Archive Coverage from the 2017 FAR-West Music Conference

Here you will find archived recordings from our live broadcast coverage of the 2017 Folk Alliance Region-West music conference, held October 5-8, in Bellevue, Washington.

Our thanks to FAR-West Board of Directors for once again inviting us out to cover this outstanding event; to all of the conference “movers and shakers” who helped to make the effort of that coverage such a wonderful experience; to Chris Glanister with Pilgrim Media Services who went above-and-beyond the call of duty to ensure our sound was of the highest caliber possible; for the musicians who shared their outstanding performance talent for our microphones; for our many FAR-West friends, old and new who always welcome us “out west” with their outstanding hospitality; and, new this year, our broadcast sponsor/partners, Rainshadow Recording, Mother Hen Promotions, and the 2017 International Songwriting Competition.

Proudly sponsored by:

Mother Hen Promotions

Rainshadow Recording

FAR-West Music Conference Radio

Click on the logo to launch a music player pre-loaded with all of the performances recorded by KC Cafe Radio during our live coverage of the conference.  The player should launch in a separate, stand-alone window, allowing you to enjoy the music while you perform other tasks with your computer.   You may have to temporarily disable pop-up blockers to make this possible.

Here are the archived recordings from each event:

FAR-West 2017: Friday Night Showcase

Here are the archived recordings from the Friday night Official Showcase performances at the 2017 FAR-West Music Conference in Bellevue, Washington.  The first of two nights of juried showcase performances included the talents of Larry Murante, The Singer And The Songwriter, Rupert Wates, Alice Howe, The Talbott Brothers, The Wardens, and Nathaniel Talbot

Larry Murante (Washington)

Beautifully woven stories set the stage for a truly amazing artist who writes and sings about everyday folks, combining compassionate, socially conscious lyrics and an upbeat, joyful, folk/rock style.  Larry is known for his soaring, mellifluous tenor, a strong rhythmic guitar style and an engaging stage presence.  He was a Grand Prize Winner in the International John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Listen to Larry’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Larry Murante

The Singer and the Songwriter (California)

Rachel Garcia and Thu Tran create music as vibrant and diverse as their multiracial backgrounds.  Their music and melodies cut across decades of classic American song forms, bending and blending genres to produce a unique sound with a fresh, clever and distinct approach to the classic traditions of American folk, jazz and blues.

Listen to The Singer And The Songwriter’s performance here:

Download the performance here:The Singer and The Songwriter

Rupert Wates (New York)

This marvelous musician combines lyrics that are rich with social commentary, accented by phenomenal guitar work.  He blends provocative lyrics with unforgettable melodies, wrapped around captivating stories.  He writes from the heart about life, love, sorrow and sweetness.  His songs are built on the foundation of fluid finger picking that are quietly powerful.

Listen to Rupert Wates performance here:

Download the performance here: Rupert Wates

Alice Howe (Massachusetts)

At once timeless and original, this Boston-based singer/songwriter combines a soulful, impeccably tuned voice with crafted poetry.  A lifelong songwriter, Alice’s musical sensibility lies in ’60s folk and ’70s Southern California songwriters, with comparisons drawn to the pure, distilled sounds of Joan Baez and Kate Wolf.  Her 2017 EP You’ve Been Away So Long features the original song Homeland Blues, #1 on the April Folk Radio Chart.

Download Alice’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Alice Howe

 The Talbott Brothers (Oregon)

Balanced harmonies from this exciting folk/rock act ignite an amazing sound that is both optimistic and captivating.  The Portland-based brothers blend guitars, mandolin, harmonicas and percussion to perfection.  This talented duo is driven by warm, melodic vocals, diverse instrumentation and authentic storytelling.  They are known for charming and energetic performances that blend singer/songwriter styles with folk, rock and pop.

