Restorative Yoga and Sound Bath
2026-03-01 18:00 - 19:15 (America/Los_Angeles) | flow yoga, 1015 12th St, Hood River, 97031
Monthly Sound Bath

Join Angel Rose (Rose Dragon Healing Arts) & Gail Lordi (Healing Times Wellness) for an evening of deep rest, resonance, and renewal. Together they weave an energetically healing alchemy of restorative yoga and sound bath to soothe your body, mind, and nervous system.
Settle in with 30 minutes of gentle restorative yoga led by Gail, while Angel Rose offers soft soundscapes to support you in opening and releasing. Then, rest into a super-supported lying pose as both Angel Rose & Gail create a 45-minute immersive duet sound bath, blending the graceful harmonies of alchemy bowls, quartz crystal bowls, flute, Grotta Sonora gong, and koshi chimes.
This practice is designed for all levels—no yoga experience needed. Simply come as you are and allow the vibrations to recalibrate your whole being.
What to Bring:
Wear your comfiest clothes (pajamas welcome!) and feel free to bring a blanket and pillow for maximum comfort. The studio provides bolsters, blankets, and blocks.
Time: 6:00–7:15 pm (1 hr 15 min)
First Sundays
2025: Dec. 7
2026: Jan. 4 • Feb. 8 • Mar. 1 • Apr. 5 • May 3
Cost: $25
To Register Contact:
Flow Yoga

Bargeway BUCKOFF! live music
2026-03-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Bargeway Pub, 1535 Bargeway Rd., The Dalles, OR, 97058, United States
BUCKOFF is your new favorite local country band covering classic and current country hits. Every first Sunday at Bargeway!

Community Bluegrass & Old Time Jam
2026-03-02 17:30 - 20:00 | Hood River Brewing, 101 4th St., Hood River, OR, United States, Oregon
Everyone is welcome!Bring your folk instruments for beer and bluegrass every 1st 3rd & 5th Monday every month,.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1534114911016829/?event_time_id=1534114921016828

SingAlong!
2026-03-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Adams Creek CoHousing – Common House, 413 Adams Creek Pl, Hood River, 97031
All welcome for an evening of singing along to folk songs. Guitar and banjo accompaniment – and song sheets – provided

3rd Annual Great Gorge Melt
2026-03-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, Oregon, Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, Oregon
For the entire month of March, participating restaurants in Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River counties are featuring a Great Gorge Melt item as part of our favorite melty fundraiser. What started as a grilled cheese has grown to include a wide range of melty, cheesy dishes. A portion of the proceeds supports the Columbia Gorge Food Bank and our work to fight hunger in the Gorge.

Art Night!
2026-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Tokki Art Supply, 409 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Join us once a month for a social evening of unguided art making. Participants will be encouraged to bring some supplies and a sketchbook to draw, paint or doodle! We will provide paper, pens and pencils and can provide prompts to get the creative juices flowing.
Date: Wednesday March 4th
Time: 6:15pm-8pm
Ages: 18+
Cost: $5
Location: Tokki Art Supply

The Lobbyists Live
2026-03-04 18:30 - 20:30 | The Lightwell Hotel & Spa, 201 Cascade Ave, Hood River, 97031
The Lobbyists live at Lightwell: The Lobbyists deliver the finest in instrumental Swing, Jazz, and Blues, featuring three of Hood River’s most exceptional musicians at The Lightwell.

Tim Ortlieb is a rare gem – a drummer who listens as deeply as he plays. Ronnie Ontiveros brings his infectious joy and masterful command of the upright bass.
Leading the trio, Ben Bonham draws from his rich experience both locally and in the UK, captivating audiences as a guitarist, songwriter, and entertainer.
The Lobbyists play with effortless style, deep musicality, and an undeniable passion for their craft, creating a sound that’s as refined as it is exhilarating.

Sip and Sound Thursdays w/Dan Boller
2026-03-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Mt Hood Winery
Sip & Sound Thursdays are back at Mt Hood Winery !
Every Thursday in March | 3–5pm

Live music inside the tasting room or on the patio (weather permitting).

LIVE MUSIC - Ben Bonham
2026-03-05 16:00 - 18:00 | The Pines 1852, 415 Oak Street, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Join us this Thursday for live music and happy hour at The Pines. Ben Bonham will be kicking on the season in true Pines fashion. Happy hour starts at 3pm, Music starts at 4pm.
See you there!!

