JACKSTRAW | BLUEGRASS IN PORTLAND

Jackstraw is comprised of four young guys who appear to get along like childhood friends. David Pugh plays the mandolin with such ferocity it’s amazing the instrument doesn’t occasionally spring loose and sail across the room. Pugh leads the majority of the time though all four members are capable of doing so and often take turns at the helm. Jon Neufeld and Darrin Craig both play guitar, and Jesse Whithers - the standup bass. Everybody sings, and their voices together are a treat to behold.

Quite possibly the busiest band in town, it’s not uncommon for them to play three or four gigs in a week. Recently they put on a show at one of Portland’s favorite neighborhood joints, the Snake and Weasel.

The Snake and Weasel is an intimate living room of a venue located in Southeast Portland on 12th Avenue just south of Hawthorne. The stage is small and located against a wall towards the center of the bar, allowing every seat in the bar a good view. The setup is not ideal for dancing but luckily that doesn’t matter once these boys get pickin’.

The crowd was friendly and familiar – local neighborhood types stopping in to see a name they recognize and plenty of Jackstraw faithful happy to be back at the Snake and Weasel. The Flat Mountain Girls warmed up the audience perfectly with their sweet set of traditional folk tunes, and by the time Jackstraw finally got to work, the dancers in the audience were rearing to go, several of which actually sprung out of their seats the instant the music began.

Jackstraw’s two sets included both traditional bluegrass tunes and original material. The audience seemed to appreciate being able to sing along to songs like "Blue and Lonesome" and "Sitting on Top of the World," but they were most engaged when the boys were jamming, strumming their instruments so wildly at times it wouldn’t have surprised anyone to see the strings burst into flames.

It was a difficult night to be festive, but Jackstraw persisted and everybody present benefited. Somewhere between the confusion of trying to make sense of the previous week’s tragedies and a seemingly hopeless attempt at trying to block them out entirely, a crowd collected to share a little music, and everybody left feeling just a little bit better. On a night when everybody in the room was so desperately looking for a distraction, Jackstraw provided the perfect, blissful escape.

Jackstraw also performs an intimate workshop gig every Tuesday evening from 6-8 at the Laurelthirst Pub on NE Glisan near 30th Ave. It’s become somewhat of a neighborhood tradition; friendly folk bike and walk to meet their friends and share a beer or two on a night that would normally have them stuck at home on the couch.

The scene is very informal and admission is free though donations are appreciated. All it takes is the initiative to force your body out the front door and begin heading towards the Laurelthirst. Jackstraw will do the rest, and you’ll return home feeling about as good as a Tuesday evening can possibly feel.

Do not pass up an opportunity to see Jackstraw in any of their many comfortable settings. They’re guaranteed to be in your neighborhood sometime soon.