Story by Anna Smith
Multimedia by Will Kanellos
Bringing the loudest Painted Porch show yet to play on 27^th and Hilyard, All Tiny Creatures played in Eugene last Thursday with opener Indian Headset.
After a classic instance of Oregon weather brought the show inside, Indian Headset, comprised of Ryan Schoeck, opened with an acoustic set despite the fact that the audience couldn’t quite shut up. After hemming and hawing and playing an iPod to appease the crowd, All Tiny Creatures came on with Aviation Class from their 2011 album Harbors.
All Tiny Creatures is a self-described fusion of 60’s/70’s minimalism and German rock, citing Tangerine Dream and Steve Reich. The group formed in Wisconsin after band member Matt Skemp’s time with Emotional Joystick and Volcano Choir with Justin Vernon, respectively. “From there we’ve done something else that’s based on that [initial sound], but more accessible,” says multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Matt Skemp. The band then toured for five dates with Bon Iver and have since split off and toured the East coast, the South, and Midwest. This tour was their first venture to the West coast.
The group came to Eugene due to a connection with Simon Adler, the Painted Porch’s “founder” through Hometapes, their record label, and the fact that it was between San Francisco and Portland.
“All Tiny Creatures put on one hell of a show,” says Adler. “I had a good time, and everyone there seemed to have a good time.” Complete with homebrewed beer and a really official makeshift lightshow, the success was audible.
All Tiny Creatures hopes to have another album out in the fall, although that approximation is “super malleable.” Adler in the meantime would like to bring in some more acts like Creatures to the Painted Porch, “Given how well the show went, we’re very open and interested in having more touring acts come through,” says Adler. “At the same time, however, we want to stay true to what we initially created the Painted Porch for, which is fostering the college/local music scene.”
The next show is May 10^th and will be featuring the local indie folk band The Royal Blue.