Side Tracks: Culture in Northwest Montana

Daily Inter Lake
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Side Tracks is the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast exploring the people and ideas shaping culture in northwest Montana. From Flathead Valley musicians to chefs, each episode spotlights the creatives and tastemakers defining life in and around the Flathead Valley region.Through in-depth conversations and live sessions, Side Tracks takes you inside the process - how songs get written, menus get built and creative communities take root in Montana. The podcast also features episodes from our Press Play series, with interviews and live performances recorded in the Daily Inter Lake press room floor. Check out our other podcasts! Subscribe to News Now for highlights of a handful of headlines, events, and breaking news for northwest Montana. Deep Dive features conversations with local people, businesses, nonprofits, and agencies related to our community. Listen to Keeping Score for a weekly local Northwest Montana prep and college sports breakdown.

  1. Inside Winter Song: Filming 200 Days of Wildlife in Montana’s Harshest Season

    APR 15

    Inside Winter Song: Filming 200 Days of Wildlife in Montana’s Harshest Season

    What does it take to film wildlife in one of the harshest environments in the country? In this episode, reporter Taylor Inman sits down with Hungry Horse News editor Chris Peterson to break down his stunning documentary Winter Song - a year-in-the-life look at a small river ecosystem in northwest Montana. Over the course of more than 200 days in the field, Peterson and his son captured intimate, never-before-seen moments of wildlife surviving and thriving through brutal winter conditions, spring runoff, and the quiet rhythms of summer. From American dippers diving beneath frozen water to rare encounters with otters, wolves, and foxes, Winter Song reveals a side of Montana nature documentaries you don’t often see. Peterson shares the realities behind the lens—hours of stillness, unpredictable wildlife behavior, technical challenges with gear, and the patience required to capture just seconds of usable footage. He also reflects on the deeply personal experience of making the film alongside his son, the evolution of the project from concept to PBS broadcast, and what it means to tell authentic, place-based stories in an era of polished, big-budget nature films. If you're interested in wildlife filmmaking, documentary storytelling, Montana’s natural landscapes, or the raw process behind capturing nature on camera, this conversation delivers rare insight from someone who lived every season of it. Watch Winter Song now on the Hungry Horse News YouTube channel. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    21 min
  2. Paul Cauthen on New Album, Fatherhood & Montana Tour Stop

    APR 13

    Paul Cauthen on New Album, Fatherhood & Montana Tour Stop

    Country-rock artist Paul Cauthen joins reporter Taylor Inman ahead of his upcoming show at the Majestic Arena in Kalispell, Montana, offering a candid look at life on and off the road. Speaking from a motorcycle trip through Big Bend National Park, Cauthen reflects on turning 40, preparing to become a father and the momentum behind his latest album Black on Black, released April 3. He breaks down the creative process behind the record, from years of songwriting and collaboration to staying grounded in his Texas roots while refusing to be boxed into a single genre. The conversation also dives into his connection to Montana, his relationship with fans and the evolving sound that blends country, rock and beyond. Cauthen shares how his upbringing in gospel music shaped his artistry, why authenticity matters more than radio play and what audiences can expect when he hits the stage in the Flathead Valley. This episode of Side Tracks highlights one of the most dynamic voices in modern country music just days before his Kalispell performance. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    23 min
  3. Drew Landry: Press Play Concert

