Lonesome Taxi, formed in 1993, is part of Portland's thriving east side music scene. John, Rachael, Mark, Heather and Joan found each other within a year to create Lonesome Taxi, develop a sound, and begin to compose and perform original songs and several covers. Together, the members have written over twenty songs, 15 of which have been captured on their latest CD, Keep the Change.

The band has played at such Portland standard venues as Mark's Hawthorne Pub, Mt. Tabor Pub, the 1201 Club, East Avenue Tavern, the X-Ray Cafe, as well as Lewis & Clark College, etc.. Lonesome Taxi has also performed at the annual Hawthorne Street Fair and at benefit concerts for Outside-In, a social service agency and medical clinic for homeless youth. The band is featured on the Outside-In fundraising CD, 25 Years on the Edge, along with other Portland bands.

Their music is usually described as "Urban Folk," though there is nothing usual about them.