Interview by Sofie Brown

Jenny Van West is sitting in a warm orange studio, chatting with a group of people who have come to share music with her. 

“See? It’s this flexible structure that’s allowing us to make these connections,” the Portland-based Americana and Roots Music songwriter says. 

With two records released, Something Real and Happiness to Burn, Van West has played venues across the world, received numerous awards, and spent time on American and European charts. She’s the founder of the Immigrant Music Connection, teaching music and leading community concerts for new Mainers, as well as curating the International Open Mic. 

What led you to create IMC Portland?

Meeting somebody and then meeting a whole mess of people. There was this young guy walking in the other direction on Congress Street. I had my fiddle and guitar with me, and I said hi. He turned around and said, “Hi, is that a guitar?” 

Read the full story in the digital magazine above.