Last month I went to Portland's Doug Fir Lounge for a show by Australian troubadour Angus Stone. As is a usual practice of mine when I have not heard of the opening band, I did not do any research on Oakland group Tumbleweed Wanderers. When I can, I like to experience a band for the first time in concert and am often times pleasantly surprised. 

More than any time in recent memory, that outcome happened that night with Tumbleweed Wanderers. 

TW are a collective of dudes from the Bay Area, initially started by high school friends Jeremy Lyon and Zak Mandel-Romann. Today they are touring in support of their debut album So Long-- which I bought on vinyl at the show, and likely winning over way more people than just myself. 

Check out the album the fellas recorded at John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone studio in San Francisco below and sink into their soulful rock sound. (for those of you who saw Pickwick at McMenamin's earlier this year, you'll know the sound I'm talking about)

Our piece on Seattle rapper Macklemore is out now ahead of his show at Midtown Music Hall next week. If you're planning on going, you'll probably want to look your best when you do. That may mean some shopping. Well, how about taking some advice from the artist you'll be going to see? Check out his music video for "Thrift Shop" below. 

Funniest presidential campaign ad of all time. 

(of particular note is that the ad within the ad is an effort raise money for Romney. WTF?)

Last week, a curious Craigslist ad about a new record store opening up in town, was posted right under my nose.

So, I immediately made my way to Recycle Music L.L.C. on the corner of Arizona and Bond street, across from Strictly Organic Coffee and popped in for a visit.

I was greeted by the establishment's owner Keith, and we started talking about music and the opening of his store. He brought up his love for early Jayhawks music as well as Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo while he showed me around the new digs and I picked out a Ryan Adams record to purchase.

Even though I chose to feature Communist Daughter in last week's issue of the Source... there is another band playing at The Horned Hand tonight along with ComDot that is absolutely worth checking out. 

Spokane based group Terrible Buttons have a solemn orchestral pop sound that includes tinges of happiness and bliss through added horns and xylophone. Check out some of their music below and know that even if you can't get to the Hand tonight in time for ComDot... you're still going to get a great show out of Terrible Buttons.  

By the way... there is a good chance this show will start well ahead of the original 9 p.m. due to the noise ordinance. I'd recommend arriving at 7:30. 

The George Winston show that was to happen Sept. 25 at Bend's Tower Theater as been canceled citing "medical reasons".

We will update with info regarding ticket refunds when we receive it. 

UPDATE: You can receive refunds at the Tower Theater box office.

The storm surrounding a leaked McDonald's internal memo indicating the 2012 launch of the popular McRib pork sandwich (which normally comes out in October) will be postponed until December, is strengthening. 

Speculation as to the real reason the release has been pushed back to the fourth quarter is causing controversy and heartache. Tens, possibly hundreds of McRib fans are rumored to be planning protests that will occur as soon as they lose enough weight to get off of their couches. It may be the largest pre-planned protest America has ever seen not happen. 

The leaked document refers to an effort by McDonald's to bolster sales during the 2012 fourth quarter as a result of 2011 being so strong. But some in the media (me) think that is just smoke screens and mirrors. Could McDonald's be scrambling to build inventory of the sandwich due to reports of potential increased demand? Are they going to join the Fox News imagined "War on Christmas" with an ad campaign desecrating Santa Claus by placing a sauce drenched McRib in his mitten'd paw? 

Whatever the motive for the delayed McRib release, one thing is clear-- if the Mayans are correct... none of us will get to taste the tangy, pre-formed meat goodness of a McRib ever again. 

That right, our own Deschutes Brewery is stepping out into the music scene with locally produced videos of nationally recognized artists performing river inspired covers songs, live on the banks of the Deschutes River. 

The videos are an attempt to raise money and awareness for the Deschutes River Conservancy, an organization that focuses on sustaining the quality of the river for both human use as well as a habitat for wildlife. 

First up to record a video was Eric D. Johnson of The Fruit Bats. Coming soon will be videos from Laura Gibson and Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper (who recently opened for Brandi Carlile in Bend). 

The videos are promoted through a partnership with the oft scrutinized but nevertheless popular music site Pitchfork. 

I've written about Bellingham Washington's ultra-talented bluegrass band Polecat before, and I don't intend this to be the last time. Their music is just too damn good and the vibe of their shows is just too damn sexy-- in a boot-stompin' sweaty kind of way. 

After showing up in Bend at the 2011 Summer Fest for the first time, it seems Polecat has found a home away from home and have been here several times over the last year plus. This will be their first show at Bend's popular weekday hang out GoodLife Brewing, and the five piece takes the stage tonight at 6pm. 

If you love this band but for some reason can't make it out this Tuesday, don't fret my pet... Polecat is scheduled to be back October 27 at McMenamin's as well as Nov. 2 at The Domino room when they will open for The Infamous Stringdusters. 

In the meantime, check out this video from last year's Summer Fest.