    07/15/2025

    Drew Landry: Press Play Concert

    Catch a powerful live session with singer-songwriter Drew Landry before his set at Under the Big Sky Festival on July 20th! From personal stories rooted in the wilds of Glacier National Park to protest anthems and bayou blues, Landry’s performance is a heartfelt ride through Americana’s rawest corners. Joined on stage by cellist Lee Zimmerman, the duo brings depth and soul to every track, weaving grit and grace into each melody. Whether singing about Montana’s last best places or the forgotten voices of the South, Landry leaves nothing off the table in this unfiltered set. Watch our interview with Drew before the show: https://youtu.be/aeoooX9cmd8 Connect with Drew: Website - https://www.drewlandrymusic.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drew.landry.35/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fFbEsc4jGGL4ERaBblNaL Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/drew-landry/148098257 A big thanks to our sponsor of this Press Play installment, Under the Big Sky Music Festival — proudly produced by Outriders Present. Join the celebration July 18–20 for three unforgettable days of music, where Drew Landry will take the stage alongside a powerhouse lineup of Americana, outlaw country, bluegrass, folk, and rock artists. Set against the stunning backdrop of Big Mountain Ranch just outside Whitefish, Montana, this is one summer weekend you won’t want to miss. Grab your tickets and learn more at https://www.underthebigskyfest.com.  Daily Inter Lake's Press Play concerts are a subscriber-only benefit and support our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program. Catch your next show at flatheadtickets.com/ Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    1h 1m
  4. Press Play Interview: Drew Landry

    06/19/2025

    Press Play Interview: Drew Landry

    In this episode of Press Play, Cajun-born singer-songwriter Drew Landry sits down with Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman for a grounded and wide-ranging conversation about songwriting, storytelling, and staying connected to your roots. Known for his raw and honest lyrics, Landry shares the experiences that shaped his voice—from growing up in Louisiana to building a life in East Glacier, Montana. While sitting on the stage at Great Northern Bar in downtown Whitefish, they discuss fighting for what you believe in, the importance of honoring where you come from, and the drive to create something that speaks to real people. If you’re drawn to music with heart, grit, and purpose, this one’s for you. Drew will be performing live in the Daily Inter Lake press room for an intimate lunchtime show on Friday, June 27, 2025. Read Taylor Inman’s full feature on Drew at dailyinterlake.com. Connect with Drew! https://www.drewlandrymusic.com A big thanks to our sponsor of this Press Play installment, Under the Big Sky Music Festival — proudly produced by Outriders Present. Join the celebration July 18–20 for three unforgettable days of music, where Drew Landry will take the stage alongside a powerhouse lineup of Americana, outlaw country, bluegrass, folk, and rock artists. Set against the stunning backdrop of Big Mountain Ranch just outside Whitefish, Montana, this is one summer weekend you won’t want to miss. Grab your tickets and learn more at underthebigskyfest.com. Looking for even more music? Catch Charley Crockett + Jamey Johnson at Big Mountain Ranch on June 28th to benefit the Wolves Den Youth Center.  This all-ages event features Indian Relay Races—a traditional, fast-paced, and daring horse racing competition rooted in the history of Native American tribes. Tickets can be purchased at outriderspresent.com. Daily Inter Lake's Press Play concerts are a subscriber-only benefit and support our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program. Catch your next show at flatheadtickets.com/ Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    30 min
  5. Jamie Wyman Duo: Press Play Concert

    05/15/2025

    Jamie Wyman Duo: Press Play Concert

    Experience the soulful, thought-provoking performance of the Jamie Wyman Duo as they took the stage in this unforgettable live concert held on the Daily Inter Lake newspaper's press room floor. With Jamie’s powerful vocals and acoustic guitar matched by her husband Andy Belk’s grounding bass lines, the duo weaves songs that speak to grief, growth, ancestral strength, feminine power, and radical kindness. This live set includes new tracks from their upcoming 22-track rock opera Return to the Mothership, heartfelt crowd favorites, and intimate storytelling that blurs the line between vulnerability and empowerment. Whether you're here for the music, the message, or the magic—this is a show you won't want to miss. Listen to our interview with Jamie before the show! Connect with Jamie! Website - jamiewymanband.com Instagram /  jamiewymanband YouTube Channel / @jamiewymanband Facebook / jamiewymanband Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/4T9ad... Apple Music / jamie-wyman-band  Daily Inter Lake's Press Play concerts are a subscriber-only benefit and support our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program. Catch your next show at flatheadtickets.com/ Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    52 min
  6. Press Play Interview: Jamie Wyman

