MUSIC
B Y A N D Y VA L E N T I N E
CAITLIN JEMMA AND THE GOODNESS
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Announcements
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® THRIFT SHOP
MOM: STRUGGLING TO TALK TO YOUR TEEN?
COME THRIFT WITH US!
1149 Willamette St. Tu-Sa 10-4
UO Psychology researchers seek moms
and teens for a study about how teens talk
to moms about difficult experiences. $25
cash for moms & $10 gift card for teens.
Contact MomAndTeenUO@gmail.com or
541-346-4950.
REMIX APPAREL EXCHANGE located at 1449
FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE
Mohawk Blvd in Springfield, men’s and
women’s resale clothing store meets art
studio. While you search through our con-
stantly changing name brand inventory,
enjoy all the local artist’s work on the walls
and coming through the speakers.
Furnishings
Local band Caitlin Jemma and The Goodness push past the
string-band paradigm into the unknown
QUALITY FURNITURE Clean, modern &
antique, furniture, electronics, tools & col-
lectibles. New estates arriving daily. We are
also buying! 939 River Road, 689-4554,
riverroad2ndhand.com CHECK US OUT!!
I
Business
dealized non-conformism is not a revelation. Forty years ago, the punk movement
built its own little utopia on a foundation of middle fingers. But what causes a
movement to become a factory setting? Isn’t there inherent irony in a generation of
non-conformists conforming to non-conformism, especially when that generation
seems hard put to define the word irony?
The undergraduate class of 2009 stepped bleary-eyed into a brutal job market, and in order
to survive, recession grads had to get creative. Even as the economy slowly sheds its rotten
skin, the need for creativity and improvisation still exists. It took one economic slump for the
Gen-X idea that “college equals job equals pay equals security equals happiness” to be widely
cast aside. And look at us now; we’ve redefined the path to joy. But in many ways, we’ve also
slashed our proverbial noses to spite our proverbial faces. In a world where conventional desk
jobs become undesirable, fear of the great unknown looms large.
For local songstress Caitlin Jemma, exploration and adventure are not things to fear.
Her music smacks another millennial nail on the head — finding light in life’s dark
places. Since graduating from Humboldt State University in 2014, she’s harnessed that
sense of bold, risk-it-all adventurism and channeled it into her music. With the aid of her
band The Goodness, Jemma creates swirling, mist-covered folk that reaches into the
great divide and assures, “Everything will be all right.”
“Something I’ve been thinking about lately is acceptance of yourself,” she says.
“Accepting all sides of your being, accepting your own darkness and pushing through that.”
The refrain, “See my shadow shine,” from the opening track of the band’s eponymous
short-play (released earlier this year), is a clear example of this sentiment. The entire EP
runs like a massive turn of phrase, looping through caverns both bright and dark, but
always rushing toward the light.
“It’s about healing yourself from within and empowering yourself,” Jemma explains.
“It comes from my own self-reflection, practicing spirituality — I’m very interested in
spirituality, and I feel that in my music. I’m very grateful to be inspired by music and to
share that with others. Not to get too deep on you,” she laughs.
Laughter is another key facet in Jemma’s operation. She — along with band members
Kyle McGonegle (mandolin), Megan Graham (fiddle), Michael Steinkirchner (bass) and
Liat Tova Lis (banjo, vocals) — can’t seem to go a full minute without bowing forward
and snickering. An undercurrent of sarcasm, wit, dad jokes and zing! runs like a river
through the band’s conversation. Everything from McGonegle’s “old age” (he’s 29), to
Tova Lis’ primal lean toward playing topless, fuels the mirth.
“The house rule [for practice] is we just start drinking and go until Liat takes her shirt
off,” McGonegle jabs.
Of course, all jokes aside, the band’s practices are productive affairs. When they drop
the jokes and get to playing, magical crops rise from the soil. At first glance, the group’s
sound is everything you’d expect from a five-piece string band — thunk-ditty-thunk, etc.
But there’s something about it that strays from brown — a golden tinge of mythology,
perhaps, or a fiery sense of timeless continuum found more often in classic rock.
Jemma’s voice has been described as Dolly Parton-esque, and that’s fair enough, but far
too obvious, especially for Jemma’s tastes. She doesn’t much care for the comparison. Try
to imagine Stevie Nicks and Loretta Lynn singing in perfect unison and you’ll be closer to
the truth. She has the sort of vocal range seen often in the genre these days — with artists
like Alela Diane and Sera Cahoone pressing the membranes of folk and rock together.
In a time when string-band music has largely passed its peak, innovation is ever
important. The band says they agree with the sentiment that old-time and bluegrass is
difficult to market; it’s all been done before. The band strives to set itself apart.
“We play music with string-band instruments,” Graham says. “But we definitely
aren’t just a straight-up string band.”
