Tag Archive: Oregon


CHRIS ECKMAN – Piazza Saffi, Forlì 9th May 2014

Chris Eckman (left) onstage in Forlì with Paul Austin.

One of the best things about living in Italy is that outdoor concerts and other open air events rarely need to be cancelled due to bad weather.

In the UK, washouts are frequent and music festivals often turn into mud baths.

This free show by Chris Eckman took place in the main square of Forlì in Emilia-Romagna on a pleasantly cool, clear evening. It marked the start of a new season of concerts organised by Strade Blu who in recent years have brought quality artists like Devendra Banhart, Steve Earle, Lambchop and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy to the region. The focus is mainly on folk or alt.country.

When he’s not playing solo, Eckman is part of The Walkabouts from Seattle and he was joined on stage by Paul Austin of that band. Austin played electric guitar backing to the Eckman’s earthy vocals and crisp acoustic guitar. Continue reading

peteswansonVisceral, violent, nihilistic, organic, animalistic, industrial are just are few of the adjectives used to describe the music of Peter Swanson, formerly one half of  the mighty noise duo Yellow Swans. All these words should be taken as compliments.

He now works solo and a new EP entitled Punk Authority is out in March. He talks this and other stuff in a neat interview for Fact magazine Continue reading

THE COUNTRY SOUL OF RACHEL HARRINGTON

A lot of this record, is for me about what lies beneath” says Oregon’s Rachel Harrington of her brilliant new album Celilo Falls .

Any true fan of authentic Americana/folk roots music are well advised to seek out a copy immediately. My Whisperin’ & Hollerin’ review on Whisperin’ & Hollerin’ will tell you why.

She explains the use of the term Country Soul  on her website:

“Hearing Loretta Lynn changed my life. Finally, I had someone I could actually sing like. And it was then I also realized the connection between country and soul. First time I heard Hank Williams I knew he was coming from the same place as Ray Charles – you can just hear it.”

Related link:

Rachel Harrington interview – Marsh Towers Blog