Donna, Dave and the Mikes
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Phelps Creek Vineyard, 301 Country Club Rd, Hood River, OR, United States, Oregon 97031
This week’s jazz show at Phelps Creek features the vocals of Donna Henderson. She’ll be backed by Dave Henehan (guitar) and the All Jazz Considered rhythm section of Mike Turley (bass) and Mosier Mike Grodner.

Tunes in Hood River
2026-03-05 17:30 | pFriem Family Brewers, 707 Portway Ave, Ste 101, Hood River, OR, 97031, US
come listen…

DIY Coir Doormat | First Thursday Arts & Crafts Night
2026-03-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Walking Man Brewing, 1st Street, Stevenson, Washington, 98648, United States
Create your own design! Includes 1 coir doormat, all paint supplies & artistic support!
Join us for First Thursday Craft Parties with local artist Aries Art NW at Walking Man Brewing!
Seats are limited- don’t wait to reserve yours!!
Tickets include all supplies for painting your own Coir Doormat on Thursday 3/5/26 6-8pm (18+ ONLY). Food & beverages also available for purchase from Walking Man Brewing throughout the event!
We’re painting our own personalized coir doormats! All guests receive one 16″ x 24″ blank coconut coir doormat and artistic support in creating their own unique designs. All supplies provided. Choose a design that’s seasonal or year-round!
NO experience necessary! Come unleash your creativity while supporting these local businesses & connecting with neighbors!
Workshop begins at 6:00pm sharp- please arrive 15-30 minutes beforehand to get situated before the lesson begins.
2 hours total with a 15 minute break at the half!
This event is in a small space. Guests will be sat within 1-2′ of one another. We encourage you to bring your face mask if this makes you most comfortable! This outdoor space is enclosed, covered, and heated, but please dress accordingly.
www.walkingmanbeer.com
www.ariesartnw.com

The Dalles HOOT
2026-03-06 11:00 - 23:00, 2026-03-07 11:00 - 23:00 | Downtown The Dalles
The Unedited Dalles Happenings
The Dalles Overground ·January 23 at 1:26 PM ·
The Dalles Overground and the Performing Arts Initiative are proud to announce the launch of The Hoot, a new three-day non-profit community festival celebrating music, arts, and local culture in the heart of downtown The Dalles, March 6-8, 2026.
Join us for three days of FREE music featuring critically acclaimed artists and regional favorites like Vandoliers, Robert Francis, 1876 band, Margo Cilker, Laura Gibson, Treyecto Efectivo, Sundiver, and many more!
Stay tuned for a schedule of community events and business specials.
Get all the details at: tdoverground.org/hoot

This is an Old Woman The Gorge Photography Club
2026-03-06 12:00 - 17:00 | Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave, Hood River, OR, 97031-1724, United States
What does it mean to be an “old woman” today? This exhibition by the Gorge Photography Club challenges stereotypes by celebrating three vibrant women who defy easy categorization.
Inspired by Andrea Carlisle’s book There Was an Old Woman, members of the Gorge Photography Club turned their lenses on three remarkable subjects: Mary Soden, a nonagenarian poet; Mo Mos, a septuagenarian artist, writer, and poet; and Mary Sandos, a sexagenarian farmer. Through intimate portraiture, these images reveal the character, creativity, and vitality that define these women’s lives. Each photograph invites viewers to look beyond age and see the full complexity of lives still being actively lived and created, asking ask us to reconsider our assumptions and recognize that being an “old woman” is not a limitation but a continuation of a life rich with purpose, passion, and possibility.

Hood River First Friday
2026-03-06 17:00 - 19:00 | 301 Gallery, 301 Oak Street, Hood River, OR, 97031
Join the Artists at 301 Gallery to celebrate First Friday on March 6, enjoy new work in the gallery and see the colorful and fun, contemporary jewelry by Colorado guest artist Kristen DeSantis! Enjoy the harmonies of Julianna Waters and Barry Crannell while sipping cider or wine by Crush Ciders.

This is an Old Woman | Opening Reception
2026-03-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave, Hood River, OR, 97031-1724, United States
Join us on March 6th from 5:30-7:30 for the opening reception of This is an Old Woman By Gorge Photography Club.
What does it mean to be an “old woman” today? This exhibition by the Gorge Photography Club challenges stereotypes by celebrating three vibrant women who defy easy categorization.

