Hugh Masterson is a wonder--that was my impression after seeing him perform at Portland’s Mississippi Studios recently. This Wisconsin-born Nashville resident handily won the crowd’s hearts and souls with his road-worn brand of Americana. Touring with the venerable Lindi Ortega to showcase his debut EP, Lost + Found, Masterson took us with him through his... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Ron Pope
Ron Pope’s voice sinks into your soul, digging deep to set up camp as it attaches and winds itself around the heartstrings. Through his earlier works into his recent album Work and its companion EP Worktapes, he continues to be the torchbearer of the independent music scene as he vigilantly brings his sound to the... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: The Lumineers
When you finally get a chance to see a group you’ve liked for years perform live for the first time, the excitement and anticipation is next level. You spend more time getting ready. You rush your friends out the door so you’re sure to get a good vantage point. You’re amped the minute you walk... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Ghost Of Paul Revere
You wouldn’t know from the warmth and comradery inside Mississippi Studios Wednesday night that outside was a typical cold, misty Portland evening. The huddled crowd took up the entire floor and balcony of this amazingly intimate concert hall, all ready to wrap themselves in the holler-folk stylings of roots outfit Ghost Of Paul Revere. Warmed up... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: JD McPherson Record Release
The intensity of a show in a record store is much more than I imagined. So close to the band. So loud. So amazing! For those of us that remember when record store showings were more common, the word “treat” doesn’t begin to describe what a fantastic opportunity this was. Realizing that today, fantastic record... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Pokey LaFarge
There was surely something in the water at Wonder Ballroom in Portland, Oregon Tuesday night. I bore witness like a soul being saved to the genre-blending music of Pokey LaFarge. He walked on stage, with his arms wide open, a welcoming host with his merry and mischievous band of story tellers. The night was to... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Andrew Combs
Take me home country roads, for I have never been so homesick for the South as after seeing Andrew Combs last night at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon. After I obsessively listened to his music over the last two months, I was anxiously waiting to see this performance by the man from Nashville that could... Continue Reading →
Album Review: John Craigie – No Rain, No Rose
There’s an old Buddhist saying, “No mud, no lotus,” which refers to the idea that bad things are necessary in order to make the good things. Folk musicmaker John Craigie has distilled that wisdom into a new studio album, No Rain, No Rose, the title of which pays tribute to his adopted hometown and the... Continue Reading →
Interview: John Craigie
John Craigie, self-described class clown, observational humorist, and folky singer of stories, will release his new album, No Rain, No Rose, on January 27th—a follow-up and sonic contrast to his last studio effort, Working On My Farewell. The California native relocated to Portland a couple of years ago, after a long stint on the road... Continue Reading →