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Death Cab for Cutie to Perform at Hult

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Alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie is coming to Eugene.

Touring to promote their just-released ninth studio album “Thank You for Today,” the Grammy award nominees are set to perform at Eugene’s Hult Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, September 24.

Their new album features new members Zac Rae (Fiona Apple) and Dave Depper (Ray Lamontagne); both have been touring with the band since 2015.

Their 2015 release “Kintsugi” debuted at #8 on Billboard. The album title was derived from a type of Japanese art, and the philosophy of treating breakage and repair as part of the object, rather than something to disguise.

Grammy nominations

Death Cab for Cutie’s albums “Plans” (2006), “Narrow Stairs” (2009) and “Codes and Keys” (2012) were all nominated for Best Alternative Music Grammies; their 2007 hit single “I Will Follow You into the Dark” was nominated for best pop performance.

The band’s new “Autumn Love” single is a winning mix of lead singer Ben Gibbard’s vocals, and lush, tastefully layered guitars you’re sure to love. Have a listen:

Autumn Love

The band’s second-highest charting U.S. single “Where Soul Meets Body” comes from their fifth album, “Plans.”

The band has been including it in recent setlists:

Where Soul Meets Body

Following their Eugene show the band performs in Portland, Berkeley, Phoenix and Dallas.

As of August 22, tickets are still available for the Eugene show.

Don’t miss it!

Young the Giant headline the Cuthbert

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American rockers Young the Giant headlined a night of indie pop at Eugene’s Cuthbert Amphitheater on August 20.  Check out the photos here

The band was joined by Cold War Kids and Joywave as part of their “Home of the Strange Tour.” The current tour celebrates Young the Giant’s third studio album, “Home of the Strange,” which reached #1 on iTunes Top Alternative Albums chart.

Last year the band performed at The Greek Theater and Austin City Limits (recap of last year’s tour here). This year, the band has already performed a number of music festivals including Al’s Hangout Music Fest and Okeechobee.

Lead singer Sameer Gadhia and band hail from Irvine, California. Gadhia comes from a family of musicians – particularly Indian Classical. He set aside his studies in medicine in 2009 to pursue music. Young the Giant’s hit singles include “My Body” and “Cough Syrup.”

Rolling Stone calls their music “roof-raising anthems” that “tackle ideas…inherent in the immigrant and first-generation American experience.”

Here’s “Silvertongue” from the new album:

Silvertongue

Cold War Kids

Indie rock band Cold War Kids were also on the bill. From Long Beach, California, they toured with Death Cab for Cutie in 2009 and have released 7 albums including their most recent “L.A. Divine” release. Their musical influences include Nick Cave, Fiona Apple, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead.

 

Last year the band released “Locker Room Talk” as part of the 30 days 50 songs project protesting the Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy.

Cold War Kids hit singles include “Hang Me Up to Dry,” “Louder Than Ever” and “Miracle Mile.”

Here’s hit single “Love is Mystical” from the new album:

Love is Mystical

 

This triple-header of a night full of fun included opening band Joywave. From Rochester New York, Joywave is an accomplished and entertaining Indie band who have performed in Eugene before – both at The Cuthbert and at Eugene’s McDonald Theater. As their name implies, they’re a joy to experience live as they showcase their electronic alt-rock tracks.

Joywave

You’ll especially enjoy lead singer Daniel Armbuster – a great vocalist and showman who is an ace at engaging the crowd.

The band made their television debut in 2015 on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Enjoy “Now,” from their “How Do You Feel Now?” release.

Now

Their new album “Content” is set to release July 28.

You can find music by Joywave, Cold War Kids and Young the Giant on their websites, and on iTunes.

 

American Indie Rockers Modest Mouse play Eugene

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Modest Mouse, the 8-member band currently based in Portland, made their way to Eugene on a tour through several western states. Check out photos from their concert at the Cuthbert Amphitheater. They are known for their rich musical textures and clever, catchy lyrics.

Band highlights

The band’s talented and somewhat eccentric lead singer Isaac Brock grew up in Issaquah, a suburb of Seattle. A flood forced his family to relocate to a trailer while repairing the family home; Brock chose to live in a backyard shed, where he taught himself bass and guitar.

