The Freio Music Podcast
Episode 019 - Mackenzie Page
FMP 019 – Mackenzie Page
World’s Finest
The Domino Room-February 17th, 2017
Last Friday at the Domino Room in downtown Bend, Oregon, we were able to catch Leftover Salmon’s opener, World’s Finest. Featuring an electric banjo, saxophone, and vintage guitar, they had a rustic and organic vibe. Blending elements of ska, bluegrass and reggae, they were able to touch on several familiar sounds while adding their own character and a bit of a twist.
Juggling genres and different styles, it was obvious the group drew inspiration from assorted backgrounds. There were many moments of feel-good-bluegrass easily associated with Portland and The Pacific Northwest. Both upbeat and rock influenced it reminded me of groups like Fruition. Other times they would tone things down and switch over to reggae and ska. Some highlights included “Rub-a-dub” reggae and well timed breakdowns to group acapellas. With flexible musicianship, they were able to showcase a few covers as well. My favorite was their funky-bluegrass cover of “Pick Up the Pieces” by Average White Band. The nostalgia of the song, accompanied with their provocative saxophone, was a great way to close out the set.
Full of fun energy and a feel good vibe, World’s Finest had very personable crowd interaction and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their time on the stage.
Check out the links below for music and more on the World’s Finest!
Celebrating 25 Years of Great Music and Brews
Coming this November! Silver Salmon India Pale Lager, a special limited-edition beer, will be packaged exclusively with the new Leftover Salmon album, 25.
For prices and availability, contact your local craft beverage purveyor or use Breckenridge Brewery’s Beer Locator. The album, 25, will feature twenty five previously unreleased live recordings, and will also be available on iTunes and all digital outlets beginning November 27th!
Silver Salmon IPL commemorates the twenty five year anniversaries of both Breckenridge Brewery and Leftover Salmon. This beer was developed collaboratively by the two groups as they discussed the perfect beer for listening to live music. “We thought an India Pale Lager would be a great style because it’s light and refreshing such that you can enjoy more than one, yet there’s plenty of complexity and flavor,” reports Todd Thibault, Culture Czar for Breckenridge Brewery. “It’s the perfect beer for hanging out at a show and celebrating life, music, and Colorado! There’s no fishy aftertaste, we promise!” Adds Greg Garrison, bass player for Leftover Salmon.
Leftover Salmon – Silver Salmon “25” – Beer and New Live Album!
Enter Here to Win the Original Cover Art Painting by Scramble Campbell & Other Great Prizes!
The paths of Leftover Salmon and Breckenridge Brewery came together in 2012 when they threw a street party in celebration of the band’s Aquatic Hitchhiker album launch. The first of their beer and music collaborations was in 2013. Leftover Salmon created four original songs that were pre-released exclusively through Breckenridge Brewery’s 12-pack Sampler Packs on Artist Series coasters. The relationship has prospered and the groups continue to collaborate on projects like Silver Salmon IPL.
Both Breckenridge Brewery and Leftover Salmon started out with humble beginnings in small Colorado mountain towns. As both have blossomed and earned national acclaim, each of these institutions have become masters of their own crafts.
Looking back over the past twenty five years of rootsy string-based music, the impact of Leftover Salmon is impossible to deny. Formed New Year’s Eve in 1989, the Colorado slamgrass pioneers took their form of aggressive bluegrass to rock and roll bars at a time when it wasn’t so common, which helped Salmon become a pillar of the jam band scene and unwitting architects of the jamgrass genre. High Country, Leftover Salmon’s most recent release, shows off the full palette of artistic diversity including lightning-powered pick n’ grin, to thoughtful blues balladry, and everything in between.
Breckenridge Brewery was founded in 1990 in Breckenridge, Colorado. In the past two decades Breckenridge Brewery has grown from a small 3,000-barrels-a-year brewpub to one of the most successful craft beer and restaurant companies in the nation. It now handcrafts more than 64,000 barrels of fresh beer annually and owns and operates five brewpubs and ale houses in the state of Colorado.
Between Breckenridge Brewery’s 64,000 barrels of handcrafted beer made fresh each year, to Leftover Salmon’s delicious music, whimsical cross genre creations, consistent touring schedule, and progressive mindset Silver Salmon IPL is sure to be a game changer, by two of the biggest game changers of their kind.
