This Is New…
The Builders and The Butchers – No Tomorrow
Portland-based folk rock band, The Builders and The Butchers, released their seventh album on April 3, 2026 via Badman Recording Co. Entitled No Tomorrow, it is the band’s follow-up to their highly successful album, Hell and High Water, which was released some four years ago. Like its predecessors, it follows the same narrative-driven format.
Ryan Sollee, the band’s singer-songwriter/guitarist, observes, “As our lives become more digital, people are sharing physical spaces less and less. The creation and performance of live music is an ever crucial, consistent, and communal space. In these spaces people can share the sounds, sights, and smells of what it’s like to be moved in unison and feel a connection.”
Across “Mother Mary,” “Rise My Son,” “World’s On Fire,” “Devil’s Wind,” and more on No Tomorrow, the songs return to what Ryan describes: “The songs for No Tomorrow were written with our cultural changes and challenges in mind. The overarching message is that we can find hope in each other and still lead lives full of joy and creativity even when systems and leaders fail us.”
The band has had over 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify for years now. Several of their videos have millions of views on You Tube – including “Bringin’ Home the Rain” with 19 million views. They are well known for their energized live performances and have dedicated fans that travel long distances to see them play.
In addition to Ryan, band members include Ray Rude on drums and keyboards, Paul Seely on guitar, Willy Kunkle on bass, guitar, and percussion, Justin Baier also on drums, and percussion, and Harvey Tumbleson on mandolin, banjo, guitar, and percussion). Ray Rude also produced and recorded No Tomorrow at his own Laundry Room Studio.
Ryan wants the fans of The Builders and The Butchers to know, “We are forever grateful to you: our strange, unique, amazing fans. We are thrilled to share this album with you and hope it brings some light into the darkness.”
… And This Is Renewed
Linda Ronstadt – The Early Years (Collection)
In June of 1967 a female voice came over the radio singing, “You and I travel to the beat of a different drum…” The voice was powerful, pioneering, and oh so captivating and belonged to the lead singer of a folk/rock trio. The song of course was “Different Drum.” The group was the Stone Poneys. And the voice belonged to their lead singer, Linda Ronstadt.
With the clarity of hindsight one could say Linda was destined for greatness upon hearing “Different Drum.” She certainly had the voice and the talent, but greatness nonetheless eluded her in the early years despite some decent efforts. Well, the efforts were honest but the consensus is the songs she was given were either inappropriate or suffered from poor arrangement.
Linda’s fortunes changed once Peter Asher took her under his wing and produced the album Heart Like A Wheel featuring “You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.” Greatness had been achieved. Linda was well on her way to becoming the legendary performer we all know.
For those interested in Linda Ronstadt’s journey to greatness, the best of her early efforts are now available on The Early Years. It showcases 15 songs from her catalog including “Different Drum,” You’re No Good,” and “When Will I Be Loved.” The high-resolution audio is sourced from the original analog mono and stereo master tapes.
Other gems from Linda’s first albums include “Silver Threads And Golden Needles,” “Rescue Me,” “Long, Long Time,” and “I Fall To Pieces.” Like any artist’s collection there are some songs that did not make the cut, such as her cover of “Lovesick Blues” and “I Won’t Be Hangin’ Round.”
Linda Ronstadt’s The Early Years is available in either CD or 2-LP vinyl format.
