Larkspur Stand was born on a front porch in the east Bend neighborhood known as Larkspur, the band’s namesake. What started as a few friends casually jamming out together eventually grew as more neighbors joined and merged talents to create the band’s current crew.
The five-person band includes instruments like guitar, banjo, drums, an upright bass and spoons, creating a sound that the group refers to as “cosmic country.”
The sound, which encompasses country blues, folk and bluegrass, comes from a mix of the unique perspectives and musical influences each member brings to the group. According to vocalist and guitarist Jake Soto, the sound is consistently growing and evolving.
“I tell people, it’s a sound that’s been marinating very slowly,” Soto says. “We’ve started getting a little more experimental in some adjacent genres.”
Soto calls the group’s music an amalgamation of backgrounds, taking influence from John Prine, the Grateful Dead and Old & In the Way.
“It’s a collaborative improvisation. All of our influences just sort of organically mix,” says Matt McConnell, upright bass player.
The band typically plays a mix of originals and covers at its live shows.
“We’re not afraid to take a cover song and kind of rewrite it, but still keep it familiar for people,” Soto tells the Source Weekly. “There’s a lot of artistic freedom that I love about this group.”
With five people in the band, and the occasional guest musician joining at gigs, the group sees its size as more of a benefit than a hindrance.
“From a percussion standpoint, more people is more fun,” says Patrick Bedard, the drummer. “When you start adding people… it allows for more creative freedom.”
As the group continues to practice and play more shows, the growth is apparent. McConnell says the sound and performances get better every time.
“We’ve got those infectious grooves. It seems like it evolves with every show,” he says.
The group is set to play at the upcoming HomeGrown Music Festival, among a variety of local bands.
“I like it for all the different genres of music. There’s so much to choose from with this list and stuff,” says Bob Morris, the spoons and cajon player.
Larkspur Stand’s set is on Sunday, April 20, from 2 to 3pm at Silver Moon Brewing. Having played the festival before, the group appreciates the local vibe.
“I think it’s a good showcase of the local talent. It’s truly a homegrown festival,” says Garrett Miller, banjo player and vocalist.
Catch Larkspur Stand on the Oregrown Stage at Silver Moon on Sunday, April 20 from 2 to 3pm
This article appears in Source Weekly April 10, 2025.
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