Musician makes Sisters a regular tour stop

David Jacobs-Strain, an Oregon native and frequent performer in Sisters, will be returning with his band, The Crunk Mountain Boys on Friday, June 29, to kick off summer concerts at Angeline's Bakery.

Jacobs-Strain and his band have frequently performed in Sisters - at least twice a year - and David returns as a solo artist throughout the year.

David Jacobs-Strain made his debut in Sisters when he was 17 years old at the Sisters Folk Festival. David has a special place in his heart for Sisters. When he was young he used to climb in the back of a pickup truck and hitch a ride to Central Oregon to rock climb at Smith Rock, and he fell in love with the Cascades and the town of Sisters.

When he started playing music in his youth, he got involved with the Sisters music scene.

"I love playing shows that are in towns that are out of the way, small places off the grid. It is easier to connect with the audience and have a bigger impact on them," said Jacobs-Strain.

He sees the impact that only a few people can have on a community.

"The bakery is one the favorite party shows, it is a public concert, but feels so much more like an intimate backyard party. You get everyone from grandparents to little kids to adults all dancing and grooving together. That is my favorite part about playing those shows," he said.

Another reason Jacobs-Strain returns to Sisters is simply because of the scenery and the people he's connected with here.

"It's the best when you can find a place to play a gig and the next day go swimming or hiking in the mountains," he said

Jacobs-Strain plays a variety of venues, but enjoys the intimacy of house shows and feels ensconced in the Sisters community.

"It isn't ever a hassle to play there, it becomes a seasonal thing and is a sustainable gig because I've been welcomed into the community," said Jacobs-Strain.

Jacobs-Strain recently returned to Oregon after a string of tour dates on the East Coast, south, and through California. He mostly tours with harmonica player Bob Beach.

"Playing with Bob gives me a chance to interact with someone and adds dynamics to the show, and he can take some of the solos to keep things interesting," he said

Jacobs-Strain also plays solo shows: just him and the guitar.

"Solo shows in a way feel more freeing because it's just me, the song and the audience. The guitar becomes the centerpiece of the rhythm and I like that," said Jacobs-Strain.

Jacobs-Strain and The Crunk Mountain Boys have been playing together on and off for seven years.

"With the band there is the power, and the driving rhythm. It keeps people dancing longer and we have a connection with each other where we don't have to communicate much when we want to change something up," he said

He spoke of the importance of a balance of chaos and planned actions with the band:

"The unplanned notes or mistakes are some of the best moments on stage because so much could go wrong, but that sense of slight risk is what keeps playing interesting."

Not just any band works the way David Jacobs-Strain and The Crunk Mountain Boys do. "I always try to have a little note of variety of songs and playing them in the back of my mind just to keep the audience on their toes and have songs to fit various niches, and the band just runs with it," he said.

Jacobs-Strain is currently in the process of recording a new album in his hometown of Eugene. He has a number of versions of songs recorded including ones with the band and some without.

"It's a wrestling match between deciding on songs with or without the band on the track," he said.

He plans to start a Kickstarter campaign to potentially release two versions of the record: one with the full band on tracks, and another acoustic stripped-down version. That record can be expected in the coming months.

In the meantime, he's live on stage in Sisters."I look forward to returning to Sisters to kick off the summer dance party at Angeline's juke joint!" he said.

David Jacobs-Strain and the Crunk Mountain Boys will be playing at Angeline's Bakery, 121 W. Main Ave., Friday June 29, at 7:30 p.m. with David opening with an acoustic set. There will be a donation on a sliding scale accepted at the door.