Just picture this: two hundred coked-up, Molly-d out ravers waiting for forty minutes between sets. That’s what happened on Saturday night at the McDonald Theater after the second act, Big Wild, finished his set. It took Zeds Dead forty minutes to appear on stage. To make matters worse, Zeds Dead’s performance was barely an hour long. Overall, the Canadian DJ duo disappointed on Saturday night.

The first opener, Blount was unexceptional. Big Wild was lackluster. Zeds Dead was forgettable. 

Blount has a very small online presence, and clearly brought on last minute as an up-and-coming DJ looking for some exposure. He was enough entertainment for the small group of Zeds Dead devotees who arrived when the doors opened at 8 p.m.

Big Wild was more thoroughly enjoyed by the audience as he whipped his wild curly hair to the beat. Out of all the acts of the night, he displayed the most passion in his performance, playing different instruments and riling the audience up for Zeds Dead.

After Big Wild, the McDonald Theater audience spent forty minutes standing around, waiting for Zeds Dead. The EDM fans filled the time by trading rave bracelets (known in the EDM community as “Kandi”), exchanging snapchats and swapping drugs. Some were scared of “coming down” from their high during the wait, while others were eager to dance to an artist that they have waited a long time to see. One audience member named Kaylee enthused that this was her third time seeing the duo, after Hard Summer and another prior performance in 2015.

Eventually, Zeds Dead took the stage to a warm welcome despite the long wait. They played some music off their most recent album Northern Lights, as well as old remixes and collaborations with other DJs. Previously, the duo has released 6 EPs, and is currently trying to break into the American electronic music scene after charting in Canada.

With all its new music, Zeds Dead had plenty of material it could have offered the McDonald Theater ravers. Unfortunately, the set barely lasted an hour. Despite the short set, many in the audience still enjoyed seeing the artists perform. Maybe it was the drugs. 

Find Zeds Dead’s new album, Northern Lights, on iTunes or Spotify.

The post Zeds Dead gives lackluster performance at McDonald Theater appeared first on Emerald Media.

Swedish recording artist Tove Lo just released her second album Lady Wood, an uncensored and honest celebration of raw sexuality and the ups and downs of relationships. While the lyrics tell a beautiful, melancholy tale of failed romances, the repetitive rhythms and similar choruses make this a pop album with what feels like the same song over and over again.

Make no mistake, Lady Wood is very well-produced and thought out, with each track listed in a specific order within two chapters of the album, “Fairy Dust” and “Fire Fade.” Each track is trying to maintain an image that Tove Lo cultivated in her first album of a woman going through extreme drugged-up highs to mourn the loss of a relationship while being extremely open about her high sex drive.

Sometimes it fails, and sometimes it succeeds. The raunchiness that accompanied her previous hits through lyrics like “I eat my dinner in the bathtub, then I go to sex clubs” and the total abandonment of caution in “Smoke me broke, I don’t care I’m down for what you want” gave Tove Lo the reputation of an honest lyricist that really doesn’t care about her image.

But she does care about her image, and it’s more obvious in this second album. Each track is carefully selected to demonstrate her message, a confessional of self-destruction and bleary late nights of sex and drugs. But unlike her first album Queen of the Clouds, these tracks deliver a more romantic (while still very sexual) view of relationships. It’s all very similar to The Weeknd’s nocturnal synthpop style, with the brutal honesty of the emotional danger that comes with every interaction and relationship.

While many of the songs on the album do sound very similar (check “Flashes” and “Don’t Talk About It”), there are definitely a few standouts. The hit single “Cool Girl” should have been the song of the summer — even Lorde thought so. But it didn’t garner enough attention in the end. The lyrics are poetic and relatable to almost every single woman who acts nonchalant (“I’m a cool girl. Ice cold, I roll my eyes at you boy”) while truly wanting a real relationship with this noncommittal person. Meanwhile, “Lady Wood” is a creative take on how open women can be about their sexuality, and how Tove Lo tends to be criticized about hers.

