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Calendar:
9/09 : Volunteer Orientation
SHOWTIME: 6:30 PM, PRICE: .
9/11 : Willy Porter & Raining Jane
"Willy plays rhythms that make me want to crawl inside his guitar and sleep there forever." — Tori Amos
On Thursday, September 11, KRVM welcomes Willy Porter and Raining Jane to the WOW Hall.
When Willy Porter released his debut CD, The Trees Have Soul, back in 1990, he traveled in his Volkswagen selling discs out of the trunk, mesmerizing audiences with his guitar chops and original tunes. In 1994, he released his second independent CD entitled, Dog Eared Dream. The album marked Porter's artistic growth from his constant touring and a more developed songwriting perspective. The song "Angry Words" became a top-10 staple on Triple AAA radio stations around the country. This radio success established Porter as a nationally recognized artist. Dog Eared Dream highlighted his pop songwriting sensibility and also his acoustic guitar work that would grow into a style uniquely his own — a mixture of Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Richard Thompson and Lindsey Buckingham. European and American tours with Rickie Lee Jones, Tori Amos and The Cranberries followed over the next year and a half.
In 1999 Porter released the folk-pop gem, Falling Forward. Produced by Grammy winner Neil Dorfsman (Dire Straits, Sting), Falling Forward contained the radio friendly tracks "Mystery" and "Cut the Rope." National tours commenced with legendary artists Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck and Jethro Tull.
In 2002, Porter brought seemingly disparate elements together on his eponymous self-titled disc, Willy Porter. The album combined his fiery acoustic guitar work with career defining songwriting and vocal work — equal parts rock muscle, and folk-based intimacy. In 2003 the solo live album High Wire Live showcased his mastery of the acoustic guitar in his most comfortable environment — his live show. He continued to stretch over the next couple of years morphing performance art, live audio looping, and improvisational sketch comedy into his solo whistle stops. Each tour date became a unique event, a musical experience much greater than just a review of past, present and future recorded work.
Porters' experience at both major and independent record labels ultimately fueled the drive to release a wider variety of music on a more frequent basis, and led Porter to start his own imprint, Weasel Records in December 2005. His latest release, Available Light, features Porter at the peak of his powers as a guitarist, singer, songwriter and recording artist.
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull described Porter's musicianship this way: "Willy Porter's music demonstrates admirably that the technical excellence of his guitar-playing will never overwhelm the essence of the song itself. In perfect symbiosis, the disciplines of performance and songwriting combine together to create the unique work for which he is admired by professional peers and audiences alike. Oh — and a damn fine singer too. Thank goodness he doesn't play the flute."
Raining Jane got their start in 1999, growing out of the music scene surrounding UCLA. They played local gigs and began recording, releasing their first album in 2001. In 2004, Mai, Chaska, Mona and Becky decided to quit their day jobs to pursue touring full-time. They booked their own tours (and still do except for when they open for other artists), performing about 120 shows per year. Taking on all business and artistic responsibilities, Raining Jane is a notable example of independent success in the music industry, and they have also managed to create a completely artistic statement. Their acoustic show brings three-part harmonies, guitars, cello, cajon, sitar and bass to the stage, forming a beautiful display of sonic possibilities woven into personal stories and songs.
This September, Raining Jane will perform songs from their latest studio effort, Paper Nest, as well as a few favorites from previous albums. Paper Nest was released in March 2008 and produced by Brad Gordon (Jim Bianco, Quincy Coleman, Hotel Café house band) at Magic Carpet Studios in Los Angeles. Paper Nest features eight tracks of Raining Jane originals. Sara Bareilles makes a guest appearance singing backup vocals on the song "Clementine."
In addition to writing and recording their own songs, Raining Jane has recently been co-writing with Jason Mraz. Their collaboration was shared with the world in this year when Mraz released the song “A Beautiful Mess” on his EP We Sing, and his full length album We sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Raining Jane was also featured on Mraz's “Silent Love Song,” which was released on a Fire Relief CD compilation benefitting victims of the 2007 San Diego wildfires.
The summer of 2008 has allowed Raining Jane to focus on projects other than touring. They are taking time to write new songs and record, and are returning to volunteer (for the third year) at the Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls, in Portland, Oregon. In 2005, Raining Jane worked with Fender (who has endorsed the band since 2005) to have 18 guitars and basses, plus several amps donated to the camp. In 2008, the camp published a how-to book, which included a chapter on “booking your first gig” written by Raining Jane bassist Becky Gebhardt.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm and showtime is 8:00.
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $15 Advance, $17 Door.
BUY TICKETS NOW 
9/12 : Eugene Celebration: Weinland, Bright Red Paper, Berry, The Tunnel Kings
This year’s Eugene Celebration will be held September 12, 13 and 14 and the WOW Hall will once again be a “late night” stage Friday and Saturday nights.
The lineup for Friday, September 12, is The Tunnel Kings at 9:00 pm, Berry at 9:45, Bright Red Paper at 10:30 and Weinland at 11:30.
Saturday, September 13, it’s Science Heroes at 9:00 pm., Medium Troy at 9:45, Sophe Lux at 10:30 and Von Iva at 11:30.
Doors open at 8:30 each evening. Admission is free with your Eugene Celebration support wristband. Come check out some up-and-coming local and nationally touring acts and maybe enjoy a liquid refreshment in our always affordable basement beer garden.
The Tunnel Kings
It is the sophisticated yet innocent take on music that comes only from a group of musicians growing up together that sets the Tunnel Kings apart. Kindergarten rivals-turned-bandmates River Donaghey and Jason Waldrip began playing guitar together in fifth grade. Taking their name from from the movie The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen, the band had a couple of shows under their belts before high school began.
With inspiration ranging from River's obsession with existential writers to drummer Asa Clifford's love of the Wu Tang Clan, the Tunnel Kings' music is varied and ever-evolving. Their sound has been compared to early Modest Mouse, Built to Spill and Tokyo Police Club, but the Tunnel Kings refuse to be pinned down. With two albums and a new EP, each piece of work stands separate from the last, showing the band's maturation throughout the years. They have shared the stage with local favorites the Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers, indie godfathers Mission of Burma, and blues rockers Rose Hill Drive, among others. Recently, the band has been negotiating with producer Brian Deck about the possibility of working with him on their third full-length album.
"The Tunnel Kings are shockingly good for their age,” notes Thaddeus Moore, owner of Sprout City Studios. “Not out of high school and already writing tight songs that are executed live. It makes me jealous. It'd do you well to give them a listen."
