A Very Fresh Machine

If it wasn’t self-described, machinery would seem too rough or inorganic a metaphor for the harmony, improvisation and trust that comprises the Dave Rawlings Machine, but the synergy among members —especially between Rawlings and Gillian Welch — makes for an undeniably powerful engine of sound.

The music of the Machine pays ancestral respect to the folk tradition, with its emotive lyricism and symbiotic musicality. Often having not rehearsed and finding themselves either on stage or in studio, members of the Machine lean on trust and intuition, following another’s lead.

“We were thinking a lot about art’s place in the world and the way that traveling through time, space — through location — becomes a larger theme in your life,” Dave Rawlings tells EW. As one gets older, Rawlings explains, “you’ve been more places, you see where you’re going, you see how your life affects things you write and the art you make.”

“Maybe we’re obsolete,” says Rawlings, quickly adding, “but only in a good way.”

It may seem counterintuitive, until you listen to their second album, Nashville Obsolete, which explores the paradox of change: As we seek to avoid it, we find ourselves constantly in the midst of it. Home then becomes an important theme — our longing for it as wanderlust drives us into new landscapes. “Where you gonna run, tell me where will you roam when you can’t go home?” the Machine asks on Obsolete.

“People will be getting a very fresh machine,” Rawlings says of their show in Eugene, the fourth stop in the tour. “The oil will still be very golden brown.”

Dave Rawlings Machine performs at 8 pm Wednesday, Oct. 21, at McDonald Theatre; $27.50-$37.50. All ages.

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!