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Stream or download Election Season Podcast Picks: Election Season Picks

“Summer in Portland, everything’s fine.”

Well, we made it through what we hope is the worst of Protest Season. Now it’s Election Season, and we’ve put together this collection of songs to celebrate any and all commentary on the sorry state of our nation. MAGA? Um, no.

But before we let some of our favorite alt-country authorities put in their two cents, we share a song from the great new album by our pals Wanderlodge. “River Don’t Care” from the record Cypress Mountain Drive is an example of how deftly Kris Stuart and Matt Cadenelli can take someone else’s song, make it their own, and take it to a whole new audience.

Make no mistake, though — there are plenty of terrific originals on the new record. Learn all about it in the short film posted above.

We also share a song from Lydia Loveless’ fantastic new album as well as cool new cuts from Otis Gibbs, Brent Cobb, Karen Jonas, Orville Peck, Matt Woods and a scorcher called “Born To Lose” by Chicago’s David Quinn, featuring the smoldering slide guitar of Laur Joamets (Drivin’ N Cryin’, Sturgill Simpson).

New to our podcast ears, we present music from Victoria Bailey, Waxahatchee, Tennessee Jet and Juliet McConkey. And don’t miss the beautiful and sad video below for the song “American Tears” by Silver Lake 66.

We end things on a bit of a somber note, recognizing the passing (way, way too soon) of the great Justin Townes Earle, who in recent years moved to Portland and became part of the fabric of our community. His sudden and shocking death left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. RIP, JTE.

So give it all a listen, then get out there and VOTE! Here’s the songlist for our Election Season Podcast Picks:

River Don’t Care, Wanderlodge
The New OK, Drive-By Truckers
American Tears, Silver Lake 66
Down To The Well, The Long Ryders
All American Singer, Zephaniah OHora
Say My Name, Lydia Loveless
Born To Lose, David Quinn
Nine Foot Problem, Otis Gibbs
Skid Row, Victoria Bailey
Keep ‘Em On They Toes, Brent Cobb
Sweet Mess, Jaime Wyatt
Legends Never Die (with Shania Twain), Orville Peck
Stray Dogs, Tennessee Jet
Can’t Do Much, Waxahatchee
Heat, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings
Disappearing Girl, Juliet McConkey
Pink Leather Boots, Karen Jonas
Sunshine, Matt Woods
I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing, Possessed By Paul James
Learning To Cry, Justin Townes Earle