The Tunnel Kings are: River Donaghey (vocals, guitar ), Jason Waldrip (guitar, handclaps ), Anna Ponto (bass, vocals, violin ) and Asa Clifford (drums, glockenspiel).
Berry
Underground indie rock veterans Berry are laying tracks for bands seeking innovative ways to tour in the face of rising fuel costs and the downturn of the economy, all the while making efforts to travel in a more environmentally-conscious manner. Their innovative idea for transportation mirrors Berry's experimental approach to pop music. Critics draw comparisons to the Beatles' unfailing pop-sensibility, Radiohead's epic beauty, Sonic Youth's noise freak-outs, and Brian Eno's expansive textures. The plan includes Amtrak, Megabus and public transit for their upcoming tour. Berry continues to set new standards--not just with their music but in the way they go about their business.
"Booking a 35-day, 20+ date tour spanning the Midwest and Western coast line through 12 states -- all pending train and bus schedules -- poses a whole new set of challenges, both musically and logistically," notes Paul Goodenough, who pulls double duty as Berry's booking agent and drummer.
This will be Berry's sixth major national tour and the first time they've stepped outside of the typical "band in a 15 passenger van" touring concept. "We've stripped our instrumentation down to the absolute minimum," adds frontman Joey Lemon. "Working with these limitations has forced us to find new ways to play our songs. And it's helped us in our efforts to become better listeners."
Bright Red Paper
Bright Red Paper has been on hiatus for about a year. The band, which has played an array of local venues including the Oregon Country Fair, is reconvening for the Eugene Celebration. It will be their first time playing the WOW Hall.
What has the band been doing? It depends on who you talk to. Cellist Doug Jenkins has been keeping busy with the Portland Cello Project, which has been enjoying an explosion in popularity. The group collaborates with several members of the burgeoning “chamber-folk” community in Portland, including co-headliners Weinland. Bassist Arcyllus Sykes teaches and transcribes music and has been concentrating on his multiple jazz projects. Drummer Eben Dickinson has been taking a break from music, concentrating on his visual art and illustration career. Guitarist Daniel Enberg recently relocated to Eugene, where he will finish up his BFA degree in painting at the University of Oregon, and hopes to perform with his acoustic folk project Slow Animals. Singer Anna Beyers is in California and will not be performing with the band, allowing BRP to play in the vein they began, as an instrumental project.
The Portland Tribune is right on when they say the band makes, “music to daydream to.” The Eugene Weekly calls BRP, “at once ethereal, intensely melodic and emotional, building and flowing, like a piece of paper swirling and diving in an updraft.” This is music for all generations and all people who want to celebrate their community, including, in some cases, tango dancers!
Weinland
Fronted by singer-songwriter John Adam Weinland Shearer, Weinland is a Portland band that is getting national attention with their new album La Lamentor. Beginning as a bedroom recording project in 2001 under the name John Weinland, the band turned into a full-fledged act in 2005 and as a natural evolution, dropped the name John to simply be referred to as Weinland.
“Adam Shearer puts forth fragile, folky songs that at times evoke elements of Neil Young,” states USA Today.
Shearer’s music stems from a myriad of experiences and employs an arsenal of musicians, including Aaron “Rantz” Pomerantz (dobro, mandolin, bells, pedal steel, accordion, lap steel, etc), Rory Brown (bass), Ian Lyles (drums, banjo) and Paul Christensen (piano, keyboards), to create the signature lush and haunting Weinland sound.
Featuring guest performances by Adam Selzer (M.Ward, Norfolk and Western), Rachel Blumberg (M.Ward, Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Norfolk and Western), and Nathan Delffs (The Shaky Hands) among others; La Lamentor was primarily recorded with close friend, and Demersville (2006) co-producer, Adam Selzer at Type Foundry studios. Proving the old adage that pain equals art, Shearer, who spent the last six years working with emotionally disturbed teenagers in a flawed and troubling mental health system, writes songs that portray life’s misfortunes with dark-hued tones and moving lyrics.
"Shearer's songwriting voice is unmistakable,” states The Portland Mercury. “It's got one foot in the self-affirming whisper of Elliott Smith, and the other in the mud puddle of Gold Rush-era Neil Young. Meanwhile, the other members of Weinland frame the tunes in American Gothic architecture."
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: FREE with Eugene Celebration Wristband.
9/13 : Eugene Celebration: Von Iva, Sophe Lux, Medium Troy, Science Heroes
This year’s Eugene Celebration will be held September 12, 13 and 14 and the WOW Hall will once again be a “late night” stage Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday, September 13, it’s Science Heroes at 900, Medium Troy at 9:45, Sophe Lux at 10:30 and Von Iva at 11:30.
Doors open at 8:30 each evening. Admission is free with your Eugene Celebration support wristband. Come check out some up-and-coming local and nationally touring acts and maybe enjoy a liquid refreshment in our always affordable basement beer garden.
Science Heroes
Science Heroes are an electro-rock duo based in Eugene that has been playing throughout the Northwest and California since 2005. Their sound has developed out of the juxtaposition of Josiah Martens' brilliantly crafted pop influenced synthesizer work and Andy Weber's gritty guitar based song writing. Songs range from the infectiously danceable and anathematic to the dark and experimental.
Science Heroes make an effort to explore new sounds and song structures while staying grounded in the catchy pop-rock tradition. They draw inspiration from such things as steam punk literature, Alan Moore comics and film noir, in addition to various musical influences.
Medium Troy
Local hooligans Medium Troy are pioneers of a sound they call "Bohemian Dub". The band formed in late 2006 and released their first album "Bohemian Dub" in 2007. The eclectic mix of Hip-Hop, Dub, Rock, and Electronica earned them a cult following worldwide. Last year they received several WOW Hall and Eugene Weekly Awards including "Favorite Local Act".
The women flock to Medium Troy instinctively like the salmon of Capistrano. This summer while on the Van's Warped Tour their infamous DJ "The Muffin Man" is rumored to have had a fling with pop songstress Katy Perry while wearing a wizard hat (she later told an audience of several thousand people that he had a small unit).
For this show Medium Troy is playing songs from their upcoming album, which they are in the process of recording. In addition to core six person band, the new album includes choirs, symphonic backing and a number of guest musicians, some of which the band is hoping to incorporate in their live show.
Band members are: JoJo Ferreira (vocals, guitar), Jesse Ferreira (bass), Connah “the Muffin Man” Sullivan (turntables, trumpet), Jeff Suchanek (drums), Corey “Corn Dog” Hatcher (guitar) and Gabe Edellman (keys, sampler).
