May Podcast Picks

Taylor Kingman is back in the spotlight fronting TK & The Holy Know-Nothings. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media.
TK & The Holy Know-Nothings (l to r): Sydney Nash, Jay Cobb Anderson, Taylor Kingman, Lewi Longmire and Tyler Thompson.

We’re here to help you finish the month of May on a hot streak, and we get things started with a dose of heat from TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, Portland’s scruffy new Americana outfit led by former Hill Dogs frontman Taylor Kingman.

The band just completed a short tour of the western states promoting the release of their debut, “Arguably OK,” out now via Mama Bird Record Co. Looking forward to big things from this talented bunch, which includes Jay Cobb Anderson of Fruition on guitar and Portland’s Mr. Indie Everything Lewi Longmire on bass.

We also share songs from two of Portland’s other shining stars of the moment, Kassi Valazza and Anna Tivel. Anna’s latest record, “The Question,” just out this spring on Fluff & Gravy Records, is garnering high praise nationally and around the globe as her popularity continues to skyrocket. And Valazza is quickly becoming a favorite of the podcast — we’re hoping to have her on as a guest for an upcoming episode soon.

This month’s Podcast Picks also include a number of tunes from fresh-out-of-the-oven releases, including awesome stuff from the new Jason Isbell-produced record by Josh Ritter, the first cut from the major label debut of Tyler Childers, another from Chris Shiflett’s upcoming Nashville-recorded release, and a killer tune from the awesome new album by The Quaker City Night Hawks.

Also included is a song from the new record by Kelly Willis, who will be in Portland for a show on June 7 at White Eagle Saloon, and a number from Shane Smith & The Saints’ new album, due to hit the streets in late June.

And to wrap things up, we toss a musical thank you nod to our friend Forrest VanTuyl of An American Forrest, who took time out to meet with us for the podcast special we published last week. Forrest reminded us of the greatness of Ian Tyson, who he regularly covers in his set, and also turned us on to the music of his wife, Margo Cilker. We, in turn, hope to tip you to Margo’s excellent music.

So enjoy! Here’s the list of our May Podcast Picks:

Desert Rose, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings
A Fine Colour, Kassi Valazza
Old Black Magic, Josh Ritter
House Fire, Tyler Childers
Shadow Of A Son, Anna Tivel
Let Me Down Easy If You Can (feat. Amanda Shires), Blackberry Smoke
Heaven Knows, Shane Smith & The Saints
Feral Roots, Rival Sons
El Camino, Elizabeth Cook
Hagler, Hillstomp
Gap Tooth Girl, David Quinn
To You, Matt Carson
Afternoon’s Gone Blind, Kelly Willis
Welcome To Your First Heartache, Chris Shiflett
Fox In The Henhouse, The Quaker City Night Hawks
Letter To Madeline, Ian Noe
M.C. Horses, Ian Tyson
Your Love Is My Rest, Margo Cilker

October Podcast Picks

Matt Cadenelli is The Don of Division Street. Photo by Kristina Stuart

Stream or download October Podcast Picks: October ’18 Podcast Picks

Matt Cadenelli is the Swiss Army Knife of the Portland roots music scene — if there’s a job to be done, Cadenelli has something in his musical tool box to get it done. He’s a terrific drummer who is a seemingly perfect fit for any band he slides into. His preternatural talent for harmony singing makes him a welcome addition for any act that puts a high value on vocals. And the list of bands with which he works here in the Pacific Northwest is too long to list here.

But it’s as the Don of Division Street where Cadenelli takes center stage, shining the spotlight on his world class ability as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer. With a voice that fits nicely in the classic Americana realm where Jackson Browne and Ryan Adams have flourished, Cadenelli’s singing is the musical equivalent of the perfect soup and sandwich on a crisp fall day.

That’s why “Fire Bird,” the lead/title track from the new CD by The Don of Division Street is the perfect choice to kick off our October Podcast Picks. It’s one of several great songs on the new disc, which you can preview and purchase here. We highly recommend you do just that.

We also share music from new records by Lucero, Courtney Barnett, The Resolectrics, Aaron Lee Tasjan and a haunting song, “My Mother And The Devil,” from the stunning new record by longtime podcast favorite Austin Lucas. Be sure to pick up “Immortal Americans,” recorded by famed engineer Steve Albini at his studio in Chicago, Electrical Audio. Lucas will be in Portland for a show at Dante’s on Oct. 11.

We also feature some terrific female voices in this month’s picks, including a nice cover of The Turnpike Troubadours’ song “Oklahoma Stars” by Jamie Lin Wilson. And we cap things off with a piece of timeless perfection by the incomparable Loretta Lynn, who continues to share her incredible songwriting and musical vision at age 86.

So slip into your favorite hoody and settle in for a very special listen. It’s our podcast picks for October — here’s the playlist:

Fire Bird, The Don of Division Street
Bottom Of The Sea, Lucero
Honeywine, Flatland Calvary
Oklahoma Stars, Jamie Lin Wilson
My Mother And The Devil, Austin Lucas
Saskatchewan In 1881, Colter Wall
Lookout Mountain, Adam’s Housecat
City Looks Pretty, Courtney Barnett
The Girl’s Already Gone, Chris Shiflett
Set You Free, Aaron Lee Tasjan
Fuck Up, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
Charlene, The Resolectrics
Don’t You Think I Feel It Too, Carson McHone
JP’s Florida Blues No. 1, JP Harris and The Tough Choices
10/05/60, The Long Ryders
Within A Stone, The Sadies
Total Disaster, Rhett Miller
Wouldn’t It Be Great, Loretta Lynn

August Podcast Picks

BJ Barham still stands at the center of American Aquarium, who have reached new heights on the strength of their new album, “Things Change.”

Stream or download August Podcast Picks: August ’18 Podcast Picks

We’re in the thick of the dog days of summer, and back with another batch of killer podcast picks to keep the season cooking.

This month we kick things off with a song from American Aquarium, longtime podcast favorites who are celebrating a rebirth and touring in support of their amazing new album, Things Change. With a revamped lineup, singer/frontman BJ Barham still commands the spotlight, having mastered the art of confessional songwriting while continually expanding the band’s growing audience.

Freshly re-booted: American Aquarium performing live at Mississippi Studios in Portland, OR, USA.

We were on hand just a few days ago when the new American Aquarium pulled out all the stops during their show at Mississippi Studios. Playing a set of the best songs from their vast catalog, the band quickly whipped the crowd into a frenzy and kept it loose, rocking and fun all night. It was great to see Barham smiling and having a good time, a vibe that transferred easily to the rest of the room.

We also have lots of new music to share for this month’s picks. Songs from a couple of our favorites from Wildwood MusicFest, Jaime Wyatt and Liz Cooper & The Stampede, are sprinkled in along with a few from acts we saw earlier this month at Pickathon, including Colter Wall, Paul Cauthen, Danny Barnes and Phosphorescent.

There’s also a brand new one from our friends Hillstomp, whose new album Monster Receiver will be out this fall on Fluff & Gravy Records, and another new one from Aaron Lee Tasjan, whose record Karma For Cheap is due on at the end of this month on New West Records.

And catching up from earlier this summer, we have songs from a handful of excellent new albums by Amanda Shires, Jim Lauderdale, Lucero and the title track from a super fun new one on Bloodshot Records by Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis called Wild Wild Wild.

So, lots to dig into. Let’s have at it!

Here’s the playlist for our August Podcast Picks:

Crooked + Straight, American Aquarium
Marijuana Man, Jaime Wyatt
Blow Out The Candles, Chris Shiflett
Everybody Walkin’ This Land, Paul Cauthen
Wasn’t I Paying Attention, Amanda Shires
Time Flies, Jim Lauderdale
Hagler, Hillstomp
Wild Wild Wild, Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis
Denim & Diamonds, Shooter Jennings
The Being Gone, Jamie Lin Wilson
Cover Me, Lucero
Motorcycle, Colter Wall
These Walls, Joshua Hedley
All You’ll Ever Be, Countryside Ride
What Made Me Kill, Drunken Prayer
The Night, Liz Cooper & The Stampede
Crazy Train, Wes Youssi & The County Champs
Blue Ridge Express, Danny Barnes
Heart Slows Down, Aaron Lee Tasjan
Joe Tex, These Taming Blues (Live), Phosphorescent