Tag Archives: Landmark Saloon

Episode #95 featuring Tylor Ketchum of Tylor & The Train Robbers

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Tylor Ketchum joined the podcast crew at Landmark Saloon in Portland to talk about his band’s awesome 2019 and their plans for the year ahead. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media.

Stream or download Episode 95: Episode 94 featuring Tylor Ketchum

Finding the right balance of work life and family life is a challenge most folks face every day, and for working/touring musicians, the struggle is very real.

For Tylor Ketchum, music and family have been intertwined since he was a young boy in Eastern Oregon picking up a guitar first owned by his uncle and then his mother. As he’s grown into a career as a country music songwriter and a band leader, family has remained at the heart of the band’s mission and at the root of his artistic vision.

Joining our team for Episode #95 of That Much Further West Podcast ahead of Tylor & The Train Robbers’ show last week at Landmark Saloon in Portland, OR, USA, Tylor shared stories about the evolution of the Boise, Idaho-based band and how the focus on family has allowed it to become one of the hottest hard-touring acts in alt-country.

The Train Robbers feature a rhythm section made up of Tylor’s brothers Jason and Tommy Bushman (bass and drums, respectively). The band’s terrific lead guitar player, Johnny “Shoes” Pisano, is Tylor’s father-in-law. And much of the subject matter in Tylor’s songwriting comes from his family history and the joys and struggles of trying to make it in the music business with the full-fledged backing of the people closest to him — his family.

Tylor Ketchum and his trusty Gibson J45, performing live at Landmark Saloon for Episode #95 of That Much Further West Podcast. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media.

For this episode, Tylor talks about the impact of heavy touring, the splash made by the band’s stunning 2019 album “Best of the Worst Kind” and how networking across the country ironically has made it easier to keep things close to home and hold on to the things that matter most.

He also shares a couple of solo acoustic performances that delighted our team and the folks who gathered at Landmark ahead of the band’s killer show that night.

So give it a listen. Here’s a list of the songs on Episode #95 of That Much Further West Podcast:

Fumblin’ For Rhymes, Tylor & The Train Robbers
Storyteller (Live At Landmark), Tylor Ketchum
Good At Bad News (Live At Landmark), Tylor Ketchum
These Eyes (Live At Landmark), Tylor Ketchum
Best Of The Worst Kind, Tylor & The Train Robbers

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.

Episode #93 featuring Redray Frazier

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Redray Frazier stopped by Landmark Saloon to share his heart, rock and soul for Episode #93 of That Much Further West Podcast. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

Redray Frazier is one of those musical artists whose whole vibe just seems to make everything alright. Whether he’s performing with his full band or presenting in a stripped down format with a couple of acoustic guitars, he captures you with his presence, his voice and an overall easy cool that makes you want to give in and let his music take you where it will.

That’s why we were thrilled when Redray made time to join us for Episode #93 of That Much Further West Podcast, recorded live at Landmark Saloon in Portland, OR, USA. Redray shares stories of his musical upbringing, his experiences on the road and the journey that brought him from the right to left coast, finally settling in Portland.

Redray Frazier and Matt Brown lay it down during the recording of Episode #93 of That Much Further West Podcast. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

With his bandmate Matt “M Bomb” Brown riding shotgun, he also performs a handful of his original songs to the delight of a friendly crowd. Having recently recovered from throat surgery, the talented and humble Mr. Frazier is in fine form here, displaying the soulful voice and natural instinct for song craft that have made him a favorite of music fans not just in Portland but up and down the west coast and around the country.

Local fans can catch Redray all summer long at any of his multiple local residencies, and also look for him as a featured artist at Wanderfest, a festival featuring some of Portland’s best musical talent set for June 28 and 29 at the Dundee Lodge in Gaston, OR (check for tickets and more festival information here).

In the meantime, catch up with all he’s been up to by listening to this latest episode and enjoy the music. Here’s the playlist.

Love Changes, Redray Frazier
Alone (Live at Landmark), Redray Frazier with Matt Brown
If You Let Me, (Live at Landmark), Redray Frazier with Matt Brown
Wouldn’t It Have Been (Live at Landmark), Redray Frazier with Matt Brown
Like Rain, Redray Frazier

TMFWP Special: An American Forrest

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Forest Van Tuyl in his natural habitat — the mountains of Eastern Oregon. Photo by Ben Herndon

When you give up the paved highways of the West for the horse trails of Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains, life slows down. Nature’s beauty reveals itself more subtly, as do the people who take to life in the backcountry.

