BluePine
BluePine is an Americana/Alt-Country Rock band out of Portland, OR. Formed in the Summer of 2021 by founding members Scott Taylor (Songwriter, Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Matt Pracht (Drums) and John Hogan (Electric guitar), BluePine's original music is grounded in traditional Americana Rock, with elements of Alt-Country, Indie Rock and Roots Rock thrown into the mix. Scott, Matt and John all shared a love for live music, having met years ago when their previous bands Coldwater (John & Scott) and Drunk on Pines (Matt) shared the same bill in various Portland pubs. Post-Covid, they each found themselves missing the soul-nurturing process of creating original music. And after a chance encounter at a local show, the roots for what would become BluePine quickly took hold.
In the spring of 2023 BluePine added Portland, OR native Renato Rodriguez on electric bass. Renato had recently returned to Portland after spending 10 years cutting his teeth on the rock stages of San Diego, CA. During that time, he developed a deep groove nurtured in the dulcette tones of the Jefferson Airplane and the Jerry Garcia Band, while honing his chops chasing chart-busting jam bands like Zero, Garaj Mahal, and KVHW up and down the west coast.
In the winter of 2024, BluePine added vocalist Alicia Lewis to round out the group. Alicia's love of harmonies brought a warm tonality to the BluePine sound. Her passion for music began as a toddler, sitting on the piano bench with her grandfather, a jazz pianist. She developed an ear for unique harmonies singing in a variety of choirs and small groups, before finding her way to the rock stage after a life transition. Since then, Alicia has collaborated with a number of Portland artists and bands, and loves sharing her infectious musical fire.
Bands that have served as inspiration for BluePine include Drive-By Truckers. Whiskeytown, Uncle Tupelo, Richmond Fontaine, The Pixies and hundreds of other Indie/Alternative bands that they grew up with going back to the late 80s/early 90s.