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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 #84 featuring Bret Ervin of Countryside Ride

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Bret Ervin, bellied up at the bar in The Helm. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

Stream or download Episode #84: Episode 84 w/ Bret Ervin

The gang from Countryside Ride knew they had the songs and the inclination to make a great second album. But they remained patient while looking for a way forward — some kind of sign to show them which direction to go.

They found it when the band did a studio session at The Deer Lodge, a Portland-based music hub where producer and engineer Ezra Meredith was compiling songs for a tribute CD to country music great George Jones. In making its contribution to the compilation, the band and Meredith immediately clicked, and from there Countryside Ride saw the path to making their fabulous new album, “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart.” It’s a long-playing blast of pure country music that eschews modern production tricks and will delight traditionalists and new fans searching for a truer sound.

Bret Ervin belting it out in The Helm. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media

Countryside Ride singer Bret Ervin Lien stopped into The Helm to record Episode #84 in advance of the record’s release and the band’s big show this coming Saturday at The Secret Society in Portland. He talked about the band’s natural progression from a trio to a five-piece, the inspiration he draws from his daily life for his songwriting, and finding a second home for his band at The Deer Lodge.

He also offers up some songs from a few of his major influences and plays a few stripped-down versions of tunes that highlight the new album. One listen to this podcast and you’ll know why we’ve come to love and admire this very humble, talented singer-songwriter as well as the super cool folks he calls bandmates. So sit back, buckle up and enjoy a ride through the Pacific Northwest countryside.

Here’s the playlist:

All You’ll Ever Be, Countryside Ride
I Hope He Breaks Your Heart, Countryside Ride
Since You’ve Been Gone (Live In The Helm), Bret Ervin
Ramblin’ Lips, The Cedar Shakes
Pay No Attention To Alice, Tom T. Hall
Other Side Of The Blues, Mike Stinson
Truck Driver’s Lament (Live In The Helm), Bret Ervin
Breakfast Blues, Countryside Ride
Trailer Of Love (Live In The Helm), Bret Ervin

Countryside Ride, 2018: Jessica Kunze, Ian Miller, Bret Ervin Lien, Joshua Kunze and Johnny Payola. Photo by Mirifoto (www.mirifoto.com)