Eugene Weekly

It’s no easy task picking the top events of OBF, but here’s a working list. For a full lineup of events, times, locations and tickets, visit oregonbachfestival.com   The Seven Deadly Sins, June 26, Hult Center Continue reading →

More than a decade ago, in a speech at the Oregon Bach Festival, former New York Times classical music critic John Rockwell suggested that OBF bring in historically informed ensembles so audiences could hear how contemporary authentic-practice Baroque performances differed from then-OBF music director Helmuth Rilling’s “1950s and ’60s interpretations.”  Continue reading →

L.A. electro-pop duo Ultra Violent Rays draws comparisons to darkly sensual and moody acts like Portishead.  The band describes their sound as “the hypothetical sonic lovechild of Siouxsie Sioux, Phantogram and the movie Blade Runner.”  Ultra Violent Rays’ current single “Wish” is propelled by hypnotic, electronic drums, a ghostly whistle, shimmering and watery keyboards and vocalist Cooper Gillespie’s ethereal voice — borrowing an irresistible hook from childhood: “Wish I may/ Wish I might/ Find the words to make it right.”  Continue reading →

Indie-soul outfit My Brothers and I is making big noises up north, recently signing to Portland’s Expunged Records — a label with a long history of working with critical darlings like Blind Pilot.  Label founder Anthony McNamer says he knew he wanted to work with My Brother and I after seeing footage of the band performing live. “They have those harmonies that you only get from siblings,” McNamer says via press release. The five-piece band features three brothers and two childhood friends.  Continue reading →

Daniel Blue — who once made love in the bathroom at Eugene’s Ninkasi Brewery — grew up in a highly religious family where he wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music. Now, he’s the frontman of Motopony, the Seattle sextet that fuses Northwest indie folk with the current electronic craze.  Continue reading →

Columbus, Ohio-based emcee Blueprint, aka Albert Shepard, doesn’t pull any punches. Never the type to pepper an album with radio-ready “bangers,” Shepard is an artist who creates for himself. His lyrics are incredibly personal and real-to-life, sometimes isolating the casual listener because, let’s face it, most of us go to great lengths to avoid truly knowing ourselves. Not Shepard. Soul-baring is an essential part of the package.  Continue reading →

Lauded purveyors of fierce and rebellious street punk, London’s U.K. Subs have released 24 albums and toured extensively over the past 40 years, showing no signs of slowing down, let alone stopping. Balancing just enough rough and tumble energy with choruses you want to shout along to and the occasional blistering solo, the Subs have crafted their own unique (but now thoroughly imitated) blend of punk, hardcore and “Oi!” — a subgenre of ’70s punk rock from the U.K.  Continue reading →

Olympia-based, Southern California-born musician Elizabeth le Fey (aka Globelamp) loves The Beatles.  “They have a lot of different parts in the music, like ‘A Day in the Life,’” le Fey tells EW. “I love that about The Beatles. It’s like you’re on a roller coaster.”  Le Fey says The Beatles’ willingness to expand the traditional pop song formula is an influence on her sound, which she calls psychedelic folk. Continue reading →

San Diego indie rockers The Donkeys are tie-dying their T-shirts. “It just seemed like a good idea,” band member Timothy DeNardo tells EW.  DeNardo says there’s a hippie vibe to their upcoming West Coast tour, which stops in Eugene for a free show June 19 in the Hi-Fi Music Hall lounge.  “We’re playing a couple festivals and a show on the solstice,” DeNardo says, so tie-dye band T-shirts seem appropriate. Continue reading →