The singers that Portland’s Ural Thomas has counted among his contemporaries reads like the list of Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Thomas first forayed into a career in music back in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, performing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and James Brown. After taking a break from professional music, it […]
Music
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Fascination with the Unknown
New York-based fusion rockers TAUK explore artificial intelligence at a Halloween show
When Halloween falls in the middle of the week, like it does this year, it means Bend goes big—expanding the tricks and musical treats to the weekends both before and after the spookiest day of the year. This year, for those willing to brave the mid-week hangover, TAUK brings a rock-meets-funk fusion to Volcanic Theatre […]
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His Truth
Lyrics Born gets personal on his 10th studio album
Lyrics Born has earned several “first” titles over the years. He takes the title of first Asian-American solo rapper to release a greatest hits record and perform at major festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza. Now, he also stands as the first Asian-American solo rapper to release a 10th album. This milestone comes as a great […]
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Weekend Picks
Live music to get you through the weekend of Oct. 20-21
Friday, Oct. 19 THE STEEL WHEELS AMERICANAGracing us from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, The Steel Wheels bring their own brand of bluesy folk, bluegrass and fiddle music to the stage. 8pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $15/adv. $18/door. KUNG FU W/ MAXWELL FRIEDMAN FUNKElectro-fusion meets dance music — this is […]
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Textures and Tones
The Ballroom Thieves pivot their sound with “Paper Crown” and an upcoming EP of covers
Once in a while, a band comes through town and you just know that someday they’ll be headlining the Les Schwab Amphitheater. After listening to songs like “Fistfight,” from the recently released EP, “Paper Crown,” I have no doubt The Ballroom Thieves will be one of those bands about which we’ll say, “I saw them […]
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On His Own Planet
Tech N9ne’s new album gives listeners an escape from the frustrations of Earth
In early 2017, Tech N9ne had what sounded like a pretty far-out idea for his next album, to be called “Planet.” In an interview at that time with this writer, he said he wanted the album to be made up of a single piece of music inspired by Billy Joel’s epic song, “Scenes from an […]
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Feeling Alive
Brandon Prinzing and the Old Revival celebrate their album release—and a push to become career musicians
The last time we checked in with Brandon Prinzing, he’d brought his scratchy vocals and folk-meets-punk sound to the helm of the now-defunct local band, Riot on a Sunday. Nearly a year later, he’s on the cusp of releasing his first album under the moniker Brandon Prinzing and the Old Revival. The album is helped […]
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Pass the Moonshine
The Hook’s latest album, “Moonshine and Honey,” raises funds for suicide awareness
For The Hook‘s lead singer Carlos Barata, bringing his band to the Pacific Northwest is a second homecoming. The band hails from Pennsylvania, but for a couple years, Barata and his fiancee called Salem, Ore., home, a place they loved because it acted as the perfect middle-point to explore the Pacific Northwest, and the change […]
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Need for Speed
The Dead South channels its punk-rock roots into edgy bluegrass and folk jams for Fall Festival
“I’d say that bluegrass is the punk of country music,” says Nate Hilts, guitarist and vocalist for Canadian folk-bluegrass band The Dead South. “They came at it with a whole new speed. If you look at the Czech Republic, they look at bluegrass and country music as a form of revolt. I love the style […]
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Brutally Honest
Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root returns to Bend with songs that get a lot more personal
Michael Glabicki and his band Rusted Root‘s biggest hit, “Send Me on My Way,” first appeared on the 1994 album, “When I Woke.” Now, more than 20 years later, Glabicki and Rusted Root’s longtime guitar player and background vocalist Dirk Miller are on the road playing re-envisioned versions of the band’s biggest hits. A true […]
