Portland's The Insomniacs work to pull
new audience into jump blues world

Anybody who caught The Insomniacs' jump blues set last summer at the Magic City Blues festival already knows that the Portland, Ore., quartet can ignite an audience.

Channeling 1950s blues, the band uses vintage instruments to pump out classic tunes from some of their mentors, like Little Charlie Baty and Junior Watson. But what they offer that's unique is a fresh approach to the blues, combining roots rock and swing. The Insomniacs' 2007 album, "Left Coast Blues," features 11 original tunes and two blues standards. The single "Crime Scene" was named as one of the Top 20 contemporary blues songs for 2007 by BluesCritic.com.

The Insomniacs are headed back to Montana this week with shows at Bones Brewery tonight at 8; Yellowstone Valley's Garage Pub on Saturday at 6 p.m.; and Chico Hot Springs on Sunday. Speaking with The Gazette from his home in Portland, bassist Dean Mueller said this will be the group's fourth sweep through Montana. For a band that has only been touring since August 2007, that's a strong presence in our rural state. Mueller said Montana audiences appreciate what The Insomniacs offer - a potent cocktail of blues.

"The band has a young vibe to it," Mueller said. "What we're trying to do is hold on to the traditional blues fans and then figure out how to pull in the young people and dancers. People like the energy of the band."

The Insomniacs are led by 27-year-old Vyasa Dodson, who plays guitar and sings lead vocals. He started his music career emulating Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, but after discovering the blues, he turned his attention to West Coast bluesmen. Likewise, Mueller transitioned from rock to blues when he took in a blues festival in Port Townsend, Wash., four years ago.

"I went there and fell in love with that style of music. Some people took me under their wing and I became focused on being a full-time musician. I plunged into the blues and it's a great scene be in."

Mueller grew up in Chicago, dreaming of a career in music while he played trumpet in his school jazz band. But money and job security were more important to him at the time so Mueller earned a master's degree in electrical engineering. In 2004, the creative pull became too powerful and he quit his day job and moved to Portland where he worked as a sound engineer until The Insomniacs took off.

"For a new band, we've moved really fast. It's been a good experience," Mueller said.

The Insomniacs recorded and released their first album on their own. Then the record company Delta Groove Music found the album on MySpace and offered the band a record deal.

"They got it and re-released it and sent it out to 1,200 radio stations. That's how we got nominated as Best Contemporary Act of 2007 (by Cascade Blues Association)," Mueller said. "We would never have gotten there without the label."