On a farm in rural Oregon, barely an hour outside of Portland, a few thousand people (not an official number, just my non-mathematical estimation) have gathered to celebrate ten years of Pickathon—one of the region’s best all-encompassing roots music festivals. As the emcee announced between bands earlier, “We like to call it roots music. You can give that any definition you want.” In this case, the “roots music” to which they refer incorporates elements of contemporary and traditional folk music, bluegrass, old timey fiddle tunes, blues, jazz, country and rock and roll.

Ever interested in bringing the best of Northwest music to your loving eyes, so that you don’t have to search too hard, Sound has sent me here for the next three days, so that I can report back on the new music I’ve discovered, and all the old reliable favorites who will surely blow my mind once (and twice and, as it were, probably three times) again…(read more)