A Round of Applause

A long time ago — way back in 2005 — many thought the internet would democratize the music business, cutting out the fat cats to create a clear creative and pecuniary relationship between audience and artist.

A success story from that time was Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s self-titled debut. With no record label, and on the strength of internet word-of-mouth alone, the album became a breakout hit.

Twelve years later, CYHSY front person Alex Ounsworth tells me he didn’t set out to take down the music business. Instead, he was simply hoping people could make creative choices by themselves without interference from record labels or PR firms.

Over time, “it’s become more complicated. It’s been taken over by the old model,” Ounsworth says of the music business.

Nevertheless, Ounsworth and CYHSY haven’t gone away, producing a string of consistently challenging, critically acclaimed albums.

Last year, CYHSY released The Tourist. On it, songs like “Better Off” feature Ounsworth’s slurry and silvery tenor, kind of a sad-sack higher-register corollary to Matt Berninger of The National. The music is drifting yet fundamentally grounded indie rock: a little nervous, a little romantic and a little dreamy.

If you’ve been around Eugene for a while, maybe you saw The National play with CYHSY at WOW Hall. The National have gotten huge, I mention, immediately wishing I hadn’t. “That’s what I hear,” Ounsworth replies, a little prickly. Ounsworth has battled the “flavor-of-the- month vs. here-to-stay” debate from the very beginning.

Maybe Ounsworth’s career choices have relegated him to more of a niche career, but he doesn’t mind. “I’m where I need to be,” he says. “I’m appreciative of anyone who comes by.”

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah comes to Eugene celebrating the 10th anniversary of their album Some Loud Thunder 9 pm Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Hi Fi Music Hall; $16 adv., $20 door, 21-plus.

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!