Courtyard Concert Series | Rachel La Vonne & Brian Payne

Originally from Iowa, Rachel La Vonne came to Tulsa four years ago to get away for a few weeks. She never left, and she told us that musically, she feels like she’s grown up here. Rachel got her start opening for Desi & Cody and Grazzhopper, and she’s settled in well enough that we thought she was a Tulsa native. She played a recent Courtyard Concert with friend and frequent collaborator Brian Payne. A folksy singer-songwriter and native Tulsan, Payne splits his time between T-town and Boulder, Colorado. If you’ve been around these parts long enough, you’ll probably remember Xanadu, Payne’s much-adored high school folk/jam band. 

Rachel La Vonne

Currently listening to: Susan Tedeschi. I’ve been stuck on her and Tedeschi Trucks Band. She’s got such a soft voice when she talks—which usually, that’s what people get from me. And so far in my music, I have some things where I belt, but I don’t feel like I’ve fully let go yet. She’s fearless with whatever she does. Instead of thinking about it so much, I think she just does it, and I want to get there. And she can play. 

Favorite local hangout: I go to Woodward Park like every day. There are two trees that I sit under always. I write—not necessarily music—but I write almost every day. 

Three albums I’d need on a desert island: The Beatles’ White Album, Ray LaMontagne’s Trouble, and anything by Tedeschi Trucks Band. 

Current project: I’m making an EP with Cody Clinton. I’m really excited about that, because I’ve been waiting for him specifically—I feel like he hears what I hear. Or at least, I have a sound in my head, and I feel like he knows someone in town who can do it. 

You might be surprised to know: La Vonne is not my last name (it’s Hendren). It’s my middle name—I was named after my great grandmother, and when she passed, I started going by La Vonne. My family calls me La Vonne—they don’t call me Rachel.

My tattoos: I have “ahava” on the inside of my left wrist. It’s Hebrew for love. I got Hebrew because I just thought it was pretty. And as a reminder—I tend to forget that I’m surrounded by it. I think everyone does, but I needed a reminder at that time. And then I have a feather on my back for my grandmother. She fed birds every day.

Favorite Tulsa music moment: Playing at The Church Studio with Wink [Burcham], Jacob Tovar, John Moreland and Robert Hoefling for Wink’s Comfortable Shoes release. 

What’s next: I want to play electric, and I’m going to have my first guitar lessons from Paul Benjaman. I’m excited. 

Music is therapy. 

Brian Payne

Best way to spend a Saturday: Definitely hangin’ out on a beautiful day like today, preferably around a fire or chiminea, drinkin’ some tasty brews and listening to some good folk music with my family.

Currently listening to: Sylvan Esso—I guess technically considered electro-pop, but her voice is just really amazing. And a whole lot of Gregory Alan Isakov and Shakey Graves.

Favorite local hangout: We’ve just recently been hitting up The Fur Shop more. Got a friend bartending there and another friend that works for the Lone Wolf truck. Real nice spot.

Best concert I’ve seen in Tulsa: Béla Fleck with Keller Williams and Yonder Mountain down at the old amphitheater on the river. Seeing all of them in Tulsa, on the river, that was it. That was a really cool show.

Three albums I’d need on a desert island: Paul Simon’s Graceland, Gregory Alan Isakov’s Weatherman, and hmm—something funky, something danceable. Let’s go with some James Brown, just The Best of—solid all around. If I’m gonna be on an island, I’m gonna be dancin’.

Music is life. 

Find videos and Q&As from past Courtyard Concerts here.