner’s charm for yourself, you can catch them at Backspace on December 27th or at the White Eagle on January 4th. – Benjamin Toledo