Portland’s Riflebirds Soar with Reissued 1988 Album ‘April’

ooted melodies, literate songwriting, and understated power sounding as fresh now as they did at their inception.

Initially released exclusively on cassette in 1989 and mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering, “April” has remained a cherished secret among those who encountered it during the band’s short-lived late-80s emergence. Now revitalized and reintroduced, the album serves as a time capsule and a revelation, showcasing the band’s musical evolution.

Formed in Portland, Oregon in 1985, The Riflebirds of Portland comprised songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lee Oser, guitarist Kevin Kraft, vocalist Kate Lieuallen, and drummer Kevin Jarvis. Their initial tenure from 1985 to 1989 yielded two singles and “April,” produced by Etzioni. Despite early interest from Columbia Records and the inclusion of the track “Pieces of Time” on the esteemed “College Music Journal” CD, the band disbanded before reaching their full potential.

Subsequent years saw the band members embark on individual paths. Lee and Kate Oser married in 1988 and relocated to the East Coast, where Lee pursued a career as an English literature professor and author, while Kate became a children’s librarian. Kevin Kraft established himself in Silicon Valley, and Kevin Jarvis found success as a session drummer, engineer, and producer in Los Angeles, collaborating with notable artists.

In 2024, a serendipitous reunion between Lee and Etzioni sparked the reunion of the original lineup under the new moniker The Riflebirds of Portland, to avoid clashes with other entities. With Etzioni once again at the helm, the band reconvened at Jarvis’s Sonic Boom Room studio in Venice, California, breathing new life into their music.

Their 2025 comeback album, “Windmills on the Moon,” garnered international acclaim, secured a spot in the Roots Music Report’s Top 100 Americana Country Albums of the Year, and received widespread radio play across various platforms. Singles like “Sometime Somewhere,” “It Doesn’t Matter Much to Me,” and “You Win” reintroduced the band’s genre-defying sound to a fresh audience, with each track enjoying terrestrial radio airplay in the U.S.

The success of their recent endeavors prompted the band to revisit “April,” a poignant journey down memory lane. The album, featuring core members Lee Oser, Kate Oser, Kevin Kraft, and Kevin Jarvis, with notable contributions from renowned musicians, weaves a tapestry of themes such as time, memory, desire, and resilience.

The album’s tracks, from the contemplative opener “Pieces of Time,” to the reflective “Memory Street,” and the evocative “Dreaming of a Kiss,” demonstrate the band’s musical prowess and lyrical depth. Kate Oser’s emotive vocals complement Lee Oser’s introspective lyrics, creating a harmonious blend of folk, Americana, and indie influences.

The current iteration of The Riflebirds includes backing vocals from The Mermaids, a new generation of familial musicians, adding another layer of depth to their sound. With a focus on authenticity and camaraderie, the band aims to convey a sense of genuine connection through their music.

Following the reissue of “April” in April 2026, The Riflebirds of Portland will return to the recording studio in June to work on their third album, “The Fire Came Down,” continuing their musical journey. Far from a relic of the past, “April” emerges as a living testament to the band’s enduring legacy, marking a new chapter in their ongoing narrative.