https://www.mamabirdrecordingco.com/barna-howard

After high school, Howard moved north to study animation in one cold and windy city and then east for love in another. Years later, he blindly followed two friends to the Northwest, crossing the Rockies for the first time, in search of inspiration, opportunity and a fresh start.

Barna’s self-titled debut chronicled these moves as he struggled with the contrast between his small town upbringing and these big city wanderings. The album was met with critical acclaim and underground success, partly thanks to an opportunely placed song in the hit indie film, Drinking Buddies. One critic even likened him to some “lost genius of the 60’s.”

The songs on Barna Howard’s second album, Quite A Feelin’, ruminate on his relationship with home. Now entrenched in Portland, Oregon, many of the album’s tracks immortalize and reflect on the Eureka he once knew, while others focus on the relationships that define his new home out west. Small town life has long been celebrated in country and folk music, but Barna’s knack for capturing his own deeply personal nostalgia resonates in a rarely universal way.

https://seanforth.com/
https://seanforth.bandcamp.com/album/only-for-today
Sean Forth is a Singer Songwriter currently residing in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern California. Leaning heavily on the simplistic, honest, and sometimes improvisational approach to songwriting, accompanied by his freak folk finger style guitar playing.

Sequoia

https://rodeowilson.bandcamp.com
Mid-Century pop music with a heavy dose of indie sensibilities, Rodeo Wilson creates hazy, Technicolor tunes of love and pain, drawing musical inspiration from his Southwestern roots. Rodeo Wilson is based in Portland OR.

Once regular denizens of the Laurelthirst stage, yet absent some 20 plus years, the boys of the BBQ Orchestra are back!

The Beavs’ are BACK with a pack of their buddies, ready to make springtime fun with musical madness!

https://supernaturalbeavers.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/SupernaturalBeavers/

https://billyandtheboxkidband.com/home
Billy and the Box Kid emerged as a duo in the Bend open mic scene when singer-songwriter Anderson Koenig (also known as Billy) and Scottie McClelland (the Box Kid) collided, both searching for an outlet for their musical talent. They combined Koenig’s fast-paced acoustic country Rock and Roll with McClelland’s high-energy and distinctive style of playing the Cajon aka “box drum”. The band has since expanded into a five-piece with the addition of Tommy Lutz on mandolin, Eric Nizol on lead guitar and Ben Woessner on bass. Along with other members of the Bend music community, they create a unique sound that’s ripe to keep your dancing feet moving. Their music is influenced by 1950s Rock and Roll, country, and bluegrass, with a hint of Southern blues. Their mission is to get folks out on the dance floor and stomping their feet.

https://bundyband.com – Sweet Preserves is a Bundy offshoot!
Traditional acoustic New Orleans jazz for your all ages matinee dine and dance pleasure!

ERIC NORDBY is the songwriter/leader of the band Norman.

EVAN THOMAS WAY is the songwirter/leader of the band The Parson Redheads.

LIMITED ADVANCE TICKETS through BOB’s WEBSITE…
Price is listed in Canadian $, works out to about $15 USD:

https://northcountrycollective.ca/event/6351512/744380444/bob-sumner-at-laurelthirst-pub

https://bobsumnermusic.com

Bob Sumner believes that music is made to evolve. On latest work, Some Place to Rest Easy, you’ll hear countrypolitan strings alongside ambient sensibilities; tasteful synth tracks followed seamlessly by numbers with dobro and steel guitar. It’s an album that takes as much inspiration from the audio production of Randy Travis as it does the lyrical soul of Big Thief’s Adrienne Lenker—a melding of eras, sounds, concepts, and stylings that’s informed by the past, but never bound by it.

Songs like “Don’t We Though” explore how the same relationship can be both loving and tumultuous, with smooth instrumentals that underlay a more complicated lyrical landscape. “Forty Years on the Floor” and “Lonesome Sound” make ripe soundtracks for country drives. And three songs on the album—”Bridges,” “Motel Room,” and “Is It Really Any Wonder”—touch on the loss of multiple loved ones to alcoholism.

More than a single sound, influence, instrumental, or theme, the through line in Sumner’s music has always been vulnerability. “I always want people to feel something,” Sumner explains. “If I heard that this album helped somebody that was feeling down, even just by feeling some other emotion for a little while, that’s the number one thing for me.”

https://www.jeffreylewissilverstein.com/
jeffrey silvertein is a musician, writer, dj, and teacher living in portland, oregon. roseway, his latest EP, is out now on arrowhawk records.

https://www.instagram.com/nathanjamesearle

https://www.joshcolemusic.com
Josh Cole has been playing bluegrass in the Pacific Northwest for over 25 years. It started in the late 90s, when he first heard “Midnight Moonlight” from Old and In the Way. That moment forever bonded Josh to bluegrass music.

He went on to serve as President of the Oregon Bluegrass Association and continues to host “Music From the True Vine” on KBOO-FM, the longest running bluegrass show West of the Mississippi. 

Josh’s influences include Ralph Stanley, Larry Sparks, and Bill Monroe, many of whom are featured on the Josh Cole Bluegrass Show, his podcast with nearly 200 episodes of traditional bluegrass recordings. 

Josh has played in dozens of bands, along with running his own hard-driving bluegrass band for nearly two decades. That’s why hometown fans have lovingly nicknamed him “The Elvis of Portland Bluegrass.”

https://www.facebook.com/THEKUNGPAOCHICKENSPDX/
The return of our favorite local Django Reinhardt-inspired Roma/gypsy jazz enthusiasts!

Now usually with a FREE, ALL AGES “3rd Sunday” Matinee!

THIS MONTH happening on the 4th Sunday, tho!

NOW A MONTHLY RESIDENCY: every third Tuesday night at 9pm! FREE!

https://www.blueflagsandblackgrass.com
Blue Flags & Black Grass is a combination of many flavors of acoustic American Roots Music.  With the instrumentation of Banjo, Res-o-phonic Guitar, Fiddle, Washboard, Kazoo and Upright Bass, Blue Flags emulates the String Bands of the 1920s and ‘30s. Their typical gig will blend Ragtime, Viper Jazz, Country Blues, Old-Time, Jug Band and Bluegrass. As well as performing classic standards and dusting off hidden gems, Blue Flags also features original songs by Flip ‘Fats’ McGuire.

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE HERE

https://www.blairborax.com/

Borax has become a prolific songwriter, recording artist, and performer, known for her distinctive voice, captivating melodies, and thoughtful songwriting that taps into the heart of being human. Since she quit her day job in 2022, she has released two full length albums and played over 300 shows across the country.

With more sophisticated songwriting, a newfound confidence in fingerpicking guitar, and a move towards dynamic acoustic folk production, her latest record, “Tender Lately” (2024),  offers gentle reminders to quiet the inner critic, find joy in the small things, and embrace the precious brevity of our time on Earth. She is poised to release her third full length record, The Color Green, in 2025.

Since 2021, Blair has performed over 350 shows across 18 states, captivating audiences with her honest songwriting, lyrical melodies, and intimate performances. She has graced notable stages including Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR), Parlor Room (Northhampton, MA), Radio Bean (Burlington, VT), and Berlin (New York, NY), among many others.

Along the way, she has shared the stage with acclaimed artists such as John Craigie, Marty O’Reilly, Glitterfox, and Melt, further shaping a dynamic and eveolving musical voice.

https://stefanweiner.com/

Stefan Weiner is an NYC-based queer indie folk singer-songwriter. He mixes the immediacy of classic songwriting with the intimacy of a quiet conversation with a friend. He was named a Top Shelf finalist in NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest 2024. In the announcement video, Boygenius’s Julien Baker said Stefan’s submission “picked the safe combination in my heart” and Robin Hilton, Sr. Producer at NPR music said, “It all came together perfectly.” Stefan’s work has received critical acclaim in publications like Forbes, The Advocate, American Songwriter, among many others. He has also shared the story of his journey through medical mystery and back to music on various podcasts such as This Is Actually Happening and RISK!

