Vanity Plate

**Vanity Plate** is a Portland-based indie pop duo known for crafting shimmering, introspective tunes that blend DIY charm with polished hooks. Formed in 2018 by vocalist/guitarist Megan James and multi-instrumentalist Leo Torres, the pair started recording lo-fi bedroom demos before evolving their sound to include lush synths and jangly guitars. Their recent releases—like the wistful "Garden Path," anthemic "Year of the Shark," and brooding "Not Cool"—showcase their knack for pairing nostalgic lyrics about growth and self-discovery with sun-drenched melodies. DIY to the core, they’ve built a grassroots following through Bandcamp drops and intimate house-show tours, earning nods from indie tastemakers for their relatable storytelling and scrappy-but-sincere aesthetic.