Back Beat

New releases: Hot off playing the mainstage at Oregon Country Fair, local blues-rock band Blue Lotus is gearing up for a six-state tour to promote its new album, Across the Canyon, recorded at Ninkasi Studios. The band’s fifth album is “a collaborative experiment that weaves elements of progressive rock, jazz and improvisational rock ‘n’ roll with hints of ’60s psychadelia,” the band says via press release. Catch them before they hit the road for a Grateful Dead set Saturday, Aug. 15, at Blairally Vintage Arcade, 245 Blair Blvd.

Meanwhile that same night across town, experimental jazz outfit Human Ottoman is hosting an album release party for sophomore recording Farang 10 pm at Hi-Fi Music Hall’s Encore Lounge. The “polyrhythmic power trio” recently won in the Independent Music Award’s instrumental category for its freshman album Power Baby.

Oregon Wine Lab (488 Lincoln Street) is kicking off a free concert series — Sunday Sessions — with the jazzy Tim McLaughlin Trio, featuring Dorian Crow and James West, 3:30 to 6 pm Sunday, Aug. 16.

David Liebe Hart, of Adult Swim and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! fame, is oft described as an “outsider” musician, but in Eugene, he’ll fit right in. His curriculum vitae reads like a lineup for the Oregon Country Fair: street performer, sign painter, artist, puppeteer. And he claims as a child that Korendian aliens abducted him. Head to WOW Hall to hear hits such as “Father & Son” and “Puberty” 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 13.

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!