Press Play

Big Sky City Lights' show feels like gathering around a campfire with old friends. Nick and Susan’s playful banter, like teasing about recording in bathtubs during the pandemic, creates a warmth that invites you in. Their harmonies are comforting and effortless, with lyrics reflecting love, loss, and finding your way through life. There's a rawness to the way they perform—intimate, yet cinematic—pulling from the wide-open...

In our interview with Nick Spear and Susan O’Dea, Taylor Inman dives into the duo's journey - who formed Big Sky City Lights born from the unexpected circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. With one member in New York City and the other in Whitefish, Montana, the duo began collaborating remotely, creating cover songs that resonated deeply with their growing audience. Their music, characterized by a blend of distinct cultural i...

On Friday, August 2nd, the Brent Jameson Duo joined us for a lunchtime show on our press floor to spearhead Season Two of Press Play. Brent Jameson and Ben Darce brought the blues, soul, and touch of reggae to the Daily Inter Lake. It was a peek into Brent's life - his journey into sobriety, the rise and fall of relationships, and even the economic crash of 2008. Ben's mastery of his guitar was almost dizzying, and watchi...

Join us as reporter Taylor Inman learns more about the life and music of Whitefish musician Brent Jameson. From his early days of songwriting at age 11 in Cincinnati to finding his way to the Flathead Valley, Brent's journey is one of creativity, resilience, and continuous evolution. Discover how personal struggles and triumphs have shaped his bluesy, jazzy, and reggae-inspired sound, and hear about his plans for the future, i...

On Friday, June 7th, Barrel Stove Combo joined us for a lunchtime show on our press floor to wrap up Season One of Press Play. Rebecca Nelson on flute and tenor saxophone, Eric Gates playing an eight-string guitar, and Vinnie Rannazzisi on the drums brought the jazz to the Daily Inter Lake. It was a free-flowing improvisational dance of original jazz tunes; and the trio's long-standing friendship with each other was palpable.<...

Taylor Inman meets with musicians Vinnie, Rebecca, and Eric of Barrel Stove Combo. They talk about how they met, the few practices they need a year and their love of jazz. The Barrel Stove Combo performs Friday, June 7th on the pressroom floor at the Daily Inter Lake to wrap up the first season of Press Play. 

Read Taylor's article 
Tickets to the show 
Connect with the band

Daily Inter Lake'...

Press Play by the Daily Inter Lake is a monthly lunch concert series held in our newspaper warehouse, showcasing Northwest Montana's musical talent. Join us for an hour of original songs, connecting you to the heart of Flathead Valley's music scene. Catch exclusive artist interviews before the show starts!

Subscribe to all our pods! Stay in the know with timely updates from News Now,  keep up with northwest Montana sp...

On Friday, Mat 3rd, Halladay and Rob Quist joined us for a lunchtime show on our press floor. The father-daughter duo shared love letters to Montana and a few puns; their family talent spans across generations.

Singer-songwriter Rob founded the Mountain Mission Wood Band and has had his songs sung by Michael Martin Murphy and Loretta Lynn. He has appeared with musical acts Heart, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Buffett,...

On Friday, May 3rd, Halladay and Rob Quist joined us for a lunchtime show on our press floor. The father-daughter duo shared love letters to Montana and a few puns; their family talent spans across generations.

Singer-songwriter Rob founded the Mountain Mission Wood Band and has had his songs sung by Michael Martin Murphy and Loretta Lynn. He has appeared with musical acts Heart, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Buffett,...

On Friday, April 5th, Izaak Opatz joined us for a lunchtime show on our press floor. From tales of borrowing toiletries to misreading women, Izaak's show weaved us from the good and bad of LA to memories of Radar Ridge in East Glacier.

Put best by himself, Izaak's music is  "an ungulate in life’s winter pasture, chewing on and metabolizing disappointment, heartbreak, and the other tough stuff into enjoyable...

Taylor Inman Zooms in with musician Izaak Opatz. They talk touring, going back to school for a master's in environmental journalism, getting inspiration from a couple of Johns, dreaming of writing songs about friendship, and a cosmic country alien band. Izaak will play on the Daily Inter Lake press floor on April 5th, 2024! 

Tickets to the show
Read Taylor's Interview
Izaak's website
Listen on Sp...

Kalispell native Mike Murray joined us with bassist Chris Krager for a show on our press floor. Mike's voice is honest and direct; he embodies the pureness of a classic folk storyteller. His music conveys camaraderie and empathy, drawing inspiration from his family and life experiences growing up in Montana. 

Watch the whole show on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/QYexzelNMB0 

Learn more about his upco...

John Dunnigan, Flathead Valley music legend, has played venues in the area for over 40 years. You may have seen him at the Great Northern Bar on a late Thursday evening, but catch him in the bright midday light of the Daily Inter Lake newspaper press floor. On January 5th, 2024, he shared his wit and (some) wisdom at Press Play.

Read more here about Dunnigan's past and present: https://bit.ly/3OgDcv3
Follow John @...

Christiane has been singing and writing songs since she can remember. Her music is a sweet infusion of birdlike melodies mixed with a deep lyrical love of life and her connection with the natural world. She blends folk, blues, and country genres into a poetic experience of sound. Her songs truly come from the heart, and she shared them with us on February 2nd, 2024, for Press Play. 

Watch our interview with Christiane - ht...

Flathead Valley music fans would most likely recognize Mike Murray with a guitar in hand. The singer-songwriter stays booked and busy, but he’s also been working on a new album featuring piano, an instrument he’s grown to appreciate over the last few years. Murray talks about this, family, inspiration and production with host Taylor Inman ahead of his Press Play performance at the Daily Inter Lake on March 1. 

Subscribers can join f...

Christiane Hinterman has been singing and writing songs for as long as she can remember but has rarely shared her art with an audience. It’s something that’s changing as she begins to share more of her music and how she engages with the creative process. 

Hinterman performs on Feb. 2 for the Daily Inter Lake’s Press Play series. Subscribers can join for a unique music listening experience at the Daily Inter Lake office by ...

Flathead Valley music legend John Dunnigan has played venues in the area for over 40 years. But, when Thursday night comes around and he’s preparing to play another set at Whitefish’s Great Northern Bar and Grill, he’s just as excited as he’s ever been to see what the crowd will bring. 

Subscribe to all our pods! Stay in the know with timely updates from News Now,  keep up with northwest Montana sports on Keeping...

John Floridis, Missoula based guitarist, singer-songwriter and composer has released nine recordings mixing bluesy, folk-rock vocal tunes with adventurous solo acoustic guitar compositions. For over 25 years, John has been the producer and host of Montana Public Radio’s weekly feature Musician’s Spotlight.

Read more here: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2023/nov/23/john-floridis-december-benefit-shows-focus-on-bringing-dar...

John Floridis, Missoula based guitarist, singer-songwriter and composer has released nine recordings mixing bluesy, folk-rock vocal tunes with adventurous solo
acoustic guitar compositions. For over 25 years John has been the producer and host of Montana Public Radio’s weekly feature Musician’s Spotlight.

Subscribe to all our pods! Stay in the know with timely updates from News Now,  keep up with northwest Montana...