    04/24/2025

    Press Play Interview: Jamie Wyman

    Whitefish singer-songwriter Jamie Wyman is preparing to release Return to the Mothership — a 22-track folk-rock opera rooted in Tarot, transformation, and the raw emotion of lived experience. In this candid conversation with Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman, Wyman shares how she left a career in social work to fully embrace music, channeling heartbreak and hope into songs that heal. They talk early influences, songwriting through grief and vertigo, and what it means to create a concept album for women who are trying to make the world a better place. With roots in Kalispell and an origin story involving Craigslist, ukuleles, and Janis Joplin, Jamie’s path to becoming a Montana music mainstay is anything but ordinary. Hear the stories behind “Secrets from Beyond the Veil” and “Spinning Out,” and get a preview of Jamie’s upcoming album before its official release this fall. Jamie Wyman Duo is performing live on Daily Inter Lake's press room floor for a lunchtime show on Friday, May 2nd 2025. Read Taylor's full article on Jamie on dailyinterlake.com and watch the full interview on our YouTube channel. Connect with Jamie! jamiewymanband.com...and learn more about Blue Star Resort in Columbia Falls, where we held our interview! Daily Inter Lake's Press Play concerts are a subscriber-only benefit and support our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program. Catch your next show at flatheadtickets.com/ Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    18 min
  7. Luke Dowler: Press Play Concert

    03/20/2025

    Luke Dowler: Press Play Concert

    Montana singer-songwriter Luke Dowler takes the stage for a heartfelt live performance, blending folk-rock storytelling with powerful vocals and raw emotion. From the introspective ballad Good Enough to the road-trip anthem Going to Montana, Dowler’s set explores love, resilience, and life’s winding journey. His songwriting weaves personal stories, touching on themes of longing, perseverance, and the beauty of the unknown. Tune in for a moving concert that captures the soul of the West and the heart of an artist who lives for the music.  Watch the full show on Daily Inter Lake's YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/6RJGK_v5lww Connect with Luke: Website - https://www.lukedowler.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lukedowler YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/axemasterflash Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DowlerMusic/ ...and watch our interview with Luke before the show - https://youtu.be/IjbAoB5EhMo Daily Inter Lake's Press Play concerts are a subscriber-only benefit and support our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program. Catch your next show at flatheadtickets.com/ Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    44 min
  8. Press Play Interview: Luke Dowler

    02/27/2025

    Press Play Interview: Luke Dowler

    Montana-based singer-songwriter Luke Dowler joins reporter Taylor Inman to talk about his journey in music, from discovering his first guitar as a kid to shaping his distinct, genre-blending sound. He shares the inspiration behind his latest album, Midnight Conversations, reflecting on late-night talks, personal stories, and the creative process that fuels his songwriting. Dowler also dives into his love for Montana, the challenges of being an independent artist, and what’s next for his music.  Luke Dowler is performing live on our press room floor for a lunchtime show on Friday, March 7th, 2025. Connect with Luke! Website - https://www.lukedowler.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lukedowler YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/axemasterflash Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DowlerMusic/ Daily Inter Lake's Press Play concerts are a subscriber-only benefit and support our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program. Catch your next show at flatheadtickets.com/ Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Visit DailyInterLake.com to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news from the Flathead Valley and beyond. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    27 min
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About

Side Tracks is the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast exploring the people and ideas shaping culture in northwest Montana. From Flathead Valley musicians to chefs, each episode spotlights the creatives and tastemakers defining life in and around the Flathead Valley region.Through in-depth conversations and live sessions, Side Tracks takes you inside the process - how songs get written, menus get built and creative communities take root in Montana. The podcast also features episodes from our Press Play series, with interviews and live performances recorded in the Daily Inter Lake press room floor. Check out our other podcasts! Subscribe to News Now for highlights of a handful of headlines, events, and breaking news for northwest Montana. Deep Dive features conversations with local people, businesses, nonprofits, and agencies related to our community. Listen to Keeping Score for a weekly local Northwest Montana prep and college sports breakdown.

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