However, the areas where the album fails is where Tove Lo tries to be upbeat. “Imaginary Friend” and “WTF Love Is” might be the weakest tracks, if only because they feel forced to balance out a generally melancholy album.

But the most important part of Lady Wood is the lack of shock value that Tove Lo craved in Queen of the Clouds. It shows a new maturity to her audience; she’s still very open about her sexuality but not out for attention about it. She recognizes the hedonism of her life and discusses it rather than brag about it.

Watch the short trailer for Lady Wood here:

The post ‘Lady Wood’ shows Tove Lo’s new maturity, with the same honesty appeared first on Emerald Media.

Halloween weekend is almost upon us, and girls are busy running to Hirons to grab tutus and cat ears, while still trying to not be the most basic bitch on the block. Meanwhile, the guys are waiting until Friday evening to decide which costume will take the least amount of effort possible; however, there are certain costumes that will receive mass appreciation and others that will be looked at with a disdainful smirk. Here is a list of the best and worst, most creative and crappiest Halloween costumes of 2016.

The Good

• Specific celebrity costumes are always very interesting. Kardashians tend to be overdone, but classics like Jersey Shore and the Spice Girls are funny and not too difficult to do.
• These past few years in movie theaters have been all about superheroes, especially the Avengers. While this might be an obvious group choice for some, it’s a safe bet that’ll have you looking good while not stressing too hard on a costume.
• Going as an Olympian is also easy and culturally relevant. Plus, in Eugene, you might just run into one while you’re out for the evening. Your plastic gold medal might look a bit cheaper than theirs, however.
• The idea of a perfect college costume is something without many layers (considering the inside of most frat parties and house parties can get hot) but not leaving you in your underwear. This is why pop culture costumes like the casts of Game of Thrones and Grey’s Anatomy might be difficult: too much to wear. Avoid heavy clothing unless you’d like to sweat all night.
• Animals are also a very safe bet. But, as a warning, there will be 157 other girls wearing cheap eyeliner-whiskers, a black tutu and bodysuit, and $5 cat ears. Guys can also expect to be competing with a lot of Risky Business Tom Cruise’s, gladiators, policemen, and firemen. Classics, but not super original.

The Bad

• Avoid stereotyping cultures by wearing Native American headdresses or geisha kimono robes. We should have learned from the outcry over certain celebrity Coachella outfits this year.
• Don’t be Harambe. This joke is so old that you might as well go as Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign.
• For God’s sake, do not be a clown this year. The risk of personal harm and general violence against you will be too strong with the current anti-clown hysteria gripping our nation. You can expect a few smacks across the face (and that’s the least amount of damage you could get).
• Of course, this is an election year and we will see many, many Hillary Clintons and Donald Trumps. Just don’t be nasty and start a political fight when everyone is out on Halloween trying to have fun.

Have fun and be safe this year.

After the comparative failure of Artpop to 2011’s smash hit Born This Way, Lady Gaga is officially coming back in a big — and very different — way with Joanne. Gaga’s new genre-crossing album has the dance-pop singer experimenting with country while focusing on stripped-down emotion in her lyrics. 

The album title and cover art, a simple profile portrait of Gaga in a pink hat with a baby blue background, indicate an immediate genre shift.

Gaga is best known for her attention-demanding early days as a synth-pop artist who wore wild clothes and became an international “Fame Monster.” She was frequently dubbed the next Madonna. She recently showed her diversity in a jazz collaboration album with Tony Bennett titled Cheek to Cheek. 

Gaga’s 2013 album, Artpop, was an unexpected flop. The hype was too great, and it was a severe disappointment following the incredible Born This Way. This might explain why Gaga decided to veer away from her typical dance-pop music with Joanne. 

This new album is pop with a strong country twang, very similar in genre to Taylor Swift’s pre-1989 albums. But make no mistake, this album is all Lady Gaga’s own experiment. She’s successfully ventured into the country genre before with hits like “You and I” off Born This Way, but nothing like this. “Diamond Heart” and “AY-O” especially signal the genre shift, with scratchy guitar strums, rhythmic background clapping and drawling vocals from Gaga. 

