November Podcast Picks

Chicago’s David Quinn released his debut album Wanderin’ Fool earlier this year, and his song “Long Time Gone” is featured on Bloodshot Records’ 25th Anniversary compilation album Too Late To Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots.

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

We’ve reached the home stretch of the 2019 year in music, and a number of our favorite artists new and old are finishing with a strong kick. We feature a bunch of them here in our November Podcast Picks, including Nashville powerhouse Ashley McBryde, who recently was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards.

One of our favorite new discoveries of 2019 is Chicago’s David Quinn, who we saw for the first time back in March opening for Mike and the Moonpies. Quinn delivers a traditional honky tonk sound on his debut record Wanderin’ Fool, and live his band takes it up a notch for a rowdy, rockin’ good time.

We kick off our podcast picks with Quinn’s song “Long Time Gone,” featured on the recently released 25th anniversary compilation from insurgent country leaders Bloodshot Records. It’s a traditional honky tonk shuffle with prominent pedal steel and dirty lead guitar that blends perfectly with Quinn’s easy-going lead vocal.

Quinn has enjoyed a terrific year with a steady stream of gigs opening for some of strongest country artists out there. We expect to hear a lot more from this talented performer in the coming years.

We also share tunes from some of best country and roots records of this year, including songs from Paul Cauthen, Cat Clyde, JP Harris, Orville Peck, Cody Johnson. There also is a number from the new Vetiver record, out now on Mama Bird Recording Co., and a new song from Bart Budwig from a record due soon on Fluff & Gravy Records.

And be sure to scroll down to check out a video for the song “Cold Civil War” from our longtime pal Matt Woods. It’s designed to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving dinner with the relatives, whatever be their personal and political beliefs. Nice work, Matt!

It’s all right here folks, so grab a fork and knife and dig in. It’s our November Podcast picks — here’s the playlist:

Long Time Gone, David Quinn
A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega, Ashley McBryde
Messin’ With The Kid, The Saints
Big Velvet, Paul Cauthen
Monroe County Nights, Austin Lucas
Whatever Gets You Through The Night, Erin Enderlin
Elijah Ramsey, The Quaker City Night Hawks
I Only Drink Alone, JP Harris
Turn To Hate, Orville Peck
Bird Bone, Cat Clyde
Monday Morning Merle, Cody Johnson
Hungry Heart, The Mavericks
Cold Civil War, Matt Woods
Far From Home, Aubrie Sellers
The Meaning Of The Word, Ags Connolly
A Beauty In The Horizon, Garrett T. Capps
All We Could Want, Vetiver
Human Again, Bart Budwig
You’ve Got Other Girls For That, Lillie Mae

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

TMFWP Special: Fifth Anniversary Podcast Picks

An idea comes to life: Eric Kotila (left) and Mike Lee launched That Much Further West Podcast five years ago as a live internet radio show, broadcast from the Hawthorne Theater Lounge in Portland.

Stream or download Fifth Anniversary Podcast Picks: 5th Anniversary Podcast Picks

It began as a simple idea: a couple of burly, bearded buddies sharing their love of rock, punk and country music with friends and other folks far and wide. What Eric Kotila and Mike Lee launched five years ago as a live internet radio show has evolved into what we today call That Much Further West Podcast.

Much has changed over that time. The show is no longer broadcast live from a public place — instead, it has been taped for the last three-plus years in the comfy confines of The Helm, our subterranean lair in North Portland. We also have a dedicated website
(where you are right now) that serves as a hub for episodes, playlists, specials and reviews. And the team has added Phil Favorite as a co-host and producer and Anne Marie as photographer to help bolster our efforts to produce quality, original content.

The boys, live from The Helm (left to right): Mike Lee, Eric Kotila and Phil Favorite. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media (www.localheromedia.com)

Despite the many changes, mostly for the better, the spirit of the show remains the same. We’re here to turn you on to the music that we love and also the music of the amazingly talented guests we’ve had on the show for the last five years.

To celebrate, we’ve compiled a collection of tunes that represents the tip of the iceberg of what we’ve been listening to and sharing with you over the past five years, and hope to continue to share going forward.

We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the many artists who have volunteered their time and energy to be guests on the show. By one count we’ve had as many as six members of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame visit and perform in The Helm, and that’s just scratching the surface. Rising national stars such as John Moreland and Aaron Lee Tasjan also have stopped by as we’ve compiled more than 80 episodes live from The Helm.

We’re also indebted to the many friends whose interest, enthusiasm and support have fueled our efforts. Special props to Christopher Sohler for his rock-solid stint as our contributing photographer, and to Mary Atwood for her behind-the-scenes, “hostess with the mostest” contributions.