Through his music, Stefan creates space for people to access a deeper vulnerability. He is open and honest about his experiences with chronic pain, love, loss and his queer journey. Audience members often approach Stefan after shows to share stories from their own lives and tell him how much they connected to a certain song or how a lyric brought them to tears. More recently, Stefan has also begun a viral series of bawdy gay folk songs for social media, continuing to put his queerness in the foreground, but now with a little humor too. How Lucky You Are, Stefan’s first full-length album, will be out in May on Better Company Records with singles rolling out through the winter and spring.

https://www.whalienmusic.com/
We are an Icelandic gypsy noise-rock band from Bellingham, Washington. We also play a bit of Mongolian fusion sludge-trap, and some funk.

https://www.spencermarlynband.com/

The Spencer Marlyn Band is what happens when a looping wizard and a one-man drum circle collide. Formed in Bend, Oregon by two Midwest transplants, this high-energy duo delivers the kind of sound you’d expect from a full band—genre-hopping their way through funk, reggae, bluegrass, jam, folk, and psychedelia.

Frontman Spencer Marlyn combines captivating songwriting with a looping setup and effects pedal mastery, while percussionist Scottie brings a globally influenced punch, shaped by his background in West African rhythms and a wildly diverse drum kit. The result? A danceable, feel-good explosion of sound packed with originals and crowd-favorite covers.

An intimate, all ages matinee show with Frank and Joe as “The Sixties”

https://thesixtiespdx.com/

The Sixties conjure the spirit and the flavors of the 60’s harmonizing the melodies and laying down the grooves of that golden era of pop music as it moved through the British invasion, the folk boom, Motown and headed for psychedelia.

The Beatles and the Stones, The Beau Brummels and the Kinks, and duos like The Everly Brothers, Chad and Jeremy, Peter and Gordon and many others are the territory of The Sixties, and so many other one or two hit wonders like The Cyrkle, The Seekers and The Searchers. Great songs with great harmonies, the hits and the B sides.

https://frankgoodman-buzzholland.com/

Thanks for stopping in. First, two small bits of news. Please check out a profile piece on myself relative to the recent release called Acoustic Blues Songs at https://www.thecountryblues.com/artist-reviews/frank-goodman/

Secondly,  a UK review of the most recent record, Ranchero Radio can be seen at HTTPS://AMERICANA-UK.COM/Frank-Goodman-Ranchero-Radio

Rose and I have been together for over 15 years, but we’ve known each other for more than 50. Often she has accompanied me on bass guitar. My past includes The Goodman Brothers, my nom de plume Buzz Holland, Mesa/Boogie, Nashville, Shanghai, Miami Beach, Heidelberg. and other places. My brother Billy and I (who lives and plays in Berlin) made music and records together for many years as The Goodman Brothers, which frequently included the talents of celebrated guitarist Steve Kimock.

My latest record is Ranchero Radio, produced by Dan Eccles. You can stream or purchase it here in various forms. Also of recent note is the CD Broken River, wherein our friend Donna Jean Godchaux MacKay invited us to Muscle Shoals to cut some sides with her favorite players. 

https://smilepile.bandcamp.com/
smilepile is a Portland-based folk outfit whose music would fit nicely in a jukebox alongside the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark.

https://nathanlee13.bandcamp.com/
Album celebration for the release of Nathan Lee Miller’s new LP!

https://radioreceiver.bandcamp.com/
Radio Receiver is a band that was born when Nate Wallace of Hearts of Oak had a bunch of songs that didn’t seem quite right for a Hearts of Oak record. Geography also played a part in the formation of this band. Mark Folkrod (drums) moved across the street from Anna Verlet (violin, vocals) in north Portland where Wallace lives. Enter Jason Willmon on bass, and thus Radio Receiver was formed.

