No Simple Road

This week on No Simple Road, we sit down with the phenomenal mandolin player, educator, and sonic explorer — Joe K. Walsh! From his early days with The Gibson Brothers to his mind-bending solo work and genre-blurring collaborations, to teaching at The Berklee College of Music, Joe has carved out a space as one of the most innovative voices on the mandolin today. We get into the heart of what it me...

Self-taught guitarist Bella Rayne shares her inspiring journey with us, beginning from the serendipitous discovery of an old guitar in her Northern California garage during 2020. Bella's passion for 90s alternative and grunge music sparked a creative awakening that has since led her to The Grateful Dead and to performing with some of her heroes. Her story showcases not just her musical prowess but...

We are joined by two-thirds of the dynamic force behind the art rock band Mind at Large this week... Eli Mathews and Alex Donahue! Eli jumps right in to share the exciting news of his engagement and the harmonious chaos of his life outside the spotlight. From the heartwarming proposal story to the everyday joys of dog sitting and culinary escapades, Eli gives us a glimpse into his world, all while...

Ever wondered how music festivals can spark deeper human connections? Get ready to explore the transformative power of the Ramble Festival, as we chat with founder Brick Lohr and collaborator in this year's Ramble, Kris Howland of Heady Wax Fiends. Discover the innovative partnerships shaping the festival scene, like the vinyl submission contest by Heady Wax Fiends. It is collaboration between ind...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This is a tough one this week for us here at No Simple Road. We are coming in raw, unfiltered, and in the moment on this episode. We're getting ready to lose a member of the NSR Family/Household and, true to our form, we a...

We are extremely excited to have Mason Via join us for this week's episode of No Simple Road! Mason opens up about the highs and lows of touring life, balancing the demands of performance with personal health, and finding harmony between the expectations of a musician's life and the realities of constant travel. Our conversation meanders through Mason's experiences growing up in a festival communi...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are in the studio, stuffy noses, coughs, and all talking about the emergence of A.I. Is it connected to a universal field of consciousness, can it be tapping into something that we humans cannot?...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are finally recapping the whirlwind Spring Phish PNW run!! Better late than never, as they say. Join us for an in depth chat about our experience seeing Phish in our own dojo for the first time!...

We are so excited to have Crystal Lariza of Never Come Down wtih us on No Simple Road this week. This episode spotlights the vibrant experiences of Never Come Down, a band that has carved its path across borders and bluegrass festivals, becoming musical ambassadors on a global stage. Excitement and exploration define our conversations with Crystal, as she shares insights into their transformative...

We are so excited to have the one and only Bob Bralove as our guest on No Simple Road this week! Reminiscing about the magnetic pull of legendary live performances, we reflect on the timeless impact of icons like Stevie Wonder, the Grateful Dead, and The Beatles. The past's vibrant music scene, where creative titans like John Cage and Salvador Dali mingled, serves as a backdrop for our discussion...

This week we are joined in-studio by Jack McGrane , Chris Stein, and Baby Boy, organizers of Mojo Family Fest 2025! We dive right into the creative whirlwind that includes wild ideas like using EEG technology for live brain wave displays on stage, all of which make Mojo Family Fest a one-of-a-kind experience and explore the lessons learned from five years of crafting the Mojo Fest, where patience...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are in the studio with Jake O'Halloran and Thomas Jimenez of The Supernatural Beavers! This one has been a long time coming for sure! We get right into it chatting about the origins of the band,...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are back with in the studio caching y'all up on what's been going on over here! Apple's recent brush with gravity, a night of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a morning of Billy Strings inspiration, re...

Join us on a captivating journey through the storied history of the counterculture movement with none other than Dennis McNally, the celebrated publicist for the Grateful Dead. Dennis brings his unique perspective to our discussion about the hippie movement's lasting impact on modern society, including the rise of organic food, yoga, and Human rights. With anecdotes from his personal experiences a...

Mike and Steve from Soma Kirtan take us on an incredible journey, sharing how their roots in punk and hardcore music evolved into a deep appreciation for the Grateful Dead, and ultimately to Kirtan Music. They bring a unique perspective that intertwines music with spirituality, resulting in a sound that resonates with authenticity and soul. We’re honored to have them discuss their latest musical v...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are back with a recap of the Newgrass Festival out in Newberg, Oregon this past weekend. We has an absolute blast at this new festival and loved seeing and feeling all of the goodness pouring fro...

After an unexpected health crisis changed Joel Timmons' life, music became his refuge and a catalyst for a new direction in his career. From the sun-soaked shores of Charleston to the vibrant surf culture of Folly Beach, this episode explores Joel's journey of rediscovery and resilience. Join us as we uncover how his latest album, "Psychedelic Surf Country," not only showcases his unique style but...

Join us for an exciting episode where we explore the collaboration between Seattle's Cytrus and Portland's Yak Attack and their shared PNW run that starts today! We are joined by Dave and Jacob of Yak Attack, and Jared and Luke from Cytrus, as they share their musical journeys and the inspiration behind their partnership. Discover how their shared passion for live performances and complementary mu...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we have a special guest in the studio, Christian DeBenedetti of Wolves and People Brewery out of Newberg, Oregon and Newgrass Festival Promoter! Christian takes us on a journey from dorm room homebr...

Sierra Hull takes us on an evocative journey from her small-town roots in Tennessee to the grand stages of bluegrass music. With a passion for music ignited at just eight years old, her story is a heartfelt testament to the power of familial support and the welcoming embrace of the bluegrass community. Sierra shares intimate stories of how her parents cultivated her love for music, setting her on...

In this episode, we welcome our guest, Adam Greuel, known for his work with bands like Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, the High Hawks, Adam Greuel and the Space Burritos, and Rucksack Revolution. Adam opens up about his musical journey, from early performances to the evolution of his career, exploring the therapeutic balance between music, nature, and mental health. Discover the camaraderie and crea...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are taking you behind the curtain with us post Dark Star Orchestra. It's a little bit of what we are up to after midnight when we are letting it all hang out! Ketamine, Apple's crusty black wash...

We are stoked to have singer/songwriter, Producer, and entrepreneur Steve Kelly on No Simple Road this week! Steve reveals his compelling journey to recovery through perseverance, ingenuity, and strength. We also explore the vibrant history of New Orleans, diving into the city's music scene and the beloved Le Bon Temps Roule, a venue that has stood resilient through adversity, including Hurricane...

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! This week on the Rewind we are recapping having our minds individually and collectively blown this weekend by Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country here in Portland and in Eugene! It's been nothing short of incredible watching th...

Stumbling upon a dusty mandolin in an antique store wasn't just a chance encounter for Ryan—it was the spark that ignited a passion for bluegrass music. Join us as we recount the fascinating journey of The Tuesday String Band, musicians who transitioned from the world of jazz music and outdoor rehearsals at Western Oregon University to the vibrant and inclusive community of bluegrass music. Embrac...