American country music, sometimes described as ‘three chords and the truth,’ can be a great vehicle for storytelling. And many songs share a nostalgia for a certain idea of home. But for those whose ancestors have traveled long distances, home can often be a messy concept.  A few years ago, three Oregon musicians and artists started getting together to play and share music, informally calling themselves Diaspora Songs. They are all lovers of country and folk music, as well as writers and scholars. Dao Strom is a poet, musician, and multimedia artist  — she’s the author of the book “Instrument.” Julian Saporiti is a musician and creator of No No Boy, a songwriting and multimedia project about Asian American history. And Alicia Jo Rabins is a poet, musician and Jewish educator — she’s the author of the poetry collection “Fruit Geode.” 

All three joined Evergreen host Jenn Chávez on stage at the Pickathon Experiential Music Festival to sing and play and talk about their work.

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