Monthly Archives: August 2014

Episode #34 featuring Rich West Blatt

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Rich West Blatt on stage at Dante’s in Portland.

Episode #34 with Rich West Blatt

Big thanks to our pal Rich West Blatt for stopping by The Helm for an interview and to play some songs from his terrific new CD, Just Like A Fool. Rich and his band The Once In A While Sky are celebrating the release of the new disc with a show at Portland’s Secret Society on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Just Like A Fool is a follow up to Rich’s debut EP and represents a big step forward. On Episode #34, we learn about the making of the new record, Rich’s musical influences while growing up in New Jersey and how his new song “Annie” is basically a Dear John letter to his former home base of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Rich’s new release comes ashore with a tidal wave of new music from some of our favorite Americana artists, and we play a ton of fresh tunes on this episode. Brand-new songs from Cory Branan, Otis Gibbs, Cahalen Morrison & Country Hammer, Shovels and Rope, Quiet Life and Jeffrey Martin are all on the show this week.

And co-host Eric Kotila shares some excellent memories from his visit to the super cool and recently held Deep Blues NW festival. So settle in for a fun ride, folks. Here’s the playlist:

All The Rivers In Colorado, Cory Branan
The Darker Side of Me, Otis Gibbs
Cascabel Valley, Cahalen Morrison & Country Hammer
Annie, Rich West Blatt & The Once In A While Sky
Just Like A Fool (Live In The Helm), Rich West Blatt
One Last Chance, Rich West Blatt & The Once In A While Sky
Helping Hands, The Lonesomes
Bloody Gloves, The Swearengens
The Devil Is All Around, Shovels and Rope
Housebroken Man, Quiet Life
Coal Fire, Jeffrey Martin
Wichita Ain’t So Far Away, The Delines
Last Ride, C.W. Ayon
The Beat, Northcote
Me, I Am Anger, Bryan McPherson
D. Boon, Uncle Tupelo
Ain’t Going To The Bar Tonight, American Aquarium

Episode #33 featuring Hearts of Oak

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Nate Wallace of Hearts Of Oak

Episode #33 featuring Hearts of Oak

It was our distinct pleasure to have the men of Hearts of Oak — singer/guitarist Nate Wallace, drummer J. Lever and guitarist/producer Ezra Meredith — in The Helm for an interview and performance for Episode #33. The lads are promoting the Aug. 19 release of the band’s third album, “New England,” and their show this coming Friday night at the Doug Fir in Portland.

The record represents a bit of a departure for Hearts of Oak. Nate’s terrific folksy songwriting and nasally vocal remain, but the record features an extra dose of fuzzed-out guitars (standard six-string electric and pedal steel) courtesy of Ezra and his brother Joel, who served as producers on the project. On this episode, we share a couple of tracks from the record and enjoy a couple of fine performances by the band. Always a great time hanging out with these dudes.

We also share some great new music from Billy Joe Shaver, The Gaslight Anthem, Big Shoals and the Portland band Denver. And if you stay tuned, you’ll hear a few details about the upcoming “Further West Fest” to be hosted by the podcast crew in September.

So crank it up! Here’s the playlist:

Hard To Be An Outlaw (featuring Willie Nelson), Billy Joe Shaver
Drag, Caleb Caudle
Good Man, Nikki Lane
Goldmine, Hearts of Oak
Used To It Now (Live in The Helm), Hearts of Oak
Easy By The Gun (Live in The Helm), Hearts of Oak
New England, Hearts of Oak
Rollin’ And Tumblin’, The Gaslight Anthem
Skipping Stones, Big Shoals
Rowdy Love, Denver
Denver Rock City, Bud Bronson
Crater, Gord Downie, The Sadies, And The Conquering Sun
I Saw It with My Own Two Eyes Again, Drunken Prayer
Rise In The River, Lincoln Durham
Non-Addictive Marijuana, Supersuckers
The Other Side of OK, Drag The River
Blessing And A Curse, Have Gun, Will Travel

Episode #32: Wildwood Memories 2014

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Episode #32 — Wildwood Memories 2014

Another Wildwood Music Fest & Campout is in the books, but the hangover continues. Our podcast hosts convened in their private clubhouse, The Helm, to relive the event and tell stories alongside our pal and guest Kris Stuart from Root Jack, one of the many great performers from the festival.

Co-hosts Eric Kotila and Mike Lee and Kris share tales from the weekend — some of the best revolve around the performers like Willy Tea Taylor, Brothers Of The Last Watch and Saturday night headliner Larry And His Flask. Alas, third amigo and co-host Phil Favorite missed the festival while on vacation with his family, but he still manages to share a few tales from the road, including his interaction and interview with hot young musician Aaron Lee Tasjan that published here at the TMFWP website while he was gone.

Speaking of Mr. Tasjan, Kris tells us about playing as part of ALT’s recent week-long residency here in Portland and also tells the story about Root Jack’s eventful set at Wildwood, when the lights went out and a horse-headed dancer appeared. Then Kris shares a song from one of his cool side projects, The John Brown Band, and recaps his Sunday morning performance with the Wildwood All-Star Review doing a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival.

With Wildwood 2014 behind us, we’re lining up guests to finish off the summer podcast season in style. You’ll also be hearing in coming weeks about the That Much Further West Podcast live showcase called “Further West Fest” scheduled for September 19 at Dante’s here in Portland.

But for now, crank up our Wildwood recap episode. Here’s the playlist. Enjoy.

Frank T. James, Brothers Of The Last Watch
Big Jim’s Guitar, Willy Tea Taylor
Stopping By, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Don’t Walk Away, Aaron Lee Tasjan
Stingray, Jim Lauderdale
Beyond The Moon, Old Man Markley
Fine Foods Market, Tim Barry
Tell My Mother I Miss Her So, Ryan Bingham
The Mill Whistle (Live In The Helm), Kris Stuart
Wichita Skyline, Drag The River
Truckdrivin’ Neighbors Downstairs (Yellow Sweat), Beck
As Long As There Is Whskey In The World, Murder By Death
Country Boy, Johnny Cash
Nobody Gives A Damn About Songs Anymore, John Moreland