Sophe Lux
Sophe Lux is a talented female-fronted band that has been described by Jon Schafer of WNYC as sounding like “Kate Bush fronting The Decemberists.” The band's award winning “Target Market” video was screened in Cannes, France this year. Sophe Lux played live on “Sound Check” in New York City, and was featured in Peter Gabriel's Real World Records blog, Spin.com, MTV.com, A Very Short List, Pure Music, Stylus Magazine and many others.
Sophe Lux is fronted by Gwynneth (Wendy) Haynes, little sister of Academy Award nominated film director Todd Haynes. The band's live show includes outrageous costumes and energetic performances.
Sophe Lux has been played on hundreds of radio stations in the US, Canada and Europe, and performed at venues including Carnegie Melon University and The University of Oregon. The band has self-released it's two albums on their own Zarathustra Records, and has opened for The Gossip, The Thermals, Anna Oxygen, Two Ton Boa, Kristen Hersch and Stars of Track & Field.
Von Iva
Von Iva is renowned for their bombastic shows that continue to capture even the most jaded music fan's attention. Last year they headlined a successful tour, had a summer feature on MTV's Logo Channel (Von Iva wrote the theme song for "Curl Girls" and performed on the show) and completed their highly anticipated full length record Our Own Island.
Von Iva wrapped up the end of the year writing original songs for an upcoming Warner Brother's film starring Jim Carrey. The film, titled "Yes Man", will also feature the up and coming power trio on screen with Jim Carrey, joined by Zooey Deschanel as a temporary member of the band. The film is slated for release in December.
The adjective power trio is understated when describing Von Iva. Singer Jillian Iva gathers inspiration from the likes of Tina Turner and Mary J. Blige, belting out her own unique style of soul powered vocals. Keyboardist Becky Kupersmith fills all frequencies using various synths including Moog, Juno, Crumar, swirling Arp strings and a Deep Purple inspired church organ. Hard hitting Kelly Harris takes inspiration from late seventies disco as well as classic rock, banging out four on the floor beats and hard hip hop grooves on drums, sheet metal and various metal objects.
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: FREE with Eugene Celebration Wristband.
9/17 : Living Legends "The After Hours Tour" with The Bayliens and Sandpeople
On Wednesday, September 17, U. of O. Campus Radio 88.1 FM KWVA and 94.9 JAMZ welcome hip-hop faves The Living Legends along with The Bayliens and Sandpeople.
The always creative and innovative Living Legends Crew are trying something new in the world of digital media by creating the first entirely user generated music video for a song. They held a Youtube contest asking fans to film their own versions of their favorite verse, or the entire “After Hours” song, from their album The Gathering. After picking the best clips and putting them all together as one complete video (something that has not been done before), The Living Legends are taking the final edited video with them on the “After Hours Tour” and will have a screening party for the video, with the video screening being the ‘main event’ and their set being the ‘after hours’ party.
The Gathering is the most recent offering from the LL crew and features all eight of the Legends (Murs, Scarub, Bicasso, Eligh, Aesop, Sunspot Jonz, Luckyiam and The Grouch) on every song. In addition to recording together as the Legends, all of the group members have solo recordings (with frequent guest spots from the rest of the crew) and many of them participate in subgroups such as the 3 Melancholy Gypsys and Mystic Journeymen.
The Living Legends made their WOW Hall debut in August 2001 and returned for a sold out show in January, 2004. Many of the group members have performed here since, most recently Luckyiam in April, but not the whole crew. It’s a rare treat to catch them all together. (PS: Murs will be back in October.)
Jay Three and Enzyme Dynamite are The Bayliens. Their single “Bubble Gum (feat. Cait La Dee)” is featured on the MixMatters.com “What’s Hot” list and is getting radio airplay from San Francisco to Phoenix. The Clear Channel Music website calls them, “the Bay’s hottest new act!”
For their first full-length album together, The Bayliens teamed up with Dublin Beats (the producer of Xzibit's hit single "Family Values"). From the outset the group began creating a project that would appeal to the largest possible audience. Representing a fluid mixture of hip hop and hyphy, underground and pop, Crop Circles truly has something for everyone.
Sandpeople is a ten member Portland-based crew. Their most recent release, Honest Racket, features guest appearances by The Grouch (of Living Legends) and Sean Price (of Boot Camp Clik).
Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Doors open at 8:30 pm and showtime is 9:00.
" SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $15 Advance, $18 Door.
BUY TICKETS NOW
9/18 : Facilities Committee
Meets at WOW Hall
SHOWTIME: 6:15 PM, PRICE: Free and open to the public..
9/20 : Federico Aubele Live, Natalia Clavier, Jessie Marquez & Mike Denny
by Hiroko Minami
Hey, everybody! Does Argentina ring a bell? Argentine tango, of course. But Argentina is not just about tango. It is rich in other musical styles in addition to tango. Now, here comes Federico Aubele with Natalia Clavier, both from Buenos Aires.
Argentina is not that familiar to me but the other day my mom reminded me of Argentina. My friend Miki is living and working overseas (and is Japanese, by the way). Each time she comes home to Japan, she visits me at my parents' place (to have a beer party or two, of course). So, my mom likes her, saying, “I admire her because she is working and supporting herself in a foreign country. It's not something that everyone can do. She's a wonderful girl,” and so on and so forth.
Incidentally, my mom never says that I'm wonderful even though I'm also living in a foreign country. Hmm. OK, I'm still a student. That's why. To get back to where we were, because my mom likes her, Miki sometimes comes up as a topic of conversation with my mom. The problem is, my mom is not very good at remembering names. So, she goes, “What is the name of your friend who is living in ah, ah, ah ... Argentina?”
No, mom, Miki is living in Ireland! My mom confuses with Ireland and Argentina because both start with the sound of [a]. Mind you, my mom is a “wonderful” person who makes me laugh all the time. Simply, she is a quirky person born and raised in a village in Japan and doesn't know very much about the outside world. I'm not supposed to write all about my “wonderful” mom here. Let's move on to Federico Aubele.
Federico's musical career started when he was eleven and started playing guitar, mimicking the Beatles. Man! Look at his record collection of that time. He appears to be influenced by a variety of genres -- from British pop and rock to American jazz, Brazilian bossa nova, Argentine tango, etc., etc. He made a major debut in 2004 after DJ-ing and performing in clubs in Buenos Aires by releasing his first album “Gran Hotel Buenos Aires” from ESL Music. ESL ... English as Second Language? Because Federico's lyrics are all in Spanish? Nope. It stands for Eighteenth Street Lounge -- a collective of Washington, D.C.-based DJs and musicians. I'll check it out when I go to D.C. at the end of August.
