Countless classical music organizations around the world struggle to answer the question of how they will bring what’s seen as an aging artform to younger audiences. Big-city symphonies frequently collaborate with pop, rock and hip-hop stars for one-off gigs where string sections accompany 808s and electric guitars. As special as these symphonic showcases may be, […]
Music
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Old 97’s: Three Decades and Counting
The Dallas quartet decamped to Portland to record last year’s “American Primitive,” the 13th record in its storied catalog
Tony Bennett once said, “Fame comes and goes. Longevity is the thing to aim for.” Apparently, Rhett Miller and the rest of the Old 97’s were paying attention to Mr. Bennett. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Dallas quartet, which formed in 1992 when Miller joined forces with guitarist Ken Bethea, bassist Murry […]
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In Motion with Junaco: A Journey Through Music and Nature
The indie trio reflects on their evolving sound, songwriting process and their latest single, “Serene”
Los Angeles-based trio Junaco crafts a dreamy, ethereal sound that captivates listeners with soothing melodies and introspective lyrics. Comprised of Shahana Jaffer, Joey LaRosa and Tejas Leier Heyden, the band draws inspiration from the world around it, often finding creative fuel in nature. The group’s latest single, “Serene,” offers a glimpse into this signature sound […]
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The Wood Brothers Are Following Their Hearts
The storytelling roots trio returns to Bend’s Midtown Ballroom
Two decades ago, brothers Oliver and Chris Wood got to share a stage when Oliver’s band, King Johnson, opened a show for Chris’ acclaimed jazz-rooted group, Medeski Martin & Wood. Oliver sat in with Chris that evening and something magical happened. The brothers realized they still had a musical and personal connection and wanted to […]
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Get Ready to Rock at RendezVan
A high-energy lineup of rock, funk and electronic music fuels this year’s RendezVan festival at Mt. Bachelor
Every spring, a uniquely Bend-style celebration unfolds at Mt. Bachelor, bringing together RVers, campers and van-lifers for a long weekend of spring skiing, live music and good times on the mountain. RendezVan returns April 17 to 20, offering festivalgoers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, après tailgating and live performances against an alpine backdrop. Beyond […]
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Sleepwalking and Making ADM Music with Billy and the Box Kid
The purveyors of “acoustic dance music” celebrate three years at the Volcanic on March 22
It was 15 degrees outside and the night before Valentine’s Day. I was running late and pretty sure I’d already missed band practice. When I opened the door, the members of Billy and the Box Kid were lounging around the living room. Whiskey-filled colored glasses and quarters were stacked in neat towers before them, ready […]
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‘Half a Hundred Years,’ and Then Some
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel’s decades-long revival of Western swing rolls on
“I never thought I’d last a half a hundred years,” bellows the smooth baritone of Ray Benson on Asleep at the Wheel’s “Half a Hundred Years” — not a lot of folks have had this kind of longevity in the music industry. From behind a big white beard, Benson’s answer to his showbiz success is […]
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Central Oregon’s Bluegrass Scene Unites
With eight bands, workshops and an open jam session, The Bluegrass Bend-r showcases the region’s best at the Volcanic
Austin Quattlebaum plays what he calls “weird-grass. More accurately, it’s probably indie folk with a bluegrass edge,” he explains. He’s been performing in Bend for over a decade — often with James Rossi on fiddle, Josiah Payne on mandolin and Mark Karwan on bass — and always had the desire to create a local bluegrass […]
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Turning Up the Volume for Women
While many are feeling silenced, local women musicians aim to amplify
the voices of the marginalized
The past few months have been undeniably hard for many of us. Watching any amount of national news can be both disorienting and panic-inducing as the systems we’ve relied on for our entire lives are threatened by an overly empowered group of (mostly) super-rich, white men. Being from a marginalized community — or at the […]
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BendreTheGiant Wadesinto the Deep End
Bringing fresh funk, soul and jazzy vibes on new EP and to the Silver Moon stage
Take a quick glance at a photo of BendreTheGiant and it’s easy to see why Ben Estrada goes by this moniker. He’s got a head full of tight brown curls framing his round face, reminiscent of the larger-than-life pro wrestler of yore. And the opening track, “Move,” on his new four-song EP recounts how he’s […]