Inspired by Andrea Carlisle’s book There Was an Old Woman, members of the Gorge Photography Club turned their lenses on three remarkable subjects: Mary Soden, a nonagenarian poet; Mo Mos, a septuagenarian artist, writer, and poet; and Mary Sandos, a sexagenarian farmer. Through intimate portraiture, these images reveal the character, creativity, and vitality that define these women’s lives. Each photograph invites viewers to look beyond age and see the full complexity of lives still being actively lived and created, asking ask us to reconsider our assumptions and recognize that being an “old woman” is not a limitation but a continuation of a life rich with purpose, passion, and possibility.
Admission is free

Women Artists of the Gorge: Artist Reception
2026-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | White Salmon Valley Community Library, 77 NE Wauna Ave, White Salmon, WA, 98672, United States
Join us for a reception celebrating the beautiful artwork of our local women artists! Refreshments will be provided by the Soroptimist International of Mt. Adams.

May Erlewine with Packy Lundholm / R.O. Shapiro
2026-03-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Friday, March 6th, 2026
$22 Advance // $28 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
MAY ERLEWINE WITH PACKY LUNDHOLM
One of the Midwest’s most prolific and passionate songwriters, May Erlewine has a gift for writing songs of substance that feel both fresh and soulfully familiar. Her ability to emotionally engage with an audience has earned her a dedicated following far beyond her Michigan roots. This year, May is teaming up with Chicago guitar wizard, Packy Lundholm. The heart forward power duo will be offering their music in the name of love, service and rock & roll.
R.O. SHAPIRO
R.O. (Raphael Odell) Shapiro is a purveyor of original Americana music, carefully crafted and soulfully sung. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Sag Harbor, an old whaling town at the very eastern end of Long Island. He started performing at an early age, first with dance and then musical theater, before picking up guitar at the end of high school. He attended Yale University, still focusing on theater, but spent a lot of his evenings singing with a cappella groups, a rock band, and a choral folk ensemble called Tangled Up In Blue, or TUIB. After graduating he moved to New York City to pursue acting, but also started picking up some small venue gigs.When he realized that he was more excited about playing dive bars than Broadway, he packed up and headed out west to California to team up with fellow TUIB alum, Jenner Fox, forming the band Odell Fox. They started touring almost immediately, cultivating an energetic and intimate live show experience that R.O. has continued to build upon as a solo artist. They moved to Austin, TX, where they released two records, the “Moon Shiner EP,” in 2016, and “Thank You,” in 2017. When the band parted ways at the end of 2017, R.O. stayed in Austin, gigging regularly in the hallowed venues of that world famous music scene. It was then he developed the full-band, electrified sound that you can hear on 2021’s “King Electric Sessions,” his first release since leaving Odell Fox. In recent years he has typically played solo, touring regularly in the Northeast, California, and Pacific Northwest including Alaska and Vancouver Island. R.O. has drawn comparisons to Ray LaMontagne, Josh Ritter, and Nathaniel Rateliff. He is a winner of the 2022 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest, and recently recorded with producer/instrumentalist Phil Cook (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger.) He is currently based in Northern California, and always on the lookout for new communities and stages where he can share his authentic warmth and wit.

The Growlerzz & Friends live music
2026-03-06 18:00 - 21:00 | The Pines 1852, 415 Oak Street, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Join us at the Pines in Hood River with special guests Dan Boller on the keyboards, and Casey Wykes with his Harmonicas.

LIVE MUSIC - THE Growlerzz
2026-03-06 18:00 - 21:00 | The Pines 1852, 415 Oak Street, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Join us for a bottle of wine and live music from The Growlerzz this Friday from 6pm-9pm at The Pines. Grab your dancing shoes and come on down. The Growlerzz are gonna play rock, blues and a little bit of country. You’ll be dancing all night long