“You can’t just make it with an old-timey sound anymore,” McGonegle adds. “You
need to carve your way; to bring something interesting to people, it has to be something
that’s a little more interesting in a different way.”
And after all, isn’t carving one’s place the point? Whether or not you reject the idea
that happiness can be attained through internal and external exploration, all anyone
really wants is to leave a lasting impression. Caitlin Jemma and The Goodness are
etching their mark in a post-desk world, and non-conformism never sounded sweeter.
Pets
BULLETIN BOARD
Clothing
LANDSCAPE BUSINESS FOR SALE Reliable
Jon’s Handywork. Profitable landscaping
business established in 1996 See all
details on craigslist.com $10,000 541-302-
5758
LINE ADS: $11/3 LINES
ADDITIONAL LINES: $4
GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY Everybody
Deserves a Good Home. Fr-Tu 11a-6p.
Closed Wed/Th 88530 Greenhill Rd 541-689-
1503 green-hill.org See our Pet of the Week!
SEVADOG RESCUE is a 501 c3 nonprofit help-
ing to find forever homes for big and small
dogs. Currently in need of volunteers!
mandy@sevadog.org
SHELTER ANIMAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE
Lost & Found
LOST WALLET Sun. 7/26 near Charnelton &
18/19th. Black Swiss Army wallet w/ a
Tennessee driver’s license. Please, if any-
one has come across it or has any info
regarding its location let me know. Thank
you in advance. Jamie 615-414-4018
FOUND PHONE last Sunday in July, watched
it fall off roof of your car, on Lorane Hwy. I
stopped and picked up pieces. Call Eugene
Weekly to describe.
Wanted
CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck. Running or
Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call
For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.
cash4car.com (AAN CAN)
S.A.R.A.’s Treasures Gift & Thrift Shop.
Volunteer, Donate, Shop, ADOPT!
871 River Road, Open Daily 10am-6pm.
541-607-8892 sarastreasures.org
LOOK FOR THIS WEEK’S RESCUED CAT .
WIGGLY TAILS DOG RESCUE is a foster based
rescue that focuses on helping abandoned
and surrendered dogs find their forever
homes. View photos of available dogs:
Facebook.com/WigglyTailsDogRescue
Adoption/Family
Services
ADOPTION Rich & Albert can’t have a baby
without you! Expenses paid. Call/text any-
time: 347-307-2081. AlbertAndRich.com
PREGNANT? THINKING OF ADOPTION? Talk
Misc.
DINING
DISH TV Starting at $19.99/month (for 12
Dining
UPTOWN BISTRO Oakridge, OR
Wood-Fired Oven & Patio Dining
Thrs-Sun, 4pm-9pm 541.782.4000
www.oakridge-lodge.com
mos.) SAVE! Regular Price $34.99 Ask
About FREE SAME DAY Installation! CALL
Now! 844-597-4481 (AAN CAN)
with caring agency specializing in matching
Birthmothers with Families Nationwide.
LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One
True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in
Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana (AAN CAN)
GET CABLE TV, INTERNET & PHONE with FREE
HD Equipment and install for under $3 a
day! Call Now! 855-602-6424
EVENTS
CALENDAR
$20 FOR 20 DAYS
FOR THOSE NEW TO OUR STUDIO!
DETAILS ONLINE • ECO-FRIENDLY AC
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan
3635 Hilyard | yogawesteugene.com
Free 1/2 Hour Consultations at the Festival of Eugene
Health and Wellness Booth #27, Sat, Aug 22nd & Sun, Aug 23rd
Discuss Classes & Healing - Mini-Treatments - 20 minutes for $15!
Discount Vouchers - Brochures - Demonstrations - Email for flyers.
Oregon Medical Qigong - Eric Shaffer, DMQ
171 Lawrence St, Eugene, OR 97405 541-852-1628
info@qigong-clinic.com
http://qigong-clinic.com
DANCE CLASSES
START IN OCTOBER
8 Weeks / $70 per person
Registration Deadline
September 30th, 2015
Meet Other
Singles or
Dance with
Your Partner
Happy Hour
4 to 6 Th ur-Sun
541.782.4000
Download registration forms at
www.danceeugene.com or (541)342-3058
Oakridge, OR
assistance league thrift shop
SIZZLING SUMMER SALE!
Thru Saturday 8/15
50% off Men’s, Women’s, and Books
Watch For Daily Specials in Other Departments
1149 WILLAMETTE | TUES-SAT 10-4
Caitlin Jemma and The Goodness play 3:45 pm Sunday, Aug. 23, at Festival of Eugene’s WildCraft Cider Works Stage,
and they join the Rainbow Girls 9:30 pm Friday, Aug. 28, at Sam Bond’s. For more information, visit caitlinjemma.com.
eugeneweekly.com • A ugust 13, 2015
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