Ojos Feos

Mastered in the Pacific Northwest but with roots in Africa, Mississippi, Cuba, Jamaica, Spain and the Andes; Ojos Feos plays all original compositions blending minor blues and flamenco progressions with Afro-Latin rhythms and jazz chords, structured with an upbeat and driving tempo, often using alternate time signatures.

The songs bleed out the hardships of the politically oppressed and marginalized, portray man's search for faith and his pleas for God's forgiveness and in the Delta tradition, relate both fondness and frustration with the opposite sex. The tempo and core of the music is led by the steady drumming of Dr. Dave Fischer, decorated and defined on bongos and congas by virtuoso percussionist Giovani Cruz and delivered by the groovy bass lines of El Caminante, who also contributes on guitar and composition. Gaia Oyarzun lends her smooth and soulful blues voice to mesmerize the audience in Spanish, English and African languages. Chilean guitarist and dub/effects specialist Gonzalo Villa adds crafty guitar hooks and slick solos. Gonzalo also arranges and produces the all-original music with multi-lingual vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Robbie Cree.

Website:

http://ojosfeos.com/

Chasing Ebenezer

Tribal Folk Rock

Tribal folk rock band Chasing Ebenezer is based in Portland, Oregon and released their first album Outcasts & Refugees in March 2017. The project is a culmination of two years of recording. Through a fusion of folk, rock, blues, and world music percussion and progressions, this record explores the figurative way we are all displaced people and challenges listeners to care for the literal outcasts and refugees of society.

Benjamin and Heidi Beth Sadler met in college in Virginia and matured their sound after moving to Portland in 2007. After playing under another name for a few years, they relaunched as Chasing Ebenezer in 2013. In May 2016, they released "Slavery," a song written from the perspective of an enslaved sex worker. They released a new music video and single called "Say" in April 2018.The band has played at White Eagle Saloon, Mississippi Pizza Pub, Northwest Folklife, Operation Overcoat, Taste of Parkrose, and Gresham Farmers' Market. They have been covered by Oregon Music News and The Gresham Outlook. They have also played in support of many non-profit organizations and partner with people and groups blessing the community. Their songs have been featured by Portland Radio Project 99.1 FM, Local Roots Music NW 100.7 FM in Salem, Portland Metro Records' Fire Mondays, and the Indie Music Lives Here Podcast

The band plays with a full-on rock sound and a folk sensibility borrowing from traditions all around the world. Heidi learned to play classical violin in Romania before honing her folk singing and bohemian violin style. Ben utilizes four different guitars, Dobro, and ukulele to give each song its own sound. He finger picks melodies and draws from Spanish and Irish guitar playing and Eddie Vedderesque vocals. Ryan Souders (drum kit) and David Skones (guitar, bass, cello) crank the rock 'n roll to the next level while Bryan Atkinson adds spice on djembe, congas, and bongos.

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ZUVj7QtkQ

Twitter:

twitter.com/chasingebenzer

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chasingebenezer/

Instagram:

Instagram.com/chasingebenezer

Website:

http://chasingebenezer.com/