Pete Krebs, Doug Sammons (Midnight Serenaders) playing 20s/30s jazz, Hawaiian, and exotica with vocal harmonies…

“Jazz Matinee”!

https://www.thejustclark.band/
JUST CLARK IS A SINGER-SONGWRITER REVIVING THE ROOTS OF AMERICAN-MADE MUSIC. HE DIGS INTO A WOODY SOUND THAT ECHOES THROUGH THE HOLLERS. CLARK’S MUSIC EMBODIES A TIMELESS RESONANCE THAT HARKS BACK TO THE CHERISHED SOUNDS OF CLASSIC AMERICANA. FROM POET TO PICKER, THE NATIVE TEXAN CONJURES A SOUND AS BRIGHT AS THE LONESTAR HERSELF.

Two sweet souls playing and singing together in lovely harmonies!

https://blindstampede.com/event/6432653/751304785/blind-stampede

Start your Saturday right with Blind Stampede at The Laurelthirst, one of Portland’s premier listening rooms for rootsy, groove-driven bands. Expect feel-good Pacific NW rock & roll—blues grit, country soul, classic rock swagger—and a dance floor that doesn’t care what time it is.

Grab a pint, settle in, and let your afternoon turn into a party. No rush, no alarms—just great music in one of the city’s best rooms. All Ages!!

High energy bluegrass from Salt Lake City!

https://www.youtube.com/@thepickpocketsbluegrass/videos

https://moonshroomband.com

MoonShroom is the star crossed culmination of liberated artistic expression & high energy performance. Genuine songwriting is at the core of this dynamic project. Fueled by the song craft of Lily B Moonflower & Jake Keegan, the act hones their unique sound with genuine lyrics, tight vocal harmonies, and intricate instrumental conversation.

The group, hailing from Lawrence Kansas, performs captivating sets on stages far & wide. Featuring Lily B Moonflower on guitar & vocals, Jake Keegan on dobro & vocals, Zach Bozeman on upright bass, & Colby Allen Walter on mandolin, electric guitar & vocals. Together they create a unique sonic tapestry, building a bridge the audience can cross to feel a oneness with the musical energy radiating from the stage!

Expanding upon stylings of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and country — the group sends their sound into the stratosphere with their signature spin of “Grassadelic Twang”. MoonShroom tours heavily in the festival circuit, and at venues around the country — Hop in the cosmic train and come  PARTY ON THE MOON!

QuEasy Gumbo (Jimmy Russell + Sean Badders of the Quick and Easy Boys, plus one of their incredible drummer friends and immaculate keyboardist Steve Kerin) return for their FREE monthly Wednesday extended happy hour show!

Portland’s premiere Phish cover band plays an intimate night at the LT!

https://www.shaftypdx.com/

https://www.thunderridge.org
Thunder Ridge is a straight-ahead bluegrass band from Portland, OR. The traditional five-piece band is made up of banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass and fiddle. They will steal your heart with hard driving vocal harmonies and instrumentals. Allow them to take you down a path of yesteryear with a good old fashioned sound inspired by the masters of bluegrass, and sprinkled with a few originals!

Longtime local Portland roots-rock band THE TREE FROGS are putting their lineup back together for a reunion show at the Laurelthirst Pub, celebrating drummer Jeff Duffy’s 60th Birthday!

“Treefrogs started in 1991 and continue to rock in Portland, Oregon.
We play rock, funk, country, folk, blues, and old soul music. On any given performance we are a 5-10 piece band with 4 individual songwriters delivering a variety of style and substance.”

https://bundyband.com – Sweet Preserves is a Bundy offshoot!
Traditional acoustic New Orleans jazz for your all ages matinee dine and dance pleasure!