Forrest VanTuyl is one of those people. A few years back he decided to pursue the life of a horseman and settled in the tiny town of Joseph, OR, a remote place in Northeastern Oregon that serves as a gateway to some of the most beautiful landscape in the world.

And as he’s learning the packing skills and tack of a mountain trail outfitter, he continues to apply his keen eye for detail to his poetry and the songwriting that he shares as An American Forrest — an insightful blend of Western folk and country music that has drawn praise from fans and critics alike.

Podcast co-host Phil Favorite caught up with Forrest during his recent stop in Portland to play one of 20-or-so shows his band is playing in support of the new An American Forrest record, “Oh Bronder, Yonder Donder?” Landmark Saloon in SE Portland seemed an appropriate meeting place for the interview, it being just blocks from where “Oh Bronder” was recorded by Mike Coykendall at his Blue Room Studio.

Over the course of this special episode, Forrest talks about his life as a horseman in Eastern Oregon, his connection to the tradition of cowboy poetry and music, life on the road with his talented singer-songwriter wife Margo Cilker, and the mining of inspiration from his many hours spent in the backcountry. Also we share a number of tunes from the new album (listed below).

An American Forrest will be playing the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle this weekend and will be at Fort George Brewery in Astoria, OR, on Sunday, May 26. Also, be sure to check out the video below offering an intimate look inside the making of “Oh Bronder.”

Sam’s House
Yonder Mountain
Rawhide
Pendleton Overcoat

Episode #88 featuring Chuck Westmoreland

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Chuck Westmoreland, back in Portland after a Southeast/Midwest tour supporting his killer new album, “Long Winter Rodeo.” Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

Stream or download Episode #88: Episode 87 w/ Chuck Westmoreland

Over the past few years, Chuck Westmoreland has emerged from Portland’s crowded indie rock scene as one of the West’s leading voices in Americana and country. His amazing new record, Long Winter Rodeo, and the incredible reviews that followed have all but cemented Westmoreland’s position as a top-notch, must-see, must-hear singer-songwriter.

Chuck Westmoreland, live at Landmark Saloon for Episode #88 of That Much Further West Podcast. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

That’s why we were so psyched have him as a guest for Episode #88 of That Much Further West Podcast. Recorded live at Landmark Saloon, Chuck goes deep with our hosts as he discusses the making of the new record, his re-emergence after an eight-year hiatus as a singer and performer, and how revisiting his roots in East Texas inspired much of the vivid imagery captured in the songs on Long Winter Rodeo.

He also shares a handful of live performances to the delight of our team and the folks in attendance. One listen and it’s easy to understand — with this voice and these songs, Mr. Westmoreland has the chops to match the hype.

Chuck has a big show with is band coming up Thursday, July 26 at The Fixin’ To in Portland, and you can follow his exploits (reviews, show dates, updates) at his website.

For now, enjoy this latest podcast, Episode #88. Here’s the playlist; all songs by Chuck Westmoreland:

Hole In My Grave
Prisoners (Live at Landmark Saloon)
Long Winter Rodeo
Mama Be Eternal (Live at Landmark Saloon)
Slaughtered (Live at Landmark Saloon)
Denim Tears

Live Review: Whiskey Wednesday with Western Centuries at Landmark Saloon

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The Big Three: Western Centruies featuring (l to r) Jim Miller, Cahalen Morrison and Ethan Lawton on the tiny stage at Landmark Saloon in Portland.

Western Centuries
Live at Landmark Saloon
Portland, OR, USA
1-10-18

By Phil Favorite

When it comes to West Coast country bands, it doesn’t get much better than Western Centuries — the five-piece, Seattle-based unit featuring three distinct singer-songwriters and a harmony sound all their own.

So when Western Centuries loaded into the tiny Landmark Saloon for a couple of intimate sets of high quality Honky Tonk, the Whiskey Wednesday regulars knew they were in for a treat. The place packed quickly but there was just enough room for the dancing crowd to shake and spin, just a step or two from the band and arm’s length from the tip jar.