Their fourth album – “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” – was certified platinum in 2004.

“Good News” received a grammy nomination and “Float On” was nominated for Best Rock Song.

They released “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” in 2007; it reached number one on Billboard that year and spawned hit singles “Dashboard” and “Missed the Boat.”

Missed the Boat

The band has played numerous music festivals over the years, including the Good Vibes Festival, Hangout Music Festival and Coachella.

They have a recording studio in Portland (“The Ice Cream Party”) they use to rehearse and record music.

Modest Mouse released “Strangers to Ourselves” in 2015. It included several ace tracks, “Lampshades on Fire” and the brilliant “The Ground Walks, With Time in a Box” among them.

“Strangers” also included “Coyote” (inspired by the true story of a coyote that rode Portland’s MAX light rail train in 2002) and an accompanying video.

You can find their music on iTunes and on their website.

The band played at The Cuthbert Amphitheater on May 24th. Following the Oregon show they head for Washington, California, Arizona and Utah.

Elton John – A Wonderful Crazy Night

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Mega-superstar Elton John returned to Eugene’s Matthew Knight Arena in March 2017  for a stop during his  Wonderful Crazy Night Tour.

The show was a night to remember…we know all who were there will never forget it.

Fun Elton Facts

Elton John’s received five Grammies and five Brit Awards – two for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a “Brits Icon” in 2013 for his “lasting impact on British culture.”

What else can you say about a rock icon who’s been around as long as Sir Elton?

Elton John playing piano, age 6.

* He began playing piano at age 3. Within a year, his mother heard him picking out notes to “Skater’s Waltz” by ear.

* He was a weekend pub pianist by age 15.

* First American concert? As featured in his new “Rocketman” film, that would be the Los Angeles Troubadour, 1970.

* The megastar has more than fifty Top 40 hits

* Elton John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975.

* He received knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

* He’s sold more than 250 million records worldwide including 31 platinum albums.

* Six of his albums made Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Albums of all Time” list.

More career mileposts

In 1970 the young rising star released “Tumbleweed Connection.” It reached number two in the UK and number five in the U.S.

“Honky Chateau” began a streak of seven consecutive U.S. number one albums. Similarly, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973) topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

Elton John, 1973.

More highlights:

Elton John performed with Eminem at the 2001 Grammies.

He also performed with Lady Gaga at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards and with Ed Shearan at the 55th. The Rocketman even performed at Madison Square Garden for a record-breaking 60th time for his 60th birthday.

International hit songs he’s penned with Bernie Taupin and others includes “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” “Daniel,” “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word,” “Blue Eyes” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

Still a powerhouse

Although he says he wants to retire, for a musician at the ripe old age of nearly 70, the man is still a powerhouse.

His recent “Wonderful Crazy Night” shows he still has what it takes to engage the listener. It boasts 14 fresh, high-energy tracks, and reached number 6 and 8 in the UK and US, respectively.

Here’s “Looking Up” from the new album – we think you’ll love it.

Looking Up

Last year he performed an astonishing 131 concerts in 24 countries; he also made a guest appearance on the Red Hot Chili Peppers new album.

In 2017 the Pinball Wizard celebrates his 70th birthday – as well as the 50th anniversary of his amazing songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.

About the band

Elton John’s band members are: Davey Johnstone, guitars, mandolin, banjo, vocals; Matt Bissonette, bass guitar, vocals; Kim Bullard, keyboards; John Mahon, percussion, drums, vocals; and Nigel Olsson, drums and vocals.

Johnstone has played well over 2,000 concerts, and has been playing with Elton John since since “Madman Across the Water.” From Detroit, Bissonette is a published songwriter who used to perform regularly with the Disneyland Band in Anaheim; he’s been playing bass guitar since age 12.

Keyboardist Kim Bullard has toured with Crosby Stills and Nash and played with Nine Inch Nails; he’s been an active working musician in Los Angeles for more than 30 years.

John Mahon has been playing with Elton John since 1997 and played on a Grammy Award-winning album (“BB King & Friends”) with BB King; he was voted #3 Percussionist by Modern Drummer Magazine in 2010. Having played with Elton John for many years, drummer Olsson is considered a mainstay of Elton John’s touring and recording band; he has an extremely loyal following.