The isolated vocals and stripped down instrumentals of the title track, “Joanne” cue a more raw Gaga in terms of emotion and production. The disco and glamor have vanished from this album, and a hint of Lana del Rey’s signature Americana sound shines through, especially on tracks like “Grigio Girls.”

Just as much as the music itself, the lyrics show a new Gaga (or at least, a new genre for Gaga). “John Wayne” demonstrates a craving for a “cowboy,” a country man, a “real John Wayne.” A strange twist for her generally young, liberal, and very large LGBTQ+ fanbase, Gaga sings with a twang about a man who is “blue collar and a red state treasure.” Now the country girl, Gaga croons to her mystery cowboy man, “Can I just like / hang off the back of your horse / And can you go a little faster?!”

Her devotees, known as Little Monsters, may have to shift their expectations for this album. Unlike Artpop, there was no rave to commence the album drop. One thing is true: This album will be perfect for Gaga’s Super Bowl Halftime Show in February. 

Maybe Gaga is not necessarily trying to change her fan base with Joanne, but rather expand it to new audiences outside the dance-pop genre. 

This election year, the Saturday Night Live writers’ room is likely littered with thousands of Post-it notes, many of which would read “Hillary,” “Trump” or “debate.” With such a wild, dirty election between two big personalities, there’s almost too much material for the legendary satire show’s premiere episodes of the 42nd season. The stars of the show are, of course, Alec Baldwin as Republican candidate Donald J. Trump and Kate McKinnon as Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Though Baldwin is not a regular cast member and never was, he’s been a host sixteen times for Saturday Night Live and was the absolute perfect choice for Trump. Baldwin portrays Trump nearly flawlessly: the voice, the slang, the hair, the orange spray tanned skin and the exact nuances of his actions are spot-on.

Clinton’s confidence (often confused as cockiness) is greatly exaggerated by leading cast member McKinnon via her expressions and actions. Hillary is known to be a bit sassy during her debates while fact-checking Trump and generally avoiding outrageous accusations. While McKinnon’s Hillary is an exaggeration, Baldwin’s Trump is barely a parody. Much of the atrocious language coming out of Baldwin’s mouth on the live show is exactly what Trump has said, or could very possibly say in the future.

In addition to Trump being mocked in the SNL debates, Trump supporters were also instantly knocked in Michael Che’s Lester Holt monologue. “No cheering, no clapping,” Che began, “and, to the Trump supporters: no shirt, no shoes, no service.” Trump supporters have been the subject of many jokes in this election season, as well as Trump’s entire candidacy.

Another interesting aspect of the candidate portrayals this year is the comparison to past representations. Before McKinnon joined the SNL cast in 2012, alums Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer and Jan Hooks have parodied the famous former First Lady and Secretary of State. Meanwhile, SNL alums Darrell Hammond and Taran Killam (recently fired before this new season) portrayed Trump before Baldwin got the chance to give his perfect impersonation.

In Amy Poehler’s SNL career, she was best known as a Weekend Update anchor and her brilliant Clinton representation. But while the dialogue of Poehler’s Clinton was equivalently hilarious and absurd, McKinnon’s power of expression is what makes each skit this season incredible. Clinton’s real-life debates with Trump have been filled with The Office-style incredulous expressions at debate cameras. McKinnon takes advantage of this characteristic of Clinton’s and provides hilarious exaggerations of Clinton’s annoyance with her opposing candidate.

And right now, SNL debate parodies are the jokes that America needs to get through the disastrous, nasty debates and election.

A Sunday evening in Eugene in usually characterized by cramming for quizzes, rushing through homework, or simply recovering from a big gameday weekend. But for concert-goers at McDonald Theater last night, an emotional weekend came to a close with a dynamic performance by The Head and the Heart.

The Head and the Heart threw out some of the wildest energy that the audience of McDonald Hall has witnessed from an indie-pop band, with an overwhelming spirit of poetic soundscapes and charismatic performers.

