Whether watching at Autzen Stadium or at home rooting for the Ducks with family, Ducks fans sure know how to rock game day. Find songs to listen to as the Ducks play the Oregon State University Beavers in the 121st Civil War below.

‘Fuck You’ — CeeLo Green

No song combines spitefulness and liveliness like CeeLo Green’s 2010 hit, “Fuck You.” The song’s contrasting message encapsulates the state of mind tailgaters will be in at this weekend’s Civil War football game when the Ducks face off against Oregon State’s Beavers. Fans can boost their spirits with the song’s upbeat tempo and poppy melody. But more importantly, the song will inspire vibrant solidarity among tailgaters getting ready for the last game of the regular season between rivals. Although the song’s collaborators Green, Bruno Mars and The Smeezingtons wrote the song about the music industry, the point of the song is perfect for energizing football fans against their rivals.

‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’ — Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 recording of  “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” is one of the most infamous displays of electric guitar virtuosity ever recorded. The confident dominance Jimi Hendrix exhibits on the song can only be attempted to emulate. The track is applicable in many ways: it works well in the parking lot outside of Autzen when it’s time to crack open a cold one. It works in the stadium as the green and yellow rush the field. Its grittiness is unignorable, and Jimi’s powerful vocal style flows effortlessly as if to say, “this won’t take much sweat.”

‘Joker And The Thief’ — Wolfmother

Anyone who has attended a University of Oregon football game in the last decade or so knows that Wolfmother’s “Joker And The Thief” is the best song to listen to on game day. Autzen Stadium, the home of the Ducks, has played the song prior to kickoff for years now. The song fits so perfectly it almost seems as if the band wrote it with Ducks fans in mind. Driving, distorted guitar, thundering bass and bouncy drums make it near impossible for anxious football fans not to jump. Though the song is sure to be heard on Austen’s PA speakers before kickoff, there’s no reason it can’t be heard at tailgates and pregames throughout Eugene.

‘Seven Nation Army’ — The White Stripes

From the band’s 2003 album, “Elephant,” “Seven Nation Army” has become a must-play at any major sporting event. The opening sequence of the song, with constant, thumping drums combined with a moody guitar riff gives the listener a feeling of anticipation. That calm-before-the-storm sensation is then shattered as the electric guitar pounds through, emphasizing the bassline with gusto. The pump-up effect of the song is magnified further when played at large gatherings of frenzied football fans, making it a critical song for Duck fans’ tailgate playlist.  

‘Be True To Your School’ —  The Beach Boys

“Now what’s a matter, buddy / Ain’t you heard of my school,” Mike Love asks on the Beach Boys classic, “Be True To Your School.” Some might find the extreme devotion displayed in these lyrics  — “Be true to your school / Just like you would to your girl or guy” — to be a bit comical; however, those people are just incapable of wrapping their heads around the basic concepts of pride, spirit and loyalty. As always, the Beach Boys provide excellent vocal harmonies along with infectious pop songwriting on this track. After listening to this song, even the least enthusiastic student will be inspired to stand up for their school in the face of any “loud braggart.”

The post Emerald Recommends: Songs for the Civil War appeared first on Emerald Media.

Many University of Oregon students will be taking flights home to spend time with their families on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Though it will be nice for students to take a breather from schoolwork and visit with family, the travel it takes for students to reach their destinations aren’t always easy. Flights can often be filled with awkward small talk and uncomfortably long silences. In the holiday spirit, the Emerald’s Art and Culture writers put together some recommendations for songs to listen to while flying. Hopefully, these songs will help ease the stresses that school and travel can cause.

‘El Carretero’ — Buena Vista Social Club

“El Carretero” is full of motion. But it has a slow and persistent tempo that mirrors the monotonous movements of modern day plane travel. The song gives color to the plane travel routine.

The prominent upright bass drives the song — giving it a haunting rhythm that compliments the Spanish guitar, various percussion instruments and vocals. The Spanish lyrics, sung beautifully by Eliades Ochoa and the band’s ensemble, are themselves dynamically full of motion as they depict a farmer arduous work pulling a wagon. “El Carretero,” meaning “wagon man,” is a “guajira” or a “country lament.”

Everyone who likes Latin music must familiarize themselves with the Buena Vista Social Club. The band composed of veteran Cuban musicians formed in 1996 to bring back the music of pre-Cuban revolution dance clubs.

