Episode 3: Indigenous Roots

Honoring Indigenous Roots of Community-Supported Music

Song of Sunset is a living documentary series that pairs each short film with a live songwriter circle. Audiences watch a story unfold on screen, then hear those same artists perform in person, turning every event into a shared cultural gathering.

Episode 3 expands the journey into new territory by returning to where community-supported stages truly began: with Oregon’s Indigenous peoples, whose communal music, stories, and traditions predate modern venues by thousands of years.

This chapter is not a reinterpretation or stylization of Indigenous culture. It is an invitation to listen, form real relationships, and respectfully document voices who carry traditions forward today. Through Indigenous musicians and culture bearers, the film explores how spaces of expression, healing, and connection have always been part of the land’s first communities—and how these values can guide the future of Oregon’s small-stage culture.

Who Will Be in it

VENUES FEATURED

Episode 1: “In My Day” was filmed at two of Bend’s most beloved music homes — M & J Tavern and Volcanic Theater Pub — both known for their intimate stages, loyal local crowds, and deep roots in Bend, Oregon’s independent music scene. Now we are bringing the story over to Silvermoon Brewing.

Night view of a neon sign that reads 'McDonald's TAVERN' with other signs and a part of a building's overhang.
Exterior view of a bar or restaurant at night with large windows showing people inside, decorative neon lighting, and a textured stone wall and signage