Our PNW Music

We recorded this interview before David had to cancel this tour due to restrictions surrounding Covid-19.

David Starr possesses “a compelling voice, something truly special, both accessible and passionate” (Elmore), that has been honed releasing nine albums, touring internationally, and opening shows for esteemed artists such as John Oates (Hall & Oates), Karla Bonoff, The Steel Wheels, Survivor, and more.

Beauty And Ruin, Starr’s latest project, is a musical and literary adventure, produced and arranged by John Oates and co-produced by himself and David Kalmusky. The collection of songs was inspired by Of What Was, Nothing Is Left, a novel written by his grandfather in 1972. “It is like watching a movie,” says Oates. "The cinematic aural landscape visually evokes a classic tale of tragedy, love gone wrong and an exploration of human nature and all its flaws." Beauty and Ruin and a new edition of Of What Was, Nothing Is Left are set for release in February 2020.

“A collection of beautiful, poetic and somewhat sad songs with a warm and organic production that draws you in and wraps around your heart,” writes Americana Highways of Starr’s 2018 record, South and West. The record follows an acclaimed EP, The Head and Heart, also produced by John Oates, and the full-length Love and Sabotage with special guests like John Oates, Richie Furay, Dana Cooper, and Steve Cropper.

Starr’s prestige extends beyond the stage as well, having launched Starr’s Guitars in Little Rock in 1998, then relocating to Cedaredge in 2001. Today, the store is such an institution that Cedaredge proclaimed the musician’s birthday as David Starr Day in 2016. Starr was also instrumental in the 2018 opening of the Grand Mesa Arts Center, an intimate event space brought to fruition through strong community support in Cedaredge, CO. He helped design the space in order to attract musicians and visual artists to Southwestern Colorado.

Starr says of his upcoming Beauty And Ruin project, “This project is important to me for several reasons. There’s the family connection through my grandfather’s book, the songs that were born out of his story and the intensely collaborative nature of the whole project. I can’t wait to share it with the world!”

-Text from of David’s website

Website- https://www.davidstarrmusic.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/DavidStarrMusic/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/davidstarrmusic/

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PJuDsfOF3dpzVpdrUIRw1?si=xFavLr5RQ2S_xvosa_5_Sg

Havilah will be hosting these events on her own since David Starr will not be coming to Washington. Please follow her links to find out about all her upcoming local shows.

https://holisticartventures.com/young-singersongwriters-workshops/

Website- https://www.havilahmusic.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/havilah.rand/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/havilahsings/

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/46z6vwA1PZ1bcAAixca42K?si=3gnjk4N-Tk-2Aj0ODbGB9g

For full episode notes go to-

https://www.ourpnwmusic.com/podcast/005

Our PNW Music co-hosts, Rudy and Kristine, were expecting just another average singer-songwriter interview when they sat down with Havilah Rand. Just a few short minutes into the conversation, they knew that Ms. Rand was much more than just your run-of-the-mill Americana/Folk artist.

In this episode, you will learn about Havilah’s introduction to music and education ventures at the Interlochen Arts Academy and Manhattan School Of Music, where she obtained training in both Jazz and Classical music styles. Ms. Rand will also speak about her travels across America and Europe and discusses the vast differences between being a musician abroad vs here in the United States.

What stood out the most in this interview was learning about Havilah’s amazing programs she has developed. Between her LifeSong Project, where she preserves the experiences of our elders through song, to her youth programs, consisting of summer songwriter camps and home schooling programs, which work to instill confidence in kids as well as teaching music, Ms. Rand has proved herself as much of a humanitarian as she is a musician.

Also included in this episode are clips from Havilah’s live performance at Birdsview Brewing, where she amazed listeners with her soulful melodies and thought provoking lyrics. Please make sure to check out Havilah Rand’s links to learn more about her altruistic programs as well as upcoming shows.

https://holisticartventures.com/young-singersongwriters-workshops/

Website- https://www.havilahmusic.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/havilah.rand/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/havilahsings/

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/46z6vwA1PZ1bcAAixca42K?si=3gnjk4N-Tk-2Aj0ODbGB9g

ourpnwmusic.com

Join hosts Rudy and Kristine as they roundup all the PNW music happenings for March 2020 and play some tunes from some of the local musicians. In addition to reviewing upcoming shows, they will also be discussing local musicians/bands such as Kristin Allen-Zito, Cory Vincent, Lazy Acres, Havilah, Sway Wild, Gin Gypsy, Kickin Names, Fanny Alger, Toast, The Enthusiasts as well as Tom Savage’s bands Ebb Slack & Flood, The Savage Blues Band and Tommy & The Nazgul.