Another “Wonderful Crazy Night” album highlight has been the contemplative “The Open Chord” – we’re hoping to hear it in his setlist.

The Open Chord

Aside from his Eugene show, other 2017 tour whistle stops included Spokane, Bozeman, Missoula, Tucson, Las Vegas, Victoria B.C., Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Amos Lee in Concert – Always a Good Thing

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Singer songwriter musician Amos Lee brought his unique soul-folk-blues sound to town with a concert at Eugene’s McDonald theater and he delivered another stunning performance.

The 42-year-old ace musician is currently touring to promote his new album “Spirit.”

Lee has recorded 6 albums on Blue Note Records and toured with a bevy of famous musicians: Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Adele, Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson and Norah Jones, among them.

His 2011 “Mission Bell” release debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and included his much beloved hit single “Windows are Rolled Down.”

His sophisticated, R&B-flavored new “Spirit” album has been out only 2 months. Have a listen to the title track:

Spirit


amoslee1

Lee sparkled at last Eugene show

Lee last performed in Eugene early in 2014 when he gave fans a stunning performance.

Playing for  more than two hours alongside his stellar 5-member band, the night’s engaging performance encompassed more than 25 instruments (squeezebox, banjo and mandolin among them). At that show, Lee’s demeanor, set-list and showmanship were impeccable.

 

Ships Have Sailed releases an all-acoustic EP

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Alt-Indie pop band Ships Have Sailed performed at Sam Bond’s Brewing (540 E 8th Avenue location) recently.

The band’s music walks a middle ground between alternative rock and upbeat pop tracks like their hit single “Summertime.”

Currently touring to promote their new all-acoustic “Whispers” EP, the band – based in southern California – released full-length “Moodswings” in March of last year.

Summertime

shs-moodswings-coverart-web-1200x1200

Here’s what they had to say in a recent interview about their music and the tour.

KRVM: “How did the band get its start?”

SHS (Will Carpenter): “Dan and I were in a band together before. . . I had a bunch of songs that weren’t really a fit for the band we were in, but I didn’t really want to let them go or pitch them to another artist, so I just started producing them myself in my home studio.”

“Once I had a good handle on developing them I had Dan over for a beer and played him what I’d been working on, and he was like: “Cool man, what are we going to call it?”. “Most of those songs can be heard on our debut EP ‘Someday.'”

KRVM: “How is the new acoustic EP being received?

SHS: “Really well actually…for those readers who aren’t familiar, the ‘Whispers’ EP is a completely stripped down, acoustic vibe, which has three ‘re-imagined’ tracks from previous releases and two brand new songs. I feel like it was a bit risky to diverge from the sound people were getting to know us for, but ultimately it was a risk worth taking.”

Out of Time

KRVM: “Musical influences?”

SHS: “We range from classical music…to jazz, to classic rock (Hendrix, The Beatles, Pink Floyd), to 90s Grunge (Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, etc.) to everything past, present and in between…it’s a really big range.”  “Some of my top playlist favorites in the past year have been CHVRCHES, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, the new Mumford and Sons, and The National.”

ShipsHaveSailed2_PressPhoto_2015_03_WEB

Will Carpenter — lead singer for Ships Have Sailed

KRVM: “How did the tour come about?”

SHS: “Well, funny enough, we weren’t going to go out on the road this year.  We had talked about really buckling down in the studio and making some new music, but then this small Pop festival called International Pop Overthrow approached us about doing a couple dates on the west coast, and here we are!”

KRVM: “Which songs are fan favorites?”

SHS: “I would say ‘If Only’ is the favorite, but ‘Drive’ and ‘Boomerang’ are close runners up.  ‘Summertime’ is a great anthemic song for the season…off of ‘Whispers’ I think the most popular is ‘Home,’ followed by ‘Criminal’ and ‘Lucky.'”

Band members are Dan Hange, bass, backup vocals; Will Carpenter, guitar, lead vocals, and drummer Art Andranikyan.

The new EP is their third, and the band also has full-length “Moodswings,” an album laden with appealing pop-infused tracks music lovers may wish to explore.

You can find their music on iTunes and on their website.

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