Freio Music

Wanderlust Wednesday Presents Sebastian Blake

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Ladies…this one is for you. Sebastian Blake is a 22-year old singer/songwriter from the UK.  His smooth vocals, reminiscent of Michael Jackson and Prince, are beautifully matched with his acoustic sound.  Creating his niche in the London music scene playing on beaches and in local bars, this artist is exemplifies the passion and dedication it takes to make it. Sebastian harbors this breathtaking talent that is apparent in both his recordings and music videos. He calls his musical style, “an acoustical injection of rhythm and blues, soul, pop music.” Captivating and refreshingly distinctive, Sebastian is a true artist worth keeping a ear out for.
His much anticipated debut EP, “Milk’s a Luxury” will be released this summer.

 

Can’t get enough? Check out his pages!

SOUNDCLOUD

FACEBOOK

Wanderlust Wednesday- The Jam Band of Our Time

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I am pleased to bring back the seven member, mind blowing musical magic that is Eufórquestra. Fusing genres with their funk fed dance vibration, they throw one hell of a party. This, my friends, is the jam band of our time. If your looking to seriously get down and send your ears straight to nirvana, Eufórquestra’s summer shows are where you need to be. They bring an unmatched energy and dynamic instrumentation that throws them into the jam band pot with musicians like Phish and String Cheese Incident. They keep the audience guessing as they transform rock into funk into afrobeat and back again. Don’t believe me? Check out their newly released live album, free for download! HERE she blows.

 

 

MUSIC FOR EVERYONE! (especially if you are in colorado…) Here is the summer lineup of Eufórquestra!

Fri. Jun 22 Love Your Mother Earth Festival Missoula, MT
Sat. Jun 23 Donkey Creek Jazz Festival Gillette, WY
Fri. Jul 13 Camp Euforia Lone Tree, IA
Sat. Jul 14 Camp Euforia Lone Tree, IA
Fri. Jul 20 Take It To The Bridge Festival – State Bridge Bond, CO
Fri. Jul 27 Denver Brew Fest Denver, CO
Sat. Jul 28 Funk Feast Paonia, CO
Sat. Aug 4 LoHi Music Festival Denver, CO
Fri. Aug 10 Bohemian Nights at New West Fest Fort Collins, CO
Sat. Aug 18 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
Fri. Aug 24 Camp Barefoot Bartow, WV
Fri. Sep 14 Center for the Arts Crested Butte Crested Butte, CO
Sat. Sep 15 Lake City Uncorked Wine and Music Festival Lake City, CO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wanderlust Wednesday…Worth the Drive

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As the summer solstice draws nearer, so does the opportunity to catch live music in the heart of Mother Nature herself. So get out your face paint, fill your backpack with a bag of wine, and prep your bare feet for dancin’. Ladies and gents, I present to you the top three outdoor venues worth the drive this summer.

#1: The Gorge, WA

This absolutely breath-taking venue will blow your mind! Inhabiting what seems to be the middle of nowhere Washington, it is as if the music gods bestowed upon man a place to completely immerse oneself in the experience.

Festival Advice: Once you enter the venue from the campground, you can’t re-enter. Pack a backpack with at least three beers and a warm thing (hoodie, sweater, more beers…)

Show not to be missed: Sasquatch Music Festival

 

 

#2: Red Rocks, CO

If you haven’t been to Red Rocks, get yourself there! This acoustical dream of a venue will leave a beautiful energy in you for days. Hike the hill for a free show or buy a ticket and let the sound fill you, body and soul.

Concert Advice: If it looks like rain, don’t let it get you down. Lightning intermingling with the city lights of Denver is unreal! If you don’t want to spend eight bucks for a beer, chug them in the parking lot. Get a designated driver, no camping here…

Shows not to be missed: String Cheese Incident, Blues Traveler on the 4th of July, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee and Railroad Earth, Neil Young, Jack White

 

 

 

 

#3: The Greek Theatre, CA

Located right on the UC Berkley campus, this venue is one of those places that is uniquely special to both the artist and the audience. Being in the heart of a city and still being able to provide a bumpin’ outdoor venue is what makes this theater wonderful.

Concert Advice: Find the best seat possible for dancing.

