James Mccartney Has Welcomed the Engineer’S Gifts for Remained Fiercely Dedicated to His Capturing Music with a Raw Clari- Own Musical Vision
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! " MAY 2016 ! g VOL. 28 #5 + WOWHALL.ORG" writer James McCartney has welcomed the engineer’s gifts for remained fiercely dedicated to his capturing music with a raw clari- own musical vision. Steve Albini ty, and Albini’s reputation for not (Nirvana, The Pixies, Shellac, PJ impinging on an artist’s vision. Harvey) engineered the newest The results make for an eclectic and sharpest example of his album with fastidiously crafted vision, the majestic Blackberry songs documented in the studio Train. with glorious purity. “It’s all been an evolution,” “I like the music to have ele- James says. “This set of songs ments of the avant garde, psyche- definitely has a harder edge, but delic, and be just a little against it’s a continuation of the last the grain,” James reveals. “But in album. The main thing for me is the end, it’s about having as much JAMES to not conform or compromise.” emotion as possible for me, musi- James’ panoramic artistry is cally and lyrically. It’s all about inspired by such diverse musicians the music being cathartic, heartfelt as Kurt Cobain, The Smiths, and true.” McCARTNEY Radiohead, PJ Harvey, The Cure, The Blackberry Train manages The Beatles, Neil Young, Jimi to be both diverse and cohesive. Hendrix, and Hank Williams. His The album opens invigoratingly fingerprint aesthetic has earned with the jangling rocker, “Too him plaudits from Rolling Stone, Hard” and closes with the stately The Boston Globe, The New and aptly named folk song “Peace York Times, and The Daily and Stillness”. Between these News. He’s earned a strong fol- bookends, highlights include the lowing the old fashioned way, rough-edged and urgently melodic On Tuesday, May 17, the second set of songs definitely has potential both as a person, and as through tirelessly touring the US, “Unicorn”, the anthemic “Peyote Community Center for the a harder edge. It mixes smart a songwriter. That feels like a Europe and the UK, and playing Coyote” and the soulful ballad Performing Arts proudly wel- hooks and feral alt-rock with the great, fulfilling goal to shoot for. bigger and bigger shows with “Prayer”. One very personal song comes James McCartney to the grandeur and spiritual centered- Making a lot of music, and striv- each go around. is the winsome and reflective WOW Hall. ness of psychedelic music. ing for more depth artistically– The Blackberry Train is an “Waterfall” which was inspired by James McCartney is on an James says: “I just want to those are my goals.” epiphanic co-mingling of aesthet- memories of his mother. extensive tour of the USA in sup- keep on going, keep working, and The son of Beatle Paul ics. James sought out the distinct Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 port of his second album, The improving as a songwriter. I’d McCartney and Linda Eastman, audio styling of Steve Albini to at the door. Doors open at 7:00 Blackberry Train. McCartney’s love to feel that I realized my full critically acclaimed singer-song- conjure a grungier sensibility. He pm and showtime is 8:00. + LED ZEPAGAIN On Friday, May 27, the Community Center for the Sakurai (guitar), Jim Wootten (bass) and Derek Smith Performing Arts and 96.1 KZEL Rocks proudly welcome Led (drums). Zepagain back to the WOW Hall. Born in Drogheda, Ireland, Swan Montgomery is an Irish Having formed in 1988 and recently featured on AXS TV’s entrepreneur, musician, vocalist and producer/engineer. “World’s Greatest Tribute Bands”, Led Zepagain has become Montgomery is the voice of Robert Plant and has helped with PAID highly regarded as the most authentic representation of Led the continued the success of Led Zepagain, which was found- U.S. Postage Postage U.S. Permit No. 303 Eugene, OR Eugene, 97401 Zeppelin in the world today. The band last performed at the ed 26 years ago in Ventura, California. Swan is the longest Nonprofit Organization Organization Nonprofit WOW Hall on May 2, 2014. serving member. Swan was also invited to perform on stage In January of 2004, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page with The Who vocalist Roger Daltry as well as being a guest himself attended a Led Zepagain show at the House of Blues vocalist with many other internationally known musicians. As in Los Angeles. He was absolutely astonished at the band’s a solo artist, Swan has released a CD of original world music accuracy stating, “It’s amazing how much you sound like us. with co-writer Bo Weinberg (2015 release) as well as a CD You must have grown up on this because you were inside the called The MurMurators which was released in 2014. music, and you paid attention to detail in your presentation… Jimmy Sakurai has been dedicating his career as a tribute I can tell you guys really love the music!” to one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Jimmy Page, for over This encounter led to the members of Led Zepagain attend- 30 years -- since he was first thundered by The Song Remains ing Led Zeppelin’s 2007 Reunion Concert at London’s O2 The Same in his teenage days. His band Mr. Jimmy started Arena and a surprise visit from Jason Bonham in March of 1994 in Tokyo, Japan and is famous for replicating perfectly 2009 as he sat in with the band on their encore performance each variation of the sets Led Zeppelin performed between of the song “Rock and Roll”. 