Make sure to check into Our PNW Music often as shows are being added all the time. Also, as always, if there is a band/musician that you would like featured, please email us.

Check out Whiskey Fever: https://jackmattinglyandwhiskeyfever.com/media The song used in the intro is 'Why Would I Ever Want to Miss This’

Join hosts Rudy Giecek and Kristine Miller Cartwright as they talk to Skagit County’s prominent singer/songwriter, Jack Mattingly. Jack, and his band Whiskey Fever, who won the US Bank #TourPossible Seattle competition in 2017, are one of Skagit County’s most esteemed bands. Frequently playing to standing room only venues, their combination of Jack’s high-spirited original songs and magnetic stage presence coupled with the band’s engaging connection with the audience have made them a favorite, not only in the Skagit County and NW Washington music scene, but also in college party scenes ranging from Bellingham, Seattle, Chelan, Yakima, Ellensburg, Spokane and everywhere in between.

In Part 2 of our two part episode, you’ll hear Jack Mattingly recall stories from tours gone wrong and tours gone just right. We also discuss some of the Whiskey Fever’s songs; The ones Jack likes as a band and some of the ones he likes most. Jack’s humor and charm had a way of instilling a spot in the hearts of everyone who meets him. After you listen to this episode, you will see why we chose Jack Mattingly to kick off our first podcast “Skagit Valley You Don’t Want To Miss This”.

Be sure to like our social media pages so you can keep up to date on all of the best local music in NW Washington:

Website- https://jackmattinglyandwhiskeyfever.com/media

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyFeverBand

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyfever

Beggars Canyon is a three piece band who label themselves Dark Folk. We talk about who they are and play some of their music.

We recorded this because they will be playing Woolley Market on February 21st.

Website- https://beggarscanyonchoosers.bandcamp.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/beggarscanyon69/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/beggars_canyon/

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/4q6SYdyrRaHOxJfc2Uhmgn?si=PqZfOhmbRAOLXegz1AKxEQ

Clyde and the Milltailers is an Americana and folk adjacent trio that has featured a rotating line up of musicians since it's formation in 2016. The songwriting and style is heavily influenced by early American swing, folk, and Appalachian old time music. The Project’s core songwriter Clyde started writing songs while traveling in his youth. The band name is a reference to the uranium mill tailings that were used for sidewalks and house foundations in his hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado. The first group recorded their first full length, self-titled album in 2016, and the five song EP “.root.” a year later with Taylor Riley of Fusion Audio Solutions. Both albums feature album art by Lindsay Falsone and are available though most streaming platforms. The most recent lineup is currently based out of Portland Oregon and features members Michael “King Strang” Flecha and Lightnin’ Luke of the Bridge City Sinners.

Website- https://www.clydeandthemilltailers.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/clydeandthemilltailers/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/clydemcgeemusic/

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zBpuTvYYgN8A4KA6PnzUA?si=Df2GtLKxRsO-na4f1SSCmA

We talked with Alex Paul from the band Birds of Play who reside in Colorado. They played a show at the Firefly Lounge in Bellingham on January 24th and the interview was for a spot on KMRE radio.

We talk about how they became to be and featured a few of their tunes.

From their website-

Birds of Play is a musical collaboration born from a mutual love of desert canyons, raging rivers, rocky mountaintops, and juice picnics. After many years of gatherings that have revolved around adventuring by day and playing tunes around campfires by night, ‫the time has come for the birds to leave the nest and share their music with the world‪

‪With a dynamic mix of sentimentality and playfulness, Birds of Play's original music will take you‪ on a joyous journey filled with tales of love lost and found, ballads of wild places, and the radical idea that being happy for no reason at all is reason enough.

Add in a smattering of bird calls and crowd-inclusive banter and an evening with Birds of Play will surely leave you feeling all the feelings and wanting more.

‫Influences include the Wood Brothers, Gregory Alan Isakov, Mandolin Orange, and so so many more.

Website- https://birdsofplaymusic.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/birdsofplaymusic/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/birdsofplaymusic/

Join hosts Rudy Giecek and Kristine Miller Cartwright as they talk to Skagit County’s prominent singer/songwriter, Jack Mattingly. Jack, and his band Whiskey Fever, who won the US Bank #TourPossible Seattle competition in 2017, are one of Skagit County’s most esteemed bands. Frequently playing to standing room only venues, their combination of Jack’s high-spirited original songs and magnetic stage presence coupled with the band’s engaging connection with the audience have made them a favorite, not only in the Skagit County and NW Washington music scene, but also in college party scenes ranging from Bellingham, Seattle, Chelan, Yakima, Ellensburg, Spokane and everywhere in between.

In Part 1 of our two part episode, you’ll hear Jack Mattingly recall stories from his childhood about talent shows and English class rap battles, as well as learn about his song writing process, childhood musical influences and onstage alliances with his audience. Jack’s humor and charm had a way of instilling a spot in the hearts of everyone who meets him. After you listen to this episode, you will see why we chose Jack Mattingly to kick off our first podcast “Skagit Valley You Don’t Want To Miss This”.

Be sure to like our social media pages so you can keep up to date on all of the best local music in NW Washington:

Website- https://jackmattinglyandwhiskeyfever.com/media

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyFeverBand

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyfever

Cody Moore, has been playing music since 2011. He was a Drummer in the band The Folded Plains for three years before taking a hiatus. Then in January, 2018 The Violet Ray formed and eventually turned into a solo act of Cody Moore in December of 2018.

Deriving his sound from a mixture of folk, blues, and Country, his music is reminiscent of artists like Colter Wall, Tyler Childers, and Kaleo.

Cody Brings style to the stage, with finger picking to harmonica, blending styles and sounds to make the perfect song.

​He has a Full length studio album Slowicide which was released on August 2nd of 2019, Cody worked with Luke Wallace of Red Cat Recording to make this album happen.

​He has brought his music to Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma an is branching to anywhere that he can.

Website- https://www.codymooremusic.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MooreBluesMusic/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/cody_mooremusic/

From hercrookedheart.com

Rachel Ries, the writer, multi-instrumentalist and producer behind Her Crooked Heart, demonstrates immense vulnerability and multifaceted musical craftsmanship in delivering personal and profound musical soliloquies on love, leaving and the life that follows after burning it all down. With To Love To Leave To Live (May 2019), Her Crooked Heart presents a debut record unique in form, made up of cyclical narratives and intertwining histories, each informing the next. The result is a transformative song cycle, led by a charismatic personality, wholly indifferent to expectations of genre and instrumentation.​

In 2013, after two and a half years of marriage, Ries found herself touring a record around the world, accompanied by a stack of divorce papers in a pocket of her suitcase. She had left her marriage and a good man in New York City and leapt into the untethered unknown. What transpired was in turns euphoria and despondence; old lessons learned in new ways. The songs on To Love To Leave To Live are a compassionate and at times wry catalogue of those tumultuous years. With co-producer Shane Leonard, she enlisted several collaborators whom she’d met on the road; some while touring with Anaïs Mitchell: Brian Joseph (Sufjan Stevens, Paul Simon), Rob Moose (yMusic, Alabama Shakes), Mike Lewis (Bon Iver), Alec Spiegelman(Cuddle Magic), Pat Keen, John DeHaven, Ben Lester and Rachel's own siblings.

To bring these songs and this record to the stage, Ries has enlisted a powerful group of women; women who can, in their way, take on the feminine, humanist mantle of Her Crooked Heart and make it their own: Siri Undlin (Humbird), Adelyn Strei(Adro), Hilary James (We are the Willows, Bathtub Cig). The quartet blends classical and electric guitar; piano and vintage synths; cello, woodwinds and drum triggers. This merging of acoustic and synthetic sounds is all in service of the voice: four part vocal harmonies that shift from ethereal to an elemental wail, always telling a story of transformation.

Website- https://www.hercrookedheart.com/home

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzn0p4cFK1hI5tL7S3bkHww

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/rachelriesmusic/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hercrookedheart/