Federico released his second album, “Panamericana,” last September. Again, all his songs are written in Spanish. Unfortunately, my Spanish is at the “Otra cerveza helada, por favor” level, and it means that I am far from understanding the sentiment of his songs. So, let me focus on rhythm and melody which transcend language barriers.
As he says, “All of my musical influences originate from American countries, be it dub/reggae from Jamaica, Mexican bolero, Argentine tango, or old school U.S. hip-hop,” his music is a good mixture of the Americas. Yeah, the title of the second album-Panamericana-speaks. The main instrument is acoustic guitar which Federico plays. In addition, the bandonion, congas, bass, piano, harmonica and more comprise his music.
The most important instrument is vocals. Federico sings solo in some songs, and duets with a female singer or others in some songs. In “Su Melodia” and “En Cada Lugar”, for example, you can hear a soft and sensual female voice, probably Natalia's. Federico's voice is also sexy and communicates a sense of sorrow which is not sad but good, and its combination with a silky female voice over heavy reggae beats, electric sounds or mellow tango guitar is just perfect.
Federico has been away from home for five years, living in Berlin and Barcelona, touring the world, and recording. While in Barcelona, he met Natalia. They were attracted to each other's musical talent and as you may imagine they became partners officially as well as privately. Incidentally, Natalia also performs as a solo singer and released her debut album, “Nectar,” last June.
Federico says, “Life takes a different shape when you are living abroad. Your relationship becomes your country, your memories weigh on you in different and unpredictable ways, you long for moments that are frozen in time and can't be recaptured, it's all very strange. Then when your relationship ends you realize, 'What am I doing here?' I just want to go back home.”
Yeah, I totally understand his feeling. Being away from your home country strengthens affection to your home country, beautifying everything in your home country. As I read this, I felt, “What am I doing here?,” after nine months of living in the States, I went home to Japan for a month. After eating tons of raw fish and drinking gallons of sake there, I asked myself, “What am I doing here?,” and came back to Eugene. Well, it's my life. My mom can just go on admiring Miki. What the hell!
Anyhow, let's enjoy mixed feelings of expatriates from Argentina as KRVM welcomes Federico Aubele Live at the WOW Hall on Saturday, September 20, along with Natalia Clavier and a special guest to be announced. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Doors open at 8:30 pm and showtime is 9:00.
Jessie Marquez & Mike Denny
Eugene’s Jessie Marquez and Mike Denny explore the relationship between Cuban and North American music in what is known as “feeling” music; Cuba's inspired response to American blues and jazz.
Among musicians in Havana, Jessie Marquez is known for singing with “bomba” (soulfulness). During the two years she performed in Cuba's International Bolero Festival (2005/06), she toured with some of the country's most celebrated artists, singing in Cuba's grandest theaters, nightclubs, and humblest of back room and back yard settings. She returned to Eugene, Oregon with a deep appreciation for the impromptu, poetic fervor of Cuban feeling music.
Mike Denny has played professionally since 1978. He has lived and performed in Denver, Portland, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Eugene. He has also performed in Barcelona and Paris. In addition to a teaching career in jazz studies at the University of Oregon, he has jazz recordings out on Seattle's Origin Arts label under his own name and with keyboardist Barney McClure.
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.
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9/22 : Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Hacienda
On Monday, September 22, the CCPA and U. of O. Campus Radio 88.1 FM KWVA welcome Dr. Dog with special guests Delta Spirit and Hacienda.
Fresh off their performance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Dr. Dog is touring in support of their new album Fate on Park The Van Records. Formed in 1999, All Music Guide reports that, “Philadelphia indie pop act Dr. Dog is part of a long tradition of D.I.Y. pop oddballs who blend unapologetic '60s pop worship with lo-fi recording techniques and a complete disregard of current trends.”
Fate follows the acclaimed We All Belong, which had both critics and fans calling it one of the best albums of 2007. As with the band’s previous releases, Fate was produced and recorded by Dr. Dog at their studio in North Philadelphia. Fate sees the quintet filtering the gamut of American popular music into its own idiosyncratic brand of blue-eyed, dilated-pupil soul. As ever, Dr. Dog makes magic from an enduring pop palette of intricate harmonies, shape-shifting melodies, and ramshackle audio ingenuity – all presented through the band’s slightly skewed and utterly individualistic outlook.
Band members are: Frank McElroy (Thanks) on multi-string guitar, full-grip chords, harmonies; Juston Stens (Triumph) on trapset and harmonies; Scott McMicken (Taxi) on woof+mud distortion solo guitar and voice; Toby Leaman (Tables) on finger bass, vocals; and Zach Miller (Text) on organ.
As the title makes plain, Fate was fueled by la forza del destino. “We realized pretty early on that the songs tied together,” says Leaman. “We didn’t really know how – and I’m still not completely sure – but we know they do.”
“We didn’t start the record with the idea of ‘fate,’” explains the other half of the band’s voice, singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott McMicken. “It just became apparent to us at a point that it was already going on. It was happening and it was just a matter of us noticing. Then it became really exciting to say, wow, there’s this aspect of fate that’s governing this process as well as being the subject of it.”
Songs such as “The Old Days” and the album-opening “The Breeze” touch on big picture truths like the inexorable passage of time, of taking inventory of one’s current state through the prism of the past. The songs express wistful regret and thoughtful introspection, both in terms of subject matter as well as their classicist musical content.
“It takes this kind of muddled and fragmented path towards a very simple understanding of the present,” McMicken says. “That comes in part from getting a little older and realizing that you’ve spent all this time crafting this imaginary sense of self. But the older you get, the more you realize that what you are, you’ve always been.”
Forward-thinking but reflective, searching yet remarkably confident, Fate is the work of an extraordinary band operating full steam ahead. Perhaps it was inevitable. Dr. Dog has always trod its own analogous path, a band of outsiders from the start, now more than ever holding true to its own inimitable place in the universe.
The sound of San Diego’s Delta Spirit has been compared to classic-era Rolling Stones, an amplified version of '60s protest folk, the raw spirit of indie rock, and the soulful passion of the Violent Femmes and the Waterboys. The southern California 5-piece who might just be one of the most important new bands of the decade. Each description contains elements of the truth, but the real answer to the question "Who is Delta Spirit?" lies within Ode to Sunshine, the band's captivating debut. The group's DIY ethic shines throughout the album, with songs honed razor-sharp over a year of non-stop touring across America.
Opening sold-out tours for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids and Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit developed a riveting live show and gained a loyal following amongst tastemaker music fans, earning them invites to national festivals like Austin City Limits, Noise Pop and Sasquatch. So it would not be an understatement to call Ode to Sunshine one of the year's most highly-anticipated debuts.
