local music
Posted inSound Stories & Interviews

Warm Gadget Reclaims the Stage

After eight long years, the band is back in the spotlight – if only for one night
by Phoebe Young

On Sept. 29, beloved local band Warm Gadget (joined by Austin Williams) will appear for its first live performance in eight years, opening for bands Julien-K and NITE at the Domino Room. Up until this show, the band’s members, Tim Vester and Colten Williams, have been taking a hiatus from live performances, choosing to dedicate […]

Posted inMusic

Barefoot Melodies

A tribute to two local musicians, who rose up from Bend’s open mic scene to record an album and play at Bend Roots
Avatar photo by Nicole Vulcan

Every music scene has one: the fan who stands at the front, dancing like no one else is watching. In the case of Melodi Johnson, the dancing rose to a fever pitch the second she hit the floor—a shimmering, snake-like twirl that would emerge from her body, whether the tunes were of the mellow folk […]

Posted inMusic

Save The Music Saturdays

High Desert Music Collective and Silver Moon Brewing team up to safely keep live music alive in Central Oregon
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

Live music isn’t dead. It’s more like it’s in hibernation, so we’re seeing it less frequently, because we, too, have also been in a form of hibernation the last few months. But when you do get a chance to step out of your cave you might be lucky enough to see some live tunes. Especially […]

Posted inMusic

Source Material

The best tunes from March to help you get through those long days at home
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

It’s safe to say that March has been pretty f*cked up from a lot of standpoints. But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to go on, it’s important to remember that we will get through this no matter how uncomfortable things may get. Music has always been something to help people get through different moments of […]

Posted inMusic

A Change of Music Scenery

Local musicians, promoters and venue owners talk about what’s changed in Bend over the last 10 years
Laurel Brauns

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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Local Venues 101

New to Central Oregon’s music scene? Here’s your guide to the places you can see live shows
The Source Staff

The Domino Room/Midtown Ballroom/The Annex From the outside, you wouldn’t suspect the Midtown Ballroom to house three different venues, including the largest indoor music venue in town. The Domino Room, a mid-sized space that falls somewhere between the size of Midtown Ballroom and the upstairs Annex, is a minimal space with the feel of a […]

Posted inMusic

Your Fav Bands

Get to know the bands that make up the local music scene
Anne Pick

In honor of the Local Music Issue, we’ve created this handy list of the local musicians you can check out in Bend. Did we miss someone? Email anne@bendsource.com to get on our local music radar! Allan Byer Project — Americana. Alovitamin — Eclectic rock. AM Clouds — Indie rock. a.m. interstate — Southern rock. Appaloosa […]

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Flat Picking & Good Vibes

Sean Watkins plays The Belfry
Avatar photo Jared Rasic

Sean Watkins has been making music since 1989 and none of what he releases is predictable. Comparing his music with Nickel Creek with his solo work shows the depth and breadth of the man’s talent and his abilities as singer, songwriter and guitarist. It’s very easy to pigeonhole him as simply a bluegrass artist, but […]

Posted inMusic

Broken Down Guitars

“Everything You Need”
Angela Moore

A CD release party for “Everything You Need,” the second album by the local group Broken Down Guitars, is coming Saturday, April 30. The six-piece band prides itself in being about diversity in sound with influence from blues, rock and country, all with an electric mix to it. Lead soul-singer Stacie Johnson and guitar guru […]

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