A variety of instruments and a wide range of vocals are what contribute to The Head and the Heart’s unique sound and performance abilities. The band consists of six members, one girl and five guys, each of whom plays a different instrument and sings a different pitch. The Head and the Heart’s West Coast energy is undeniable in all ways. The charisma of lead singer Jonathan Russell, along with fellow vocalists Josiah Johnson and Charity Rose Thielen (the only woman in the band, and a wildly talented violinist) was present in every single song. Russell interacted with the audience between nearly every song, discussing their lunch at Sushi Pure in Eugene and his childhood as the son of a minister in Florida.

The chemistry between the musicians was palpable; at one point Johnson threw a maraca at pianist Kenny Hensley and knocked his cup of water all over the keyboards. Soon, the whole theater was laughing with them.

The band also has a new aesthetic with their new album Signs of Light. Originally a Seattle-based folk band, the six members of The Head and the Heart recently took a year off from the band to go their separate ways across the country. Afterward, they came together to write the new album while living out of in a bungalow in Stinson Beach. This new aesthetic, seen on stage with small palms and neon lights, is a sharp switch from a moody Seattle style.

Each song led to a mood shift, between slow and sad classics like “Rivers and Roads” and new indie-pop hits like “All We Ever Knew”. For the encore, the audience chanted “Rivers and Roads”, which the band played again after a few solo performances from Russell.

The venue of McDonald Theater is ideal for this type of performance: intimate, but still loud and a bit crazy. The vibe was one of harmony: we as the audience belonged there to open our ears to the artists on stage. The easily learned lyrics and sing-along songs united the audience together and urged the band to continue their passionate performance. Thielen’s emotional solos on the violin inspired tears from many members of the audience, and Russell’s between-song speeches roused cheers every time.

Check out The Head and the Heart’s new album Signs of Light, released in September.

Australian electronic music producer What So Not performed at WOW Hall on Wednesday night, bringing Eugene electronic music fans one of the best shows since Mad Decent Block Party. The man behind What So Not, Emoh Instead, brought amazing energy to the hall which was filled with passionate fans. The show also featured skilled opening acts Graves and Tkay Maidza.

Graves, a DJ from Honolulu, began the show, playing old favorites with twists. Graves is a rising act in the EDM world, and though many in the crowd had likely never heard his music before, they still danced with enthusiasm.

The second act, Tkay Maidza, a young female rapper from Australia was impressive throughout her one-hour set. She’s passionate about her music and involving the audience. Whether shouting out lyrics for the WOW Hall audience to shout back at her or running along the front row for high fives, Tkay earned the audience’s love for her spirited performance. Her debut album, TKAY, will be released in the U.S. on Oct. 28, and it’s almost guaranteed that much of her Eugene audience will now be anticipating its release.

Despite competition from the opening acts, What So Not undoubtedly provided the best performance. Emoh Instead brought the same energy to the stage as established acts like Diplo and Steve Aoki, and that passion is bound to gain him more recognition. The light show was detailed and beat perfectly with each song, presenting What So Not as not only a performer but a creative artist. Even with WOW Hall’s old-timey disco ball in the center of the ceiling, the overall stage vibe was modern and vivid. The smartest thing Emoh Instead has done in his career is create a recognizable image for What So Not in the form of the typeface, album themes, and overall appearance.

Originally, What So Not was a duo project as Emoh Instead worked with massive hit maker Flume; they split in 2015 due to creative differences. But the solo producer behind What So Not doesn’t need a partner to wow crowds with smooth tracks and, as one WOW Hall attendee said, “endless bangers!”

One of the most impressive and unanticipated electronic music lineups led to an amazing Wednesday night of performances that lasted until 2 a.m. Look out for new mixes released on Graves’ Soundcloud page, Tkay Maidza’s upcoming debut TKAY, and What So Not’s recent EP Divide and Conquer.

Listen to What So Not’s “Gemini” below:

Eugene Beer Week

The annual Eugene Beer Week is back for the first week of June to celebrate craft beer culture in the Willamette Valley. This weekend will be full of tastings, brewery tours, pop-up pubs, fundraisers, special releases and parties for all beer fans.

