[ NOTABLES ]

+ Contestant in 2006 EMP Sound Off! Competition
+ Opened for the Wombats sponsored by 107.7 The End, August 2008
+ Performed at Seattle Folklife festival and Anacortes based What the Heck Fest, 2008

[ THE BAND ]

Jesse Cohen- bass
Kyle Holland- drums
Chris Edwards- guitar, and lead vocals
Lance Umble- guitar, and backup vocals

[ BIO ]

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.


[ PRESS/QUOTES ]

"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