By SHANON QUINN FOR INLAND360.COM The third annual Evening at the Depot series will open Saturday in Potlatch with a selection of classic rock by Moscow-based duo Jon and Rand. Depot owner and restorer Jim West says those who have heard them always remark on two things: the quality of their musicianship and vocal harmonies, and their knack for playing songs we’ve forgotten although we know all the words. Jon Anderson and Rand Walker have been playing the Palouse since their first gig at the St. Maries
Catholic Church about three years ago, Anderson said. Anderson’s wife, music director at the church, put the two together to play for a church event, and they realized they knew and enjoyed much of the same music, he said. “We said ‘We’ve got to get together and play sometime,’ ” he said. Anderson said it’s their shared love of the universally known tunes that have kept them playing together, plus the fact that the two have the knack of sounding like a full band rather than just two people. “It’s rare to find someone you can harmonize with,” Anderson said. Anderson said their selection tends to focus on the '60s and '70s. “If I had to pick a year our music centers around it would be 1972,” Anderson said. He added their favorite band to play is probably the Beatles, but Simon and Garfunkel are more than likely to crop up during the set as well. Jon and Rand played a gig at the Depot last year. “It’s a great atmosphere, he said. “And the space is really great. It’s a fun place to play.” This time, Anderson said, they expect to have a special guest in the person of Paul Anders, who is known to play with Simba and the Exceptional Africans and other local bands on occasion. The event will also feature food and a selection of “regular and unleaded” beverages, courtesy of local business, Dale’s Wagon Wheel. Proceeds from this event will benefit the continued renovation of the depot.
if you go: WHAT: Evening at the Depot WHEN: 5 p.m., Saturday, May 31 WHERE: WI&M Depot in Potlatch. COST: $10 in advance, $13 at the door and available at Blackbird at the Depot and Thread It Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. -3 p.m.