LEFTOVER SALMON ON TOUR
October
15 Warehouse Live | Houston, TX w/ Chris Robinson Brotherhood
16 Scoot Inn | Austin, TX w/ Chris Robinson Brotherhood
17 American Roots Music & Arts Festival | Raleigh, NC
18 Hillberry 2 – The Harvest Moon Festival | Eureka Springs, AR
20 Lafayette’s Music Room | Memphis, TN
21 Revelry Room | Chattanooga, TN
22 Holston River Brewing Co. | Bristol, TN
23 Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden-Sydney, VA
24 Jefferson Theatre | Charlottesville, VA
25 The Hamilton | Washington, DC
November
4 Vinyl Music Hall | Pensacola, FL
5 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | Ponte Vedra, FL
6 Jannus Live | Saint Petersburg, FL
7 Greenwood Museum | Tallahassee, FL
8 Plaza Live | Orlando, FL
27 Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO w/ Jeff Austin Band
28 Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO w/ Jeff Austin Band
December
2 Swyer Theatre | Albany, NY
3 Higher Ground | Burlington, VT
4 Brighton Music Hall | Allston, MA
5 Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun | Uncasville, CT
11-14 Strings and Sol | Puerto Morelos, Mexico
31 Roseland Theater | Portland, OR
January
1 Crystal Bay Club | Crystal Bay, NV w/ Front Country
2 Crystal Bay Club | Crystal Bay, NV w/ Front Country
March
11-13 The Stanley Hotel | Estes Park, CO
17-18 Sheridan Opera House | Telluride, CO
Front Country – Concert & Album Review
It was the night of May 5th at Swallow Hill Music Hall in Denver, Colorado. The rain turned to sleet and the sleet turned to heavy snow. The arrival of the Californian Bluegrass band was greeted by nasty weather and a packed house filled with music lovers of all ages. The night began with Rail Splitters from Boulder, Colorado warming up the theater with their quick pick’n and melodic music. By the time Front Country took the stage the audience was ready for steady rhythmic bluesy bluegrass. Front Country is one of those bands who cannot be easily fit into a box or genre. They expand upon all of their individual strengths to blend, mold, and shape the sound until it’s profound.
Front Country’s songs are inspired by a range of topics including but not limited to the snowy state itself, Colorado, and an old time song about a gold mine prostitute. When Melody picks up the Kashishi she woos the crowd with her shakin’ while both Adam and Jacob trade instruments between songs to bring a new sound.
Front country’s album, Sake of the Sound, was created by a sextet (six members). Three of the six band members on the Album have jobs outside of the music industry. The momentum the band is riding keeps gaining speed, propelling that ‘Gospel Train’ around the country. With diverse musical backgrounds, they feed off each other musically to break through traditional boundaries. They have earned University degrees studying, jazz guitar, vocals, classical guitar, and jazz bass. They have worked hard to get to where they are today and it is clearly paying off.
Sake of the Sound
Album Credits: Released 16 September 2014. Mandolin by Adam Roszkiewicz, Guitar and Vocals by Jacob Groopman, Guitar and Vocals by Melody Walker, Banjo and Vocals by Jordan Klein, Violin by Leif Karlstrom, Stand-up Bass by Zach Sharpe. Produced by Kai Welch. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom at 25th Street Recording – Oakland, CA. Mixed by Erick Jaskowiak at J Studio – Nashville, TN. Mastered by Eric Conn at Independent Mastering – Nashville, TN. All songs arranged by Front Country. Photography by Robert Perry. Album Art by Danielle Diessner
They dedicated 10 consecutive (16+ hour) days to the recording of their debut album, Sake of the Sound. While many bands struggle to find a collective sound due to their individualistic desires, Front Country is a band of stars, shining together. Their collaborative spirit is revealed as they dynamically alter their music for maximum impact.
If you enjoy acoustical harmonies with some fast pick’n solos, this band is not one to miss. If you missed the show, the good news is that Front Country will be back in Colorado and touring the country once again in a few weeks. With stops at festivals, such as Campout for the Cause and Meadow Grass, this band is only getting started. They won a place on the main stage at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and they are on their way to a city near you.
To check the latest Front Country tour info: click here
To listen to the FreioMusic interview with Front Country: click here
Immerse Yourself – Arise Festival – Loveland, CO
ARISE FESTIVAL 2013
“The music is like the fire …. and we all gather around it to warm our souls”
~ Paul Bassis, Producer of ARISE ~
A new festival has emerged onto the Colorado scene this summer. Backdropped by the serene beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Arise Festival has set its sights on being the very essence of a festival – co-creation, music, art, yoga, and community. Sunrise Ranch, an hour north of Denver, will provide the magical space for festival goers to explore and re-connect with nature and one another. The atmosphere is looking to come together seamlessly, complete with Hemp Village, Kids Village, Organic Food and Beverage Village, and hey, my fellow beer lovers, a Craft Beer and Wine Village!
The festival will also feature a selection of independent films including – Bidder 70, Chasing Water, Arise, and The Bloom. If that doesn’t expand your mind enough – check out the healing space, Temple of the Heart, on site. It will encompass activities like yoga, kirtan, meditation, and a healers tent to completely rejuvinate you- mind, body, and soul.
THE BASICS
WHAT TO BRING: face paint, headlamp, re-fillable water bottle, warm clothes for the CO nights
Aside from the perks… the music lineup is stacking up quite nicely to create an incredibly diverse world sound to fill up those Colorado mountains.
So who is playing you ask?
Freio Favorites:
We are very excited to be apart of this melding of art and community. Not convinced yet? Check out the music below…
But just you wait… the complete lineup so far includes:
STAY TUNED FOR THE ARISE FESTIVAL CONTEST
FOR 2 FREE TICKETS!!