Shows not to be missed: String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY- Introducing Fox and Woman…

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One of the favorite local venues of Eugene, Oregon, Sam Bond’s Garage, was already set in my mind as the place to get down last Friday night. The now Portland-based Water Tower Bucket Boys made their way down I-5 to shake up the town, but there was a little something extra thrown into the bluegrass party. The opener of the night, Fox and Woman, filled the room with a smooth and sultry sound of impeccably blended harmonies. The provoking band name came from a song written by vocalist, Jess Silva, while washing dishes in a San Francisco cafe. She noted the back room provided the, “prime time to space out and write music.” Jess and violinist, keyboardist, vocalist, and co-worker, Emily Haltom, found a creative energy together playing outside bars on the streets of San Fran. After some pretty wild band names and varying members, Emily and Jess added Leo Suarez(cello), Will Boast(drums), and Andrew Paul Nelson (mandolin, guitar ukulele) finally solidifying the band that is known as Fox and Woman. Their music harbors a full bodied melding of rich instrumentation and vocals that soothes the listener into the depths of something that is beautifully captivating. Emily describes their sound as, “electro-alternative folk”.  With the use of peddles for the electric guitar atop acoustic rhythms, their sound is only beginning to transcend genres beyond their indie-folk roots. From playing outside of bars in San Francisco to inside them in Eugene and throughout the Northwest, this band is definitely going great places. Their individual raw talent fuses gracefully together as one unbelievable band. Their live show is not to be missed.


Want to know more?

Check out their pages!

BANDCAMP

REVERBNATION 

FACEBOOK

FUN FACT
Drummer, Will Boast, won the 2011 Iowa Short Fiction Award for his compilation of short stories titled Power Ballads.
check out more HERE!

 

Wanderlust Wednesday- Ode to New Grass Revival

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“Our reason for doing the newer-type music wasn’t pretentious or irreverent or sarcastic or disrespectful,” explained Curtis Burch. “We just felt like people were ready to see that you could really expand the sound, using those same instruments.”

Ah, the sweet sounds of New Grass Revival. The group, formed in 1972 by four former members of the Bluegrass Alliance, brought bluegrass into an entirely different realm. Long hair, everyday clothing, and fresh sound put a new face on traditional country pickin’. Plus, they had the father of bluegrass, Mr. Sam Bush. The progressive group was graced by the presence of not only Sam Bush, but Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn throughout the band’s life. The real reason I wanted to share this get down bluegrass band with you all, however, was for this kick ass video below. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Plus, they look damn good.

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY! Free Festival!

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In Eugene, Oregon? Love free music?
This Friday, the 45th Willamette Valley Music Festival will hit University of Oregon campus yet again with 22 bands on three stages. Evolved from the Willamette Valley Folk Festival, this free music event is a long-standing tradition that reflects a wide variety music genres including, but definitely not limited to, jazz, bluegrass, indie, folk, and alternative. Did I mention there is also an entire block of vendors? Food, art, clothing, hot damn!

FOR MORE INFO

Check out the performing artists below!

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY! Festival season is upon us.

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Blessed with an beautiful weekend in Eugene with blue skies and 80 degree weather, it is only fitting to share with the Freio community the Shangri La of Oregon and the most incredible festival location my barefoot self has experienced.

I present to you… HORNING’S HIDEOUT

Just outside of Portland, Oregon, this venue has it all. It is truly a land of enchantment. Camping in the Oregon hills, sun bathing by the pond, jamming out with the beautiful Doug Firs, nothing is better. If you haven’t experienced the magic behind this special place, make your way this summer! Not only does Horning’s have great festivals, but day use includes fishing, paddle boating, and exploring the mysterious and romantic backwoods. If you’re looking for a TRIP this summer, you know where I’ll be. See you on the other side!!

 

 

TOP THREE FESTIVALS, NOT TO BE MISSED

RE:GENERATION

 

NORTHWEST STRING SUMMIT

 

STRING CHEESE INCIDENT

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY!

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For those of you who missed the good word…Wednesdays are now all about the wanderlust community of Freio! Every Wednesday, I, Sober Raver, will be sharing the best in up-coming music events, concert reviews, and artists that every person should know about.

This Wednesday, it is all about the BLUEGRASS!

Stoked on the Eugene Yonder Mountain String Band concert tomorrow (Thursday, April, 19), this Wednesday I will relay to you two phenomenal up-and-coming artists on the bluegrass scene in the Oregon area.

FRUITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I first saw this band at Sam Bond’s Garage in Eugene, Oregon. Let me tell you, this band knows how to bring the party. People threw their chairs and tables out of the way to be able to get their dance on with this band. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, their shows bring an incredible following of fans. Dipping into genres that include funk, reggae, rock, folk, and yes, bluegrass, this band brings hot and heavy variety to every stage they play on. Making sweet, sweet sounds with the upright bass, guitar, mandolin, and banjo, not to mention their harmonized voices, Fruition drives feet to dance and hearts to their fullest.

