Our first official full-length release, consisting of previously self-released, self-recorded songs, featuring early versions of "Tree Bones" and "I Woke Up Today".
"Stuck on a Boat" directed by Joey Izzo on Super 8.
"In Vino Veritas" directed by Joey Izzo on Super 8.
"I Woke Up Today" directed by Blake Behnam.
Biography
Port O'Brien began as the bedroom recording project of Van Pierszalowski and Cambria Goodwin.
As the songs grew legs and spread among friends, live performances became inevitable. Sprouting from the isolated coastal village of Cambria, California (yes, her namesake) the band collected kindred spirits along the way and has blossomed into a full band. The band released All We Could Do Was Sing in the summer of 2008. All We Could Do Was Sing captured the life Van and Cambia lived throughout their never ending summers in Alaska. Van is a commercial fisherman, spending every summer on his father's fishing boat off the coast of Kodiak Island. Cambria is the head baker at the cannery in Larson Bay, supplying pastries, breads, and deserts for the entire seasonal fishing community. But with the release of their first album, their lives were no longer seasonal. They toured. And toured. And toured. They were on the road all year long, shifting inspirations from the desolation and hard work of Alaska to the experience of seeing the world through the windows of a tour van.
As 2009 began, the band started to prepare songs for what was to become threadbare. What started as a light-hearted and loose effort quickly turned into a dense, introspective work following the tragic loss of Cambria's younger brother. They started recording at their friend Jason Quever's living room studio in San Francisco. The songs were given a certain warmth and intimacy that couldn't be achieved in a larger space. The sense of comfort they found gave them the ability to fully realize the weight of the songs. "In the Meantime" explore the desire for contentment in tumultuous times. "High Without the Hope" bookends the album, illuminating the emotion and sense of loss that was felt throughout the recording process.
After spending weeks recording with Jason, the band felt they could work in a more open space. They worked on the more celebratory and rhythmic songs in Los Angeles with Aaron Espinoza at the Ship. "My Will is Good" and "Oslo Campfire" describe the liberation that follows in the wake of making active changes in one's life following tragedy.
Together these sessions create threadbare. It’s become somewhat of a two sided record with dark, haunting, and at times meditative songs paired up with the untiring, somewhat aggressive and punchy anthems that Port O'Brien is becoming known for. The last few years have seen many adventures for the band. The creation of this record came with continuing changes both within the band personally, and sonically. Port O'Brien will continue to evolve. In the meantime, threadbare stands as another mark this young band has left.
"...it's clear why Johnny Marr is touting the Californian throng as his new favourite band. We've developed a bit of a crush." -NME
"...charmingly rendered and, as in the wigout "Pigeonhold," teeming with joyous abandon a la the Arcade Fire." 4/5 stars -Uncut
"It not only captures the considerable force of their live shows, but shows how much this band has grown in a very short period of time." Pitchfork Media
"Fisherman's Son captures the bleak beauty of the frozen wilderness. If it inspires music like this, they shouldn't give up their day jobs just yet." -Q Magazine
..."everything has come into focus for Port O'Brien, and they have retained their heavy swaying beauty even in this light. You know when you watch old TV shows on new "cleaned up" DVD editions, and you can start to see all the flaws really clearly, and you think "man, just put the 'syndicated re-run' filter on this."? Well, that's not happening with Port O'Brien, they clean up wonderfully. They've gone from curiosity to wonder." -Said the Gramophone
"Port O'Brien crafts beautiful, melodic tunes that utilize string instruments to their fullest. And the group is not afraid to rock out: "Pigeonhold" has it grinding down on guitars and "I Woke Up Today" revels in an Arcade Fire-style energy." -Billboard Magazine
"Think of the way a really good late-party singalong sounds in your drunken, echoing head: a little sleepy, loosey-goosey with the timing, but ecstatic, brilliant, meaningful, epic. Even sober and by the cruel light of day, that's the sound of Port O'Brien." -SF Weekly
Hope you can join us for this night at Cafe Du Nord: Performance of Riley's In C, The Lickets, Julianna Barwick Monday, Nov 16, 2009 8:00 PM PST (7:00 PM Doors) $10. Details here http://www.lickets.com/insea and Tickets Here http://bit.ly/3yFuZ6 or at the door.
Hey wass up just showing sum love check out our new videos please please download our single on itunes if you haven't already please show your support here
reeeaaallllly excited about your show tomorrow at emo's. ya'll were one of my favorite bands from sxsw last march. hope you enjoy texas tonight and tomorrow.
EZZZ, kicking off the week by letting u know about our latest release "Touch Me" by RadioKillaZ on RkZ Recordings, NOW @ Beatport, Juno & Beats Digital, go & download the tracks!!! x
Online Now!
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