Monthly Archives: October 2019

October Podcast Picks

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Tim Barry is back with a new collection of great songs.

Stream or download October Podcast Picks: October ’19 Podcast Picks

Tim Barry is no stranger to the music scene, having spent the last 30 years as lead singer of the seminal hard-core/punk band, Avail, out of Richmond, VA.

Known for their off the wall live shows and relentless touring schedule, Avail stopped touring a dozen or so years ago, which happened to be right about the time Barry’s solo career started taking off, and he has kept that hard-driving work ethic as a singer songwriter.

A month after finishing a string of sold out reunion shows to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the lauded Avail album, Over The James, Barry recently released his sixth full-length album since 2006. The Roads to Richmond contains 12 new songs and all the heartfelt and no-punches-pulled feeling Tim has delivered to us all these years.

That’s why we’re kicking off our latest batch of podcast picks with “Fussin’ Over,” a tune that sits right in the heart of The Roads to Richmond. It’s just one of a bunch of new songs that have flown on to our radar over the past month and are included in this month’s picks.

The playlist also includes new music from Dori Freeman, Chris Knight, Kelsey Waldon, Cody Jinks, John Moreland, Neil Young, Kacy & Clayton, The Dead South and Michaela Anne. But we’re especially excited to share “Big Black Chain” from local Portland faves The Jackson County Kills, whose frontman, Matty Charles, was our featured guest earlier this year for Episode 92.

We’re also honored to share with you a song by Little Sue, who earlier this month was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame (congrats, Sue!), and a groovy little number by The Lonesome Billies that shows off the funkier side of their take on country music.

Lots more good stuff here, so dig right in! Here’s the playlist for our October Podcast Picks . . . Enjoy!

Fussin’ Over, Tim Barry
Things Like This, I See Hawks In L.A.
That’s How I Feel, Dori Freeman
Big Black Chain, The Jackson County Kills
I‘m William Callahan, Chris Knight
I Can’t Stop Drinking, The Menzingers
Tell ‘Em What It’s Like, Cody Jinks
Anyhow, Kelsey Waldon
Every Mother’s Son, The Drive-By Truckers
Gonna Make It Real, The Long Ryders
East October, John Moreland
By Our Design, Michaela Anne
We Were Cowboys Then, Tom VandenAvond
Revolution Blues, Neil Young
Intervention, Kacy & Clayton
Broken Cowboy, The Dead South
Built For Love, Little Sue
Just Trying To Live, The Lonesome Billies
Running On Empty, Kassi Valazza
All Your’n, Tyler Childers

Episode #94 featuring William Surly

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William Surly in his natural habitat . . . hanging at Landmark Saloon in Portland. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

Stream or download Episode 94: Episode 94 featuring William Surly

His given name is Michael Scheidt, but when you are a member of the Lonesome Billies, you are destined to be Billied.

So he became William Surly — singer, songwriter, bass player and general jack-of-all-musical trades for the Portland-based country quartet. Surly, though, seems to be a bit of a misnomer. As our guest for Episode #94 of That Much Further West Podcast, Surly proved to be fun and friendly if not a little bit feisty.

Chalk it up to being the youngest of five competitive brothers who grew up listening to all kinds of music, from new wave and punk to classic rock. It all helped shape the artist who performs as William Surly, a player who found his calling in country music and who has emerged from being a role player in a band to taking center stage as a solo performer.

A few weeks ago he sat down with the podcast crew at Landmark Saloon ahead of his twice-monthly solo gig to talk about his role in The Lonesome Billies and the path that led him from punk rock to country.

He credits his mother and her collection of folk records for steering him toward the songwriting heroes who inspired his journey. But he said it’s the friendships and chemistry that he’s developed with his fellow bandmates that inspires him to take musical chances and trust the direction he’s headed.

William Surly, sharing some tunes at Landmark Saloon.
Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

He also shares a few sweet acoustic performances during the interview, including two songs from the new Lonesome Billies album “Right On Time” that is drawing critical praise for its outlaw country sound and vibe.

So dig into this brand new episode of That Much Further West Podcast and get to know William Surly — the bearded guy in the cowboy hat who’s living the dream, one shot of tequila at a time.

Here’s the playlist from Episode #94:

Away From My Big City Dreams, The Lonesome Billies
Tall Cotton (Live at Landmark), William Surly
Sad Old Man, The Lonesome Billies
Just Tryin’ To Live (Live at Landmark), William Surly
The Bottle Knows Me Better (Live at Landmark), William Surly
Pine Box, The Lonesome Billies

Mike Lee and Phil Favorite from That Much Further West Podcast come face-to-face with William Surly at Landmark Saloon.

Review of The Complete Recordings by Daystar

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The Complete Recordings by Daystar (2019, Independent release)

By Phil Favorite
That Much Further West Podcast

Rock and roll ain’t what it used to be, but every once in a while a song or a record or a band comes along to remind us why we love it and what we love about it.

The infectious rock of Daystar is designed to do just that. An unabashed throwback, Daystar — with their rootsy, jangly guitar riffs and pining croon — take you on an upbeat “best of” ride through the history of power pop on their debut record, The Complete Recordings.

Singer-songwriter Derek Phillips displays a deft handle at the controls. His sweet, slightly strained vocal pours nicely over a bed of catchy four-chord melodies reminiscent of bands like Faces, The Move, Big Star and the best of ’90s Brit Pop.

“Right at Home” sets the tone from the top. With its thumping floor tom and introductory power chords, it’s an arresting album opener meant to get the blood pumping. The songs that follow shift, whirl, crest and crash like waves before the warm ballad “Warped Reality” brings the A side to a close.

The record gets a little more musically ambitious as things move along, but Daystar manages to evoke a sunny optimism even when the mood gets serious.

For rock and roll fans dreading the coming winter darkness, this is a record to keep in your pocket. The Complete Recordings is like a blast of Vitamin D to help ward off the gathering gloom.

Podcast Trio Bravo

Stream “Right at Home”: Right At Home

Stream “Buttons and Brass”: Buttons and Brass

Stream “Angelina”: Angelina

Daystar celebrates the release of The Complete Recordings on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Bunk Bar, 1028 S.E. Water Ave. in Portland. The Resolectrics and Maurice & The Stiff Sisters open. 8:30 p.m. $10