Friday, August 15th, 2025 | Doors 7PM | Show 8PM
Portland, OR — Northern California outlaw country artist Brett McFarland and his band The Freedom Riders are headed to Portland for a one-night-only performance at The Get Down on Thursday, August 15th—and this isn’t just another show. It’s a movement.
Known for turning hard-earned life experiences into anthemic, soul-shaking music, McFarland has emerged as a powerful voice of unity and resilience on California’s North Coast. After serving time in federal prison for cannabis cultivation, he returned home not just to rebuild—but to uplift. What followed has been nothing short of a grassroots phenomenon. Brett’s raw, honest songwriting—rooted in outlaw country and tinged with blues and Americana—has resonated far beyond his hometown, capturing hearts across the globe. His music bridges divides, brings communities together, and creates space for truth, healing, and joy.
McFarland’s breakout music videos, including “Humboldt”, “Klamath” and “I Grew W**d” have gone viral, racking up millions of views for their unapologetic storytelling and authentic portrayal of life in the hills. The video for “Humboldt” was created entirely with community support and filmed on local farms, fishing boats, and forests—to showcase the rugged beauty and resilient spirit of the North Coast.
That same realness led to a widely viewed feature documentary with YouTube journalist Peter Santenello, introducing McFarland’s story to a national audience. The episode “The California that No-one Knows” explored Brett’s life before and after prison, the culture of Humboldt County, and how his music has become a unifying force in a region often misunderstood.
“Music gave me a way to reconnect with the people, and the purpose I lost when I went inside,” says McFarland. “Now I get to share those songs with communities that know that same kind of struggle—and the same kind of love.”
Through collaborations with Indigenous tribes on songs like “Klamath,” and grassroots efforts that blur the line between artist and audience, Brett McFarland’s shows have become something more than performances—they’re gatherings of people bound by land, story, and sound. Backed by his seasoned band—Surya Sardonicus (drums), Lisa Marie (bass), Oliver Moriera (harmonica) and Rich Kearns (electric guitar)—McFarland delivers a cathartic, high-energy set that’s both timeless and deeply rooted in now.
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About Brett McFarland:
Brett McFarland is a Humboldt County-based outlaw country artist and community advocate. Once incarcerated for cannabis cultivation, McFarland has since become a voice for land restoration, justice reform, and rural resilience. Through his original songs, viral music videos and live performances, McFarland has has united a diverse audience across the North Coast—collaborating with Indigenous tribes, farmers, ranchers, and neighbors. His songs honor the complexity of life on the rural West Coast—celebrating freedom, survival, and the shared spirit of place.
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