1968 and 1980. The sets of songs and the outfits, perfor- Having played nationally and internationally in such places mances, characteristic solos and ad-libs, choice of the instru- as Japan, Ireland, Alaska, Germany, Bosnia, Peru, Canada, ments, tones and amp settings have all been studied by Jimmy Kosovo, Mexico City and Guam, Led Zepagain regularly per- Sakurai with the hardest enthusiasm and deep respect to forms to packed houses all over the world. Come on out and Jimmy Page and his music. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Community Center for the the for Center Community Performing Arts West 8th 291 OR. 97401 Eugene, see what Jimmy was talking about. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open Band members are Swan Montgomery (vocals), Jimmy at 8:30 pm and showtime is 9:00. + The Community Center for the Later on in his career Aaron WOW HALL NOTES Performing Arts is located in the Historic Woodmen of the World Hall (W.O.W. Hall), 291 W 8th, Eugene, Or 97401, (541)687-2746, [email protected], www.wowhall.org, released two more highly success- Box office hours Mon-Fri 12:00-6:00 PM. Printed monthly by Western Oregon Webpress, Circulation 3,800, General Support made ful albums titled Oh Aaron and possible by a grant from Lane Arts Council with support from City of Eugene Cultural Services Division, Copyright 2016 All rights Earthquake. In addition to his reserved Notes Staff: Copy Editor & Advertising Representative - Bob Fennessy, Layout & Design - James Bateman CCPA Staff: Program Coordinator - Calyn Kelly, Membership Coordinator & Publicist - Bob Fennessy, Stage Manager - Selena Frame, Asst Stage experience in the music world, Managers - Jason Bailey, Chris Evans, Davis Koier, Lighting Director - Sebastian Letelier, Office Managers - Donna Carbone, Ross Aaron has kept himself busy by Shuber, Bookkeeper - Melissa Swan, Volunteer Coordinator - Laura Farrelly, House Manager - Sam Harmon, Concessions Manager - Angela Lees, Shawn Lynch Custodian - Jona Waterstone Volunteer Staff: Zac Townsend, Dan Wathen, Art Gallery Director - Sam showcasing his acting skills in Harmon, Poster Distribution - WOW Hall Poster Crew, CCPA Board of Directors: Chair: Aaron Dietrich, Vice Chair: Mike Janes, both movies and television as well Treasurer: McKenzie Goodwin, Members: Jacqueline Hamer, Steve Lasky, Mysti Rose Frost, Terri Wilson as on Broadway. Some notable appearances include: Lizzie McGuire (2001), 7th Heaven (2004), Ella Enchanted (2004), House of Carters (2006), Dancing With the Stars (2009), The Fantasticks (2011-13) and many more. This year, Aaron is out to prove the world that he is not the same child star you saw on the Disney Channel back in 2000. After redeveloping his image, Aaron is ready to use his new music as a platform for prosperity. In April, he released his new single “Fool’s Gold.” The track is a melodic pop journey with a dance- able chorus fueled by luscious synth melodies. This is the first released single off of Aaron’s fifth studio album titled LØVË. We can expect to see more tour dates and an album release from Aaron later in 2016. CARTER’S GOT GOLD Stylistically Aaron’s new sound By Sean Thomson the Jets “Crush on You” in Berlin. is a fresh fusion of pop, r&b and On Sunday, May 8, the It just so happens that Aaron’s progressive house. Not to men- Community Center for the older brother Nick was a member tion, Aaron is now perfecting the Performing Arts and University of of the world-renowned boy band art of producing his own tracks in Oregon Campus Radio 88.1 FM The Backstreet Boys, and helped addition to his vocals. I’m certain KWVA proudly welcome Aaron Aaron score this opening gig in that in a live setting, Aaron will Carter back to the WOW Hall. Germany. Immediately after his bring the energy while keeping the When I heard that Aaron performance of “Crush on You,” vibes intimate and warm. We can Carter would be playing at the he scored a record deal that expect to hear lots of exciting new WOW Hall this May, I had to assisted with the release of his tracks and maybe even some of his check to see if the tips of my first self-titled album Aaron old school hits with a fresh twist.