 

WATER TOWER BUCKET BOYS

I first met Water Tower Bucket Boys, well, when I was looking to rent a house in Eugene, and these fine fellows were hot pickin’ on their front porch. Since then, I have seen this band a number of times, all of which, I have been equally impressed. There rough country 3-part harmonies are perfectly fused with their down home folk music bringing an awesome energy to the stage. They take you back to the good ol days of American bluegrass. They have spent nearly five years touring, some of which has been internationally, and with four albums under their britches, these boys are definitely worth checking out…and dancing your ass off to.

 

 

 

 

You can catch these two bitchin’ bluegrass bands this FRIDAY, SATURDAY, or SUNDAY!

Frution + Water Tower 3 nights in a row
-The Doug Fir Lounge (PDX), Friday 4-20. Doors at 8:30pm $10 doors/advanced
-Sam Bonds Garage (Eugene, OR). Saturday 4-21. 9pm $5 cover
-Axe & Fiddle (Cottage Grove, OR). EARTH DAY Sunday 4-22 8pm $5 cover

 

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU GOING TO ANY OF THE YONDER SPRING TOUR…HOT DAMN! here you are…

Introducing…WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS with Sober Raver

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On the search for good music? Music that fuels the soul and mind? Music that displays raw talent, creative and innovative sound?
Look no further.

Begin every Wednesday traveling the world through music with me, Sober Raver. I’ll be exposing to Freio’s wanderlust community the artists that are making this world just a little bit sweeter with beautiful music.  I will be documenting concerts, local music happenings, and introducing magnificent artists that will blow your mind. Your favorite day of the week just became Wednesday!

Today, we travel to the sun soaked shores of Jamaica.

To those of you that haven’t heard the collie herb word, please meet the irie vibration that is…

ROOTZ UNDERGROUND

Eugene, Oregon was graced by the next generation of soulful reggae to come of out of Jamaica Saturday night at the legendary WOW Hall. For those of you lucky enough to catch the six member Rootz Underground, you can attest to the energy and consciousness behind this reggae infused movement. Lead singer, Stephen Newland, released incredible vibes and explosive passion from the stage that were reminiscent of emotion found in the songs of Bob Marley (Yes, THE Bob Marley). Jumping (even throwing in a couple high kicks) and making his way from one side of the stage to the other, there was no possible way to keep from swaying to their sweet reggae sound. They take the foundation of classic 1970s reggae and move the same positive messages today out into our global society. Not only do they spread the good word, but they do it with energy and a whole lot of groove. Rootz Underground can be found touring the globe in the company of other incredible reggae masters including Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Israel Vibration, The Wailing Souls, Alpha Blondy, Toots & The Maytals, and numerous others. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see what the island of Jamaica is churning out and grooving on.

Continue your Rastafari journey with Rootz…

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And for all of you Phish fans… check out this incredible rendition of Makisupa Policeman!

Yassin ‘The Narcicyst’ Alsalman

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Wicked streets cripple little being rippling through the “Middle East”

Hamdulillah, may God bless the dead and gone, forever strong

Sing a better song, breaking bitter bonds

Hamdulilah, for this world, in this spot to this song with these

Words for hip-hop say Hamdulillah

Stay humble in rhymes in eyes that hate your hunger

Its like a jungle sometimes it makes you wonder

Canadian/Iraqi hip-hop artist, The Narcicyst, came to the University of Oregon in Eugene yesterday to put an end to Arab stereotypes in the West. Through a conscious flow, even in his spoken word, he illuminated the picture of the rise of Arab hip-hop. From French artist IAM to Afrika Bambaataa, even to the likes of Fredwreck who broke into the LA scene working with Dr. Dre, The Narcicyst displayed an incredible hidden knowledge of the history of the Arab hip-hop scene. With this impecable creative energy, The Narcicyst tied this rise of music to the politics that have shaped this genre for his people. “Iraq is no better,” he said, “it’s like we are just numbers.” He put a face to Iraq, and left a strong message in the audience that declared the end of stereotyping and of ignorance, an awakening of the West to a artistic and inspiring power rising up from Arab nations that relays the notion that people are people despite where you are. Music is a refuge, a culture, the soundtrack to revolutions, with more power than the gun. The Narcicyst is not only a rapper, a professor, an author, or an actor, he is the idea that peace and tolerance can transcend borders with art. This artist is on the forefront of a beautiful transformation. His latest feat, his novel, The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe, can be found here.

More Info:
Iraqisthebomb.com
On Twitter: @theNarcicyst