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When interviewing a band called Levon’s Helmet, the lead question writes itself: What’s up with your most excellent band name? “Me and Gordon were in this band called Water Tower [formerly Water Tower Bucket Boys],” says Jason Oppat, drummer and vocalist for Portland-based power pop trio Levon’s Helmet. “When we decided to make our own music we just went with it. At the time it was kind of a joke. It’s a little bit of a jab at folk and country music.” Continue reading
With 2014 knocking on the door, it’s time to reflect on the past year, which means (in today’s psyche) lots of “Best of” lists. EW is proud to announce that two photos taken by longtime art director Todd Cooper made Rolling Stone’s “40 Best Live Photos of 2013.” The photos in question? Continue reading
He dreams of Eugene in ink: San Diego transplant Thomas Fernandez is the artist behind this week’s cover illustration, bringing to life the slide dream of another local artist, Jud Turner (see cover story). For this illustration, Fernandez drew the outlines in ink, scanned the work and filled in the color digitally. In September, the 23-year-old moved to Eugene, where he says the lower cost of living has allowed him to focus more on art jobs and less on graphic design. Continue reading
Winter would be lost without a new stack of books to enjoy while wrapped up in a blanket, and you can always feel good about sending one more book into the world. This year we bring a little less fiction and a little more of the rest of the written word. So bring on the frightful weather, and help your giftees enjoy it. Tenth of December By George Saunders. Random House, $26. Short stories. Continue reading
Want to add a little more chaos to your holiday season? Director and founder of Camerosity Improv Theater Tim O’Donnell and friends have A Camerosity Christmas in the works. I checked in with O’Donnell and actor Joseph Tanner Paul to get the latest on their raucous, unscripted holiday show. Continue reading
Stephen Frears’ Philomena hardly marks the first time Steve Coogan has played an ordinary fellow, but it feels like a definitive forward step in a peculiar and interesting career. To some, he’ll never stop being the British TV character Alan Partridge; to me, he’s always the guy from the under-seen Tristram Shandy, who pops up in brilliant cameos in all sorts of places (including Hot Fuzz). Continue reading
Baroque music and candlelight make a fine combination. On Thursday (12/20) and Friday (12/21), the Oregon Mozart Players’ annual Candlelight Baroque concert returns to the ideally intimate setting of First Christian Church. This year’s program features some of the finest music of the Baroque era: J.S. Bach’s ever-popular Cantata No. Continue reading
“Keep an eye out,” warns Johnny Kraft, drummer for local skate-punk trio Bad Luck Blackouts. “It’s been a slow time for us but it’s been a very productive time.” Since February 2013, Bad Luck Blackouts have been recording their full-length debut locally at Roadrunner Studios. The album, simply called 13 (in keeping with the band’s bad luck theme), is out now. Continue reading
Eugene-Springfield experienced a brutal domestic abuse tragedy last month with the loss of 26-year old Casey Lynn Wright, a devoted equestrian, at the hands of her ex-boyfriend Robert Cromwell. Domestic abuse remains a grave but silent problem; Womenspace reports that one in four women in the U.S. will be a victim of intimate partner violence. In honor of Wright, Womenspace is hosting a benefit, “Sing Through The Blues,” featuring Savanna Coen, Bajuana Blues, Deb Cleveland as well as a silent auction 6 to 9 pm Thursday, Dec. Continue reading