Author Archive
Josh Stirm
ROGUE SOUNDS: Which Way? Intuitive Compass’ Four Winds Calling
Intuitive Compass is a band from Applegate, Oregon comprised of Jason Dea West and Aurelia Anne Cohen. Self-described as “Purveyors of ‘Original Western Folk Music,” Intuitive Compass plays straight-up folk music. With a lot of artists today attempting to take traditional forms of song and bend them into a modern
Summer Music Guide
Like the blossoming of flowers in the spring and summer, it seems as if the fertile music scene in southern Oregon is constantly popping up new and fresh festivals—as well as keeping alive those tried and true. These are the Messenger’s five must-see summer festivals in southern Oregon! Mystic Rising
ROGUE SOUNDS: Knock Ma, Grin Hound
The new EP from Cave Junction-based Grin Hound starts off with the raucous “Basement Parents,” a song that captures their self-described “doo-slop.” That is, the band plays with a particular disregard for traditional tightness—a style that is exciting and refreshing. This self-awareness and ownership of their self-proclaimed “slop” is a
ROGUE SOUNDS: Sneezing Along to the Beat- Here Comes Nothing by Summer Colds
Summer Colds is the newest project helmed by Ashland based singer/songwriter Nick McNamara. After spending the better part of 2018 making a name for themselves through playing shows around Southern Oregon, they have finally delivered their debut album, Here Comes Nothing. The record starts out with “Low,” a slacker-anthem about
ROGUE SOUNDS: Safe and Sound – Caught In a Dream by The Brothers Reed
The Brothers Reed have come to prominence in the southern Oregon folk scene over the past several years, touring extensively throughout the US and releasing three studio albums to date. This month they are set to release their fourth, titled Caught In a Dream. The album begins with the soft,
Let the Falafel Speak for Itself: Falafel Republic in Ashland
It’s no secret that food in Ashland is expensive. It can be tricky to eat out for people on a tight budget. That being said, there is also an abundance of fantastic food in the Rogue Valley. This issue can oftentimes put southern Oregon food lovers in a difficult position:
ROGUE SOUNDS: Working Through Things – PALMCO’s Fool Ep
It’s been about three years since the last official release from Ashland-based songwriter/producer Mitchell Winters’ solo project PALMCO. In that time he has scored a record deal, toured extensively, and released his debut album with his other project, Slow Corpse. It is relatively common for artists in Winters’ position
Making it Grande: Frontwoman for Y La Bamba, Luz Elena Mendoza
Y La Bamba is the musical brainchild of Rogue Valley native Luz Elena Mendoza. Over the past 11 years the band has made a name for themselves throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond for their own unique brand of indie rock. After releasing six albums of gradually evolving Latin-infused indie
ROGUE SOUNDS: The Phone’s For You – JAYA (Raise)’s Called / Or / Uncalled
JAYA (Raise) is the stage moniker of Ashland-based conscious hip-hop songwriter/rapper/producer Christian Altman. Having spent the better part of the past four years releasing singles and collaborations on his SoundCloud page, Jaya has finally delivered his first full-length album entitled Called / Or / Uncalled. The first track on
ROGUE SOUNDS: Backwater by Justin Gordon
Justin Gordon is a singer/songwriter currently based out of Ashland. He learned to play and write songs by listening to old classics from the early 1900’s, moving on to find inspiration from more contemporary bands such as Songs: Ohia and Palace Brothers. He has released seven albums filled with his
