
For Jans Ingber, vocalist for The Motet, Eugene is where it all started.
“Eugene was an awesome place to grow up and be a high schooler,” Ingber says. “I was in this band called The Boogie Patrol Express, and we were an original disco band. We sold out the WOW Hall a few times and did that for a few years, so that started my love of music and was my foot into the music biz.”
The Motet, an octet, puts on lively “dance parties,” and their music incorporates elements of dance, funk, soul, salsa, electronica, Afrobeat and samba. Their self-titled album comes out on Jan. 25 and marks a rebirth for the band.
“All the other records had different players on them, and this record [represents] this version of the band that’s been playing together for the last four years,” he says. “This is our first collaboratively written and performed record we’ve done together and signifies a new direction for us.”
Ingber has fond memories of the McDonald, so he is excited to return.
“My first job was with Act III Cinemas,” Ingber says. “The McDonald used to be a movie theater, and I worked there in concessions and as a doorman, and now I’m going back there to play it as a musician, so that’s pretty funny.”
The Motet plays with Acorn Project 8 pm Saturday, Dec. 28, at McDonald Theatre; $18 adv., $22 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!

Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519