Listen to The Talbott Brothers performance here:

Download the performance here: The Talbot Brothers

The Wardens (Alberta, Canada)

These master musicians are a Banff National Park-based trio whose music and stories emanate from the very land they’ve protected for decades.  Blending folk, roots and western styles, The Wardens reflect the pristine wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.  Their music drips with Canadian authenticity, depicting a rich depth of truthfulness and stems from a life lived in the deep wilderness of the Canadian Rockies.

Listen to The Wardens Performance here:

Download the performance here: The Wardens

Nathaniel Talbot

He is a singer, songwriter and organic farmer, whose music has ‘dirt under its fingernails,’ the product of decades of hard work and crafting – retuning, replanting, and retelling musical stories.  He truly embraces the crafts of songwriting and guitar playing.  His style is true American roots music, combining the soulful edge of tradition with the Pacific Nortwest’s legacy of freedom and innovation.

 

Listen to Nathaniel’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Nathaniel Talbot

FAR-West 2017: Venues Choice Concert

KC Cafe Radio’s microphones were there for the kickoff concert at the 2017 Folk Alliance Region-West music conference in Bellevue, Washington, with the Venues Choice Concert.  Five venues from around the FAR-West region, dedicated to presenting acoustic music, each presented an artists of their choice. 

Here are the archived recordings of the performances:

The Triple Door Presents Lydia Ramsey

Lydia RamseyHer songs convey both the wildness and free nature of the great northwest and are steeped in the fingerpick-guitar rudiments of folk music. A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Lydia Ramsey has been praised for the almost vintage quality of her voice. Her songs feature ancient music making devices in unique arrangements to back up her beautiful voice.

Listen to Lydia’s performance here:

Download the performance here: The Triple Door Presents Lydia Ramsey

Sisters Folk Festival presents Jeffrey Martin

Jeffery MartinJeffrey Martin‘s music is not widely known, which is a shame, because he might be the best songwriter in Portland. With lyrics that read like Raymond Carver stories and a voice that’s one breath away from breaking completely apart, Martin’s songs are beautiful, sparse, and utterly devastating. . . . If there is any justice in the world, Martin’s music will soon reach a wider audience and inflict devastation on a much larger scale.

Listen to Jeffrey’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Sisters Folk Festival Presents Jeffrey Martin

Mission Folk Festival Presents Early Spirit

Early SpiritThis band is a hot example of Celtic music and jazz fused together by superb musicians. The group is centered around violinist Gabriel Dubeuil, a well-established session player, who has recorded on dozens of pop, jazz and rock albums and music videos with local and international bands.

Listen to Early Spirit’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Mission Folk Festival Presents Early Spirit

Olalla Community Club & Americana Festival Presents Leroy Bell

Sometimes a songwriter has to take the plunge and express what’s really on his mind. In these turbulent times the emotions of the moment can overwhelm you … and then we witness a natural cycle of renewal. Leroy Bell is a songwriter who brings the optimistic part of our humanity to the center stage.

Listen to Leroy’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Olalla Community Club & Americana Festival Presents Leroy Bell

The Royal Room Presents Led to Sea

Alex Guy (as Led to Sea) is one of those artists, like St. Vincent or Andrew Bird, who approaches pop music with the eye of a classical composer, breaking down and rebuilding pop tropes into something resembling fine art. It’s a constant balancing act, combining classical and pop. Her layered viola melodies coupled with an incredible voice are enough to hold any audience in thrall.

Listen to Led to Sea’s performance here:

Download the performance here: The Royal Room Presents Led To Sea

FAR-West 2017: Best of the West Awards

Here is the archived recording of the Best of the West awards ceremony, held during the 2017 Folk Alliance Region-West Music Conference in Bellevue, Washington..  This year’s honorees were ground-breaking songwriter and performer Alice Stuart, music educator Peter Langston and Janet Peterson with the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and Sisters Folk Festival

To receive Best of the West awards, an individual or organization must demonstrate excellence in one’s craft; an enduring presence in the geographic FAR-West folk community for at least a decade; embody or build upon folk values and traditions; and promote, nurture, foster and expand the audience and opportunities for folk music and musicians in the FAR-West geographic region.

Best of the West Performer Award: Alice Stuart

Ahead of her time, Alice Stuart blazed the trail for women in music as one of the only females in the country to write her own music, front a male band, and play lead guitar on national and international circuits. She blazed the trail in rock, blues and folk with equal skill and success. Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Dick Waterman, once remarked, “There would be no Bonnie Raitt without Alice Stuart.”

Alice spent the mid-60’s and 70’s, one of the most creative musical periods of the century, making music with some of the greatest artists of that time. She toured the US and Europe with her band Snake and as tour support for Van Morrison. The list of artists she played with in that period of time is an awesome one. They include Michael Bloomfield, Jerry Garcia, John Prine, Albert King, Asleep at the Wheel, Richard Greene, Elvin Bishop, Sonny Terry, Tower of Power & Commander Cody. During this period, Alice also appeared on The Dick Cavett Show, with George Carlin as guest host, and won rave reviews from Billboard, Guitar Player, and Rolling Stone magazines for her recordings and performances.

Alice began performing professionally in Seattle during the early 60’s. In 1964, Alice was introduced to California audiences at the Berkeley Folk Festival, then the biggest festival on the West Coast. There she met and subsequently toured and performed with many folk artists like Joan Baez, Doc Watson, Jack Elliott, Phil Ochs, Rosalie Sorrells & Mississippi John Hurt. In the next few years, she also played with blues greats Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jesse Fuller, Albert King and The Chambers Brothers. In 1965, Alice joined forces with Frank Zappa during the formation of the Mothers of Invention. Her LPs on Arhoolie (1964) and Fantasy Records (1970 and 1972) are landmark recordings. One of her songs, “I Ruined Your Life” from her 2002 Burnside release Can’t Find No Heaven was part of the soundtrack for the film “The Station Agent” (Miramax, 2003). Her songs have been recorded by many other artists, including Jackie DeShannon, Irma Thomas, Jimmy Rabbit and the late Kate Wolf as she continues to inspire players and audiences, young and old.

Best of the West Ambassador Award: Peter Langston and Janet Peterson / Puget Sound Guitar Workshop

Founded in 1974 by Larry Squire, Flip Breskin and David Auer, the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop has taken place at a camp/retreat each summer in the tall pines of Washington State. Peter Langston and Janet Peterson now serve as the coordinators of the Workshop.

Peter also directs the California Bluegrass Association’s Summer Music Camp at Grass Valley, CA. He grew up in the urban “folk scare” of the 50s and 60s and has played bluegrass and old-time music on a range of instruments for more than 50 years. Janet is a founding member of the band Motherlode in which she sings and plays cello and guitar, (but never the banjo). She is also Co-Director of the California Bluegrass Association’s Summer Music Camp at Grass Valley as well as being the on-site coordinator for the American Banjo Camp.

Puget Sound Guitar Workshop runs three independent, one-week-long Guitar Workshop sessions each year designed for adults ranging from bare-bones beginners to professional musicians and singers. Over the past 43 years, thousands of students and hundreds of teachers have participated. It is always full, with a large waiting list.

Puget Sound Guitar Workshop has been and continues to be a significant force in creating and nurturing artists and the audiences that listen to them. Each camp week is also an experience of fellowship and bonding that carries on throughout the year in various cities, especially the greater Seattle area.

Many of the top artists in the Northwest have taught there, some got their beginnings there as students. Among them, you will find many FAR-West members as well as talented folks from all around the country. The list includes FAR-West Official Showcase performers and Best of the West honorees. A few names from the long list of teachers include: Laurie Lewis, Nina Gerber, Terre Roche, Missy Raines, Faith Petric, Orville Johnson, Bill Keith, Mary Flower, Cathy Fink, Linda Waterfall, Roland White, Phil and Vivian Williams, Sally Van Meter, Cosy Sheridan.