San Antonio's Hacienda has always been a family affair with cousins Abraham Villanueva (piano/vocals) and Dante Schwebel (guitar/vocals) planting the musical seeds that would become the Hacienda sound before being joined by the two remaining Villanueva brothers -- Jaime (drums/vocals) and Rene (bass/vocals). In late 2005 the band purchased a small digital recorder and began tracking demos. As a matter of fate, a demo made it to the hands of Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and Hacienda was passed around from musicians to record execs, managers, and the like.
After hearing the demo, Auerbach championed the band to continue recording. After a guest spot opening for The Black Keys as well as Dr. Dog when their tour rolled through Austin, Auerbach invited the band to Akron, Ohio to complete the album. They received a helping hand from new friends Dr. Dog; and together, they worked on existing harmonies, and created brand new ones, that embellish the album from start to finish.
Recorded in 2008, Loud is the Night combines the creative arrangements of the Beatles and the Beach Boys, with the personality of The Band all rolled into one. Rene Villanueva says, "We play what we like, and we never stop learning how to make the sounds we want to make. Whether it’s the Memphis sound, or Bakersfield, we try to learn from those sounds, and then incorporate those sensibilities to the songs we wrote."
Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Doors open at 8:00 pm and showtime is 9:00.
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $12 Advance, $14 Door.
BUY TICKETS NOW
9/23 : The Wedding Present at John Henry's
The Wedding Present: Top of the Pops!
By David Gracon
It's not everyday that one of the best indie bands ever to emerge out of the U.K. strolls through the sleepy town of Eugene. Thus, you can imagine why I was stunned when I initially read the WOW Hall calendar, and had to look it over again to make sure this wasn't an illusion. But it is indeed true - The Wedding Present will be performing in the Emerald City this fall in support of their latest album, El Ray (2008). Like an excited little kid, a giant star has been scrawled on my calendar marking the date, and the days are already being counted down.
Originating in 1985 in Leeds, England, and gathering a large following of adoring fans in their homeland and throughout Western Europe, the band has amassed eighteen Top 40 singles in the U.K. over the years. Stateside, the band has a much smaller, yet dedicated cult following, and have quietly produced some of the best indie records of the late 80's and 90's. The Wedding Present's jangly guitar sound is unmistakable - as their seductive, and at times manic pop hooks are not only unique, but at times mesmerizing.
The Weddos (as fans affectionately refer to them) are fronted by the mainstay guitarist/singer David Gedge - a man who is either elated by some new romantic crush, or somewhere in the process of being crushed by that special someone. According to John Peel of the infamous BBC Peel Sessions, “The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock 'n' Roll Era. You may dispute this, but I'm right and you're wrong!” With the classic “Brassneck” from the Bizarro (1989) record, Gedge delivers this piercing realization, “I just decided I don't trust you anymore/I just decided I don't love you anymore.” On the other hand, Saturnalia (1996) delves into clever metaphor with “Jet Girl.” Gedge sings, “You took off like a jet, girl/Somehow I knew that it would happen all along/Oh, but I can bet, girl/Wherever you are, you won't be landing there for long.” While the songs range from blissful anthems to abject tearjerkers, the music is extremely catchy and danceable - and like with most Brits, humor is tongue-in-cheek, and there's always a moment to have a laugh, as they say. Thus, perhaps things shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Gedge's whisper/scream vocal style is nestled somewhere between Joy Division's Ian Curtis, and The Fall's Mark E. Smith - and while The Wedding Present sound is distinctive; there is definitely a post-punk influence of The Fall and Gang of Four in their early work. As their sound developed over the years, the droning influences of the Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth permeate their various records, where lush pop hooks meet dissonant, wall-of-sound feedback.
To completely map the history of The Wedding Present would be an arduous task, a sprawling dissertation (yes, grad student here) of studio albums, BBC sessions, EPs, and obscure, out of print 7” records - not to mention the band's related side projects of Cinerama and The Ukrainians. While their latest release El Ray (produced by Steve Albini, like several of their early records) has several clever pop hooks, long-time fans of the band will likely want to cut to the chase with the band's seemingly endless catalog of gems located on their first eight records.
So where does one even begin? You can't go wrong with their first three records George Best (1987), Bizzarro (1989), and Seamonsters (1991). But wait, then you the two Hit Parade (1992) records (which compiles twelve 7” singles, released one per month in that year, that equaled Elvis Presley's 35 year old record for “most hits in one year”) and the lo-fi go-go dancer pop of Watusi (1994). Things gradually get more polished with Mini (1995) and Saturnalia (1996) - records that are both excellent and special in their own distinct way. But after 20 years of touring experience, The Wedding Present (in particular Gedge, as he is the only original member that remains) are really a live band, and it is here where you'll hear a cross-section of songs from their various records in their most raw and visceral form.
But in the end, if you listen to The Wedding Present long enough, at least one thematic pattern begins to emerge through all the beautiful melodies and distorted haze. For all the hurt and messiness that a relationship or breakup can entail, you just need to wait around a bit as that new crush is just around the corner. That alone is a reason to dance.
The Wedding Present, with the opening act Earlimart will perform at John Henry's. Doo9rs open at 8:30 pm and showtime is 9:00. Tickets are $10 in advance (at the usual WOW Hall outlets), $12 at the door.
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.
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9/23 : An Evening with EOTO
On Tuesday, September 23, U. of O. Campus Radio 88.1 FM KWVA welcomes An Evening with EOTO.
EOTO, the breakbeat, trip-hop, house and drum n’ bass project of Michael Travis and Jason Hann (from The String Cheese Incident), returns to the WOW Hall for their third 100% improvised live show. The duo also opened Main Stage at this year’s Oregon Country Fair.
What exactly are you guys doing during a performance?
“We get this question more than about any other question,” responds Jason. “No matter how many times we say it, every single note from our performance is made up, on the spot, in front of the audience. There are no pre-recorded tracks, no pre-recorded loops, no pre-produced themes or anything else.
“The process is more of a live recording session and live mixdown than just a looping performance. When we start a new song, I usually start a drum groove or Travis starts a bass, or synth, line. Next, I have access to recording up to 8 tracks from my sampler while Travis has up to 10 blank tracks. You can see me start to play something on the electronic pads (usually all with my left hand), I adjust the volume of the sound, and when I'm ready to record my part, I press one of my record buttons. When I finish playing that part, I get out of record mode and the part that I just played becomes looped (played over and over again). I can do this up to 8 times so that I can layer electronic percussion parts.