‘The Recipe’ — Kendrick Lamar featuring Dr. Dre

The lead single from Kendrick Lamar’s first full-length record, “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” serves as a poetic tribute to Lamar’s hometown of Los Angeles. “The Recipe” describes Lamar’s favorite qualities — or “ingredients” — that make Los Angeles one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. The song lyrics list women, weed and good weather as the main reasons his hometown special. Most University of Oregon students probably have a slightly different list of “ingredients” that make up their hometown unique. But almost everybody can still relate to Lamar’s admiration for his hometown, especially around the holiday season. Plus, what better song to listen to while flying than one that features noises from an airplane takeoff in its opening moments?

Ambient 1: Music For Airports — Brian Eno

Congested security checkpoints, cramped seats and unexpected flight delays can all make flying a very stressful experience. Thankfully, Brian Eno is there to make things a little bit easier. His 1978 album “Ambient 1: Music For Airports” was designed with the airport experience in mind. The calm piano loops and comforting ethereal voices found throughout the album are a welcome escape from the irritating noises of crowded flights and airport terminals. Whether waiting for your plane or already in the air, Listening to this album will surely ease some tension. “Music For Airports” is also easy to fall asleep to, so just make sure to board the flight before falling asleep.

‘Window Seat’ and ’Umm Hmm’ — Erykah Badu

These two tracks from Erykah Badu’s latest album, “New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)”, work together to induce a lofty, groovy relaxation fitting for hour-long gazes through airplane windows. The production on these tracks, largely laid out through sampling and live instrumentation, feature analog instruments to create a mesmerizing atmosphere. Badu told Billboard that the sound “feels like a hug.”

The songs possess a full-of-life, flowing quality, as does the album as a whole. Badu’s floating vocals yearn for the liberations of silent airplane rides in “Window Seat.” The bouncier “Umm Hmm” contains samples that urge listeners to, as Badu obliges gracefully, “Search the skies / a new horizon.”

‘Last Tango In Paris Pt I’ and ‘Why Did She Choose You’ — Gato Barbieri

The 1972 French classic film “Last Tango In Paris” tells a tale of travel among love and lust. Director Bernardo Bertolucci recruited the great Gato Barbieri to compose the sounds for the movie, and, in response, Barbieri offered what would become a greatly successful jazz album in its own respect.

Barbieri’s virtuosic saxophone solos are made all the more lively and powerful by the rich latin-jazz accompaniment. There’s a certain sense of movement to the compositions. The songs are perfect for when the wheels of the plane finally leave the runway; perhaps on the way to be reunited with loved ones.

‘Flying High’ — Honors English featuring TL Cross and Lupe Fiasco

Outside of the title’s obvious allusions to taking to the skies, “Flying High,” the single off of Honors English’ 2012 mixtape, “State of the Art,” offers a great display of lyrical dexterity and capability. Honors English, who prides himself on his intellectually challenging raps, is only improved by the presence one of hip-hop’s greatest thinkers: Lupe Fiasco.

The accompanying horns and kicks produced by Needlz fit the fluffy-clouded imagery synonymous with airplane rides, and the rappers’ mood on the track reflects that feeling of moving forward. “The mood of the instruments seems to elevate me to a higher place every time they reach my ears,”  Honors English said about the track.

Listen to the Emerald’s playlist for songs to listen to while flying:

The post Emerald Recommends: Songs to listen to while flying appeared first on Emerald Media.

It seems like a new rap/hip-hop album drops every week. Albums now have a shelf life of a few days and new singles are nearly forgotten by the next weekend. The timeline for a rapper to release new music has been shorted by so much that fans become antsy after a few months of silence. This year has seen the emergence of many new artists as well as an abundance of new hits from familiar faces. But some of hip-hop’s biggest names have been awfully quiet as of late, leading many to believe that these artists have something in the works. The Emerald did some digging to find out what these slumbering giants might have in store for the last quarter of 2017. By no means is this list comprehensive or have any of these releases been confirmed, but after combing through hundreds of artists’ social media posts, the Emerald has come up with some good speculation.

A$AP Rocky

Since the release of his 2015 sophomore record, “Long Live A$AP,” A$AP Rocky has released two records with rap collective A$AP Mob, both charting in the top 15 of Billboard’s Hot 200. But the New York-based artist appears to be shifting his attention back toward his solo career. In an August interview with Complex, Rocky announced that his third solo record would be released by the end of 2017. He later confirmed that announced via several interactions on Twitter. Rocky later teased a song from the record on his Snapchat Story, which featured fellow New York rapper Swoosh God. The album, which Rocky says will take a step in a new, “futuristic” musical direction, is also rumored to feature British grime rapper Skepta.

