Wet Desert

Utah-hailed indie rock outfit Desert Noises

Desert Noises

You might expect a band named Desert Noises to give their music a stark, arid edge, something grim and dry. In reality, though, the only thing truly dry about this Utah-hailed indie rock outfit is their hometown. By all accounts, Desert Noises is wet. The group’s 2012 EP, I Won’t See You, babbles and laughs with a sleepy pop sheen not too far removed from Band of Horses. Each song moves in endless crescendo, and the result is a good, crisp wave of sound. And boy, do these cats know how to surf. Continue reading 

Who’s the Boz?

Veteran singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs

Veteran singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs recorded 2013’s Memphis at the late Willie Mitchell’s Memphis studio — a place where Mitchell once put to tape heavyweights like Al Green, among others. Memphis is almost entirely covers showing Scaggs’ deep and enduring appreciation for the broad spectrum of American music, whether it’s blues, gospel, soul or rock ’n’ roll. Continue reading 

Taking the Helm

The language of heaven

Amy Helm

Amy Helm is still quite taken with one of the views her late father — famed drummer and singer Levon Helm — had about the deeply profound effect that music can have on people’s lives. “My father used to call it the language of heaven, and I very much agree with that,” Helm says. “Music has saved my life many times and continues to, in small ways and in big ways.” Continue reading 

Don’t miss: The blues-folk-rock of The Wood Brothers

This Sunday, Feb. 9, would have been the 26th annual Eugene Record Convention. With the passing of the convention’s beloved founder Bill Finneran in October, the reins have passed to Thomas Jones of Portland. Jones, owner of Crossroads Music (a Portland record shop), has been frequenting the event since 1997 and this year, he hosts a continuation of the convention, the Eugene Record Show, 10 am to 5 pm Feb. 9, at the Eugene Hilton; $3 (or $15 for early entry 7 to 10 am). Continue reading 

Arts Hound

The Oregon Arts Commission, in conjunction with The Ford Family Foundation, announced the names of 23 artists who will receive Career Opportunity Grants with a total of $61,744 awarded. Scottish-born, Portland-based fiber artist Jo Hamilton received $1,500 for the Contemporary Northwest Visions exhibit and accompanying catalog opening April 1 at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Although Hamilton paints as well, her crochet “paintings” of people and cityscapes are her signature work. Got grant envy? Continue reading 

The Slice is Right

If there’s one thing that everyone’s got an opinion on, it’s pizza. Folks get downright adamant about the “best” in town. We decided to visit a few of the local favorites for some pizza and put together a little guide to who has what. One thing that is hard to get around is the fact that pizza is amazing. Even mediocre pizza is still pretty damn good. But what sets our entrants apart is in the details. Whether you’re a sauce man or a crust kind of gal, no two slices are quite equal. Continue reading 

Baked Goods on Broadway

Walk into Noisette Pastry Kitchen and you know you’re somewhere special. Sun pours through the glass walls and, even in winter, the open kitchen with its bustle and chatter makes the place feel alive and exempt from cold-weather hibernation. Noisette’s menu is visual, with names of dishes written on the parchment paper lining cases of sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches and salads. Continue reading