Get ready, Central Oregon: A legend is headed our way this summer. Bob Dylan has announced a summer 2020 tour across the U.S., starting at the Les Schwab Amphitheater June 4. Dylan will be joined by special guests Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats as well as the Hot Club of Cowtown. The last time Dylan, […]
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WinterFest First Timers
Locals Brandon Prinzing
& The Old Revival are stoked to be at this year’s WinterFest
Local band Brandon Prinzing & The Old Revival will be making its WinterFest debut Saturday night, kicking things off for Jemere Morgan and Naughty By Nature. Funny enough, when I reached out to Prinzing for this story he was spending time in Hawaii—enjoying a far different scene than what he and the band will be […]
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Sounds From Tornillo
The Lil Smokies’ third album is a reflective success that stretches the group’s sound
Tornillo sits just outside of El Paso, Texas, and as of 2017 had an estimated population of 1,120. It was in this tiny town that the Montana-formed The Lil Smokies recorded its latest album. After immersing themselves into the environment and nature there to come up with a new take on the band’s string heavy-roots […]
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“River of Lost Souls”
Bend band Justusworx releases a new album and plans a release party
“We’re all old guys,” Mike Ogden explained recently, when he dropped off a CD—Justusworx‘ latest album. Age in music isn’t a bad thing because that usually means experience. With “River of Lost Souls,” you can tell the music is being made by veterans of blues rock. There are roaring guitar solos, a steady stream of […]
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A Change of Music Scenery
Local musicians, promoters and venue owners talk about what’s changed in Bend over the last 10 years
A local music scene needs a few basic ingredients to prosper: • Music venues • Talented musicians • An enthusiastic music-loving population to support shows • An inspiring tale of a local band that made it “big” • Low cost of living Bend has all of these things, except the last one. What do local […]
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Looking Toward The Sun
The lead singer of Everclear thinks of better days ahead on his solo album
Art Alexakis is best known for being the lead singer of Portland-born group Everclear. Everclear churned out out a multitude of great songs in the late ’90s, becoming a household name for alternative rock fans everywhere. So what happens when the founding member puts out a solo project? In October, Alexakis released his first solo […]
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As Live As It Gets
Moon Hooch has a new album coming in January, with each song recorded in one take
Have you ever thought about what jazz music would sound like if it was played by aliens in outer space? No? Well, Moon Hooch might be the closest thing you’ll ever get. The trio of Mike Wilbur, Wenzl McGowen and James Muschler have pushed the limits of their sound to become a finely tuned mashup […]
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Review: “Wheels of the City”
The band’s third album drives The Drunken Hearts into new territory
The latest album from Colorado five-piece The Drunken Hearts was made in what most would call an unconventional way. One day after the band released 2018’s “The Prize,” the guys headed into the studio and began to make and record a new song each day until they had enough quality content for a new album—and […]
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A Joyful Rebirth
Samuel Eisen-Meyers has a fresh start with The Joyful Noise
Currently on tour in Europe with fellow Portland bands Moorea Masa and The Mood and Swatkins, Samuel Eisen-Meyers found himself in Italy the day we spoke on the phone—and made sure to warn me of the sketchy wi-fi of the Air B&B, in case we lost connection. We didn’t lose connection, but Eisen-Meyers did tell […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Open Mic
M&J Tavern
After a brief closure of its musical festivities, the M&J Tavern is back and showcasing all of the local talent we have in the area– and they clearly haven’t lost a step. When an open mic is like going to a billed concert, you know it’s something special. The energy at M&J’s open mic is […]