Anderson .Paak

If nothing else, 2016 will be remembered as the year Anderson .Paak emerged as one of the most prolific hip-hop artists in today’s music scene. The Los Angeles-based rapper/drummer broke into the mainstream sphere in 2016 and was nominated by the Grammy’s for Best New Artist. But since the release of “Yes Lawd!”, a side project with the prolific producer, Knxwledge,  .Paak has been awfully quiet. In early October, .Paak posted an Instagram video that detailed his songwriting and recording process while touring.

Over the last several weeks, .Paak has also posted cryptic videos on his Instagram that show him and his band, the Free Nationals, at a film studio recording what appears to be a music video. The band was rumored to be releasing an instrumental album over the summer, but the record never dropped. Also worth noting: .Paak posted a video with Chicago artist Chance the Rapper at the studio together while listening to an unreleased Chance track in January of this year. A collaboration between the two would mark the first time the pair of 2016 breakouts will have worked together.

Chance the Rapper

Last year’s “Coloring Book” made Chance the Rapper one of the most liked and well-respected artists in the game today. Since then he has single-handedly saved music streaming service Soundcloud, appeared on DJ Khaled’s summer’s hit “I’m the One,” performed on Saturday Night Live and won three Grammy awards — pretty impressive for an independent artist. But the Chicago native has been all but silent about his next project. In Febuary, Chance posted a video to his Snapchat story showing him dancing in the studio while listening to a collab with Future. The track, titled “My Peak,” has yet to be released.

Late this summer Chance posted a video to his instagram that previewed another unreleased track, sending the internet into an absolute frenzy. On Sept. 8 he posted a video of his daughter and him jamming in the studio together. While it’s not likely Chance’s four-year-old will be featured on his upcoming release, the post may indicate that Chance has been recording.

While there is evidence that Chance has hit the studio with some other major rappers, there is no way to know whether these songs will be singles, features or material for a solo album. But whatever the case, fans can agree that Chance should drop something new before the end of the year.

Travis Scott

The Houston native left many to believe that his third studio album, “Astroworld.”  would just be around the corner after he officially announced its release at end of 2016 via Twitter. But Scott hasn’t released any solo work since his 2016 album, “Bird In The Trap Sing McKnight.” In the meantime, Scott completed a world tour with Kendrick Lamar and featured on Metro Boomin’s summer smash hit “Blue Pill.” But Scott has been suspiciously quiet since then. Fans only know what his cryptic Instagram posts tell them: He and standout Atlanta producer Metro Boomin have been working in the studio together and Scott has named his car “astro-coupe” in honor of the album’s title. On Oct. 22, Scott posted a picture in a studio and was later featured on Metro Boomin, Offset and 21 Savage’s hit “Ghostface Killers,” but little has been officially announced “Astroworld.”

ScHoolboy Q

Almost immediately after his 2016 album, “Blank Face,” was nominated for a Grammy,

Los Angeles rapper ScHoolboy Q announced a new album. But ScHoolboy has become the tease in all of hip-hop as he hasn’t released any music and has continued to post the smallest of hints that his record would drop. In late September he posted a picture saying “WHen u waiting on @dangerookipawaa @miyatola@iamstillpuncH & BLACK HIPPY approval on da new batcH of records.” On Oct. 3 he posted a Snapchat story of him working at the studio. Anderson .Paak could also play a role in Q’s release. In a Snapchat Story from early September, Q and .Paak were pictured working in the studio together — leaving many to believe Q’s next release will feature a star-studded cast of guest appearances.

Other hip-hop artists who could be dropping albums:

YG

The last time Los Angeles rapper YG released an album, “Red Friday,” the day after last Thanksgiving, meaning his album cycle is up. Look for YG to release something much sooner than later.

Travis Scott and Quavo

Rumors of Scott and Quavo releasing a collab album have been circulating the hip-hop scene for years now. But besides the occasional mysterious Instagram post and ambiguous Snapchat story, there has been little to no news of the would-be-blockbuster record. All fans can do for now is hope.

G.O.O.D. Music

Though G.O.O.D. Music’s founder Kanye West was recently seen spending time with longtime friend Kid Cudi in a Japanese music studio, his label’s rap collective is rumored to release its second record by the end of the year. Nothing has been confirmed, but Kanye recently put in requests to trademark “Yeezy Sound.” Though it’s not exactly clear what that means, Kanye definitely has something in store.

The post Which of hip-hop’s biggest acts will drop an album before the end of the year? appeared first on Emerald Media.