Friday’s top events are the Alesong Brewing and Blending dinner pairings with a four-course meal at at the Whiteaker restaurant Grit, a sampling of Northwest classic brews and small-batch European ales in the BRING Beer Benefit at Claim 52 Brewing and a new can release during the Sunriver Brewing Tasting at the Market of Choice on south Willamette.

Saturday’s must-sees are Plank Town’s Growler Release, an upper McKenzie River/Tamolitch Pool brewshed hike and live music in the Hop Valley Tasting Room. Sunday closes out the beer week with a hangover breakfast at the Falling Sky Pourhouse in the Whiteaker and a Do-or-Dye Tie Dye Party at Hop Valley Brewing.

For more information, head to EugeneBeerWeek.org.

Eugene

Friday, June 3 – Electric Mantis – HiFi Music Hall (44 E. 7th Ave.), 10 p.m., $5, 21+

With openers EASTGHOST, Suma & LSV (b2b) and PizzaBowl, electronic music DJ Electric Mantis is playing at HiFi Music Hall this weekend. The 22-year-old producer Wyatt Pearson is a Portland native, and recently quit his job at Starbucks to start his tour and  take on music full-time. So far, Pearson has one EP, Braincase, which he is promoting on his own tour and by hopping on 3 other tours in May. Visit the HiFi website (hifimusichall.com) for tickets.

Saturday, June 4 – Green and Yellow Garter Bands – WOW Hall (291 W. 8th Ave.), 7 p.m., free for UO students with ID, $5 without ID

This weekend, to mark the end of the University of Oregon’s athletic year, the UO Athletic Department hosts the Final Performance of the Green and Yellow Garter Bands at WOW Hall. As many members are graduating this year, this final performance will celebrate a tradition of pride, enthusiasm and musical quality that uplifts fans and ultimately drives Oregon teams to victory. Visit the WOW Hall’s website (wowhall.org) for more information.

Sunday, June 5 – Wildflower Walk – Mount Pisgah Arboretum (34901 Frank Parrish Rd.), 10 a.m., $5

To celebrate the end of spring and beginning of summer, head south of Eugene to Mount Pisgah. This Sunday, Mount Pisgah Arboretum site assistant and botanist Matt Groberg leads a tour of the early summer wildflowers. As much of the local flora of the Willamette Valley wraps up its reproductive season, some flowering plants are just starting to bloom. Groberg will lead groups across Mount Pisgah to examine the floral ecosystem. More information at mountpisgaharboretum.com.

Portland

Friday, June 3 – Ye Day: Kanye West’s Tribute Night – Holocene (1001 S.E. Morrison St.), 9 p.m., $10, 21+

He’s Beethoven. He’s Picasso. He’s the glitch from Wreck-It Ralph. He’s the nucleus. Let’s have a toast to the titan rapper on his 39th birthday. Portland DJ Ronin Roc will curate this party by spinning tracks from West’s catalog, from his production with Roc a Fella to more contemporary work from The Life of Pablo. Surely, Kanye would approve.

Saturday, June 4 – The Comedy Get Down – Moda Center (1 N Center Ct St), 8 p.m., $52

Comeidans Cedric the Entertainer, George Lopez, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley and Charlie Murphy – whose prolific careers span late-night television, film, radio and more – will be at the Moda Center this Saturday for a memorable stand-up showcase.

Sunday, June 5 – Bridgetown Comedy Festival – various venues at various times, $10+

The Bridgetown Comedy Festival is back in Portland for its ninth consecutive year. With dozens of shows every day for five days, the rising stars of comedy have their chance to perform and increase name recognition at this festival. Sunday’s biggest stars include Alice Wetterlund from Girl Code performing at the Bechdel Test show at the Bossanova Ballroom, and The Office favorite and already well-known name Oscar Nunez at the Theme Park Improv show at the Siren Theater.

Featured Event: Spring Storm

This Friday, University of Oregon students and art aficionados can enjoy pieces straight from the minds of UO art students. The 2016 Spring Storm will display the work of graduating students of the art, digital arts and product design majors. The reception for the public will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 27.

