Get ready for some Fleetwood Mac

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Buzz began building not long after Taken by the Sky’s debut performance last summer at the River’s Edge concert series in Independence. Fans of the Fleetwood Mac tribute band wanted to know if they would be back this summer.

Well, they are back. Word on the street suggests another large, enthusiastic crowd will be on hand. Their concert is Friday, and it begins at 8 p.m.

The night of music kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with Rhythm & Business, Salem’s premiere funk band. Admission is $5 per person, but that’s good for both shows.

The Polk County Free Press thanks Jessa Campbell, Taken by the Sky’s Stevie Nicks, for taking time to answer a few questions. Her replies follow:

What has the past year been like for you and the band? Any new additions, releases, or accolades? What projects are band members involved in?  

We've had a remarkable year filled with sold-out shows, including a memorable performance at the Aladdin Theatre in Portland and a laser light show at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. We played at the Lebanon Strawberry Festival. We also rocked the MainStage at Harefest on Friday. 

We love connecting with our fans through social media, and their feedback has inspired us to add a few new tunes to our setlist. Colin Hogan, Brian Link, and Cheo Larcombe, members of our band, have also been busy with their original project, The Colin Trio. They recently opened for us at The Headliners Club in Lake Oswego, and they have a new album on the horizon.

Aram Arslanian is often booked every night of the week with one of his many projects - check out Orphan Train.

Lawrence Orleck continues to lead Life During Wartime (Talking Heads), with Jessa and Aram joining him in a new project called Hiding From Love (Depeche Mode). Jessa has started Band after Midnight (ABBA) with Liz Ghiz, the lead singer of Glass of Hearts (Blondie). 

Additionally, Lawrence and Jessa collaborated on an original children’s music project, landing three songs in heavy rotation on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live.

It’s been a busy and fulfilling year for the band.

Taken by the Sky, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, performs Friday at Riverview Park in downtown Independence. The show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Band members are, bottom row, left to right: Lawrence Orleck, Jessa Campbell and Colin Hogan. Top row: Cheo Larcombe, Aram Arslanian and Brian Link. Studio photo by Joshua Rivera.

Has the band ever had any close encounters with members of Fleetwood Mac? Do you know if they’ve checked you out online or in concert?

We haven’t met any members of Fleetwood Mac yet, but we remain hopeful that they’ll check us out someday soon! 

When do you first remember hearing Fleetwood Mac, and what was it about Stevie Nicks that captivated you? About Fleetwood Mac?

It’s hard to go very far in life without encountering Fleetwood Mac's music. We all grew up listening to their songs.

Stevie Nicks' poetry stands out for me; she writes from a place of truth, and that authenticity is easy to connect with. The audience feels that connection too, which creates a magical experience.

What’s nice about Fleetwood Mac is that it’s a true ensemble band. Everyone has their moment to shine. Keep an eye out for our rhythm section, Cheo and Brian, during ‘World Turning.’   

What’s your favorite Fleetwood Mac song? Why? Who do you listen to when you’re not listening to Fleetwood Mac?

‘Rhiannon’ is a song that completely captivates me. Watching Fleetwood Mac perform it live, you realize it shines even brighter than the studio version. It’s like a spell is cast over the band, and we’re all transported to another place.

When we’re not listening to Fleetwood Mac, many of us enjoy supporting local artists and listening to their albums. Our friend Scott Minton, who owns ‘A Record Shop’ in Sandy, often gives us great recommendations. You can find records from The Colin Trio or Jessa Campbell & the Saplings for your kids there. 

File by Lance Masterson

What is the hardest thing about playing in a tribute band?

It depends on who you ask. For some, it might be wearing platform boots while twirling; for others, it’s getting burned by the mic pack, finding a breathable non-polyester shirt from the '70s, or avoiding the Screwball whiskey until after the show.

When did Taken by the Sky come together? What were the early days like? Do you remember the moment when you and your bandmates realized that, yes, we can do this?

We came together in the fall of 2021, much like Fleetwood Mac did - with a phone call that said, ‘Hey, you’re the perfect fit for this project. Want to give it a go?’ The early days were filled with excitement and the realization that we had something special. 

Photo by Lance Masterson

Harefest, which was last weekend, is described as the mother of all tribute band festivals. This year it featured 27 tribute bands on three stages. What does it say about the longevity of classic rock bands that a festival like this even exists? Why does this music endure?

As (promoter Jason Fellman) calls it, its ‘summer camp for adults,’ but instead of cheesy camp songs by the fire, we are blown away by the music of legends, sometimes with pyrotechnics. Many attendees have been to dozens of our shows, and this festival takes everything up a notch. The enduring appeal of this music speaks to its timeless quality and the deep connection it fosters among fans.

Any other comments? 

In memory of Chuck Warda, a member of our music family who recently passed away. We’ve all had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him, some of us only a couple of weeks before his passing.

The joy we saw on his face as he delivered a ripping guitar solo is a testament to the fact that music is in our blood, and none of us could consider doing anything else. We love you, Chuck.