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Afrobeat
and Bach
Eugene gets yet another dose of Afrobeat when Aphrodesia hits the WOW Hall on Friday, July 15. Like their predecessors Antibalas and Albino, this 11-member San Francisco collective channels the musical and political charge of Fela Kuti — they even tour in a biodiesel-fueled bus. Singer Lara Maykovich studied in Ghana and Zimbabwe, but the group also incorporates music from East Africa, funk, and the Caribbean. With plenty of percussion and horns, they put out a big, danceable sound that world music fans should enjoy. Luna has some sweet summer shows this month. On July 15, Portland's scintillating gypsy/tango/klezmer/world music ensemble, 3 Leg Torso, returns. We've raved about this trumpet- and accordion-driven group here for years; see Melissa Bearns' recent report at www.eugeneweekly.com/2005/03/03/music.html. The next night, July 16, Luna features an art/music collaboration from Etheric Double and DJ Joel, accompanying art by Roman Villagrana. The evening will include percussion, vocals, guitar, electronics, poetry, and "performance painting." The Oregon Bach Festival — already one of the finest in memory — finishes up with a highly recommended performance by the new music group Imani Winds on Friday, July 8 and Haydn's monumental oratorio, The Creation, on July 10. And there's free French Baroque music for flute, violin and harpsichord by Margaret Greis and Rachel Streeter at the Atrium on Saturday afternoon, July 9. There's more free music at Washburne Park when the Dillard Brass perform on Sunday July 10, and the Springfield Community Concert Band plays there on July 17.
Playing
On the Wind
Colorado powerhouse The Motet will once again grace the WOW Hall on July 12 with a night of airtight, infectiously funky arrangements. Innovative in both music and environmental activism, The Motet claims the distinction of being the first band in history to power every show with 100 percent sustainable wind energy. This, along with a refreshingly focused take on the often-rambling jam-band genre, could explain why The Motet has enjoyed such an overwhelmingly positive reception both in their hometown of Boulder, Colo., and here in Eugene. A staple at the WOW Hall, the band's show on Tuesday will follow on the heels of a Sunday appearance at the Oregon Country Fair. Blending equal parts funk, jazz, rock, techno and world-beat rhythms into what's been dubbed "Electric Americubafrican Groove," the band really defies categorization. On the other hand, calling The Motet's music "eclectic" is like calling Rage Against the Machine "spirited" — it's a woefully inadequate description. The only two things you can expect from this band are consistently great music and constant variation. From its inception in 1998, The Motet has been in a state of perpetual evolution. Drummer and visionary Dave Watts has been a prevailing force in this process, and has served as the band's anchor through some major changes in the lineup, including the departure of lead singer Jans Ingber. Watts' tireless imagination has spawned all of the band's new material. Scott Messersmith, the other remaining original member, is a brilliantly dexterous percussionist who complements Watts' flawless beats, reinforcing the rhythmic roots that form The Motet's foundation. Rounding out the current lineup are four of Boulder's finest: Garret Sayers on bass, Dominic Lalli on sax, Adam Revell on keys and Ryan Jalbert on guitar. In addition, The Motet has always been a revolving door to top-notch guest musicians, so you never know who'll make an appearance. Expect spontaneous, all-band percussion solos and a set list that spans the globe. As always with The Motet, come ready to dance, 'cause this ain't no sit-down band.
Tuscon
via France
In 1997, Naìm Amor transplanted himself from Paris to Tucson. Why? In 1995 he met someone from Tucson who was making a documentary about the Tucson band Giant Sand, and he came for a visit. Amor befriended Joey Burns in his pre-Calexico days and recorded some songs with him. "I came back the next year just because I enjoyed it the first time," Amor said in a phone interview. That time, fellow Frenchie Thomas Belhom came along, and "we decided to experience playing music in a totally different context," said Amor. "It's to experience something different, moving out of Paris. It's like an adventure." France's loss is our gain, as Amor makes off-kilter pop sung mostly in French and containing bits of fuzzed-out guitar, strings, vibes, accordion, trumpets and electronic loops and samples. Along with Belhom, Amor formed avant-garde pop project Amor Belhom Duo in 1997. With Belhom's recent return to France, the band is on extended hiatus and Amor is now solo, calling his band simply Amor. His adventure is taking him to New York, where he spends time to have more of a big city experience, like Paris. But despite his desire to be in New York for months at a time, Tucson is where he always returns. "Being in Tucson is absolutely wonderful because you have a lot more space and time to do lots of things you cannot do in a very big city," said Amor. "It's very special in Tucson, very laid back." Amor says he has an "American brain," so his music is not as breathy and overtly sexual as much French pop of the past. It's music with a lounge touch and summer coolness. Listen while glugging Budweiser, not fine French Syrah. But Amor doesn't try to play music like an American either. "I live in Tucson and there's a lot of country music here and I really don't try to play that. I'm not trying to play any way. There's a tradition of French pop music that takes its roots from lots of genre of music so I try to stay in that tradition," he says. Amor plays with style, using toys and metal objects on his guitar strings and making ample use of the obstacle course of pedals and effects arrayed in front of him. He also plays an accordionesque melodica. Amor is joined onstage by baritone guitarist Mike Bagesse, drummer Dimitri Manos and bassist Ryan Eggleston.
