A Cabin in the Woods

“I sang before I talked,” laughs Kate Sawicki, lead singer of the richly eclectic band The Cabin Project. Sawicki and her solemn band mates string together a haunting sound that serves as a sweet catharsis — just in time to dust away those wintery blues.

Sawicki began her musical journey as a solo artist about a decade ago, but her informal songwriting sprouted during the whirlwind of her teenage years. Not much has changed in her lyrics since her angst-filled beginnings. “I’ve always tried to have an anti-establishment scene, but guised in a love story,” she says.

In her early 20s Sawicki played shows in Brooklyn, New York, as a one-woman folk artist. Several years ago, an internal unsettling provoked her to move to Portland, where she saw her music thriving as thickly as forest ferns.

Sawicki says she wanted to change her solo career into one that bred community. Eventually, she met fellow band mates Zanny Geffel (drums, vocals), Rebekah Hanson (viola, vocals) and Kelly Clifton (strings). “We have one place that we love to go to on the water in Lincoln City,” Sawicki says, “and we’ll hole up there for four days.”

The band often sets aside a chunk of time for meditative retreats to far-off cabins in order to meld together the different takes on their sounds, personalities and shitty situations. “It’s true what they say,” Sawicki says. “You kind of need to be at your worst to write.”

Once a retreat has ended, the band emerges with a blossomed collage of tunes akin to Bon Iver with a darker twist.

The Cabin Project plays with Goshwood 10 pm Friday, May 5, at Hi-Fi Lounge; tickets $7 at the door.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!