It had been nearly four years since indie-rock group Said The Whale had recorded an album prior to its 2017 record “As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide.” During that time, the Vancouver, B.C.-based quintet parted ways with two of its members and went through many personal tragedies — all of which force their way into the band’s most recent album.

As the band’s co-leadsinger Ben Worcester told the Emerald ahead of Said The Whale’s show at WOW Hall on Sunday night: “We went through some stuff.”

“Ben and I always just write what we know, so our songs have always been personal,” said Tyler Bancroft, the band’s other singer. “Shit just gets heavier as you get older.”

Unlike the band’s earlier material — which paired upbeat musical arrangements with similar happy-go-lucky lyrics — “As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide” incorporates similar musical tones with lyricism full of loss and regret. During that four year span, Bancroft and Worcester both experienced different tragedies.

Ben Worcester of Said the Whale faces the crowd. Said the Whale perform at the WOW Hall in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 22, 2017. (Phillip Quinn/Emerald)

Worcester and his girlfriend of seven years went through a difficult breakup. He realized he’d made a terrible mistake and, fortunately, he and his girlfriend have gotten back together since then.

Bancroft wasn’t as fortunate. During that same time period, he and his wife experienced the pain of two miscarriages. He added that was the hardest situation he has ever had to go through, and it shows on the band’s most recent record.

On the track “Miscarriage,” which details the scarring memories, he sings: “Tell me how to act / All I wanna do is make it alright / I want to tell you that you’re beautiful / And everything is fine.”

While it certainly wasn’t easy for the two of them to share those stories with the world, it was therapeutic to release some of the built-up emotions during those trying times. It also helped the band connect with its listeners.

“I find that the more kind of painful feelings are the easiest to relate to,” Worcester said.

The band members channeled those raw emotions into the making of their fifth studio album. And for the first time in over three years, Said The Whale decided to hit the studio together, again.

“We were kind of in a place where we weren’t sure how we were going to do it or if we’d be able to do it or if we’d keep being a band,” Worcester said. “We came at it with a more care-free attitude of just like ‘Let’s just go and record songs and see what happens.’”

Now, both Worcester and Bancroft say that this is the band’s most cohesive and collaborative album it has ever recorded. They credit the success to the album’s producer, Cayne Mckenzie, who helped focus their intense emotions into a well-rounded album.

“It changed everything,” Bancroft said. “Having the outside voice kind of let us let go of our views easier.”

Said the Whale perform at the WOW Hall in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 22, 2017. (Phillip Quinn/Emerald)

They also felt their creativity had more space to breathe. Adding that having only three members — or “fewer cooks in the kitchen,” as Worcester likes to say — helped curtail the stress recording sessions can bare.

Sharper vocal harmonies and arrangements with more depth are showcased throughout the record. But the most notable change is the addition of electronic musical styles.

Midi keyboards and synths are more noticeably featured on the record, bringing a modern taste and new life to the band’s music. While songwriting, Worcester — who admits he is no expert when it comes to electronic musical styles — left space for keys and synths to be added later in the writing process.

Mckenzie’s ability to translate the band’s tough life experiences into a comprehensive album helped the members cope, but performing live is what truly serves as their therapy.

“When you can put yourself in the place where you wrote the song and your feelings come out in a performance, it’s better for everybody,” Worcester said. “It makes the songs mean something to you when you’re singing them — it means something to the audience as you’re translating that to them.”

Follow Zach Price on Twitter: @zach_price24

The post Triumph through tragedy: How Said The Whale reinvented itself appeared first on Emerald Media.

“Halloween V mix” — RL Grime

While children will be parading in the streets on Oct. 31 in celebration of the largest candy giveaway of the year, EDM fans will be celebrating for a different reason: Los Angeles-based DJ and producer RL Grime will release his sixth annual Halloween mix.

The release is slated to drop sometime before the end of the month, but in the meantime fans can enjoy last year’s mix. On the release, Grime remixes well-chosen songs that perfectly complement his electro-house and trap musical performance style. The theme song from the Netflix hit-series Stranger Things, Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” are all featured on the mix. A special guest appearance from children’s horror author R.L. Stine is also featured.

I’m Deranged — David Bowie

David Bowie’s 1990s output is often overlooked; however, during this time the artist was continuing to push boundaries. “I’m Deranged,” released on the 1995 album “Outside,” is a haunting piece of music. Gone are the high-pitched vocals of “Hunky Dory” and “Ziggy Stardust.” On “I’m Deranged,” Bowie eerily croons over a disorienting instrumental, expressing a frightening plunge into madness. Strange spoken word samples and a discordant piano create the song’s frantic atmosphere, while a strong beat keeps things danceable. “I’m Deranged” also caught the ear of filmmaker David Lynch, who later included the track in his equally frightening 1997 film “Lost Highway.”

