Single Release: ‘Come With Me To Hell’ by Wilkinson Blades

Steve Wilkinson joins our own Phil Favorite to talk about the new single by Wilkinson Blades.

Stream or download “Come With Me To Hell” by Wilkinson Blades: Come With Me To Hell

A free man can only stay cooped up alone for so long. He’s gotta get out and get some human connection. You can sense that urgency right from the start of the new single from Portland rockers Wilkinson Blades, who venture into jangle pop territory with Come With Me To Hell.

Press play to listen on your Spotify account.

With a full record in the can, the band is cooling its heels in the throes of the pandemic, having decided in the meantime to release single songs in the run-up to a not-yet-determined full-length release. Come With Me To Hell is about making that human connection when you just can’t stand one more minute of isolation. It’s both a hopeful blast of pop sunshine and a call to action. “Join me, won’t you? This life’s worth living.”

— Phil Favorite

Steve Wilkinson of Wilkinson Blades begins his monthly residency Saturday, Feb. 27 from 2-5 p.m. at Alberta Street Pub. He’ll be joined by bandmate Grant Cumpston and guest Paul Brainard. Erin Wallace opens. Check the pub’s website for more information about ticketing, distanced seating, etc.

Wilkinson Blades: (l to r) David E. Lane, Grant Cumpston, Steve Wilkinson, Leif Myrberg

Episode #63 featuring Mamma Coal

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Partners in crime: Paul Brainard and Carra Barratt Stasney, aka Mamma Coal. Photo by Anne Marie

Stream or download Episode #63: Episode 63 w/ Mamma Coal

She’s tall, she’s tough and she’s talented. Mamma Coal can do it all. That’s why we were thrilled to have Carra Barratt Stasney on board for the taping of Episode #63 at The Helm.

Carra is well known in Pacific Northwest country music circles for her terrific singing and songwriting as the dark-haired half of the female duo Copper & Coal. Taking the name Mamma Coal, she’s out promoting her latest musical project, “Raven Haired Vixen,” a musical reimagining of Willie Nelson’s legendary 1975 country album “Red Headed Stranger.” She just launched a Kickstarter Campaign to help fund the project (see the video below).

She’s also curating a fantastic, two-night, two-city Valentine’s weekend performance of classic country duets called “Hearts On Fire,” which will play in Seattle at Conor Byrne Pub on Feb. 13 and in Portland at Star Theater on Feb. 14. Carra will be among an all-star lineup of great singers sharing the songs of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and many more!

On this episode, Mamma Coal tells us about her musical upbringing, her love of classic rock hits and what brought her to the world of country music. She also shares the story about finding a musical kinship with local players from our podcast inner circle, The Hoot Family, and how becoming a mother inspired “Raven Haired Vixen,” a musical story set in the old west of a mother tracking down the baby son who was taken from her.

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Paul Brainard adding some tasty steel to the wonderful stylings of Mamma Coal in The Helm. Photo by Anne Marie

And to share a few live versions of songs from the new project, Carra invited ace guitarist and steel player Paul Brainard to ride shotgun on the live performance. Paul is playing a big role in helping Carra bring “Raven Haired Vixen” to fruition, lending his musical guidance and tasty playing to the mix.

We also share a few recorded songs from Carra’s earlier days, including a tune from Copper & Coal, a song from Carra’s first band, American Cosmos, and also a fine number from her self-titled solo record from a few years back.

For more information on the Kickstarter campaign or for tickets to the Seattle and Portland “Hearts On Fire” shows, check out the links above. And for everything Mamma Coal, visit her website.

Thanks for tuning in!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carrastasney/mamma-coal-reimagining-willie-nelsons-outlaw-conce

 

 

Episode #16 featuring Joel Roth of The Low Bones

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Joel Roth, left, and Paul Brainard, live in The Helm

Episode #16 w/Joel Roth of The Low Bones

We have the whole crew in The Helm for this week’s episode featuring Joel Roth of The Low Bones in advance of the band’s record release show this Friday night at Secret Society here in Portland.

Joel brought along his pal, the great Paul Brainard, for some accompaniment on a few live performances in The Helm. Both songs are from the new Low Bones album Waiting For The Dawn, which we’ve been featuring on the podcast these past few weeks. Joel also shared some thoughts about the record, the inspiration for the music and what he has planned for the big show on Friday night. Suffice it to say you locals won’t want to miss this one. We’ll be there in force and are excited to share the interview and terrific performances with you.

The playlist for this week’s episode leans heavily on artists who will be playing the third-annual Wildwood MusicFest & Campout this coming July. The recently announced lineup has our crew geeking out with anticipation of what’s sure to be one of if not the biggest event of the year on the That Much Further West Podcast calendar.

We also are blessed this week to share some exclusive music from our friends Spirit Lake, who just wrapped recording on their second album, as well as great new music from Cutbank, Hearts of Oak, Root Jack and local country faves Brush Prairie.

So without further adieu, here’s this week’s playlist. Enjoy!

Graveyard Shift, Uncle Tupelo
Call It What You Will, Larry and His Flask
We Don’t Get Along, The Grizzled Mighty
Cold Dark Woods, Banjo Song #1, Hillstomp
As Lost As You Are, Mike Coykendall
The Road (Live in The Helm), The Low Bones
Interview with Joel Roth of The Low Bones
Waiting For The Dawn (Live In The Helm), The Low Bones
Nevada County Line, Austin Lucas
Got Goin’, Otis Heat
Drinkin’, Holly Williams
Mine Diamond, Lone Madrone
Santa Ana Winds, Spirit Lake
Used To It Now, Hearts Of Oak
Tennessee Whiskey, Brush Prairie
Molly Rose, Willy Tea Taylor
We Can’t Talk (About Those Things), Cutbank
Help Me Settle Down, CW Ayon
Wanderin’ Heart, The Haunted Windchimes
Smile, Deadstring Brothers
Shoulda Oughta, Tim Barry
Old Roger, Graham Lindsey
Think To Much, Root Jack
The Travelin’ Kind, Tom VandenAvond
El Troubadour, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash