Andy Combs and the Moth bring a whimsical pop storytelling style to Hazel's Tavern Friday, May 13. Submitted photo

ASTORIA Andy Combs and The Moth began as a solo project by Combs in 2005. A native of Ashland, Combs worked solo from 2005 to ’07, orchestrating a string of albums. He moved to Portland in 2006 and sometimes invited other musicians to play with him, but his band in its current lineup did not take form until some years later. In 2006, he met Lorin Coleman, who was then touring as the drummer for The Thermals.

During this time, Combs was playing bass for Point Juncture, in addition to working on his own material. The two kept in contact and when Combs decided to put together a band to perform his elaborate songs live, they brought in Ayal Alves on keyboards, Jacob Ransom (percussionist for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival) providing supplemental percussion and electronic elements in 2008 and Steve Coleman on bass to complete the current lineup.

Andy Combs and the Moth will be at Hazel’s Tavern, 1313 Marine Drive, at 9 p.m. Friday, May 13. There is no cover charge.