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We’ve been Spurred (l to r): Lewi Longmire, Jenny Don’t and Sam Henry in The Helm. Photo by Christopher Sohler (www.christophersohler.com)
Episode #44 with Jenny Don’t & The Spurs
Our latest night in The Helm was a rowdy one and made even rowdier by the presence of one of Portland’s best new country bands, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs. Featuring the terrific songwriting and acoustic playing of Jenny Don’t — best known for fronting the fabulous punk-surf-garage band Don’t — The Spurs were kind enough to stop by to promote the release of their new 7-inch and a concert they have coming up opening for Lukas Nelson & The Promise of The Real at Mississippi Studios on March 17.
The Spurs perform as a four-piece fronted by Jenny and backed by legendary drummer Sam Henry, guitarist Lewi Longmire and bassist Kelly Halliburton. Kelly missed the podcast (he’s on tour with his punk band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S.), but the rest were on board at The Helm to share their thoughts on playing country music, touring Europe and reaching bigger, receptive audiences. And with Lewi adding some lead telecaster and Sam slapping a pair of brushes on a single snare drum, Jenny led the Spurs through a pair of brand-new songs that were warmly received by the excellent rogue’s gallery of Helm guests.
Jenny Don’t has the chops and boots for kickin’ out the jams. Photo by Christopher Sohler
Once The Spurs wrapped up their interview, things devolved pretty quickly in typical That Much Further West Podcast fashion. But over the course of the episode our hosts managed to share their usual healthy dose of Americana and alt-country for the episode playlist.
Co-host Phil Favorite ran with an “Amarillo” theme, started by a request for the Austin band Lil Cap’n & Travis by our friend and in-house guest Shelby Farrar. Also on the list is a song “Amarillo” from the excellent new album by Ryan Culwell, and the same-titled classic by Emmylou Harris.
Co-host Eric Kotila added some great songs by some of the artists who will be performing at this coming summer’s Wildwood MusicFest & Campout, including Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Matt Woods and podcast favorite Emily Herring. And third amigo Mike Lee shares some tunes from and stories about a handful of his favorites, including 500 Miles To Memphis, Supersuckers and Soda Gardocki.
We saved the last song from the one and only Willie Nelson. And for the record, news of Willie’s death last week were greatly exaggerated, which is reason enough to dial it up and dig into Episode #44. Here’s the playlist:
My Life In Amarillo, Lil Cap’n & Travis
Amarillo, Ryan Culwell
Amarillo, Emmylou Harris
Do You Know Thee Enemy?, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club
The Very Best, The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit
Drinking To Forget, Matt Woods
Your Mistake, Emily Herring
The Fire (Live In The Helm), Jenny Don’t & The Spurs
The Note (Live In The Helm), Jenny Don’t & The Spurs
Shot My Old Man Down, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs
You Win Again, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs
Easy Come & Easy Go, 500 Miles To Memphis
Streets of Baltimore, Gram Parsons
Roadworn And Weary, Supersuckers
Gutter Queen, Soda Gardocki
Uncloudy Day, Willie Nelson