“While I'm doing my thing, Travis is doing the same process with his bass, various keyboards, guitar, and percussion. It's most evident when you see Travis playing congas or bongos. While he's playing, he steps on a pedal which turns his record mode "on". When he's finished playing his part, he steps on the pedal again to get out of record mode and the part he played becomes looped. It's less obvious when he's playing the other instruments, because he's got it smooth enough where you have to really be listening for the new part to know that he's recording it in the moment.
“That's just the parts. Once these parts are recorded, then we both have options to make certain parts silent, fade them in and out, put trippy effects on them, and do all of this while we're playing. With this in mind, we set out to create build-ups and breakdowns and themes within the music - adding, taking away, and effecting parts as any producer would do in the studio.
When we feel like a song is finished, we'll usually look at each other and give a signal to move on to the next song, or speed up, or slow down. We don't know what we're going to do once we get there, so we just feel it out. At some point Travis will erase the tracks that we previously did, I'll shift to a new beat on the drums, and we both start building our new set of tracks for the next song.
“One of the things that we think is unique in our performance is that it's still live and improvised music by musicians in the moment. We really want that to come across, but we don't want to announce it from the stage cause it's much more important to us for the music to flow and for people to dance, than for people to really understand what our technical process is.”
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 8:30 pm and showtime is 9:00.
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $12 Advance, $15 Door.
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9/25 : Janis Ian: The Autobiography Tour
On Thursday, September 25, the CCPA and KLCC proudly welcome Janis Ian back to the WOW Hall as she tours in support of her long-awaited autobiography and accompanying 2-CD Best of collection.
“Society's Child” is the controversial song that catapulted fifteen-year-old singer-songwriter Janis Ian into the diverse and dynamic 1960's music scene, working alongside legendary artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Inspired by the sight of an interracial couple on a New Jersey bus she was taking to school, “Society's Child” tells the story of a white girl whose bigoted parents forbid her to continue seeing her black boyfriend. It was a challenging introduction to celebrity. Ian received frightening hate mail and the song was banned from radio stations across the country. This courageous debut would earn her the moniker, “musical spokesman for the 'now' generation” (The New York Times) and would launch a successful career of more than forty years in the music business.
Ian's riveting journey is chronicled in the 2-CD set Best Of Janis Ian: The Autobiography Songs and her accompanying autobiography SOCIETY'S CHILD, (published by Tarcher/Penguin), both released this July. Called, “One of life's greatest pleasures…transports you from start to finish as it elevates, enlightens, enlarges, and entertains,” by biographer Kitty Kelly, as well as, “Deftly written, the life experiences described by Janis Ian in this engaging memoir give us a peek into the anatomy of a brilliant songwriter,” by Joan Baez, Society's Child delves into the most personal aspects of this roller coaster ride of a life.
With her family under surveillance by the FBI during the Cold War era, Ian grew up looking over her shoulder. By the age of sixteen, she was a regular performer at the Gaslight (the center of the Greenwich Village folk scene), had played to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall, and was nominated for a Grammy --all while living with her parents and younger brother in their Upper West Side apartment. Ian hung with and was watched over by fellow outsiders Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.
A versatile and talented performer, known for her “substance, depth, and musicality” (New York Times), Janis Ian refused to be pigeonholed as a “protest singer.” Her 1975 hit “At Seventeen”, an anthem of teenaged angst, would garner her five Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards. She performed it on the first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live that October. This year the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, joining “Society’s Child” (inducted in 2002).
But SOCIETY'S CHILD is about much more than Ian's musical career. She speaks candidly about her life and the many challenges she has faced: the shock of her parents' divorce; unsuccessful, abusive relationships with both men and women; health crises; financial problems; her nine-year hiatus from the music business to study theater with Stella Adler; and her Grammy-nominated 1992 musical comeback, Breaking Silence. And she does it all with absolute candor, wit, wisdom and heart.
Society's Child: My Autobiography has already gotten stellar reviews. O Magazine called it, “hugely readable,” and recommended it as one of 27 “must-reads” this summer. Mojo Magazine gives it a four star review, and Booklist a starred review that ends with, “painfully candid, and hard to put down.”
The accompanying double CD-set, Best of Janis Ian: The Autobiography Collection, contains 31 tracks, and is the first “best of” Janis has ever released in North America. It unearths such gems as Ian's very first demo recording (“Hair of Spun Gold,” sung into her father's tape recorder when she was thirteen years old), and features all the classics, completely re-mastered from the original sources, as well as never-before-heard bonus tracks.
Both the book and the CD set offer an outspoken look behind the scenes, not just of her life, but of the music industry as well. The harrowing years she spent watching her ex-husband decline, from loving partner to threatening her life, are as truthful and straightforward as they are painful to read. And don't forget the good! The end of Society's Child is particularly poignant, as Ian finally meets the love of her life, Patricia. The two were married in Toronto in 2003, and celebrate nineteen years together this coming December.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 at the door. Doors open at 6:00 pm and showtime is 7:00. This is a seated concert.
SHOWTIME: 7:00 PM, PRICE: $29 Advance, $23 Door.
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9/26 : Barrington Levy
Conscious Productions & Word Power Sound rental SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $25 Advance, $30 Door.
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9/28 : Hot Buttered Rum
On Sunday, September 28, KRVM welcomes back Hot Buttered Rum.
Hot Buttered Rum is a postmodern string band from San Francisco that combines bluegrass, reggae, folk and jazz into a riveting blend of Americana. Their sound appeals to traditional folk and bluegrass fans as well as the jam band audience.
The band played their first WOW Hall gig in September ‘04 as the Hot Buttered Rum String Band but eventually cut the string. They have come back here every year since, most recently last November in support of the most recent album Live in the Northeast.
Since 2003, Hot Buttered Rum has toured in an old school bus that’s been converted to run off used vegetable oil, making them one of the first and foremost proponents of recycled biofuel.
The group’s genesis was around campfires high in the Sierra Nevada mountains -- five uniquely talented musicians who, on the night they realized they loved playing together too much to ever stop, were sipping a warm winter drink from which they took their name. The magnetic chemistry that drew the group together still holds it together through all of the rigors of their involved professional life, which includes about 175 tour dates a year.
As might be expected, Hot Buttered Rum is particularly popular on the festival circuit, playing Newport Folk, Bonnaroo, Gray Fox, High Sierra and Telluride. HBR has managed to do all this without the use of drums, opting instead to make music with the guitars, mandolins, fiddles, banjos and string basses of traditional bluegrass. Everybody sings, and everyone contributes to the writing process.
