By Sadie Tresnit

All around me, people jumped up and down without stopping. A sea of Doc Martens surrounded me on all fronts. The bass thundered up through my feet, rattling my spine. Through it all, I was having the best time of my life. On Wednesday the 8th, Built to Spill played at WOW Hall and rocked my world.

I saw Built to Spill at the same venue last November — back when I didn’t know anything about them. The concert came up in one of my many music conversations with my dad and he convinced me that I should go. I walked in with no expectations and came away with my mind blown. Somehow, I made my way up to the second row where I could see everything the band was doing up close and I walked away obsessed with their bass player, Melanie Radford. I was new to playing bass at the time and she was a major inspiration for me.

Naturally, I was beyond excited to get there this year. Like I do for any major life event, I got there way too early. The doors opened at 7…

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by Maddy Yen

Maya Cummings, professionally known as MAY-A, just wrapped up her U.S. tour opening for Nessa Barrett. The Australian singer-songwriter from Sydney, New South Wales, has been nominated for multiple ARIA awards in her musical career. Last year MAY-A released a song with Flume titled "Say Nothing" that became wildly popular. I got to sit down with MAY-A before the last show on her 21-stop U.S. tour before she jets back to Australia to play some festivals back home. 

Q: This is your last stop on your tour with Nessa Barrett. How has it been?

A: This tour has been insane. The shows have been really good, and it has been really fun to engage with American crowds because they are quite different. But the behind-the-scenes of the tour has been unpredictable. Our van door broke off, and we had to drive three hours with it bungee…

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By Malya Fass

Ethan, Bat and Chris of Tesla Coil joined us in the KWVA studio for a live session and interview on Sunday, October 29. Their moody rock and absence from the internet left us wanting more — and pleasantly ushered us into feeling the Halloween spirit.

The members of Tesla Coil have been feeling the telepathic musical connection since they started playing together a year ago and feel like they’re speaking their own language.

Musical Process

Ethan, the lead singer and guitarist, heads the songwriting for the group and was the curator of the moody fall feelings in the studio last Sunday. “I’m a lifelong Eugeneian here, so I would say the weather has probably permeated my subconscious or something,” he said.

“In all seriousness, music is a very cathartic experience for me,” said Ethan. “If someone were to listen to those songs, they would probably think I’m much less content than I…

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By Kayla Krueger

I first met Ace outside of the WOW Hall. He looked like any other fellow who would roam the streets of Eugene, Oregon. His handlebar mustache and deadpan eyes aren’t out of character for this town. After introducing myself and explaining my role as the publicist at the Hall, I bid him good luck and headed into the drafty ballroom. 

I do this sort of thing often. Usually, the Hall is fettered with local college scenesters or Grateful Dead cover bands. I was familiar with this group, Ogre, but I hadn’t listened to any of their discography. Upon entering the Hall I chatted with my boss and the volunteers working the box office; going through the motions, trying to be agreeable. 

Ogre, a band based in Portland, Oregon, is a trio of characters. My new acquaintance, Ace, plays bass alongside Grace, who also plays bass. The two bass players mirrored each other like rhymes in a Dr. Suess book. Sitting atop the…

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By Maddy Yen

Who is Sara Kays?

Sara Kays is a singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee currently on tour with Dean Lewis. She got her first guitar at 12 getting her start performing as a street musician or in bars and restaurants. Soon after she began writing her own songs and posting them on TikTok which amassed a large following. Kays was signed with Atlantic Records (under Warner Music Group) with now over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify. I got to sit down with her before her set in Portland and ask her questions about her start, songwriting, her life on tour right now, and what is next for her.

Her road to success

Q: What was it like playing gigs at restaurants and bars to now going on tour and playing venues across the US?