Nearly 100 students will exhibit their work on the first and second floors of Lawrence Hall, with a wide variety of pieces from the different studies. Media areas include ceramics, digital arts, fibers, jewelry, metalsmithing, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, product design and sculpture.

The showcase for the fourth annual Spring Storm is free, and for one night only.

Eugene

Friday, May 27 — Spring Awakening — HiFi Music Hall (44 E. 7th Ave.), 10 p.m., $5

With a lineup featuring Andrew Mataus, Michael Friedman, Chris H. Undermind vs. Nico Bizio and QAMRONparq, the HiFi Music Hall is hosting one of its biggest events of the year. The event is a celebration of “new beginnings, warmer spring weather and music” and emphasizes local artists. All proceeds will be going to local DJ Cesar Morales to help replace the car and lighting gear that was stolen from him; a unique cause for HiFi.

Saturday, May 28 — Scottish Festival — Irving Grange (1011 Irving Dr.), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $5 and a can of food

The festival this weekend in Eugene is for those of Scottish descent and aficionados of the European nation. Music includes traditional bagpipes, fiddles and harps. Other attractions include a sheep dog demonstration, highland games, a dog parade, horse-drawn wagon rides and dancing. More activities include shopping for Scottish imports and workshops. 

Sunday, May 29 — Honky Tonk at HiFi — HiFi Music Hall (44 E. 7th Ave.), 7 p.m., free, 21+

Every other Sunday is Honky Tonk night at HiFi. Local country/Americana group the Eugene Trailblazers are performing this weekend for free. As “honky tonk” means a type of bar that provides country music for entertainment to its patrons, this event is 21 and over, allowing the HiFi to be turned into a bar. 

Portland

Friday, May 27 — Purity Ring — Roseland Theater (8 N.W. 6th Ave.), 9 p.m., $47+

The Canadian electronic music duo is stopping by Portland in support of their most recent album, Another Eternity. The band will be spending all weekend at Sasquatch Music Festival at the Gorge in Washington, except for their Friday night performance in Oregon. Those who are not attending Sasquatch can still get a similar experience from this chart-topping group, but in a more intimate setting.

Saturday, May 28 — Sir Mix-a-Lot — Tom McCall Waterfront Park (1020 S.W. Naito Pkwy.), 7:30 p.m., $10

For just $10 this weekend, you can see the genius behind “Baby Got Back” perform on the banks of the Willamette River. The artist widely known as a one-hit-wonder will be performing from his six studio albums. He mostly works as a producer now for new hip hop and rap artists trying to break out with similar success and fame.

Sunday, May 29 — It’s Not Me, It’s Me — Alberta Street Pub (1036 N.E. Alberta St.,) 8 p.m., $7, 21+

If you’ve never heard of a “speed-dating podcast,” you have now. Hosted by JoAnn Schinderle (Portland Funniest Person Finalist) and Barbara Holm (SF Sketchfest), the “It’s Not You It’s Me” Live Speed Dating Podcast encourages single people to show up and participate in their speed dating experiment. As the event is hosted by the Alberta Street Pub, only those over 21 can enter and participate. Be ready for laughs and even a possible date.

Featured Event: NCAA Golf Championships

This year’s NCAA golf championships will be held at the Eugene Country Club and can be easily attended by UO students. Star golfers from Division I universities across the country are flying into Eugene over the next few weekends for both the women’s and men’s championships this month. The women’s competition will be held May 20-25. The men’s tournament will be held May 27 through June 1.

At the men’s Pac-12 championships earlier this month, Stanford took the trophy. Oregon came in sixth and was dropped from the Top-25 as a result. At the women’s Pac-12 championships, USC took the trophy and Oregon came in eighth. 

One women’s player to watch is junior Cathleen Santoso, who finished fifth at the Silverado Showdown in Napa this past April. One men’s player to watch is sophomore Aaron Wise, who will be leaving the Ducks in mid-June and will be competing in his last NCAA championship this year. Check out the cover story on page eight for this year’s championships at Eugene Country Club.

Eugene

Portland