Sisters Folk Festival Earns the Organizational Achievement Award

For the second year, FAR-West presented an Organizational Achievement Award. This year’s awardee was Sisters Folk Festival from Sisters, OR. Sisters Folk Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1995 to bring the finest in acoustic music to Sisters, Oregon. The Sisters Folk Festival is a three-day celebration of roots music from blues to bluegrass, held the weekend following Labor Day in beautiful Sisters, Oregon, where “all the town’s a stage.” The Festival hosts eleven stages, including a 900-seat venue at the Village Green in downtown Sisters, and 1,100 seats at Sisters Art Works, just six blocks away. Over time, it has developed into a year-round cultural-arts organization that supports local schools with extensive community engagement. Beyond producing the highly regarded three-day fall festival, it is responsible for the highly successful innovative music and arts education program, the Americana Project; the community-themed arts fundraiser My Own Two Hands; the intimate Americana Song Academy; and a successful Winter Concert Series. The organization brings over $1.2 million to this small community’s economy and has transformed the Central Oregon cultural landscape in a wide variety of ways.

Listen to part 1 of the ceremony here:

Download part 1 here: Best of the West awards ceremony (part 1)

Listen to part 2 of the ceremony here:

Download part 2 here: Best of the West awards ceremony (part 2)

FAR-West 2017: Saturday Night Showcase

KC Cafe Radio concluded its live broadcast coverage from the 2017 Folk Alliance Region-West music conference in Bellevue Washington with live music featuring the Saturday night Official Showcase performances.

Here are the archived recordings of the performances

Dennis Warner, (Minnesota)

As a Folk/Americana artist, Dennis Warner has established a well-deserved reputation for captivating audiences with his smooth vocals, distinguished songs, enthusiastic personality and stellar playing, on both six and twelve string guitars.  Playing in 100 cities every year, he cleverly blends ballads, up-tempo songs and humor.  Dennis has a contagious energy and a collections of songs that ring true.

Listen to Dennis Warner’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Dennis Warner

Follow The Fox (Colorado)

The musical synergy from Sarah Cole and Dylan McCarthy is highlighted by spellbinding harmonies and creative arrangements.  Their sound is distinctive and alluring.  Soulful harmonies, captivating guitar, and mandolin leads give way to musical energy that will keep you listening from the very first note.  From heartbreaking ballads to hard-hitting bluegrass, this Colorado-based duo has incredible musical chemistry.

Listen to Follow The Fox’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Follow The Fox

West My Friend (British Columbia, Canada)

Forged from a socially adventurous acoustic music scene on the west coast of Canada, the band play a key role in a new generation of grassroots folk music.  The wealth of musical experience and classical training in the group creates an interesting backdrop for their songwriting, allowing for levels of detail, intricacy, and counterpoint balanced with moments of musical simplicity.

Listen to West My Friend’s performance here:

Download the performance here: West My Friend

Cary Morin (Colorado)

This talented troubadour is a Crow Tribal member who blends the great traditions of American music.  His deft fingerstyle guitar and vocals convey an earthy melodic tone, combining bluegrass, blues and jazz in a unique and captivating style.  His seemingly effortless guitar picking is nimble, yet soulful.  Humility shines through his music, as he weaves a magical musical tapestry.

Listen to Cary Morin’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Cary Morin

Reggie Garrett (Washington)

Reggie Garrett performs mostly original songs mixed with pop covers and more traditional style folk ballads.  He is the creative purveyor of a unique urban strain of mostly acoustic music, incorporating a number of diverse influences, including: Folk, Latin rhythms, Blues, Gospel, Celtic, Rock, Jazz and more.  The result is a musical blend that has excited and touched audiences throughout the US and Canada.

Listen to Reggie Garrett’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Reggie Garrett

Radio Stranger (Oregon)

Americana artist Kelly Brightwell and folk-rocker Woody Moran have fused their talents, and the results are nothing short of amazing!  They deliciously mix detailed observations of a world traveler with captivating storytelling, which brings emotional landscapes to life.  They deliver harmonies that lock in rhythmically.  Their unique talent is especially evident in a live setting.

Listen to Radio Stranger’s performance here:

Download the performance here: Radio Stranger