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American Indie Rockers Modest Mouse play Eugene

May 9, 2017 by Cynthia Orlando

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

January 23, 2017 by Cynthia Orlando

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.

Blind Pilot makes a stop in Eugene

October 6, 2016 by Cynthia Orlando

Promoting their latest “And Then Like Lions” release on a cross-country tour, Blind Pilot played at Hi Fi Music Hall in Eugene recently.

Central to their sound and appeal are lead singer Israel Nebeker’s captivating vocals, harmonious layered choruses and their tasteful use of acoustic and percussive touches.

Their newest endeavor is their third studio release; on ATO Records, most of its 10 tracks are artful arrangements that invite repeated listening.

“Lions” opens on the plaintive notes of beautifully lush “Umpqua Rushing” and the pensive “Joik #3” – a lovely ode to Nebecker’s father, who passed over two years ago.

The upbeat and lyrically engaging “Packed Powder” is especially commendable.

Packed Powder

Band members are: Luke Ydstie, upright bass, bass guitar, backing vocals; Kati Claborn, banjo, mountain dulcimer, ukulele, backing vocals; Ian Krist, vibraphone, percussion; Dave Jorgensen, trumpet, keyboards; Ryan Dobrowski, drums, percussion; and Israel Nebeker, vocals and guitar.

Blind Pilot has a flurry of appearances coming up, with performances scheduled in California at San Francisco’s The Fillmore, Solana Beach’s Belly Up Tavern, and in Oregon at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom.

Concertgoers are likely to be treated to both highlights from the new album and standout tracks from the past, including “Oviedo” “The Story I Heard” and “Go On, Say It.”

In downtown Eugene, Hi Fi Studios is centrally located, boasting an impressive sound system for bands like Kaleo who played their recently.

You can find Blind Pilot’s music on amazon, iTunes, local music stores and on their website.

Praiseworthy Kaleo debuts album “A/B”

August 8, 2016 by Cynthia Orlando

Praiseworthy Kaleo recently performed at Eugene’s HiFi Music Hall to a sold out crowd.

Kaleo boasts a sumptuous, sometimes thunderous blend of rock, blues and folk you won’t want to miss. Originally from Iceland, the band continues to grow their U.S. following via their new home base of Austin.

The 4-member band first gained notoriety when their beautiful and haunting “Vor í Vaglaskógi” earned heavy rotation on an Icelandic radio station. Band members moved to Austin in 2015 and also played SXSW that year.

Their recently released debut album “A/B” was aptly named for their ability to write and perform both rock n’ roll and more contemplative sonnets. You’ll love the sweet sincerity of “All the Pretty Girls,” their raucous blues stomper “No Good” and the earthy blues feel of hit single “Way Down We Go.”

Both official videos for “Way Down We Go” and “Vor I Vaglaskogi” have racked up more than 1 million views.

Way Down We Go

“Vor I Vaglaskogi” – one of “A/B’s” “B” tracks – is the only selection sung in their native language, and it’s a beauty.

“Vor I Vaglaskogi”

About Kaleo

Kaleo is: Jökull Júlíusson, vocals and guitar; Davíð Antonsson, percussion and vocals; Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson, bass guitar; and Rubin Pollock, guitar and vocals. Three of the band members have been best friends since elementary school and the band now share a home together in Austin.

Kaleo is touring nearly nonstop to promote the new album, which was produced and recorded with Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Dawes, Of Monsters and Men, James Bay). The band’s upcoming appearances include California, Philadelphia New York, Georgia and Colorado; they’ll tour the U.K. in the fall.

You can find music by Kaleo on their website and on iTunes, and follow them on Twitter.

American Indie Rockers Modest Mouse play Eugene