NOW PLAYING A MONTHLY RESIDENCY!

https://stoneandsue.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/stoneandsue/?hl=en
The “Forty Drop Few” are a trio originally from the southwest that play popular music of the early 1900s. They perform in various styles from the era as a string band and are influenced by nothing other than the old 78 records that they love so well. Their main influences include New Orleans jazz, southwestern fiddle music, classic banjo rags, black string band music, hillbilly harmonies and unique vocals. The trio consists of Ethan and Candra Francis and Elliot Kennedy who all currently reside in Portland Oregon. The couple, also known as “Stone and Sue” have been playing music together for close to a decade and met Kennedy who joined them 4 years ago. The three are inseparable and spend all of their time picking apart old tunes, listening to 78s, throwing shows in Portland and traveling around the country together.

https://www.instagram.com/missjackiestraw/
Jackie Straw started out in the Denver music scene with all-girl band Pistols in Petticoats. She cut her teeth playing bluegrass nationally and quickly realized it was time to start a new project. Jackie & The Racket was formed with local players in the Denver area. Jackie recorded Goal Digger and Tough Luck Cowboy under JATR at SwingFinger Studios in Northern Colorado with notable players on these records like Pat Lyons, Tyler Grant, Adrian Engfer, and Natalie Padilla.

During the pandemic, Jackie realized it was time to reach for the stars and is now based out of Nashville. She spends half her time in Denver and half her time in Nashville. Jackie has rebranded again to her most authentic self, Jackie Straw. Jackie is working on a new record with Ken Croomer at Cartoon Moon Recording. She is continually bending genres and bringing psychedelic country music to our ears.

Her largest inspirations are Dolly Parton and Jerry Garcia and she brings a sense of sass to her music that is refreshing.

https://www.joshcolemusic.com
Josh Cole has been playing bluegrass in the Pacific Northwest for over 25 years. It started in the late 90s, when he first heard “Midnight Moonlight” from Old and In the Way. That moment forever bonded Josh to bluegrass music.

He went on to serve as President of the Oregon Bluegrass Association and continues to host “Music From the True Vine” on KBOO-FM, the longest running bluegrass show West of the Mississippi. 

Josh’s influences include Ralph Stanley, Larry Sparks, and Bill Monroe, many of whom are featured on the Josh Cole Bluegrass Show, his podcast with nearly 200 episodes of traditional bluegrass recordings. 

Josh has played in dozens of bands, along with running his own hard-driving bluegrass band for nearly two decades. That’s why hometown fans have lovingly nicknamed him “The Elvis of Portland Bluegrass.”

https://patinamusic.com

AMERICANA SONGS: FOLK, BLUES, COUNTRY, ROCK & ROLL
PATINA is a six-piece band from Portland, Oregon writing and performing original Americana / Folk-Rock / Roots-Rock music. Their 4th studio album, ‘Good Noise,’ was released April 5th, 2024.
“Portland band Patina delivers Americana gold … Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Portland Oregon, the 6 piece band emerges as a soulful beacon, keeping the the Americana and Folk genres burning brightly.” -Rock The Pigeon, April 14, 2024

https://www.facebook.com/THEKUNGPAOCHICKENSPDX/
The return of our favorite local Django Reinhardt-inspired Roma/gypsy jazz enthusiasts!

Now usually with a FREE, ALL AGES “3rd Sunday” Matinee!

THIS MONTH happening on the 4th Sunday, tho!

NOW A MONTHLY RESIDENCY: every third Tuesday night at 9pm! FREE!

https://www.blueflagsandblackgrass.com
Blue Flags & Black Grass is a combination of many flavors of acoustic American Roots Music.  With the instrumentation of Banjo, Res-o-phonic Guitar, Fiddle, Washboard, Kazoo and Upright Bass, Blue Flags emulates the String Bands of the 1920s and ‘30s. Their typical gig will blend Ragtime, Viper Jazz, Country Blues, Old-Time, Jug Band and Bluegrass. As well as performing classic standards and dusting off hidden gems, Blue Flags also features original songs by Flip ‘Fats’ McGuire.