Theme from ‘The X-Files’

Sure, it’s not your traditional Halloween jam. But listening to the haunting whistle from one of the most influential television shows of all time makes it impossible to feel at ease. It doesn’t help when your parents buy a Haunted House CD that includes the ‘X-Files’ next to sounds of torture and screaming (thanks, Mom!). Even as the show fades into insignificance, the theme has lost none of its alien-like creepiness. These days it’s the stuff of 1990s nostalgia (and memes), but don’t delete it from your playlist just yet. When you need a decent Halloween throwback, turn to Mulder and Scully.

“Die Die Die” — Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Bone Thugs’ “Die Die Die,” off its classic debut album, “E. 1999 Eternal,” reeks of impending murder. The sinister synth and piano strokes are interwoven in a series of deadly situations by morbid, harmonic raps by Krayzie and Bizzy Bone.

Maybe it’s the way the Cleveland rappers spit with such confidence that they’re “leather face comin’ to kill them at night” that’s most frightening — especially when summoning death is a common occurrence. Bone Thugs’ self-professed love for killing, dealing drugs and causing terror makes the entire atmosphere of the song disturbing.

This song builds from its own on-edge vibe. Perfect for the murderous imagery of this time of year.

The post Emerald Recommends: Halloween Songs appeared first on Emerald Media.

It’s 3 a.m. You’re alone. You’re behind the wheel. The water droplets race over your windshield and distort the fluorescent street lights, blowing them up like fireworks. As your tires roll on the cold, wet Eugene asphalt, you start to reflect.

You remember the great memories you shared with someone else. You realize that all the best times of your life are behind you. You reminisce about the individual who you’ve become a hollow shell of over years of experiences. Or maybe you’re just headed to the next party.

In this Emerald Podcast, Alec and Jordan discuss the appropriate music for late night drives, no matter where you or your mind is racing. 

Listen to the Emerald’s late night driving playlist below:

The post Podcast: Music to listen to in the car at 3 a.m. appeared first on Emerald Media.

A line of anxious fans circled around the corner of 8th Avenue and Lincoln Street on Friday night. The anticipation only continued to build as another hour passed before the up-and-coming rap collective Brockhampton took the stage at the sold-out WOW Hall.

Romil Hemnani — the band’s producer and DJ — arrived on stage at 9 p.m., providing the tightly packed audience with an engaging opening set. Fans belted the lyrics to familiar songs from artists like Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott and Migos.

As the prospect of the band coming on stage grew stronger with each song, the audience achieved new levels of rowdiness. One of the venue’s PA speakers had to be repaired after crowd members shook the double-stacked speakers so violently that a cord appeared to become disconnected.

Once the technical issues were resolved, Hemnani queued the hollow bass and snare hits that begin Brockhampton’s “HEAT,” sparking a rambunctious crowd reaction.

One by one, each member of the self-proclaimed “all-American boy band” entered through WOW Hall’s back door and onto the stage. At the end of each verse, the respective rapper collapsed to the ground.

Fans greeted Kevin Abstract — the band’s leader and creative visionary  — with a mass of applause and cheers as he was the final member appeared on stage. “I love you, Kevin” echoed through the hall.

Brian Kinnes, a close friend of the band who attended the show Friday night, accompanied Abstract on his solo tour last year. According to Kinnes, a majority of the concerts on Abstract’s 2016 tour were sold out, but since the release of Brockhampton’s third record, “SATURATION II,” live shows have improved significantly.

“The energy is just a lot better on this tour,” Kinnes said. “Last tour was still really good, but something is different on this one.”

One of the most impressive moments of the night came with the band’s performance of “JUNKY.”

“Dang Kevin, why do you always gotta rap about being gay?” Abstract said sarcastically before beginning the song. “You spend every song rapping about how you’re gay. Like we get it, bro, you’re gay.”

On the song, Abstract answers his own question by rapping, “‘Why you always rap about bein’ gay?’ Cause not enough niggas rap and be gay.” Abstract continues to discuss his sexuality and the homophobia that permeates the rap industry throughout the track.

The band’s sarcasm and light-hearted humor set the tone for rest of the show after this semi-serious moment. Members often joked with each other during breaks and even in the middle of songs.

