Weather Machine returns to Sisters

Last updated 4/30/2024 at 9:33am

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The Weather Machine is returning to Sisters.

Slater Smith and Travis Ehrenstrom both honed their chops as musicians and singer-songwriters in the Americana Project in Sisters schools. They'll be bringing their music back to Sisters in a show at The Belfry on Saturday, May 11.

The Weather Machine is the band project of singer/songwriter Slater Smith - originally local to Sisters, now living in New Zealand, and touring across both continents. Over the last decade Smith has come to be known for his hearty lyricism and theatrical flair, always complimented by the band's reputation for exploring a wide territory, spanning everything from experimental post-glam to more traditional indie folk and rock.

Smith returns to The Belfry, and will be joined by opener and longtime friend Travis Ehrenstrom.

"Every Weather Machine show at The Belfry is warm, tinged with nostalgia, and just a little bit of a ruckus, and this night will be no different," Smith said.

Smith started The Weather Machine recording in Pacific City and living in Portland, in the early 2010s, self-releasing the debut album "The Weather Machine" and sophomore effort, "Peach" with his bandmates and collaborators. They saw wide success with b-side "Slow Dance Slow" released through Portland label Tender Loving Empire.

Independent and self-managed, Smith made some odd creative bedfellows by collaborating with the Oregon State Parks system to promote environmentalism and the outdoors. This resulted in a viral music video in "Back O'er Oregon," and a collaborative concept record called "The Pelican," commemorating Oregon's famous Beach Bill.

The Weather Machine's success ultimately led to opening for Alabama Shakes, Lumineers, Cold War Kids, Josh Ritter, and Mt. Joy in the late 2010s. The onset of the 2020 pandemic forced Smith and his bandmates to turn away from touring and inward toward recording - but now they're back on the road playing new songs. Recorded and produced by Tucker Martine at Flora Studios, The Weather Machine's latest record is full of deep thoughts, big rock and roll sounds, and lots of fun featuring longtime Weather Machine band members and collaborators Luke Jackson (drums), Tim Karplus (guitar & keys), Noah Berstein (sax), and André Zapata (bass).

Find tickets at https://belfryevents.com/event/the-weather-machine-w-travis-ehresnstrom/.