A: It is super sick because that was initially my dream. And it’s so much different because the bars and restaurants felt like a job…

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By Faiire Platt

In just two years, Teezo Touchdown has made a name for himself featuring on hit songs with Don Toliver and Tyler, the Creator. Now, Teezo has released his own full-length project, “How Do You Sleep at Night?” This album is an unapologetic anthem that reinforces his eccentric image and sound. A few tracks from this album fall flat into cheesy, repetitive territory, but many touch on relatable experiences in a fun and catchy way. 

The album opens on a loud and energetic note in “OK.” The grungy instrumental feels like the opening sequence of a coming-of-age movie. This is also the first of multiple songs on the album produced by SADPONY, a collaborator on Lil Yachty’s recent experimental album “Let’s Start Here.” 

The lead single, “You Thought,” begins with the same energy and pace as the album’s opening song before switching into a mellow R&B melody…

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By Codi Farmer

Deep in the heart of Texas lies a wonderful escape from daily life — Zilker Park. Here, you’ll find an oasis of green grass and big trees, a view of Austin’s beautiful skyline, and lots of live music. For the past 21 years, Austin has hosted the largest music festival in Texas every October: Austin City Limits (ACL).

In past years, ACL has had notable performers like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Miley Cyrus, Tyler, the Creator, Greta Van Fleet, and so many more. This year, some of my favorite acts of the weekend were The Breeders, Thee Sacred Souls, FKJ, Death Grips, Cigarettes After Sex, and Kendrick Lamar. 

I grew up going to ACL, so every year I feel like I know just what to expect: 9 stages, lots of awesome artists, long bathroom lines, the hot Texas sun, and tons of amazing and expensive food. However, every year, I leave surprised and impressed. The organizers for this event somehow always manage to put together such a diverse lineup where…

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Written and Photographed By Jack Skidmore

After spending a few hours with Grrl Band on a Sunday afternoon, it's evident that the group loves being together. Beyond just music, the strong friendship between each member is what drives the band to produce songs and deliver high-energy performances. “We kind of just click,” said Louise Jones, the group's drummer. “This band has been the easiest and most fun to play with, ever,” she adds in relation to her past band experiences. 

Group Formation

The current Grrl Band lineup was formed this past spring. It consists of Claudia Santino (singer), Louise Jones (drummer), Kayla Krueger (guitarist), Codi Farmer (bassist), and Camy Corcoran (guitarist). The group began in the fall of 2022 with Codi Farmer and a few of her friends. Farmer and Krueger knew each…

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By Sadie Tresnit

Halloween is coming up, and that means it’s time for my favorite tradition: comparing Halloween playlists with my friend in our annual competition/show-off fest. Sure, it’s fun to dress up and eat candy, but playlist-making is where it’s really at. Not convinced? Check out a sample of what I’ve put together this year.

The Monster Mash - Bobby “Boris” Pickett

What kind of Halloween playlist wouldn’t include this song? It was a hit when it was written, a hit at every elementary school Halloween party, and it’s a hit now. Bonus points if you sing along at the top of your lungs while making weird faces (watch the original video for inspiration).

Thriller - Michael Jackson

Like the previous item, this belongs on every Halloween playlist. You’ve heard it a million times by now, so what’s one more? 

Halloween Parade - Lou Reed

This was the…

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By Megan Lorich

Countless discussions have been made over the handcrafted lyrics, raw basslines, and sweet vocals of Mitski, but at the forefront of those discussions are the themes that dominate her songs. Such is the case with her recent release “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” (“Land is Inhospitable” for short). Mitski’s albums have had central themes and arcs to them before. “Be The Cowboy” sees Mitski use the coolness and suaveness of America’s favorite folk hero as a mask for her loneliness — while “Laurel Hell” gave Mitski the chance to finally dance her heart out.  

But Mitski has been incredibly explicit with the themes of “Land is Inhospitable.” While her songs have often discussed love and its importance, have poured sorrows of past relationships, and mulled over pining and rejection — Mitski states definitively that “to love is the best thing [she] has ever done. The most beautiful thing. Better than any song [she]…

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