Sourcing the story
We’re hitting a strong stride in production, and I’m excited to share that we’ve just completed three powerful new interviews for Song of Sunset: Rust and Reverb. Each conversation brought fresh perspective, raw honesty, and a deeper understanding of the small-stage spirit that fuels this series.
Johnny Bourbon — Grit, Craft, and the Road Less Taken
We kicked things off inside Johnny Bourbon’s rustic hat-making shop out in Alfalfa, Oregon. Surrounded by Americana textures and echoes of his earliest punk and alt-country influences, Johnny opened up about street-corner performances, late-night dive bar gigs, and the personal philosophy that guides his songwriting. His stories were candid, generous, and incredibly revealing about what it means to carve out a life rooted in music.
Jeshua Marshall — A World-Traveled Voice With Deep Local Roots
Next, I caught up with Jeshua Marshall at Sam Bond’s Garage in Eugene while he was on tour. Jeshua walked me through the global adventures of a working musician and shared vivid memories from the early days of Larry and His Flask, the band he founded with his brother. His insight into community, resilience, and reinvention is going to bring an important emotional layer to Episode 2.
Steve Augustyn — The Vision Behind Silver Moon’s Music Culture
Rounding things out, I sat down with Steve Augustyn, CEO of Silver Moon Brewing. Our conversation dug into how Silver Moon became one of the most important venues in Bend’s small-stage ecosystem. Steve spoke about creating space for emerging artists, embracing multiple genres, and aligning the brewery’s identity with the heartbeat of the local music scene. His perspective helps frame why breweries like Silver Moon are becoming essential cultural anchors in the region.
What’s Next
Production for Episode 2 continues through the end of November as we line up additional interviews with artists, venue owners, and community supporters. This series is evolving into a living time capsule — capturing the stories, struggles, and triumphs that define small-stage music in Oregon.
Thank you for following along and supporting this independent documentary journey. More updates soon.
