Started in 2005, The Oregon Donor is a four-piece rock band from Anacortes, Washington, drawing influence from 90's indie-punk bands such as Modest Mouse, the Promise Ring, and the Dismemberment Plan.
Having earned a highly coveted spot as a contestant in the annual 21 and under band competition put on by Experience Music Project, Sound Off!, the band quickly began creating a buzz with their raucous and disjointed live set. As a result, music fans began blogging about the band, comparing them to the likes of Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Guided by Voices, and even Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!.
In 2008, the band unofficially released their 2nd full length record, "Somethings", distributing limited copies to NW radio stations and press. The response was instantaneous, they were quickly invited to play on 107.7 The End's local music program and as a result, were invited back to play a packed free show opening for UK buzz band, The Wombats. Now more primed than ever, their second full length will officially release digitally on iTunes and AmazonMP3 November 18th, allowing fans new and old to get their hands on what tastemakers have been raving about all year.
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"They're young, ferociously passionate, with a progressive sound both
energetic and expansive... one of the very best live bands that I've
encountered in the past few months."
- Chris Estey, Three Imaginary Girls
"The Oregon Donor has crafted a sound that they prefer to call "indie
punk," mixing in the more typical prog elements with a modern
twist.Their sound harkens back to early Dischord artists like Faraquet,
and the art-punk is influence evident in tracks like "Pointer Finger"
and "Patience Please." Keeping this sort of sound alive is admirable,
and The Oregon Donor's take on it is informed. This debut, as "nerdy" as
it sounds, proves that The Oregon Donor have all the necessary
ingredients to succeed in their genre and beyond."
- Redefine Magazine
"With a sound that evokes the loud, dissonant indie rock that dominated
the rainy area from Vancouver to Portland in the 1990s, you probably
wouldn't guess that they're hardly old enough to buy beer. With grace
and skill, their fingers maneuver all over the fretboard to create
expressive, smooth guitar riffs that keep the listener awake.Edwards
sings lyrics which take on an often storybook-like quality with a voice
patterned on the slightly uneven vocal style of, perhaps, a Doug Martsch
or an Isaac Brock. "Somethings" is proof that The Oregon Donor have the
skill and finesse they need to be worthy of the much larger playing
field that they have stepped into."
- NWBands.com
With Built To Spill-ish melodies I find myself both nostalgic and
impressed. Some might say they don't have their own sound, I can see
that but at the same time, what they do on this album should make up for
ANY comparisons.the album "Somethings" takes you through power pop, pure
indie and pop punk all in one song. I would describe this album as a
"cleaner" Modest Mouse, defiantly established and not sloppy.
- Kim Acrylic, Punk Globe
"Like many indie bands, the Oregon Donor takes its cues from seminal
acts like Modest Mouse, Sunny Day Real Estate and Built to Spill. And
who could blame them? But while many bands have tried to emulate such
sounds, the Oregon Donor have the rare ability to make it seem fresh and
original."
- The Weekly Volcano
"You could say Anacortes based indie-rockers The Oregon Donor situate themselves squarely in the center of the musical territory cleared by the likes of Northwest indie-godfathers Modest Mouse and Built to Spill, and it would be true. But it would be extremely broad and reductive and sort of like faulting a band for having been influenced by the Beatles post-1964. Um, duh. The Oregon Donor make nuts and bolts indie-rock, but so do a lot of other bands, and not many make albums as fun to listen to..."
- What's Up Magazine
"With songs ranging from twee indie pop to nearly raucous pop punk, the Oregon Donor is a bit of an anomaly… employing instruments as diverse as flute and drum machine to create precious yet melancholy pop, a mellowed out version of bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Xiu Xiu, and Architecture in Helsinki… they (The Oregon Donor) play well-written songs, highlighting angular guitar lines (Daniel Kessler of Interpol fame, beware) and sweet, stand-out vocals. They're catchy without being obnoxious, and they refuse to play for crowds who won't dance. With their literate lyrics, memorable songs, and fan-oriented attitude, The Oregon Donor will, without a doubt, make it into the hearts of Pacific Northwest hipsters."
- Sena Kim
"The Oregon Donor plays slightly messy guitar pop, a la Pavement or Guided by Voices (Which is likely an intentional style choice, as these guys can really play). But The Oregon Donor also plays with a keen vocal style that will remind you more of Sunny Day Real Estate. Though they didn't get the exposure of being EMP Sound off Champions, they're worth each minute of your time, each cent of your dollar."
-Jeff Echert, The Inlander
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