“Can ya’ll help us on this next song?” Abstract said. “Can ya’ll help us shake that ass? Security? Can ya’ll help us shake that ass? CAN YA’LL HELP US SHAKE THAT ASS?”

Laughter ensued and hands dropped to the floor as the band began its performance of “JELLO.” In the middle of the song, Abstract urged fellow collective member Ameer Vann to twerk on stage. While Vann’s attempt was half-hearted, the crowd received it well.

An emotional moment came towards the end of the night with the band’s playing of  “BUMP.” As the song went on, people pulled their significant others close, friends could be seen throwing arms around each other’s shoulders and the entire crowd joined the band in celebration.

“Now sing it like it’s the last day on earth!” Abstract instructed.

“When this ends, at least I’ll have a reason to live,” the crowd chanted repeatedly.

After the house lights rose and the crowd began to clear out of the sweaty concert hall, one thing was certain: Brockhampton will perform at a much larger venue and charge a significantly more expensive ticket next time it comes to Eugene. That is if they come at all.

Setlist

HEAT

GUMMY

QUEER

FACE

GOLD

BOYS

CHICK

SWAMP

SWEET

JELLO

TOKYO

JUNKY

BUMP

MILK

Bearface solo set

WASTE

SUMMER

Encore

LAMB

STAR

The post Review: Brockhampton’s sold-out performance at WOW hall doesn’t disappoint appeared first on Emerald Media.

Thousands of University of Oregon students and employees dreaded attending classes Monday for the first day of fall term. But for the fortuitous group of ticket holders set to see Portland-based group The Shins, the first day of the 2017-18 school year came with a silver lining.

That evening, as the house lights fell and audience members turned their attention toward the stage, a high-pitched, bellowing scream came from behind the drawn curtain. “Ya’ll ready?” the voice proceeded to ask the nearly sold-out McDonald Theatre. The curtain pulled shortly after, revealing frontman James Mercer to be the source of the noise.

James Mercer of The Shins sings to the crowd at McDonald Theatre in Eugene, Ore. on Sept. 25, 2017. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)

Instantly the crowd broke into cheers as the band kicked off the show with an energetic performance of  “Caring is Creepy.” A psychedelic skull backdrop, floral props and a terrific strobe-filled light show enhanced the band’s powerful stage presence.

The indie rockers quickly followed with fan-favorite “Australia” and a new single “Name For You.” After cruising through three songs without stopping, Mercer welcomed the crowd to the show. “I feel good ‘cause I’m not far from home,” he added with a smile. 

Two guitarists, a bassist, a pianist and a drummer joined Mercer on stage. Playing violins, synths and even a harmonica, The Shins’ members showcased an impressive grasp of multi-instrumentalism throughout the show.

While the band’s instrumentation impressed, it was Mercer’s emphatic performance style and diverse vocal timbre that ignited the energy within the concert hall. He pronounced each stanza of lyrics into the microphone with authority. Swaying and jerking along with the inflections in his voice, Mercer’s expressive body language illuminated the significance of his words.

Patti King plays a melody on violin. The Shins perform at McDonald Theatre in Eugene, Ore. on Sept. 25, 2017. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)

A plethora of candid audience interactions and humor-filled conversations with bandmates met Mercer’s engaging musical performance. Notably, a moment of laughter resounded through the theater following a performance of the Baywatch theme song. “Did you know David Hasselhoff is actually from Eugene?” Mercer jokingly said. “He’s gonna be so excited when he finds out.”

The audience — filled with both old and young fans alike — continued to hoot and holler through every break between songs. If a brief moment of silence echoed from the stage, a celebrated cry of “I love you guys!” was a certainty.

The setlist consisted of a balanced mix of the band’s older hits, die-hard fan favorites and songs from its 2017 record, “Heartworms.”

One of the most memorable moments of the night came with the band’s performance of its most popular hit, “Simple Song.” With the crowd loudly belting the lyrics, Mercer flexed his arms as he sang: “I told you about all those fears / And away they did run / You sure must be strong when you feel like an ocean being warmed by the sun.” The performance closed their initial set.

After a short-lived exit, The Shins returned to stage for an encore. Before letting out another word, Mercer held his beer up to the mic and tapped its lid several times before cracking it open then taking a sip – signaling a cheers to the crowd.

For the finale, The Shins performed a rendition of “Sleeping Lessons” that featured a verse from Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” The band finished the show and took a well-deserved bow. “Thank you very much,” Mercer said before leaving the stage. “That was a blast.”

