Riflebirds of Portland

The Riflebirds of Portland are back. Their new album, Windmills on the Moon, is now available on Vinyl, CD, and all digital platforms. Produced by Marvin Etzioni, the album features cover art by the legendary Edward Hopper, and the project has been mastered at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London by Grammy-winning engineer Sean Magee.

With a mix of evocative songwriting and rich musical history, Windmills on the Moon promises to be a compelling return for The Riflebirds of Portland.

"Do yourselves a favour and get into this album, it'll be a favourite for life."

—Sean Magee
Mastering engineer at Abbey Road Studios

Listen to "Windmills on the Moon".

Beautiful vocal harmonies that support Kate Oser’s voice, ringing guitars in the best West Coast tradition, and positive and engaging songwriting form the foundations of the album’s ten songs, introduced by “Sometime Somewhere” that immediately sets the stage for the harmonic development of “Windmills On The Moon…”

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A Brief History

The Riflebirds formed in 1985 in Portland, Oregon. The nucleus was bass player Lee Oser and guitarist Kevin Kraft, who played together in The Van Goghs and The Cry! When singer Kate Lieuallen joined them, along with temporary drummer Jeff Minick, The Riflebirds were born.

Minnick was succeeded by Kevin Jarvis. The band’s heyday, from 1985 to 1989, saw the release of two singles and a cassette LP, “April,” produced by Marvin Etzioni. Lee and Kate married in 1988, and soon after moved east.

Lee found a job teaching college, and Kate became a children’s librarian. Kevin Kraft ended up working in Silicon Valley. Kevin Jarvis went on to enjoy a successful career in Los Angeles as a session drummer, engineer, and producer.

The Mermaids, who sing backup on multiple tracks, are Grace Kraft, Branigan Lieuallen, and Briana Oser. Grace is Kevin’s daughter, Branigan is Kate’s niece, and Briana is Lee and Kate’s daughter.

The band regrouped in 2024 as The Riflebirds of Portland.

Musical Timeline

1982

1984

1985

1985-89

1986

1989

1990-Present

1992

2001

2003

2005

2010

2015

2023

2024

1982

Lee Oser and Kevin Kraft meet. With drummer Charlie Maurer, they form The Van Goghs and gradually start playing local clubs.

1984

Eric Booth replaces Charlie on drums, and the band renames itself The Cry! They release a cassette EP, Lust to Love.

1985

Kate Lieuallen joins Lee and Kevin, with Jeff Minnick on drums. The band is now called The Riflebirds. Soon afterward, Kevin Jarvis replaces Jeff on drums.

1985-89

The Riflebirds’s heyday. The band releases two 45s, “Dreaming of a Kiss / A Thousand Days” (1986) and “On a Day Like Today / Might as Well Stay” (1987).

1986

The Riflebirds play the Bite Festival on the Portland waterfront (August 20th)

1989

The band records a cassette LP, April, produced by Marvin Etzioni. Shortly thereafter, they go their separate ways.

1990-Present

Kevin Jarvis gigs and records in LA, drumming for Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Iggy Pop, Donovan, and many others.

1992

The band performs two reunion gigs in Portland.

2001

Grace Kraft born.

2003

Briana Oser born.

2005

Branigan Lieuallen born.

2010

Kevin Jarvis founds The Sonic Boom Room, a recording studio in LA.

2015

Lee and Marvin reconnect.

2023

Pre-production commences via Zoom on what eventually becomes Windmills on the Moon.

2024

The band records Windmills on the Moon July 1-13, at the Sonic Boom Room.

New Video Out Now!

She’s Not Here
From the album “Windmills on the Moon”

Song by Lee Oser & Marvin Etzioni
Lyrics by Lee Oser
Produced by Marvin Etzioni
Engineered by Kevin Jarvis with assistance from Adam Pike