Sound Stories & Interviews

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 […]

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 […]

When it comes to exploring the 1950s roots of rock ‘n’ roll, you can do a lot worse than to delve into the catalog of The Reverend Horton Heat. Singer and guitarist Jim “the Rev” Heath has been preaching the gospel of that era of music via a slew of albums of original material released […]

No matter the decade you grew up in, we’ve all grabbed a broom and played it like a guitar, or sung at the top of our lungs into a comb in front of a steamy bathroom mirror, or shook our head violently while playing the air drums in the back of a car. The common […]

On any given Tuesday evening, you can find Mason James hosting Open Mic at The Commons Cafe and Taproom, a gig he’s proudly managed for about two years. “It’s one of the most humbling and fulfilling experiences I’ve had in my career,” he says. That’s a bold statement for a guy who’s always up to […]

“We’re not truly a bluegrass band,” says Steve Arnold, reflecting on his quarter century in Bend’s Blackstrap Bluegrass. It’s easy to understand how a band that’s been making music and playing shows for more than 25 years might not stick to just one lane. “I’m the only original” band member, he continues. “We’ve had three […]