Ben Harper is one of those one-man-bands you have to see in person to believe. From the regular guitar to the Weissenborn slide guitar, he can carry a tune on just about any guitar that can carry a tune, among other instruments. But he doesn’t just fly solo, the singer/songwriter recently reunited with his former […]
On Deck
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By Any Other Name
Rainbow Girls a blinding spectrum of talent
The name Rainbow Girls is misleading. With a name like that, and an origin story that has a group of women retreating to Joshua Tree to form their band, it is easy to assume this troupe is an easy-going, mandolin-plucking, sundress-twirling, hippie-dippie folk lovefest. Their list of appearances dotting northern California seems to underscore those […]
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Homeschooled & Barefoot
Folk singer Brett Dennen puts the ol’ in folk
You’d think someone with such flaming red hair would be the stereotypical feisty hothead. But, at the prime age of 35, Brett Dennen speaks as though he has been around the block a few times. In an interview on Vevo, he slowly and thoughtfully responds to questions fans post on Facebook, explaining that his guitars […]
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For a Limited Time Only
Wilco and Speedy Ortiz team up to rock Bend
Usually, good free stuff comes with a catch. (Buy two, get one free. Absolutely free, with confirmed credit score. Free coupon, expired yesterday.) Not the case with Wilco’s surprise album Star Wars, released on July 16. This album came out of left field for many, as Wilco self-released it without fanfare. Bam! It was there. […]
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Setting Trends and Influencing People
Pickathon 2015 will continue to impress
“We curate music by soliciting a large group of friends, experts, and bloggers who create their favorite lists of bands,” explains Zale Schoenborn, founder and executive producer for Pickathon, the three-day event that, over the past decade, has emerged as the alpha-summer concert in Oregon—in part because of the music selection, and in another part […]
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Music for MS
Fishbone to perform at the Newberry Event: A Defeat MS Fundraiser
Gloria Watt’s voice is strong and warm. She sings to me, “Hello in There” by John Prine. “Ya know that old trees just grow stronger,” she coos. “And old rivers grow wilder every day. Old people just grow lonesome. Waiting for someone to say, ‘Hello in there.’” After finishing the refrain, Watt tells me, “That […]
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Beards Not Optional
Wildwood Music Festival rocks the rural valley
Looking at the impressive lineup for the Wildwood Music Festival and Campout July 17-19, you might think, those who don’t have facial hair, need not apply. That, and: That’s some mean roots, folk, and blues. Festival organizer Katie Kendall says that this year will be their biggest yet, and it has grown every year since […]
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What’s in a Band Name?
Death Cab for Cutie sure beats Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
In 1967, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band released a song titled “Death Cab for Cutie,” which tells the tale of Cutie, who goes out on the town when her lover wants her to stay home and ends up in a cab that runs a red light and crashes. The sad subject matter was recorded as […]