We also can’t thank enough our sponsors — Secret Aardvark Trading Co. and Cloud City Gardens — for their above-and-beyond generosity in making each podcast taping a special treat for our guests.

And last but far from least, a special thank you to Jean Kotila and Ruby Kotila for welcoming us into their home on podcast nights and putting up with our shenanigans. We greatly appreciate it.

So there you have it. A big thank you to you all. And if you’re still wondering what all this is about, just push the play button above. You’ll hear the following:

30 Days, Root Jack
1964, Hearts Of Oak
Tears Don’t Matter Much, Lucero
Right Time, Nikki Lane
Life Is Beautiful, Willy Tea Taylor
Humble Narrator, Two Cow Garage
Dog Bumped, Tim Barry
Midwestern Guys, Lydia Loveless
With Love From Brushy Mountain, Matt Woods
Captain And Tennille, Drunken Prayer
Anchor’s The Way, The Calamity Cubes
Shoulda Known Better, Possessed By Paul James
Whole Damn Bottle, Copper & Coal
The Travelin’ Kind, Tom VandenAvond
Beautiful, Fernando
Ain’t Going To The Bar Tonight, American Aquarium
Deep Red Bells, Neko Case
Better Days, The Harmed Brothers
Somebody Loves You, Austin Lucas
Fire Away, Chris Stapleton
Hurtin’ On The Bottle, Margo Price
Keep It Between The Lines, Sturgill Simpson
Always On The Ride, Richmond Fontaine
Elephant, Jason Isbell

Right at home: Goon squad and co-hosts, protecting the booze at The Helm.

June Podcast Picks

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The men of Western Centuries (l to r): Rusty Blake, Ethan Lawton, Cahalen Morrison, Jim Miller and Dan Lowinger

Stream or download June Podcast Picks:  June Podcast Picks

A new name and a new album — it seems like a risky proposition for a band that not only had the name cache of one of the truest young voices in country and folk music but also a super cool band name to begin with. But for the collaborative Pacific Northwest trad country band Western Centuries (formerly known as Cahalen Morrison & Country Hammer), it actually makes sense. One listen to Side A of “Weight Of The World,” the new album by Western Centuries, and you’ll realize right away that this is a band with a lot more than just the talented Mr. Morrison going for it.

Blessed with three great songwriters in Morrison, Ethan Lawton and Jim Miller (founding member of Donna The Buffalo), the band is rounded out by a pair of Portland-based aces: Rusty Blake on steel guitar and Dan Lowinger on bass. But it’s Morrison’s honey-baked voice at the center of the proceedings, which is why we selected the title cut for the top of this month’s Podcast Picks. You can stream the record in its entirely here. Highly recommended.

Speaking of new records, we picked cuts from wonderful new releases by North Carolina’s The Honeycutters, The Jayhawks, Austin Lucas, Anna Tivel (out now on Fluff & Gravy Records) and rockers Arliss Nancy. Also, a classic Richard Thompson cover from a dear friend, Florida-based Reina Collins, who will be in Portland this week for a happy hour show at Mississippi Pizza on Friday, June 10.

We recently discovered Texas-bred troubadour Brian Wright while he was playing lead guitar as part of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s touring band — turns out he has an amazing output of records himself. “Haunted” is from his 2013 release “Rattle Their Chains,” a world-class collection of Americana songwriting and performance. We also picked a song by The Tragically Hip, a nod to the bummer news that singer Gord Downey is suffering from terminal brain cancer; and also a classic from one of the giants of American music, the recently deceased Guy Clark.

Many, many great voices and songs to soothe you here, so have it! Download or stream our June Podcast Picks above.

Here’s the playlist:

Weight Of The World, Western Centuries
On The Ropes, The Honeycutters
Haunted, Brian Wright
Lost In The Summer, The Jayhawks
Too Much Too Soon, Bonnie Whitmore
Henhouse, Ray Wylie Hubbard
Boots Or Hearts, The Tragically Hip
Sometimes, Luke Bell
’52 Vincent Black Lightning, Reina Collins
Montana Love Song, Younder Blue
Midnight (featuring Kelly Smith), Austin Lucas
L.A. Freeway, Guy Clark
Shadow Of A Son, Anna Tivel
Bar Of The Century, Arliss Nancy
I Need Never Get Old, Nathaniel Rateliff
Leaving Louisiana, Shovels & Rope
End Of The Line, Hurray For The Riff Raff

 

 

May Podcast Picks

Austin_Lucas_Biographgy

Austin Lucas, coming to a town near you soon.

