Adrian Xavier Adrian Xavier has been billed alongside many notable musicians and pop stars. The son of a radio DJ who worked on Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and a peace activist, music was ingrained in Xavier from a very young age. Now based in Seattle, he blends sax and fiddle to create a highly […]
Music
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By Any Other Name
Rainbow Girls a blinding spectrum of talent
The name Rainbow Girls is misleading. With a name like that, and an origin story that has a group of women retreating to Joshua Tree to form their band, it is easy to assume this troupe is an easy-going, mandolin-plucking, sundress-twirling, hippie-dippie folk lovefest. Their list of appearances dotting northern California seems to underscore those […]
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In Spite Of, or Because Of
Ziggy Marley makes his own name—and own music
It’s hard to explain Ziggy Marley without talking about his dad, the prototypical reggae singer whose name is so recognizable that the (excellent) documentary about his life three years ago needed only his last name as a title. Bob Marley’s image is so iconic, with dreadlocks slicing through the air, it can easily be caught […]
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Drive-Thru Metal
A band of fast food rockers from Los Angeles turn heads with a wild stage show
In case you haven’t heard, there’s a McDonald’s-themed Black Sabbath cover band from Los Angeles fronted by a health-conscious, heavy metal clown named Ronald Osbourne. Seriously. The whole thing sounds like the imaginative daydream of an angsty teenager in the back of a high school health class, but fortunately for us, not only does it […]
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Homeschooled & Barefoot
Folk singer Brett Dennen puts the ol’ in folk
You’d think someone with such flaming red hair would be the stereotypical feisty hothead. But, at the prime age of 35, Brett Dennen speaks as though he has been around the block a few times. In an interview on Vevo, he slowly and thoughtfully responds to questions fans post on Facebook, explaining that his guitars […]
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Source Suggests 8/5-8/12
Freekbass Cincinnati-based funk musician Freekbass worked in a music store while studying the classics of Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, and Parliament. He worked there to pay off his first bass guitar that was on layaway. Now, with bass in hand, Freekbass creates funky beats sure to have listeners dancing from the first note. […]
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If You Don’t Know Me By Now
From chart-topping to charities to cooking, Martina McBride is ruling the world
Country music superstar Martina McBride will bring her famed songs and smile to the Deschutes County Fair on July 30, but will she be serving her refreshing iceberg wedge salad? When you have accomplished as much as McBride has—she’s a three-time Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist and four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist […]
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For a Limited Time Only
Wilco and Speedy Ortiz team up to rock Bend
Usually, good free stuff comes with a catch. (Buy two, get one free. Absolutely free, with confirmed credit score. Free coupon, expired yesterday.) Not the case with Wilco’s surprise album Star Wars, released on July 16. This album came out of left field for many, as Wilco self-released it without fanfare. Bam! It was there. […]
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Effects Pedal Junkies Find Their Voice
Local ambient rock group Isles puts the final touches on an ambitious debut album
In August 2013, Bend rock quartet Isles turned heads with an impressive first splash as they introduced themselves with Viracocha—35 minutes of beautifully-sculpted instrumental ambient rock. Largely inspired by a series of improvised jam sessions, the songs are built on meandering song structures that give the EP an innately organic feel. Washed in layers of […]
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Source Suggests 7/29-8/5
Tony Smiley, Keez Bend favorite Tony Smiley brings his one man band to the Volcanic Theatre Pub for an evening of electric melodies. As a multi-talented one-man band, Smiley has earned the distinction of a loop ninja, putting other one-man bands to shame, and earning him a cult-like following. Smiley blends rock, hip-hop, tribal fusion, […]