Moment of cheer

Celebrate the holidays with local musicians.

It’s that time of year again. Listen to the region’s best local musicians cover holiday favorites.

Helmer Noel | Spokane, WA

“This Christmas”

Originally from Texas, Helmer Noel landed in Spokane after a year-long, cross-country road trip with his partner and their pup, Emma—a mid-pandemic adventure that turned into a new home base. With a soulful, R&B-inspired sound and smooth storytelling style, Helmer quickly became a local favorite, playing music festivals and community stages throughout the region. He dropped his debut EP, City of Arrows, in 2023 and went on to win “Spokane’s Got Talent” the following year with Yesterdays from his second EP. Find more from Helmer at helmernoel.com.

Bag of Hammers | La Grande, OR

“Last Christmas”

Founded in 2015 by Luke McKern and Holly Sorensen, Bag of Hammers is an Eastern Oregon duo known for their dynamic, genre-defying sound. Their live performances often feature looping technology, layered vocals, and improvised instrumentals. Holly brings rich vocals and layers in ukulele, harmonica, and percussion, while Luke—an Eastern Oregon University music professor—adds depth with guitar, bass, keys, percussion, and an array of electronic gadgets. Explore more from Bag of Hammers at bagofhammerslg.com.

Payton Layne Drury | Richland, WA

“Blue Christmas"

Payton Layne Drury is a singer-songwriter who taught herself guitar at 15 and never looked back. She’s since developed a sound she describes as a mix of Morgan Wade and Stevie Nicks—with a splash of Red Hot Chili Peppers for good measure. Payton is rising star in the Pacific Northwest music scene and took home a “Tri-Cities Best” award for live music in 2025. Catch her next move on Instagram @paytonlaynedrury.

Justin Landis | Sandpoint, ID

“It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

Justin Landis has been a driving force in the Sandpoint music scene for nearly three decades—whether he’s on stage, in the studio, or behind the mixing board. A seasoned songwriter, performer, and producer, Justin frequently plays with his bands Cedar & Boyer and Little Wolf. When he’s not fronting a band, he often performs alongside other local artists throughout the Inland Northwest. In 2024, he co-founded Johnny Long Station, a destination recording studio built to foster collaboration and authentic musical expression. Learn more at justinlandis.com.

Get to know the artists.

We sat down with our holiday performers and asked them questions. From their favorite holiday desserts to what traditions they’d rather do without, get to know them. Check out what they had to say: