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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2015)
Bravo! E W ’ S G U I D E TO T H E P E R F O R M I N G A R T S ALL IN THE FAMILY Catching up with YouTube musical sensations Evynne and Peter Hollens N ot to mince words, but Evynne and Peter Hollens are kind of a big deal. Evynne Hollens is a singer and performer who directs and teaches. Peter Hollens is a singer-songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. Together, they’ve built a life in music and, from their cozy base in Eugene, shared it with the world. “I love collaborating with people, and the internet has allowed us to do that,” Peter Hollens says. “I work with influ- encers who are far greater than my size. I’ll do all of the work, pay my team, but I offer you a genre you’ve never offered to your fans, and I just ask that you offer it to your fan base.” The genre is a cappella, as most of Peter Hollens’ pieces — both covers and original compositions — feature rich, polyphonic music created only with the human voice and mouth. Peter Hollens estimates he’s partnered on more than 40 performances with artists from around the globe. Most recently, he and Evynne Hollens flew to Provo, Utah, to work with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Piano Guys and David Archuleta on a new video featuring a record- breaking number of live nativity participants, which has since been viewed online more than seven million times. EVYNNE AND PETER HOLLENS WITH BABY ASHLAND (IN MOOSE EARS) Peter Hollens says his workflow can mean juggling up to eight projects at a time, in which he not only performs but also serves as producer, editor and marketing wizard. After signing with Sony, he launched his eponymous album last October. So how does one pay a mortgage, or raise a family, by singing? (The couple welcomed their first baby, Ashland, last spring.) Hollens points to Patreon (patreon.com) as a model of patronage updated for the 21st century: “Patreon is a crowd- funding answer for consistent content creators,” he says. Through Patreon, audiences pledge to support the creation of new work, such as Peter Hollens’ latest video. In turn, artists can receive feedback from fans along with small, but consistent, donations. All those little sums add up, enabling Peter Hollens to focus his time on perfecting his creative process and the diligent maintenance of his brand. Both Peter and Evynne Hollens have garnered a global audience online and, concurrently, Evynne Hollens continues to share her talents throughout the local community, performing with Oregon Contemporary Theatre, The Shedd and the Eugene Concert Choir. She teaches voice and is a regular director with Rose Children’s Theatre. “Live performance is important. And it’s magical,” Evynne Hollens says. “But when you do it online, you reach millions.” — Rachael Carnes Find links for Peter and Evynne Hollens’ collection of videos, as well as more information about their music, by visiting their YouTube channels at wkly.ws/1wn and wkly.ws/1wo. U NDER P RESSURE Contemporary Prints from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation A concert of thrilling premieres for multiple flutes by UO composers Cooney, Darnell, Larkin, Ralls, Sackmann & Zavortink. $7 general, $5 students and seniors Tickets.uoregon.edu | 5 4 1 . 3 4 6 . 4 3 6 3 January 24 – March 29, 2015 Opening Reception: Friday, January 23, 6 – 8 p.m. Exhibition Tour with Jordan Schnitzer: Saturday, January 24, 11 a.m. Support for the exhibition and related educational and outreach programs has been made possible by a grant from the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation. Additional support for the exhibition is provided by the Coeta and Donald Barker Changing Exhibitions Endowment, The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and JSMA members. Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–97). Bull Profile Series, 1973. Published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, CA: Bull III. Lithograph, screenprint, and linecut, sheet 27 x 35 in. Collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation, © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein Visit our website for a listing of events. EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity. jsma.uoregon.edu • 541.346.3027 EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity eugeneweekly.com • January 22, 2015 13