Stream or download Podcast Picks: May Podcast Picks

Austin Lucas has one of those pure country voices that makes your ears stand at attention. Apply the voice to the terrific songs he writes and it’s no surprise Austin has long been a favorite of That Much Further West Podcast, where we’ve been sharing his songs from the start.

Now, with a fantastic new album out called “Between The Moon & The Midwest,” the hardworking Mr. Lucas is ready once again to take his show on the road. He’ll be launching a tour later this month with Adam Faucett and Portland’s Fernando that will sweep through Texas and the Southwest before covering California and the Pacific Northwest. They’ll be at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland on June 8.

One of the cuts from the new album, titled “Wrong Side Of The Dream,” features the inimitable Lydia Loveless and kicks off our Podcast Picks for May. It’s a bittersweet song about being stuck on the road and away too long from the one you love, written from both sides of the sad story. Washed in steel guitar, the song is a perfect way to launch into this month’s podcast picks, which feature more tales of bad-boy brothers, wild sailors, weekend hell raisers and troubadours ready to hit the road.

We’re especially stoked to share a song from our Australian friend Matthew Colin, who recently hit us with a stunning set of new demos. Hearing “Coyote,” you’ll quickly understand why we’re big fans of Matthew and his music.

We also have songs from the hot new albums by Sturgill Simpson, Richmond Fontaine and Margo Price along with a few of our local favorites such as Drunken Prayer, Hearts of Oak and Quiet Life. And we wrap things up first with a birthday salute to Mr. Willie Nelson and a tune from the band Denver sung by Birger Olsen, whose solo debut album is due in June. We’re hoping to bring Birger into The Helm for a formal podcast episode in advance of the new record, but until then, enjoy some great music as selected by our podcast team.

Here’s the playlist for May Podcast Picks:

Wrong Side Of The Dream, Austin Lucas (featuring Lydia Loveless)
Sea Stories, Sturgill Simpson
Three Brothers Roll Into Town, Richmond Fontaine
Low Down Soul, The Deslondes
Weekender, Margo Price
Hellraiser, Drunken Prayer
Used To It, Hearts Of Oak
Time Until, Quiet Life
Coyote, Matthew Colin
Keweenaw Flower, The Lowest Pair
My Leavin’, Luther Dickinson
On The Road Again, Willie Nelson
Sammyville, Denver

Springtime Podcast Picks

margoprice

East Nashville’s Margo Price, leading the new pack of country traditionalists.

Stream or download Podcast Picks: Podcast Picks 3-28-16

The momentum’s been building for the first part of 2016, with appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the Conan O’Brien Show. Finally, with the release last week of her debut solo album, “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter,” Margo Price takes the spotlight as country’s next big thing.

We kickoff our latest playlist with the epic “Hands Of Time,” a six-minute sample of the kind of traditional country that has helped Price stand above the noisy din of cookie-cutter country that dominates radio playlists across the dial. Expect to hear plenty more from Ms. Price the rest of the year — she’s recently made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry and we’re sure she’ll be making headlines through the summer concert season.

With Price setting the stage, we attempt to shatter the mold with this playlist by featuring some of the best new voices in roots and country, including Parker Milsap, Caleb Caudle, Brent Cobb, Australian Emma Swift and our hometown favorite sons, Portland’s Richmond Fontaine. We also feature a brand-new song from Mudcrutch, the Tom Petty side project that will be releasing its first album in 10 years in May, and a terrific song from 2015 podcast guests Indianhead. You may remember them debuting “Angelina” live in The Helm on Episode #57 of That Much Further West Podcast.

We round out the playlist with songs from several of our well-established favorites, including a tune from veteran bad-ass Paul Thorn and cuts from Drunken Prayer, Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas (new album soon!), Cory Branan, Steve Earle, Valerie June and Sturgill Simpson. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to honor a lost brother, Phife Dawg, the five-foot assassin of A Tribe Called Quest. R.I.P. Phife Dawg . . . thanks for the rhymes and inspiration. You’ll be missed!

Here’s the songlist. Enjoy!

Hands Of Time, Margo Price
Wherever You Are, Parker Milsap
Wasted Thursday, Caleb Caudle
Love Looks Like A Master, Drunken Prayer
Trailer, Mudcrutch
Diggin’ Holes, Brent Cobb
Angelina, Indianhead
What The Hell Is Goin’ On?, Paul Thorn
Let’s Hit One More Place, Richmond Fontaine
My Great Gatsby, Two Cow Garage
Let Me In, Austin Lucas
All The Rivers In Colorado, Cory Branan
Buggin’ Out, A Tribe Called Quest
Seasons, Emma Swift
You’re The Best Lover That I Ever Had, Steve Earle
Trials, Troubles, Tribulations, Valerie June
Brace For Impact (Live A Little), Sturgill Simpson