You'd be mistaken to think that the artists at Pickathon are all a bunch of wizened fingerpickers. One of the highlights of the Portland-area festival's carefully curated lineup is the pairing of musicians new and old. On stage, you'll hear veteran songwriters with more stories to tell than songs to tell them performing alongside youngsters whose grandparents may have listened to the artists they're emulating back when they themselves were young. But no matter their age, you'll find that all artists at Pickathon have the same reverence for tradition, even if they're approaching it in a whole new style. Among the those performing exclusive and intimate sessions for KEXP at Pickathon, Austin's Alejandro Rose-Garcia, known as Shakey Graves, and Nashville by way of Kentucky songwriter Sturgill Simpson are two of the younger ones who keep traditions alive. Check out their masterful sessions along side current country outlaw Dale Watson live in the Bunny Glade:
Dale Watson:
Shakey Graves:
Sturgill Simpson:
There really is no festival like it. Not far from Portland, but tucked away on a wooded hillside on Pendarvis Farm, Pickathon gathers a diverse lineup of artists to perform intimate sets in unique and captivating spaces. From the majestic aerial sculptures to the miles of trails and comfy campsites…
British rock group The Heavy, rumored to be the only band David Letterman has asked to perform an encore on his show, stopped by the KEXP studios to deliver their own brand of rock and soul. The band effortlessly exudes cool, from lead singer Kelvin Swaby’s shades and grey tank top to Chris Ellul’s…
Part of Minneapolis' Doomtree collective, Dessa, the 7-member group's only female emcee, may also be their most well rounded. A degree in philosophy, a background in writing, particularly in creative non-fiction and spoken-word, and enough business acumen to run day-to-days of the label itself all …
KEXP returned to the Bunny Glade at Pickathon this year to capture more magical sessions in this forest oasis. Each of the 16 exclusive performances stood out in its own way, but certainly two of the most anticipated ones came from beloved KEXP favorites Andrew Bird and Sharon Van Etten.