Setlist 

The Shins guitarist Casey Foubert takes to the air during the band’s encore. The Shins perform at McDonald Theatre in Eugene, Ore. on Sept. 25, 2017. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)

Caring is Creepy

Australia

Name for You

Kissing the Lipless

Mine’s Not a High Horse

Gone for Good

Mildenhall

Saint Simon

Painting a Hole

Cherry Hearts

The Rifle’s Spiral

Baywatch theme song

Half a Million

Phantom Limb

Simple Song

Encore

The Fear

New Slang

Sleeping Lessons (with American Girl snippet by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

Follow Zach Price on Twitter: @zach_price24

The post Review: James Mercer’s stage presence brings McDonald Theatre to life at The Shins’ concert appeared first on Emerald Media.

Portland’s jazz community suffered a shocking loss when local-legend and jazz club owner Jimmy Makarounis — better known as Jimmy Mak — passed away in early January, taking his cherished club with him. The loss appeared to signify the beginning of the end for jazz music in the Northwest, which has long been considered a sanctuary for the declining genre.

Enter Frank Faillace and Manish Patel — owners of the Star Theater and Dante’s nightclub in Portland — to save the day. After buying the historic Rialto Building Poolroom & Bar located on 4th Avenue and Alder Street in Downtown Portland, the duo decided to open Portland’s next jazz club: The Jack London Revue.

While the unfortunate circumstances in which Jimmy Mak’s had to shut down were far from ideal, the timing couldn’t have been better for the opening of the Jack London. For Nicholas Harris, the opportunity to be involved with the Jack London came the same week that Jimmy Mak’s announced it would be closing. Harris, who co-owns Portland booking agency Soul’d Out Productions, now works closely with the Jack London to schedule artists to perform at the club.

“It made for a pretty fortuitous timing,” Harris said. “Jimmy Mak’s has been a longstanding, traditional spot here in town. It’s been the home for jazz in Portland for 25 years so we obviously never wanted to see them go, but when Jimmy got sick and it was clear the club was going away, it was obvious that [the city] needed another space to take over.”

Harris is involved with the day-to-day operations at the Jack London, scheduling and both local and traveling musicians. When not working at the Jack London, Harris and the rest of the Soul’d Out team help coordinate concerts at Portland venues such as the Star Theater and Roseland Theater.

After a fire on the floor above the Jack London set the building’s sprinklers off in January, causing water damage, Faillace and Patel had to push back the club’s opening. The setback would prove to be a blessing in disguise — the Rialto and Jack London would later receive a full restoration.

The Jack London is now furnished with new hardwood floors, freshly painted walls and striking white pillars that serve as support beams. The club, which holds a maximum capacity of 220 patrons, also features a state-of-the-art PA speaker system.

Along with housing the Jack London on its basement floor, the Rialto also features a live poker lounge and an off-track betting parlor where gamblers can place bets on any dog or horse race in the country.

While jazz will remains the foundation in which the club is built upon, the Jack London will feature everything from neo-soul to R&B and hip-hop.

“There won’t be many types of music not represented at this club,” Harris said. “[The Jack London] will be rooted in the jazz experience, but it will be appealing to and providing a platform for a wide range of genres.”

Weekend nights at the Jack London will feature a variety of traveling groups from around the world and will perform various genres. On weeknights, the club hosts a rotating cast of local musicians.

Mel Brown and other members of the older Portland jazz community who previously played at Jimmy Mak’s are in the rotating cast of musicians. Younger jazz players in the city, such as trumpet player Farnell Newton, who kicked off the Jack London’s weekly Tuesday show on June 6, will also regularly perform at the club.

Harris hopes that the Jack London will not only continue Portland’s historic traditions of jazz music, but also serve as a space for the genre to develop and transform. While Harris understands that jazz is in some ways a declining market, he also believes that new genres are sprouting from jazz, citing Flying Lotus, Snarky Puppy and Kendrick Lamar as contemporary examples.

“Jazz as a certain construct is dead, and I think we should let it go,” Harris said. “But jazz as a more broad, fluid, living construct that can encompass so many things is very much alive and is healthier that it has been in a long time.”

Visit jacklondonrevue.com for club hours, menus, music listings and additional information.

Follow Zach Price on Twitter: @zach_price24

The post New jazz club the Jack London Revue seeks to continue historic jazz traditions in Portland appeared first on Emerald Media.

As the end of the school year approaches, students will be faced with their first issue of the summer: What songs make it onto a summer playlist? Although the Oregon weather has yet to fully remind us of summer, the Emerald has selected its favorite songs to help put you in the right summer mindset.