Peter Marbach speaks on Pursuit of Happiness- exhibit opening
2026-03-06 18:30 - 20:30 | The History Museum of Hood River County, 300 E Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Special reception for members of The History Museum of Hood River County, Friday, March 6, 6:30-8:30pm. Doors at 6:30, Peter Marbach will speak and show photos at 7pm. Refreshments will be served. If you are not a museum member, annual memberships start at $25 for seniors/ students ($35 individuals, $50 families) and can be purchased at the event.
The History Museum of Hood River County opens for the season on March 7, 2026 with The Pursuit of Happiness, a photo exhibition by renowned Oregon photographer Peter Marbach. In celebration of Oregon’s diverse beauty and spirit, the America 250 Oregon Commission contracted with Marbach to showcase the essence of Oregon and its vibrant communities. The Pursuit of Happiness captures the heart of festivals, events, and celebrations that bring communities together across the state. From iconic gatherings to intimate local traditions, these images share the joy, creativity, and connection that make Oregon’s cultural life so unique. Join us in celebrating the moments that unite and inspire us all.
About the photographer: Peter Marbach’s distinguished career spans three decades creating evocative landscapes of unspeakable beauty. He has authored several coffee table books and has numerous regional and national publication credits. A self-portrait celebrating sunrise on the summit of Mt Hood, one year after open heart surgery, graced the cover of a National Geographic map of the Cascades. His 2019 book, “Healing The Big River – Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River Treaty” continues to educate the public about the importance of modernizing the Columbia River Treaty to lay the groundwork to eventually restore the salmon migration back to the headwaters in BC.
Marbach’s work has evolved over the years to pursue projects that contribute to the community at large, from working with tribes and first nations in their quest to restore salmon runs on the Columbia, or his volunteer work in Nepal supporting individual educational advancement for women and children.
His projects have been featured on Oregon Field Guide, OPB’s Think Out Loud, and recently on KGW’s Grant’s Getaways. Current commissioned exhibits with The Oregon Historical Society include the centennial celebration of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway 101 in Oregon, on display January through September 2026 and the travel exhibits entitled The Power of Place and The Pursuit of Happiness, both celebrating Oregon’s unique place for the national America 250th anniversary this year.
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ABOUT THE HISTORY MUSEUM OF HOOD RIVER COUNTY
The History Museum is a vibrant center for engaging all people in a better understanding of the community’s heritage that preserves the past, relates it to the present and shapes our future. Led by the non-profit Hood River County Heritage Council, the Museum brings the region’s past and present to life through permanent displays, temporary exhibitions, and programs.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Beginning March 7, 2026, the History Museum of Hood River County is open Monday-Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is $8, or $6 for honored citizens (65+ and veterans) and free for members, children 10 and under and currently serving military personnel and families. The Museum is located at 300 E. Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR 97031. For further information, call 541.386.6772, email info@hoodriverhistorymuseum.org or visit www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org

Alonzo Garbanzo returns
2026-03-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Hood River Brewing Co., Hood River Brewing Co.
…back to Hood River Brewing Company after a few months away! Come on down and catch some tunes.
Always 6 and 12 string guitars, and sometimes lap steel or piano tossed in there.

Live Music - Rose Gerber
2026-03-06 21:00 - 23:00 | Last Stop Saloon, 209 East 2nd Street, The Dalles, 97058, United States
Last Stop Live Music Featuring Rose Gerber Friday Night 9-11pm
Based in Portland, OR, Rose Gerber is an American roots explorer, incorporating country, folk, rock, alt-rock, and alt-country into a seamless signature aesthetic, where cowboy boots meet Doc Martins.

Tree Health Management
2026-03-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Hood River Valley Christian Church, Hood River Valley Christian Church, 975 Indian Creek Rd, OR, 97031, United States
Curious how to promote the health of your trees and prolong their life span? Come learn from renowned OSU Extension Forester, Glenn Ahrens at the Central Gorge Master Gardener’s Community Class: Managing to Keep Trees Healthy. Glenn explains, “tree health is not just about pests or disease; it’s often the result of multiple, interacting factors like drought, site conditions, and age.”

In this class, Glenn will share how to assess and manage tree and forest health, especially in the face of changing environmental conditions. He’ll explore the complex and interrelated causes of tree problems, from environmental stressors like climate and soil conditions to interactions with insects and disease. Attendees will learn how to spot potential problems and take proactive steps to support healthy landscapes.

Glenn Ahrens, Forestry & Natural Resources Agent with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Oregon City, brings decades of experience diagnosing trees and guiding landowners through sustainable forest management practices.

Saturday, March 7, 9:00 AM at the Hood River Valley Christian Church *Suggested $10 donation / Opportunities to donate in person or in advance at: https://cgmga.betterworld.org/donation-pages/fish-food-bank

All donations will be given to the FISH Food Bank. Central Gorge Master Gardeners will match up to $1,000 given.

*CGMGA is a non-profit educational organization that promotes the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program and provides opportunities for additional educational training throughout the year.