“We play instruments that are often associated with bluegrass, but we’re a band that plays music that blurs the lines,” says band member Aaron Redner.
Like jam bands, Hot Buttered Rum encourages taping of concerts and trading of its music. Many of its full sets are available in streaming audio or for download from the Internet.
“I grew up in the jam-band scene, and there was too much consistency of age in the audiences,” recalls Redner. “At our shows, you can see grandparents bringing their grandchildren.
“The fact is that Hot Buttered Rum plays a very nonoffensive music and is very danceable.”
“There’s a lot to like about Hot Buttered Rum and not much to dislike,” concurs JamBase. “They always seem to be yearning to be a bit better than the last time you heard them, stretching beyond their comfort zones in an exciting way.”
Tickets are $14 in advance, $16 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm and showtime is 8:00.
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $14 Advance, $16 Door.
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9/29 : Silver Jews with Monotonix
On Monday, September 29, U. of O. Campus Radio 88.1 FM KWVA welcomes The Silver Jews along with special guests Monotonix.
The Silver Jews are touring in support of their sixth and best record to date, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (Drag City Records). It’s their first new album since 2005’s Tanglewood Numbers. In support of that album, the band played 47 consecutive sold-out shows in 2005 and 2006.
Silver Jews began in 1990 with David Berman, Steven Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich and have gone on to include nearly 30 members. The first EPs, Dime Map on the Reef and The Arizona Record, established them as fearless and mysterious poets of the underground -- beneath the bang and clang one found songs of soul and wit. The year 1994 saw the release of Starlight Walker, but the band didn’t tour. Their sister band, Pavement, toured all over the world during that time.
By 1996, David Berman had written a new set of songs to record, but the band never made it to the recording sessions. A new set of musicians recorded The Natural Bridge.
Berman and Malkmus reunited in 1998 to record American Water, but still the band did not tour. Berman next reemerged in Nashville with a hot band and hotter wife and recorded Bright Flight.
It would be four years until the next album, Tanglewood Numbers. A video for “Punks in the Beerlight” became a video hit, and then MTV kept playing “How Can I Love You When You Won’t Lie Down” followed by “Sleeping is the Only Love”.
Which brings us to Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea, recorded in Nashville by David and Cassie Berman, Tony Crow, Brian Kotzur, Peyton Pinkerton and William Tyler. This is the band that broke the long-standing Silver Jews touring ban with an incredible series of shows all around America and Europe. All Nashvillians’ ‘cept one, this band has had time together and the songwriting is the best there is. This is the best rock album to come out of Nashville in a long, long time. Lookout America, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea has arrived.
Monotonix are from Tel Aviv, where they formed in 2005 and began by playing clubs until the party got too big. Now they tour the world.
With a mission of redefining the rock show, the band, consisting of singer Ami Shalev, guitarist Yonatan Gat and drummer Ran Shimoni, channel the riff heavy influences Led Zeppelin, the Sonics and Thin Lizzy to create raw, driving rock & roll.
Taking a bit of a rest after 250 shows last year, Monotonix recorded Body Language in San Francisco. But their reputation is as a band whose shows are not watched, but experienced. Monotonix have become known for setting themselves and their equipment on fire, stealing drinks from audience members to pour on themselves, and generally turning their shows into unabashed, frenzied dance parties.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 8:00 pm and showtime is 8:30.
SHOWTIME: 8:30 PM, PRICE: $12 Advance, $15 Door.
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10/02 : The Pack with Catracs
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.
10/03 : The Cave Singers
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.
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10/06 : Ben Kweller with Whitley
BEN KWELLER ANNOUNCES FALL TOUR DATES
NEW RECORD SCHEDULED FOR 2009 RELEASE
ATO Records is proud to announce that Ben Kweller has just confirmed tour dates throughout the fall with Whitley. This special tour will kick off in Dallas, TX, on September 25th, and come to a close on November 2nd in Austin, TX. Kweller will be previewing new material from the highly anticipated fourth album, Changing Horses, tentatively scheduled for a January 2009 release.
The venues featured will be intimate club settings. Fans will get the chance to hear new music for the first time, as well as the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise.
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $15 Advance, $17 Door.
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10/07 : Stars with Think About Life
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $15 Advance, $17 Door.
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10/08 : Tea Leaf Green
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $15 Advance, $16 Door.
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10/09 : Murs
Of the Living Legends
Mike Thrasher Presents rental
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $13 Advance, $15 Door.
10/10 : Fundraising Committee
Meets at Cozmic Pizza
SHOWTIME: 6:15 PM, PRICE: Free and open to the public..
10/10 : Andre Nickatina
rental
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $22 Advance, $25 Door.
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10/12 : Gaelic Storm
by Hiroko Minami
Hey, everybody! I referred to Ireland in my last preview (Federico Aubele, remember?) and here comes an Irish band. This band originated in Santa Monica, CA. Why from sunny California and not from gloomy Ireland? Mm, smells kind of fishy, doesn't it? Let's look at their roots.
Gaelic Storm was formed in a pub in Santa Monica on St. Patrick's Day in 1996. Santa Monica doesn't give a hint of Ireland, but St. Patrick's Day does. Gaelic Storm has replaced members several times in their 12 years of history and is currently a group of five -- Patrick Murphy, Steve Twigger, Ryan Lacey, Peter Purvis and Jessie Burns. Some are originally from Ireland. Murphy was born and raised in Cork and moved to California after three years of college in Ireland drinking Guinness. Yeah, it happens. Twigger is from England and moved to California just as Murphy did. These guys chose to live in California and I think I understand why. They desperately needed the sun! Burns is also from England, but she now lives in Colorado. Incidentally, Lacey is from the States, and Purvis is from Canada. OK, it smells less fishy now. Gaelic Storm has connections to Ireland and Irish music.
Gaelic Storm made their major film debut in Titanic (1997), a year after they made their musical debut. How lucky is that! In that historic movie, they actually appeared as a band on the Titanic and played music in the dining room. I vaguely remember the scene, but my attention was so distracted by the crappiest melodrama in the history of feature films, like, “Cut the crap, Mr. Blockbuster Producer!”
Back to the facts of Gaelic Storm. The pub where Gaelic Storm came together was managed by Murphy, the front man and lead vocalist. “The Night I Punched Russell Crowe” was inspired by his experience as the pub manager. The song is hilarious and therefore my favorite. Murphy sings this true story to a traditional Irish tune backed with the acoustic guitar and fiddle, and partly to a rock beat. The lyrics describe what a jerk Russell Crowe is as Murphy pretends to be scared, singing in a serious tone, “The closest I've come to ending up dead was the night that I punched Russell Crowe/The Gladiator in the head.” It is obvious that he doesn't regret what he did. What a daring man this Murphy guy is! At any rate, it is worth enjoying the gap between his philosophical voice and the somewhat light fiddle tune in this song and laughing at the cynical lyrics, hee hee hee.