“Run” by Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl and his band of middle-aged rockers deliver a hard-hitting, head-banging rock pilgrimage with their recently released single, “Run.” The song, which marks Foo Fighters’ first release since 2015, is certain to be a favorite among rock fans this summer. After a slow and melodic intro that builds with Taylor Hawkins’s thunderous drumming, “Run” breaks into a chaotic verse led by Grohl’s screeching and distorted vocals. Despite being depicted as elderly men in the single’s music video, “Run” proves that the Foos can still rock. The band has yet to announce if the single is a precursor to a full-length project. 

“Link Up” by NxWorries

From its 2016 record “Yes Lawd!,” the duo of Anderson .Paak (vocals) and Knxwledge (production) combine to create a groove that captures .Paak’s suave charm. Throughout “Link Up,” .Paak flexes his self-confidence. On the track, .Paak describes stealing women away from their boyfriends with his impressive dance moves and smooth demeanor. As .Paak continues to flaunt his quick feet and even quicker wit, Knxwledge drops a beat that gives even the least coordinated people an urge to hit the dance floor. 

“T-Shirt Weather” by Circa Waves

Sometimes all the beginning of summer needs is a little bit of indie pop — the type with light, fuzzy guitars and lyrics about “singing our lungs out in the backseat together.” “T-Shirt Weather” by Liverpool, England, four-piece Circa Waves provides this exact vibe. Vocalist Kieran Shudall’s voice isn’t that special, but his half-yelling, half-singing provides the best soundtrack to wail over. With rollicking guitars and tidal drums, “T-Shirt Weather” is perfect for those sunny summer days when nothing is on the horizon but the ocean and some raucous fun. 

“O’ Be Joyful” By Shovels & Rope

For a rhythmic twang to kickstart summer, check out Shovels & Rope’s album “O’ Be Joyful.” Created by a husband and wife duo from South Carolina, the album tells love stories that come from off the beaten path. Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst describe the sound of two old guitars as “shovels and rope,” which coincides with the folk feel that comes from their music. This album is a road trip soundtrack and a swimming hole lullaby that is perfect for all that summer has to offer. 

“You Know How We Do It” by Ice Cube

You really can’t go wrong with Ice Cube in the summertime. Nothing gets summer started like the thumping bass line followed by the oddly-therapeutic synthesizer contained in the first 20 seconds of “You Know How We Do It.” The auditory stimulation in this moment is actually created from sampling an Evelyn “Champagne” King song from 1977 that has a similar hook, on which Cube spins his classic West Coast rap flavor.

It can be easy to forget about Cube the musical artist because of his more recent accolades as an actor and businessman, especially this summer with all the hype around the premiere of his BIG3 basketball league this June. So when you’re cruising in the sun around town this summer, take a moment to remember old-school Ice Cube. 

“El Mechón” by Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga

Let me preface this by saying I cannot speak Spanish — but trust me — you don’t have to understand Spanish to understand the vibe of this peppy mariachi song. More commonly known as Banda MS, the big-band group has more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and is currently touring in the western US. Its hit song became a staple of the summer in the San Francisco Bay Area thanks to San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo. The song perfectly captured Romo’s frantic demeanor on the mound. 

“Love on the Weekend” by John Mayer

Despite “The Search for Everything” being a somewhat lackluster album, “Love on the Weekend” is the perfect mellow, love song for summer. This track has a dreamy feeling fit for a road trip adventure with someone special. 

“Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry

Throwing it back to 2010, this hit pop song remains an iconic summer single. It is just right for lounging on sunny days, dancing despite hot temperatures and simply feeling like a teenager. 

“Left Hand Free” by Alt-J

With the release of its new album,“Relaxer,” this week, this Alt-J throwback is a reminder of the band’s quirky and creative previous work. “Left Hand Free” fits smoothly in just about any summer playlist you can come up with. 

“Rollin” by Calvin Harris feat. Future & Khalid

The beat of this song is connected to a single image: cruising down an open highway along the Southern California coast, windows down and blasting music and smelling the salt air of the ocean. Calvin Harris continues to release incredible summer jams, like “Slide” and “Heatstroke,” in anticipation of his June 20 album. This smooth, mesmerizing song features R&B up-and-comer Khalid and rapper Future, for a beautiful fusion of electronic, rap and R&B music. Get ready for an album after three amazing singles, and expect “Rollin” to continue topping charts and playing at every party this summer. 

The post Emerald Recommends: Songs of the summer 2017 appeared first on Emerald Media.