To learn more about the Oregon State University Master Gardener program, visit https://centralgorgemga.org/https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/hoodriver

Watercolor Basics: Roses
2026-03-07 11:00 - 13:00 | Tokki Art Supply, 409 Oak St, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Learn how to paint roses with instructor Marcy Huteson using watercolor techniques, focusing on composing and rendering various petals, leaves, and stems together to create a cohesive piece. This class will have an emphasis on creating cohesive color palettes, brushwork, and creating depth in a piece. This class is suitable for beginners or experienced artists looking to expand on their floral painting skills.
All materials included.
Date: Saturday March 7th
Time: 11am-1pm
Ages: 14+
Cost: $50
Location: Tokki Art Supply
If you cannot attend a class, a 72 hour notice prior to the start of the class via email or phone is required for a full refund of the class fee. After that there is no refund.
Students will receive a confirmation email of the purchase of the class. And 3 days prior to the class they will receive a reminder email. Please keep a look out for these emails.

History Museum New Exhibition Opening: The Pursuit of Happiness
2026-03-07 11:00 - 16:00 | The History Museum of Hood River County, 300 E Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
The History Museum of Hood River County opens for the season on March 7, 2026 with The Pursuit of Happiness, a photo exhibition by renowned Oregon photographer Peter Marbach. In celebration of Oregon’s diverse beauty and spirit, the America 250 Oregon Commission contracted with Marbach to showcase the essence of Oregon and its vibrant communities. The Pursuit of Happiness captures the heart of festivals, events, and celebrations that bring communities together across the state. From iconic gatherings to intimate local traditions, these images share the joy, creativity, and connection that make Oregon’s cultural life so unique. Join us in celebrating the moments that unite and inspire us all.

Pam & Mike Acoustic Duo
2026-03-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Evoke Barrel Room, 1227 Industrial Loop, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Join us for a relaxing afternoon of acoustic music with Pam & Mike at the Evoke Barrel Room this Saturday, March 7th, from 3:00 to 5:00.
It’s the perfect setting to kick back, enjoy some great Evoke wine, and listen to all your favorite tunes. We look forward to seeing you there!

Gorge Roller Derby DOUBLE HEADER
2026-03-07 16:00 - 19:00 | The Dalles Readiness Center, 402 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR, US
Gorge Roller Derby Presents
A GRD DOUBLE HEADER MARCH 7TH
GRD ALL STARS VS. SKATETANIC TEMPLE 4PM
GRD BLOOD N GORGE VS. SOUTH SOUND ROLLER DERBY6PM
All ages – Wheelchair Accessible – 6 & under free
Fort Dalles Readiness Center 402 E Scenic Dr. The Dalles, OR 97058
Doors Open at 3:00PM Bout starts at 4:00PM
LIMITED Tickets are available at the door Regular $15 Students $8
www.gorgerollerderby.com