With singers Jim Miller, Cahalen Morrison and Ethan Lawton sharing the spotlight, the band famously rotated instruments and kept it loose. Lawton and Morrison switched back and forth from fronting the band to playing drums, and Morrison and Miller swapped duties on lead guitar, with one plucking a clean telecaster while the other strummed a rich acoustic.

Describing Western Centuries sound as straight Honky Tonk would be misleading. It’s easy to identify influences from across the Americana spectrum — R&B, country, soul, folk and cajun music all color the sound.

The band played favorites from their excellent 2016 record “Weight of the World,” but much of the first set drew from their upcoming album, “Songs From The Deluge,” due out April 6 on Free Dirt Records. The sweat and smiles pouring from the dance floor all night told the rest of the story.

Late last year,Western Centuries premiered four of the songs from the new album n KEXP’s Swinging Doors program, hosted by DJ Don Slack. For a taste of what this band is all about, check out live versions of “Wild Birds,” “Wild You Run,” “How Many More Miles To Babylon” and “Three Swallows” in the video below.

Learn more about Western Centuries and their upcoming album release at Free Dirt’s Western Centuries page.

 

Episode #67 featuring Evening Bell

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Evening Bell-2

Down from Seattle, it’s Evening Bell (l to r): Aaron Harmonson, Jason Merculief, Caitlin Sherman, Hart Kingsbery and Olie Eshleman. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

Stream or download Episode #67: Episode 67 w/ Evening Bell

Traffic at the Landmark Saloon in Portland came to a sudden halt last Thursday night as folks crowded the tiny dance floor to get their first listen and look at Evening Bell, one of Seattle’s finest up-and-coming bands and purveyors of Alt-Country Noir. Led by singers Caitlin Sherman and Hart Kingsbery, the band ripped through an inspired set of original music that kept the normally transient Landmark crowd riveted from opening notes.

Beforehand, Evening Bell stopped by The Helm to record Episode #67 of That Much Further West Podcast. Just off the road from a set of shows on the Washington coast, the full band set up shop and shared an interview and a pair of songs they’ve been refining on the road. With Aaron Harmonson playing bass, Jason Merculief working a slightly stripped down drum kit, Olie Eshleman plucking the pedal steel guitar and Sherman playing The Helm’s house piano, Kingsbery led the band through “Devil’s House” and “Prairie Calls,” the second of which will appear on their debut album to be released in the fall.

The band also talked about their rise from Seattle’s burgeoning country music scene and their plans to tour once the album is released in the fall. We also squeezed in a few of Evening Bell’s already-released songs, which can be heard at band’s website. Check there to stay on top of the band’s activity in and around the Pacific Northwest and be sure to look for the album and tour this fall.

Here’s the playlist:

Strange Mama
Devil’s House (Live In The Helm)
Prairie Calls (Live In The Helm)
Restless Angel
Dust Storm

Evening Bell-1

Evening Bell, all settled in at The Helm. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

 

TMFWP Special: Willy Vlautin Live at Landmark Saloon

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Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine

When Kelly Blair Bauman invited his friend Willy Vlautin to play a set of music for Bauman’s weekly “Unhappy Hour” at the Landmark Saloon, Vlautin had never been to Portland’s “Best Little Honky Tonk.” In fact, since moving with his girlfriend to the outskirts of town, Vlautin has been mostly staying out of bars and concentrating on his burgeoning fiction-writing career, which has taken off like a rocket since the publication of his first novel, “The Motel Life,” in 2007.

So without much fanfare, Vlautin came to the tiny Landmark on Sunday, Aug. 4 of last year for a late-afternoon performance of songs new and old, many familiar to folks who been following his band, Richmond Fontaine, during its 15-year run as Portland preeminent alt-country band. This was before the release of “The Motel Life” movie — which hit theaters last fall — and before the release this year of his fourth novel, “The Free,” which has been making headlines around the globe.

Vlautin played three short sets that summer day in Southeast Portland, swapping stage time with Bauman as both played to a nearly empty room. A few of Vlautin’s friends were on hand, a few other regulars, and a couple of tables worth of chatty patrons who clearly had no interest in the music nor any clue as to what they were hearing or who was playing.

Undaunted, the easy-going Vlautin played through the clanking glassware and jibber-jabber, letting his well-worn voice and left-handed Martin acoustic tell his true-to-life tales of society’s down and out. During the first set — which Vlautin asked us not to share due to the unfinished nature of the songs — Vlautin sat with a notebook of fresh ideas at his feet and could barely get a reaction from the small crowd while strumming and singing a batch of brand-new songs.