“Slim Jim and the Seven Eleven Girl” is also a riot. It's about a daydreaming nerd who falls in love with a girl clerk at the Seven-Eleven. One day, he gathers the courage and asks her out. The girl gives him the cold shoulder. She thinks he must be a creep to show up every day at the Seven-Eleven. Even though the girl turns down his offer on the spot, her words are music to his ears. Her “No chance, no way” turns for him to be “Will you meet me on the corner/I'll be wearing something pretty just for you/You can hold my hand, kiss my cheek/We'll be together forever/You may be the very best thing that ever happened to me.” Come on, geek! Wake up!
Gaelic Storm has gathered worldwide attention and fame, partly because of the blockbuster Titanic. Every album -- seven -- they have released has climbed on the Billboard World charts. Their newest album “What's the Rumpus?,” released this July, consists of party-appropriate numbers which make you feel like dancing. Most importantly, those two rib-tickling songs which I introduced above are included. Please check them out if you want a good laugh.
Basically, the music of Gaelic Storm is Irish traditional, which reminds me of Riverdance -- you know, the performing art where you get muscle pains in the legs just by watching. Only me? All right. Anyhow, their music uses a lot of rhythmic fiddle which is indispensable to Celtic music. Gaelic Storm also adopts a variety of instruments such as Irish bagpipes, bodhrans, accordions, etc., and those instruments comprise the foundation of their music. It doesn't smell fishy any more, does it? Furthermore, Gaelic Storm adds contemporary musical essences including British and American influences to that foundation. And spoons ...?! Murphy plays spoons. Interesting. I'll check this out with my own eyes when they come to WOW Hall on Sunday, October 12.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors open at 7:00 pm and showtime is 7:30.
SHOWTIME: 7:30 PM, PRICE: $18 Advance, $20 Door.
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10/14 : Markus James & the Wassonrai “MALI meets MISSISSIPPI" Tour
"Africa and Mississippi come together...true world music" -- BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE
Markus James and The Wassonrai featuring Mamadou Sidibe, Amadou Camara and Karamba Dioubate will make their Eugene debut on Tuesday, October 14, at the WOW Hall.
James' new 2008 album, Snakeskin Violin, has received widespread critical acclaim and has been charting on four radio formats: world, blues, Americana and Triple A. The recording features collaborations with trance groove Wassoulou hunters in Bamako, a shaman in Timbuktu, old-school drummers in Como, Mississippi, traveling Tamasheks in California, and African Diaspora musicians in the US.
The UK's fROOTS Magazine calls Markus, "the unofficial dean of this movement," of up and coming US roots musicians whose focus is the African source. Billboard Magazine calls Snakeskin Violin a, "profound world blues passage... extremely distinctive pieces, driven by a seductive rhythmic circularity that's a keystone of Malian traditional tunes and Delta blues."
Markus James, now based in northern California, has been recording and performing original, blues-based music with traditional Malian musicians since 1994, when he first made his way to the village of Niafounke, home of the legendary Sonrai musician Ali Farka Toure. Markus' critically acclaimed Mali-based albums have been warmly received in the US, Europe and Mali, and he was honored to have a track included in the 2006 UK compilation Sahara-Blues of the Desert, alongside such great artists as Ali Farka Toure, Baaba Maal, Yousou N'Dour and Tinariwen. His song "Dream After Dream (for Skip James)", is in the new 2008 compilation CD box set Desert Blues 3 on Network Records in Europe and Harmonia Mundi in the US. James is the only American on the disc.
Markus' long-term collaborations in Timbuktu with three Malian master musicians is the subject of the award-winning documentary film Timbuktoubab, seen on many PBS stations throughout the U.S.
Markus has performed at the Festival In The Desert three times, and in 2007 was invited to perform at the series of Jamal Poi tribute concerts for his friend and inspiration, Ali Farka Toure, in Bamako and Niafounke, which were broadcast on Malian national television.
In the U.S., Markus James tours with The Wassonrai, featuring African artists based in the US, including multi-instrumentalist Mamadou Sidibe and percussionists Karamba Dioubate and Amadou Camara. They have performed at venues ranging from a four-star catfish restaurant in Mississippi to NYC's Lincoln Center Outdoors series, to the Sierra-Nevada World Music Festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and the We the People Festival in L.A.
Snakeskin Violin recently featured on syndicated national radio: House of Blues Radio Hour, Afropop Worldwide, Blues Deluxe and XM Café.
Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm and showtime is 8:00.
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $8 Advance, $10 Door.
10/15 : M C Chris with Totally Michael
 SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $13 Advance, $15 Door.
10/16 : Devildriver, Snot, Straight Line Stitch, Instinct of Aggression, Athiarchists
Mike Thrasher Presents rental. SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $16 Advance, $18 Door.
10/24 : Toubab Krewe
SHOWTIME: 9:30 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $14 Door.
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10/29 : Bluetech and Pitch Black
SHOWTIME: 8:00 Pm, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.
10/31 : The Sugar Beets
Early show. Costume contest with prizes. SHOWTIME: 6:30 PM, PRICE: $8 Advance, $10 Door.
10/31 : Devin the Dude
Double Tee Concerts rental SHOWTIME: 11:30 PM, PRICE: $14 Advance, $17 door.
11/01 : Witches Ball with Ritumo Del La Noche
SHOWTIME: 7:00 PM, PRICE: &7 to $15 Sliding Scale at the Door.
11/04 : Missy Higgins with Joshua Radin
Double Tee Concerts rental. SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $13 Advance, $15 Door.
11/08 : Mason Jennings with Zach Gill (of ALO / Jack Johnson)
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $16 Advance, $20 Door.
11/09 : Ludo, The Higher, Eye Alaska, Army of Freshmen
SHOWTIME: 8:00 PM, PRICE: $10 Advance, $12 Door.
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11/11 : Bassnectar
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $16 Advance, $18 Door.
11/19 : Pato Banton & The Mystic Roots Band
Conscious Productions & Word Sound Power rental. SHOWTIME: 10:00 PM, PRICE: $17 Advance, $20 Door.
11/21 : My Brightest Diamond with Clare & the Reasons
SHOWTIME: 9:00 PM, PRICE: $12 Advance, $14 Door.
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