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TICKETS 🎟️ truewest.info/Guster2025On Sale Friday, August 16th at 12pm PT
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Just before creating their new album Ooh La La, Guster celebrated three decades as a band, marked by Billboard hits, collaborations with Steve Lillywhite and Richard Swift, launching their own festival, and building a dedicated fanbase through relentless touring and communal live shows. Despite this milestone, Ooh La La, their ninth studio album, reveals a band still driven by the creative energy that first inspired them. It's a significant leap forward for lead vocalist Ryan Miller, guitarist Adam Gardner, drummer Brian Rosenworcel, and multi-instrumentalist Luke Reynolds, blending their early spirit with newfound confidence and sincerity.
"In all the time we've been together, we've never really felt our age as a band — we're still so hungry and excited to create," says Gardner. "Our democratic process keeps the ideas flowing, and our relationship with fans allows us to be truly free and make whatever music we want."
Ooh La La, following 2019's Look Alive, marks a bold departure from its predecessor. This time, the band worked mainly with producer Josh Kaufman at Isokon Studio in Woodstock, crafting a lush sound rich in acoustic guitars and graceful piano. With additional production from Ron Aniello and Rich Costey, Ooh La La radiates warmth while exploring the complexities of modern life. "One of Josh's great strengths is finding the heart of the song," says Rosenworcel. "There's not a moment where we strike a chord that isn't meaningful to us. It feels good to still have that passion more than 30 years into our career."
Primarily mixed by Peter Katis, Ooh La La takes its title from a lyric in the lead single "Keep Going," encapsulating the album's emotional core of joy amidst turmoil. "Most of these songs were written against the backdrop of what felt like an apocalypse," says Miller. Co-written with Rob Kleiner, "Keep Going" emerged as a shimmering piece of alt-pop with luminous harmonies and gauzy guitar tones. "One thing we've continually done as a band is acknowledge what's going on in our world but still bring some positivity to the music," says Gardner.
Guster's open-hearted approach has been a touchstone throughout their history. Despite growing their audience since starting at Tufts University in 1991, they've maintained a strong connection with their fanbase. This connection is epitomized by the On The Ocean Festival, an annual event in Portland, Maine, featuring an eclectic mix of performers and a reunion-like atmosphere. "We've created a dynamic where there's no separation between us and our fans — we're all part of a community," says Gardner. "One of the main reasons we're still a band is the fans who've come to see us for years," adds Miller. "It inspires us to stay creative and fearless. Everything we do is in service of that connection, and at this point, we're definitely lifers."
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Revolution Hall, 1310 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214-1497, United States,Portland, Oregon
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