The small crowd proved a bit more responsive during the second and third sets, which we share here. Afterwards, podcast host Phil Favorite caught up with Vlautin outside the Landmark for an interview that was featured in Episode #2. As longtime fans of both Vlautin’s fiction and the great music of Richmond Fontaine, we’re thrilled to be able to share these couple of sets in all their ragged glory. Big thanks to both Willy and Kelly for helping us make it happen.

Listen to Willy Vlautin Live at Landmark Pt. 1 Willy Vlautin at Landmark Pt. 1

Two Alone
$87 And A Guilt Conscience That Gets Worst The Longer I Go
Lost In The Trees
Unknown Song

Listen to Willy Vlautin Live at Landmark Pt. 2 Willy Vlautin at Landmark Pt. 2

Moving Back Home #1
Moving Back Home #2
Santiam
“Tapped Out In Tulsa (?)”
The Boyfriends

Willy Vlautin will be promoting “The Free” with readings in the Los Angeles area on March 26 and 27, and at St. Johns Booksellers in Portland on April 10. He will also be performing at Wesley Stace’s Cabinet of Wonders at the Aladdin Theater in Portland on April 4. Learn more about Willy Vlautin’s fiction writing and music career at willyvlautin.com.

Episode #13 featuring Fredd Luongo of The Swearengens

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freddluongo

Fredd Luongo

Episode #13 with Fredd Luongo of The Swearengens

This week, Eric and Mike are back in all their vulgar, politically incorrect glory as we bring you another fun show from The Helm. Philly missed the taping because he had band practice, but he did catch up with Fredd Luongo of The Swearengens, a great Seattle alt-country band named — fittingly for this episode — after the foul-mouthed saloon keeper and general all-around bad guy played by actor Ian McShane in the HBO drama Deadwood.

The soft-spoken, kindly Mr. Luongo (not at all like Al Swearengen) was nice enough to sit down for an interview before his band’s terrific show Friday night at The Landmark Saloon in Portland. Among other things, he talked about his influences from the late-90s Americana scene and also some of the kindred spirits he’s connected with in Seattle. Later in the podcast, we share a Swearengens song and also hear from a couple of those key groundbreaking bands of the Seattle alt-country scene, Chuckanut Drive and North Twin.

You’ll also hear some wonderful females voices on the show, including recent breakthrough star Holly Williams and the great Lucinda Williams, as well as a pair of showings by Portland’s own Annalisa Tornfeldt: one with her band Black Prairie (on the heartbreaking and haunting Richard Manuel) and another with her fantastic female trio Calico Rose.

We also get a bit folky on this episode with a tune by Utah Phillips and a tribute to a giant in American music, the recently departed Pete Seeger. We’ll always remember Mr. Seeger not just for his profound musical impact, but also the never-wavering political courage he displayed in bringing his songs of hope and legend to audiences around the world.

Here’s this week’s songlist. Enjoy the show!

That Much Further West (Show theme), Lucero
Ain’t Nothing Free, Root Jack
Ballad Of The Opening Band, Jeff Tweedy
Railroads, Holly Williams
Wrong Way To Run, Willy Tea Taylor
Interview with Fredd Luongo of The Swearengens
Timebomb, Old 97’s
Long Winter’s Feeling, Freddy Trujillo
Never Gonna Change, Drive-By Truckers
By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Glen Campbell
If You Come Around Here, The Swearengens
Richard Manuel, Black Prairie
Jesse James, Pete Seeger with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Ed McCurdy
Pineola, Lucinda Williams
Portland, Drag The River
The Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia, Utah Phillips
Thunderstorms And Neon Signs, Wayne Hancock
Hangin’ Up, Chuckanut Drive
Trouble, Have Gun, Will Travel
Write Home (Live At Al’s Den), Calico Rose
Oh Me Oh My, Deadstring Brothers
Drunk Dial, Whiskey Shivers
Hurricane, Possessed By Paul James
Bar Scar, The Whipsaws
Just To See, The Low Bones
Whiskey For Breakfast, Adam Lee and the Dead Horse Sound Company
Thinking California, The James Low Western Front
Darken My Door, Cory Branan
Wreck, North Twin