Fantasy Folk-Step

The concept behind 2013’s The Clear Blue Pearl from Portland band Morning Ritual sounds more like a sci-fi-fantasy movie than a pop record, complete with a devastating drought, an epic journey and a mysterious “blue pearl.”

Sample the music and you’ll hear cool, pulsating, futuristic R&B, featuring vocals from popular folk-pop duo and twin sisters Katelyn and Laurie Shook, aka The Shook Twins. Ben Darwish, Morning Ritual’s visionary and primary songwriter, calls the band’s sound: “sophisticated pop, fantasy folk and hypnotic R&B.”

Darwish says he met The Shook Twins at a house party in Portland and “the rest is history,” adding that the concept behind Pearl came from a month-long residency at Caldera, an arts education center aimed at underserved kids located near Sisters, Oregon.

This year, Morning Ritual is back with “So Cold,” a contemporary soul tune as chilled-out and sensual as an illicit love affair at a Swiss Alps ski resort (check out the ethereal music video to match). “‘So Cold’ will be released on an upcoming EP along with several other songs,” Darwish explains, adding that “the songs are connected but in a less literal sense [than Clear Blue Pearl].”

Morning Ritual plays 8:30 pm Friday, Dec. 19, at Axe & Fiddle, Cottage Grove; $10, 21-plus. Morning Ritual plays again the following night 7:30 pm Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Majestic Theatre, Corvallis; $20.

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!