Author: Lauren Messman

Inside the Artist’s Studio

Four local visual artists show us where the magic happens

Arts

Jerry Ross Jerry Ross has always been a pioneer: first by helping to sustain the New Zone Art Collective, followed by spearheading the creation of Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts.  Now the renowned Eugene oil painter has created his signature style, “American Verismo,” after discovering the Macchiaioli movement led by a group of rebellious Tuscan painters working in Florence in the mid-19th century.  Continue reading →

Downtempo Duo

Music

Of all the serendipitous moments in music history, Rob Garza wandering into Eric Hilton’s Eighteenth Street Lounge in 1995 is one that should not be overlooked. The happenstance meeting in Washington, D.C., propelled the two producer-musicians into an expansive Grammy-nominated career as globetrotting downtempo duo Thievery Corporation. Continue reading →

Welcome to the Picnic

Local fiber optics company Ants On A Melon lights up festivals across the country

Visual Arts

With all the hoopla of Eugene Celebration and Kaleidoscope Music Festival this past weekend, you probably laid eyes on a whole slew of inexplicable sights. And if you saw a giant glowing jellyfish bouncing around Mount Pisgah, don’t fret — you weren’t having a crazy trip; those dancing tentacles were just the far-out fiber optic artwork of local company Ants On A Melon.  Continue reading →

Party Playlist

Celebrate good times downtown

Culture

Eugene has a lot to celebrate: flourishing restaurants and breweries, a refurbished downtown area, leadership in all things green and the friendly vibe, just to name a few. Eugeneans, give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back. Since our city has so much to sing about, who better to help ring in another glorious Eugene Celebration than a smorgasbord of national and local musical acts? We’ve put together our list of must-see acts that love the city as much as we do. Friday, August 23 Continue reading →

Lord of the Lake

Music

Following in the fictional footsteps of indie alias outfits Father John Misty and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, L.A.-based atmospheric folk group Lord Huron uses its music to create a unique storytelling experience that transports listeners on a wandering adventure. The sepia-toned world of Lord Huron employs swirling melodies, layered harmonies, tribal drum beats and inventive rhythms to paint a picture of the American West as told by singer-songwriter Ben Schneider.  Continue reading →

Medicine Men

Music

Back in 2011 with the release of its 7” vinyl Myths, the only defining quality that distinguished the Seattle-based Pickwick from the cluttered Pacific Northwest indie folk scene was lead singer Galen Disston’s buttery vocals. “We were conscious of our songs being very derivative, very wannabe,” Disston says. Since then, the sextet started writing songs collaboratively, brought in Americana, blues and soul influences and has successfully stepped out from under the neo-indie umbrella that so many Seattle bands are huddled beneath. Continue reading →