Back
Porch Following Syncopate (v) – displace the beats or accents in a passage so that strong beats become weak and vice versa. Kitchen (n) – room or area where food is prepared and cooked.
The Kitchen Syncopators met in New Orleans, where they cut their collective teeth on swampy ragtime, old time, jazz and the occasional shot of José Cuervo. Accompanying Frank Lemon's steel guitar and emphysemic vocals are a washboard, banjo, harmonica, fiddle and upright bass. The feel is decidedly smoky, yet somehow innocent. Images of hopping trains and long sunsets in the American west make for a unique and combustible combo. Tackling old standards like "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" is no small task considering the wealth of high-quality versions already out there (Louis Jordan, Joe Jackson, Tomcat from Tom and Jerry). The Syncopators pull it off with the ease of a summer afternoon. That's probably one of the reasons they've become a staple of the Northwest music scene. From the dusty paths of the Oregon Country Fair to the paved streets of the Seattle Folklife Festival, the music simply draws folks in. The simplicity is what makes it so good. When you can combine quality musical chops, a love for the music you are playing, and clear, lucid time-tested songs you get something special. We get The Kitchen Syncopators.
Evelate
Me
Local pantheon of rock Evelate refuses to go quietly. Started some years back in a storage unit, the members of Evelate have tried to call it quits on several occasions. The music keeps calling them back. Like all good generation X-Yers, their musical attention span is brief. Sounding somewhat like Sublime, Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, Evelate changes moods mid-song from reggae to punk to folk — almost as a rule. As a live band, their energy is the straw that stirs up the proverbial soup. Guitarist and singer Chris Baron's arpeggios give way to quick shots of bass and drum, leading the trio into grooves where they seem most comfortable. Sometimes the vocals get in the way of what the boys are trying to do here – jam! The band started out in Corvallis, but is slowly moving its operations towards Portland. Its members have a connection that's apparent to even a casual observer. They have fun with the music, but when they attempt their quieter, more introspective songs, they seem to struggle a bit. What Evelate does best is craft reggae-tinged, danceable grooves. When they let fly and just go, they sound great! They know how to weave styles in and out of their songs, sometimes letting the bass take the lead. The response has been good, keeping them playing. They recently recorded their second CD. For the band to keep moving forward, simplicity and multiplicity — and more and more live shows — are the key. Their simpler songs are their strongest. As Baron's songwriting ripens and matures, Evelate should be able to tackle the ballad with greater aplomb and sharpen up their swings through various musical states. For now, they're a great live band with a real future.
BADA BING'S CLUB TSUNAMI COUNTRY SIDE BAR & GRILL COUNTRYSIDE PiZZA & GRILL
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All
Ages DA HOUZE DIABLO'S DOWNTOWN LOUNGE EMBERS SUPPER CLUB GOOD TIMES JAXX LOUNGE@PREMIUM POUR JO FEDERIGO'S JOE'S BAR & GRILLE JOGGER'S BAR & GRILL JOHN HENRY'S THE JUNGLE LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO
LUCKEY'S CLUB CIGAR MAC'S AT THE VET'S MCSHANE'S BAR & GRILL MONROE STREET CAFE All Ages MULLIGAN'S PUB O'DONNELL'S IRISH PUB OVERTIME GRILL PEABODY'S PERUGINO QUACKER'S RED LION INN
SAM BOND'S GARAGE SAM'S PLACE SAMURAI DUCK SHER'S TAVERN SPIRITS STACY'S COVERED BRIDGE THE STAGE@HOSANNA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP All
Ages TAP 'N' KEG TAYLOR'S BAR AND GRILL TINY TAVERN WETLANDS WOW HALL All Ages YUKON JACK'S
CORVALLIS
AJ'S IOVINO'S RISTORANTE MURPHY'S
karaoke TH: The Cooler, Countryside Pizza (River Rd.),
Da Houze, Duck Inn, Lone Star
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