Sober-Raver’s 2012 Jubilee
Check out Sober Raver’s Favorite Artists of 2012! Ranging from blues, bluegrass, to Latin.
WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY- Introducing Fox and Woman…
One of the favorite local venues of Eugene, Oregon, Sam Bond’s Garage, was already set in my mind as the place to get down last Friday night. The now Portland-based Water Tower Bucket Boys made their way down I-5 to shake up the town, but there was a little something extra thrown into the bluegrass party. The opener of the night, Fox and Woman, filled the room with a smooth and sultry sound of impeccably blended harmonies. The provoking band name came from a song written by vocalist, Jess Silva, while washing dishes in a San Francisco cafe. She noted the back room provided the, “prime time to space out and write music.” Jess and violinist, keyboardist, vocalist, and co-worker, Emily Haltom, found a creative energy together playing outside bars on the streets of San Fran. After some pretty wild band names and varying members, Emily and Jess added Leo Suarez(cello), Will Boast(drums), and Andrew Paul Nelson (mandolin, guitar ukulele) finally solidifying the band that is known as Fox and Woman. Their music harbors a full bodied melding of rich instrumentation and vocals that soothes the listener into the depths of something that is beautifully captivating. Emily describes their sound as, “electro-alternative folk”. With the use of peddles for the electric guitar atop acoustic rhythms, their sound is only beginning to transcend genres beyond their indie-folk roots. From playing outside of bars in San Francisco to inside them in Eugene and throughout the Northwest, this band is definitely going great places. Their individual raw talent fuses gracefully together as one unbelievable band. Their live show is not to be missed.
Want to know more?
Check out their pages!
FUN FACT
Drummer, Will Boast, won the 2011 Iowa Short Fiction Award for his compilation of short stories titled Power Ballads.
check out more HERE!
Wanderlust Wednesday- Ode to New Grass Revival
“Our reason for doing the newer-type music wasn’t pretentious or irreverent or sarcastic or disrespectful,” explained Curtis Burch. “We just felt like people were ready to see that you could really expand the sound, using those same instruments.”
Ah, the sweet sounds of New Grass Revival. The group, formed in 1972 by four former members of the Bluegrass Alliance, brought bluegrass into an entirely different realm. Long hair, everyday clothing, and fresh sound put a new face on traditional country pickin’. Plus, they had the father of bluegrass, Mr. Sam Bush. The progressive group was graced by the presence of not only Sam Bush, but Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn throughout the band’s life. The real reason I wanted to share this get down bluegrass band with you all, however, was for this kick ass video below. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Plus, they look damn good.
WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY! Free Festival!
In Eugene, Oregon? Love free music?
This Friday, the 45th Willamette Valley Music Festival will hit University of Oregon campus yet again with 22 bands on three stages. Evolved from the Willamette Valley Folk Festival, this free music event is a long-standing tradition that reflects a wide variety music genres including, but definitely not limited to, jazz, bluegrass, indie, folk, and alternative. Did I mention there is also an entire block of vendors? Food, art, clothing, hot damn!
Check out the performing artists below!
Tall Tale Excursion
Tall Tale Excursion: USA-Eugene, Oregon
“We like to call our style of music Oregon Greengrass!”
This joyful quartet includes band members: Aslan Sheffler (age 21), Gage Hawke (age 23), Andy Gullickson (age 24), Meg Keefe (age 20). A young and dedicated band, who has been playing music from an young age. They have much more in store for them in the years to come. There music and style is evolving with each song expanding their musical terrain. It was great to meet these nice fellows on campus as they serenaded the passersby. There is nothing quite like meeting street musicians who’s sound blows you off course and you must stop to enjoy!
[box_dark]-From left to right Aslan Sheffler, Andy Gullickson, Gage Hawke (this picture is missing a a key ingredient, Meg, the talented fiddle player, who has been playing since age 5!)[/box_dark]
“We are Tall Tale Excursion, we play folk/bluegrass/blues. We are currently a 4 piece band (banjo, guitar, fiddle/stand up bass, and mandolin) based out of Eugene! We recently picked up a fiddle and mandolin phenoms, videos with them are coming soon!” It is clear that this band is on the rise as they are entertaining new audiences and while expanding and refining their sound. Stay tuned, as there is much more to come from this quartet.
With a wide array of instruments these musicians pick & play it all. They play: Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro, Harmonica, Washboard, Trumpet, and Kazoo. Their influences include: Blackberry Bushes Stringband, Greensky Bluegrass ,Old Crow Medicine Show, Buckey Walters, Devil Makes Three, Metallica, the Doors, Queen, Rush, Led Zeplin, Jimi Hendrix, Earl Scruggs, Paul Gilbert, Marty Freedman
U heard them first HEAR @freioMusic
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More info can be found through the links below:
http://Youtube.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Facebook.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Myspace.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Reverbnation.com/talltaleexcursion
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