Freio Music

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!

 

Tall Tale Excursion

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Tall Tale Excursion: USA-Eugene, Oregon

“We like to call our style of music Oregon Greengrass!”

This joyful quartet includes band members: Aslan Sheffler (age 21), Gage Hawke (age 23), Andy Gullickson (age 24), Meg Keefe (age 20).   A young and dedicated band, who has been playing music from an young age. They have much more in store for them in the years to come.  There music and style is evolving with each song expanding their musical terrain.  It was great to meet these nice fellows on campus as they serenaded the passersby.  There is nothing quite like meeting street musicians who’s sound blows you off course and you must stop to enjoy!

[box_dark]-From left to right Aslan Sheffler, Andy Gullickson, Gage Hawke (this picture is missing a a key ingredient, Meg, the talented fiddle player, who has been playing since age 5!)[/box_dark]

“We are Tall Tale Excursion, we play folk/bluegrass/blues. We are currently a 4 piece band (banjo, guitar, fiddle/stand up bass, and mandolin) based out of Eugene! We recently picked up a fiddle and mandolin phenoms, videos with them are coming soon!”  It is clear that this band is on the rise as they are entertaining new audiences and while expanding and refining their sound.  Stay tuned, as there is much more to come from this quartet.

With a wide array of instruments these musicians pick & play it all.  They play: Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro, Harmonica, Washboard, Trumpet, and Kazoo. Their influences include: Blackberry Bushes Stringband, Greensky Bluegrass ,Old Crow Medicine Show, Buckey Walters, Devil Makes Three, Metallica, the Doors, Queen, Rush, Led Zeplin, Jimi Hendrix, Earl Scruggs, Paul Gilbert, Marty Freedman

U heard them first HEAR @freioMusic

 

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More info can be found through the links below:

http://Youtube.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Facebook.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Myspace.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Reverbnation.com/talltaleexcursion

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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

The Album Leaf + Sister Crayon – Doug Fir Lounge

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Intimate venues are hard to come by. A venue in which you feel some odd close connection to the artist. The Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon embodies this warm vibe while still upholding its ultra hip reputation. In one word the lounge could be defined as ‘swanky’. Dim lights created a mellow mood, but the vivid neon accents kept the room alive and rocking. The show? The Album Leaf with opener, Sister Crayon. Although the crowd consisted of mostly plaid shirts, facial hair, and glasses (aka the Portland hipster) the show was charged with unimaginable musical talent. Terra Lopez, the lead singer of Sister Crayon, began as a solo act with only a classical guitar and a loop pedal to create the dream-like impression her music leaves. With the addition of Dani Fernandez and Jeffrey LaTour the band united under a new holistic melding of sound.A sound that is beautiful, deep, and full. On stage, Sister Crayon comes to life and is incredible to watch despite the calmness of their music. You can see the passion behind it. Following, The Album Leaf brought a new presence to the stage. The stunning video display and LED vertical lights making shadows on the huge Fir beams beautifully paralleled the mostly instrumental melodies of the band. Their talents displayed an awesome attention to detail and knowledge of sound. The Album Leaf, Sister Crayon + The Doug Fir Lounge = One rad show. I would highly suggest putting on your ‘hippest’ outfit and making your way to a show in the basement of the Doug Fir. Best venue I’ve been to in Portland hands down.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BWRoYURh3U%5D

Celebrating Eugene, Oregon Through Music

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eugene-celebration-parade-2011-3628.jpg There isn’t anything better than celebrating a place that values community, local artists and businesses, and the environment that harbors it all. Basically, there is no celebration like the Eugene Celebration that took place this past weekend, August 26, 27, and 28th. What really topped the entire shebang off, however, was the music. Local artists came to showcase their talents at numerous stages throughout the downtown alongside of acclaimed visiting musicians. Friday night at the KLCC stage was rocked by Fely Tchaco. Rooted in traditional Ivorian music, the sounds emanating from the stage were soulful, socially aware, and incredibly beautiful. With a five year old girl tearing it up on my right and a tattooed 70+ couple dancing harder than I’ve ever seen to my left, I was in good company, and it continued like that all weekend long. The night was topped off with a little roots reggae by the boys of Iration. Bringing a little bit of Hawaii north into the mainland, their up-tempo beats and island looks had the ladies shakin’ it in the front, myself included. Saturday afternoon at the Eugene Weekly Stage was graced with incredible local talent during the Eugene Weekly’s ‘Next Big Thing’ competition. Betty and the Boy made celebrators stop in their tracks with soothing vocals and mellow rhythms. Up next Tyler Fortier blew the crowd away with his sexy voice and all-star band. The winner? A tie. Eugene’s music scene is just that good. Saturday night for me began with the lineup that you absolutely could not stand still to. Hillstomp, Mississippi backwoods bluegrass, and later Dumpstaphunk, New Orleans funk, tore up their stages making people of all ages officially get down. There could be no better way to celebrate the incredible community that is Eugene, Oregon.

“Music does bring people together.
It allows us to experience the same emotions.
People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.
No matter what language we speak, what color we are,
the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith,
music proves: We are the same.”
~ John Denver ~

 

Eugene Weekly’s tied winner, Betty and the Boy

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iayQ8nSbb8E&w=560&h=345%5D

Canasta

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Canasta Music 

You Discovered Canasta Hear @FreioMusic

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3GXNBYIAQY%5D

Canasta, from Chicago, Illinois,  could be he next big pop band out if Chi town!  Their music is moving, and the band is tightly knit together.  It is not as if we are the first to notice this talent, Best of Chicago 2010… loaded with intricate yet accessible orchestral pop music— Huffington Post.  I asked Elizabeth (vocals/violin/percussion) about the
direction of the band and what they strive for, and her articulate reply is as follows… “Living amongst the immense musical talent in a city like Chicago is eternally inspiring. But standing apart from the crowd can be a never-ending challenge. So Canasta came together in early 2002 when six friends joined forces and augmented the standard rock set‐up with piano, violin, keyboard and trombone, in an effort to craft a more ambitious strain of majestic, ultra‐melodic, orchestral pop”.    The band is composed of 6 friends:

Band Members:Photos by Sarah Hadley 40www.sarahhadley.com41

Jeremy Beckford – guitar / vocals
Sarah Kneebone – piano / keyboard / vocals
Elizabeth Lindau – vocals / violin / percussion
Brian Palmieri – drums
Matt Priest – vocals / bass / trombone / percussion
Ryan Tracy – keyboard / piano / bass / vocals

Every member brings their talents and enthusiasm to create a well-rounded, very talented up and coming band.  “Maybe it’s my ability to pester people to help get stuff done. I’m good and networking when I have time to network. I also do a lot of band administration” Says Elizabeth.  The band is connected to all the right places, and in turn, has a strong and growing network of fans across the globe.   I would not be surprised to see Canasta playing at festivals around America within a year, Look Out Sasquatch!  Stay close to the band by following them on Twitter.

Support this band!:

Upcoming | OnTour

  • Friday, August 26th, 2011 @ Monk’s Kaffee Pub (Dubuque, IA)   

     Free Show!  Show – 9:30 PM / Canasta – 9:30 PM / Free / Ages TBA

  • Thursday, September 29th, 2011 @ Darkroom (Chicago, IL)
    “Belle & Sebastian Night”
    Canasta performing as Belle & Sebastian

More Info (see below links):

www.canastamusic.com
www.facebook.com/canastamusic
www.twitter.com/canastamusic

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