Ages and Ages / Scarves at Trout Lake Hall
2026-03-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake, WA, 98650, United States
Saturday, March 7th, 2026
$23 Advance // $25 Day Of Show6pm Doors / 7pm ShowAll Ages
AGES AND AGES
A lot was happening in my life when the songs for Fine Thanks and You began to emerge. It feels strange to talk about them without the broader context – but it’s also worth mentioning that these songs weren’t necessarily written ‘about’ what I was moving through, namely, my dad dying. Not one song on this record is about death or grief. But in so many ways the realness of that process was creating a lot of vivid existential sparks that the mind wanted to follow.
The sparks I chose to follow were mostly simple reflections about what it’s like to be in a body, to have agency, to have space, and to move through this window of time like a visitor. It was an exploration, and with every exploration comes imagery: heatwaves waving back at me (Hot Pavement)…sidewalks slipping off into infinity (City Walkin’)…painted hills, sharp like knives, cutting up the purple sky (Wild Ride)…up again, into the light again, open my eyes and then I realize I don’t want it to end (Second Thoughts).
Musically, I wanted the songs on Fine Thanks and You to have a steady pulse and I wanted them to feel sexy, like the clicking of confident high heels pacing rhythmically on the granite tiles of life’s mad hallway—bass hooks, steady kick and snare, warm synths – all of these elements existing like a reliable landmark on an electric and mysterious skyline. Because thematically there is searching in these songs, but never a sense of feeling lost.
Weirdly, it was during these times of channeling thoughts into songs that I found myself gravitating to big box stores with no intention of buying anything. This might seem like a non-sequitur – but these places were a calming backdrop to a mind that hadn’t been untangled yet. Something about the sterility of the big box store -their utter neutrality and aggressive dedication to the bland and basic. These places were a blank and empty canvas for me to cycle through ideas until a line or a hook, or even a whole song came out. I walked through their aisles for a long stretch of months. “Can I help you find anything?” I want to find a state of mind I haven’t been in (Inspiration). “What is it you’re looking for?” I don’t know what I want, all I know is that I want it to be real and I wanna feel amazing (Feel Amazing). “How are you doing today?” Fine thanks and you.
I worked at a place close to a recording studio called Trash Treasury, where Cameron Spies records and produces – so we would cross paths and talk to each other all the time about just about anything – obviously music being one of them. If feels strange to say now, but because of our day-to-day proximity, it almost seemed too “easy” to choose Cam to produce this record, so I spent some time looking elsewhere. But the more I spent time listening to the records he’d worked on (including his own band Night Heron), the more I knew he was the right person to help us create that sonic umbrella we were all wanting to huddle under.
We recorded mostly at Trash Treasury and partly at our own studio, Friendly Ghost. In either case, the studio was like a friendly fallout shelter for all of us to have fun and try things and be freaks. It was a lovely experience, consisting of Rob Oberdorfer (bass), Evan Railton (drums), and me – Tim Perry (guitar and vocals). Someone who was also instrumental during the second phase of recording, was Mira Stanley. I met Mira on a co-write we did over zoom and was in awe of her voice. We were working a lot at that time on our own material, but I asked if she would like to come and contribute her vocals to the Ages record. She drove all the way from Nashville to make it happen, and immediately fit right in. So much, in fact, that she now lives in Portland and is a card-carrying member of the band.
SCARVES
Ever since Scarves’ inception in 2013, the Seattle-based indie band’s lineup continues to evolve with Niko Stathakopoulos at its nucleus as the main storyteller. The revolution of band members follows Niko’s artistic journey in local music communities spanning from coast to coast. His thrilling adventures in the depths of punk venue basements, shopping at record stores, and hanging around house shows allowed Niko to befriend the many talented musicians who would someday contribute to the Scarves roster and discography. Following the release of their 2022 album, Delicate Creatures, the band had the pleasure of opening for artists such as PUP, Deerhoof, and the Dodos as well as performing at Bumbershoot Music Festival and the legendary radio station, KEXP. Their stories as independent artists paired with the struggles of real-world experiences inspired the band to write their 2026 album, Strays Forever. Alongside Stathakopolous during the creation of this album, Scarves consisted of Nessa Grasing (vocals/guitar), Jesse Cohen (bass), Jacob Whinihan (drums), and LA-native Elijah Sokolow (guitar and production).
Strays Forever is about seeking optimism and hope against the intense fear and anxiety induced by our modern era. Niko explains, “I tried to make the music feel grand yet cozy, glitchy but homey. It’s also a lot about forgiveness, and coping with family trauma with hopes to rebuild lives with the people you love. To continue pushing through the darker moments of life – no matter how thick the fog, I’ll be your lantern”. The band’s range of inspiration pulls from the short stories of Raymond Carver, the paintings of Amy Bennet, the poetry of Derrick C. Brown, and the sound of The Weakerthans, Hop Along, and the Mountain Goats.
The album shines light on the struggles of many young people today who dream of starting a family, but fear bringing life into a world of uncertainty and desolation. Niko describes that “it’s about trying not to lose who you are as an individual as the pressures of love and adulthood mount, but also about trying to keep your loved ones safe”. As the album’s production developed, this idea stemmed into themes that center around the inevitable responsibility of guiding the next generation with love and compassion in an increasingly dividing society. “Chainsaw” for example is a love song that draws deep inspiration from the imagery of the classic horror movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Scarves teamed up with producer Chris Walla to record Strays Forever at the renowned Hall of Justice Studios in Seattle. Stathakopoulos recalled, “working with Walla was a dream come true. He’s just the warmest and most imaginative producer. He’s like Willy Wonka with his wild suggestions that always work out”. During the recording process, the band was welcome to break creative boundaries in their song writing and instrumentation. They experimented with vintage tape machines to warble recorded tracks into luscious soundscapes and layered in string and flute arrangements to bring a cinematic touch to their music.
