Deschutes River Recordings (a subdivision of Deschutes Brewery) out of Oregon has teamed up with Deschutes River Conservancy to produce a series of videos that is ripe with rivers, beers, and music. Their aim is to give away free downloads of this music in exchange for a monetary donation in an effort to restore stream flow and improve water quality in the Deschutes basin.

This third installment of the series features Portland's own Laura Gibson preaching cliff side at Smith Rock with her compelling interpretation of the American classic, Down By The Riverside.

Donations can be made via a name your own price download here. Please enjoy the music and support the cause. Read on for the beautiful video as well as my full thoughts.

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I admit, this post might be a little gimmicky but it comes from a place of a deep love. One of my favorite sources for new music – and a great podcast in general – is NPR's All Songs Considered. They recently did one of their quarterly new release previews, and I wanted to share the four releases I'm most looking forward to among those selections.

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The good people at Deschutes River Recordings (a subdivision of the enviable Deschutes Brewery) out in Oregon are back with episode two of their fundraiser for the Deschutes River Conservancy. This time they are accompanied by Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper and Denver for a spot on performance of The Band's eternal classic, Up On Cripple Creek.

The goal is simple. Raise money by way of a local non-profit by giving away first class music performances from top tier musicians in exchange for donation to help keep the natural splendor of the Deschutes River Basin sustainable for today and tomorrow's generations to enjoy. It's craft beer. It's music. It's environmentalism. It's a cause I want Dig Nation to support and enjoy. Read on for more information as well as the video of Eric Earley's sensational performance. You dig?

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Coming out of Minneapolis, Minnesota the band Dark Dark Dark is getting set to release their third full length album October 2nd entitled Who Needs Who. If you're late to the party you can catch up before the new release with a quick trip to itunes for their previous work.

Seamlessly melding together a soundscape that owes tribute to many genres, the band sculpts their compositions around the pristine vocal work of Nona Marie Invie. Check out the track How It Went Down below as a teaser for the new album and then read on for a tour schedule around the Baltimore, DC, NYC area. You dig?

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The Bad Plus is set to release their newest album, Made Possible, on September 25, 2012. After following this band for over a decade and watching as they shifted the paradigm from what a jazz trio should and can do, to what a jazz trio is possible of, I am as excited for this record release as any in memory. The mark The Bad Plus has already left on the music world is permanent, but they continue to spread their wings musically and culturally. With imaginative arrangements of rock songs coupled alongside driving original compositions, The Bad Plus has ushered in a new generation of jazz audiences who might not have otherwise spoke this language.

Read on for my full thoughts. You dig?

Facebook – Twitter – Itunes – Official Webpage – Previous TWD articles

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Denver is the new "Ramshackle All-star Country Band" featuring members of Blitzen Trapper and Alela Diane’s Wild Divine. They are currently based out of Portland OR and sound every bit as unflappable, moss covered, and drenched in booze as the city itself. The record comes out August 14th with the record release show August 18th at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland OR.

Follow the band and their album release via Facebook and Twitter as well. You dig?

Denver: The Way It Is

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Releasing their debut EP July second of this year, Harry Oakwood (Millionaire) is a self-described "streamlined ocean liner of music, steering a true and steady path through an unpredictable sea of three part harmony."

Harry Oakwood is infectious. With something new to like about the music with each passing listen, I am sure that this is a band with a bright future and a solid foundation from which they will build. The influence of The Band is undeniable, but what's more, Harry Oakwood communicates a grand sense of camaraderie while they sing and play. They are a ruckus rousing rock and roll orchestra of a good time, and they want you to sing-along.

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After last year's EP release entitled Expose a Little Wire, Larabee is back with a new single and video for their tune Sunset Drive. The musicians are: Matt Maguire on guitars, organ, and drums, Jim Callan on the pedal steel guitar and Topher Horner on bass guitar.  

I really dig the summer sounds of surf guitar in combination with the composition's undulating melodies. The sex appeal is undeniable. The video is footage from a throwback 1950's amateur stag film called The Malibu Mermaid and features devastating pinup Adele Dolman. 

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Our friends in the band Town Hall have compiled their recent run of covers into a free EP. You all should download it.

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The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra is a 5 piece self-proclaimed gypsy-root-grass band with a full length album from 2009 entitled The Blanche Album under their belt, as well as an EP from last year simply called The Nashville EP. The band is touring extensively this summer in promotion of this EP as well as to build momentum towards the release of their second full length album this October.

The music in The Nashville EP is a groovy tour de force of talent, song writing  craftsmanship, and cross genre influence that is guaranteed to move any audience to dance. I look forward to hearing from the band come this fall, but would settle for what is sure to be a great summer of ruckus tour stops. Read on and check TMO's video for the attached song Home On The Water.

The Mockingbird Orchestra: Home On the Water

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