Events

Pythias Braswell is music, words, and images discovered and cultivated by Michael C. Hays. This material has been sorted from the wreckage of many voyages into the imposing but fertile silences of human consciousness. Much can be learned by observing the patterns of Will as it moves in the flesh of living beings. Presented here are some of the more useful findings.

Born and raised in Oregon, Jackson Warner grew up on a steady diet of Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and of course, Jackson Browne. Whether he knew it or not, those legends were laying the foundation in his heart and soul for a lifelong relationship with music. Given his first guitar at age 11, he began writing songs as soon as he learned three chords. Though he started at a young age, it took decades before he decided to share his songs with the world. His debut EP, The Scenic Route, is the culmination of a life spent soaking up all the joys and pitfalls this world has to offer and taking those often hard learned lessons and putting them into song. Put on your headphones or come to a show and come along for the ride.

Max Field is an indie rock band based in Portland, Oregon.  Twangy, rich vocals over tight, rhythmic instrumentation. And a sax for good measure!  Playful, sorrowful, powerful.

Bronwen Roberts is a Portland-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist, specializing in unusual rhythms and guitar fingerpicking techniques. Fluent in four languages, her repertoire spans bossa nova, French Pop, psychedelic rock and other world music — as well as her own folky compositions. Originally from Texas, she attended college at Yale University and the University of Paris, later moving to Rio de Janeiro where she studied Brazilian rhythms. Her first studio album “False Start” (2017) evokes the stripped-down, acoustic styles of Nick Drake, Caetano Veloso and Joni Mitchell. Her indie-folk, sophomore album “The Brick and the Vine” is out as of Jan 10, 2025.

Sweet bean Selene is a solo artist with a mix of hot tunes from the 20s/30s and hauntingly sadly sweet originals.

Adam Hardman is a Country/Folk Rock singer from Oregon. His music is heavily inspired by honest living, hard working class folk, and barroom scenes. He also covers a lot of artists such as Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, the Eagles, Jim Croce, and many more!

Cowboy Jazz is a folk/country inspired jazz collective based out of Portland, Oregon. Members of the quartet, comprised of alto saxophonist Bryan Smith, guitarist Ryan Meagher, bassist Shao Way Wu, and drummer Jonas Oglesbee, have collaborated over the past several years with the aim to diversify their musical approach and reach new audiences. Examples include folk and country stylings such as travis picking, singable melodies, and slide guitar, with a mix of complex harmony, high-flying solos, and modern jazz sensibilities. Willamette Week says Cowboy Jazz “allows listeners to either take their name and their sound at face value or, in the pioneer spirit, join them as they explore new pathways.” In 2024, Cowboy Jazz released an EP of original music and a full length album of reimagined American Folk songs, the latter supported by the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Through the blending of folk, country and jazz, Cowboy Jazz strives to create a deeper connection with audiences in both urban and rural communities.

Rich Swanger is a folk and Americana musician whose songs embody the spirit of back roads, slow rivers, and lanterns swinging in the dark. Raised in the Appalachian hills of Pennsylvania and now rooted in Oregon, his music carries the warmth of old hymns, the grit of country-blues, and the quiet wonder of the natural world. With a voice both tender and weathered, Swanger writes with a reverence for life’s mysteries—love, longing, hope, and time. When performing he invites listeners into a space where melody meets meaning, and where every song feels like home.

Gabe Hess is a singer/songwriter, composer, and arranger based out of the Pacific Northwest. Gabe first began working in the music industry during his college years, performing in clubs in Boise Idaho with several different bands and collaborations. After college, Gabe moved to New York City where he spent a year training with the improvisational school, The Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Gabe attended classes by day and made ends meet by playing music in a variety of settings each night. New York provided the perfect backdrop for a young musician, cutting his teeth by busking in the subways of Manhattan and he eventually began performing in clubs and coffee houses all over the city, where they had indoor heat.