First Rodeo

First Rodeo is an alt-country and folk rock duo from Portland, Oregon, consisting of Tim Howe and Nathan Tucker. They blend rootsy country vibes with folk and rock elements, creating a sound that’s both classic and fresh. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2022, showcasing a collaborative songwriting approach with nuanced arrangements, including pedal steel and banjo contributions by Sam Wenc. They followed up with their second album, *Rode Hard and Put Away Wet*, released in 2025 on Bud Tapes, which pushes their boundaries a bit further, even incorporating some rap elements while staying true to their roots.

Both Howe and Tucker bring their own rich musical backgrounds to the project—Howe having roots in the Portland alt-country scene, and Tucker known for his indie pop work with projects like Cool Original and Strange Ranger. Together, First Rodeo explores storytelling grounded in country, folk, and rock traditions with a modern twist, earning attention for their thoughtful compositions and genre-blending creativity.

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