SOU’WESTER EVENTS!

RL Heyer: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

RL Heyer is native to Washington State, and has been a prominent fixture in the vibrant Seattle music scene for over 20 years. From his work as a freelance guitarist to producing underground records; from prolific compositions to music instruction, the common threads with RL can be described as quality, authenticity and joy.

You can catch him on stage with original bands like The Big Tooth, Your Sweet Action, and Happy Orchestra, hear his work as a producer for Karmic Unrest and Ben Bruce, or see him doing live improv at Seattle clubs like The Sea Monster Lounge. Whatever the case, you will be drawn in by his mastery of the guitar, soulful voice, and joyful spirit.

Johnny Franco: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

Johnny Franco is a professional entertainer from Sao Paulo, Brazil who currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

Lewi Longmire: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

“Lewi Longmire’s preferred list of his own recordings runs 42 albums—the complete discography (from acoustic to rock to Valvoline ad spots) would choke a Nano. Regarding live shows, it’s more likely the 37-year-old Portland musician has a gig scheduled around town than not. ‘The peak of the madness was 2003,’ says the local legend. ‘I played 282 shows that year. I musta been nuts…and young. Peter Buck recently joked about my presence around town. He thought it was weird to go see a band in Portland and find I wasn’t playing in it.’

Born to a family of musicians in a Rio Grande farming community, Longmire has a famed versatility (he plays electric and upright bass, pedal and lap steel and traditional guitar, organ and piano, mandolin, drums, harmonica, banjo, trumpet, fitful violin and, as a Universal Life Church minister, has been known to marry bandmates), which led to him being called “the session musician’s session musician.” He started early, mastering instruments in school and playing whatever was needed for those few bands available. After a brief stint at the University of New Mexico, Longmire started touring a folk-punk project around the West Coast, and, a decade later, finally settled ’round Portland. He says he ‘devoted [him]self to being a hired gun in the Americana circles.’ 

The Barbara’s & Chris King : Presented by Sou’wester Arts

The Barbara’s are sisters Sallie and Weezy Ford. 

According to singer Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers, Sallie Ford’s songs have that “rare quality of somehow combining fun with emotional and artistic integrity” and she “fills the room with it” and reminds him of the “energy of early rock ‘n’ roll.

Chris King of Chris King & The Gutterballs know the secret to creative success; movement is key to progress. Whether by gust of tornado-wind or rubber against the road, to push forward is all there is in a life, buoyed and scarred by love. The band infuses this propelling urgency in all of its performances, into all of its songs and it starts with King’s dynamic, uncorked-fire-hydrant of a voice.

Erisy Watt & Jeremy Ferrara : Presented by Sou’wester Arts

Erisy Watt is a Nashville-raised folk artist based in Portland, OR. Consistently referred to as “the next-in-line to the likes of Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones, her music is an exercise in what contemporary folk today sounds like at its peak.”

Inspired by both her time spent studying and working along the central coast of California and in remote regions of Thailand, Indonesia, and Nepal, Watt’s music invites listeners to rejoice in the beauty and freedom of wilder places. With several US and international tours over the past years, Watt’s shared the stage with acclaimed artists John Craigie, Hurray for the Riff Raff, L.A. Salami, Mr. Little Jeans, Shook Twins, Kuinka, Dustbowl Revival, Royal Jelly Jive, T Sisters and Rainbow Girls and released her debut album on July 26th, 2019.

Jeremy Ferrara

What good is a song if it doesn’t make you feel something? Jeremy Ferrara knows this, and refuses to waste a minute of your time. His staggeringly sincere songs are made to wash 10-foot waves of emotion over listeners. Much like the sea, Ferrara’s music is deep, complex, and full of life. His unique songwriting style features unabashed poetic professions of his most vulnerable moments and intimate inner thoughts. Sometimes sorrowful and slow, other times content and forward-moving; Ferrara’s debut full-length album (Out May 1st) finds him inviting us to follow along as he wanders through a broad spectrum of feelings.

Corinne Sharlet: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

“With a voice that radiates ethereal mystery while staying grounded in guttural richness, Corinne Sharlet is singing her way into a bold new sonic world.” – Glide Magazine

Mike Coykendall: Presented by Sou’wester Arts

Veteran songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Coykendall has been amazingly prolific over the last three decades or so. Currently most well known for his duties as a sideman, producer, and recordist via his work with M Ward, Blitzen Trapper, She & Him, Annalisa Tornfelt, & Tin Hat Trio, to name a few, Coykendall has been making his own unique outsider records since the mid ’80s.

AC Sapphire is currently living in the beautiful small village of Joshua Tree, CA. The death place of Graham Parsons and birth place of many artistic visions, just a couple hours away from Los Angeles. Annachristie has been writing and recording her newest EP “Sibling Rivalry” while soaking up the mountain views.

Left Coast Country is a country music collective founded by Drew Tucker in 2010. Based in Portland, Oregon, the group has seen a rotating cast of players through the years and have toured extensively throughout the US.

Dustin Hamman is a composer, musician, hack/wannabe actor/director, and donut enthusiast.

Dustin’s musical tastes span many genres but have always been rooted in folk. He had an early fascination with American Indian singing and early punk rock…later he explored the blues and the origins of country, eventually gaining interest in early jazz, swing, and big band. During a short life in Florida he was introduced to Latin rhythms and became intrigued by Flamenco and classical guitar.  More recently, he’s been dabbling in marriages of a variety of genres including, rap, rock, r&b, and noise/ambient, many of which can be heard on the recently released soundtrack for Beneath The Harvest Sky.  This was his first film scoring effort and he hopes to do many more.