Port O'Brien/Delta Spirit @ Pianos, NYC 3/26/08
By Amrit Singh
On record, Port O'Brien shift between two modes: the folk, and the rock. Occasionally, yes, it comes together into the hyphenated hybrid used to describe most bands wielding high BPMs and acoustic guitars, but the band's finest upbeat excursion -- should-be-Hype-Machine-#1 jam "I Woke Up Today" -- eschews standard folk-rock for a distinct, ramshackle churn. It's a career launcher and has been with 'em for awhile, working a rum-drenched shanty sort of vibe which fits the band's inherent nautical themes: the outfit's name (Port, etc.), the songs' names ("Fisherman's Son," "Stuck On A Boat"), the fact that lead man Van Pierszalowski was once a commercial fisherman in Alaska, little things like that. The highly recommended, proper full-length debut LP All We Could Do Was Sing (which follows last year's out-of-print-EP-collection The Wind And The Swell) is out 5/13 and you should get it from them (it's self-released, so that's the only way).
This was my first time seeing them in a live situation, where it seems Van wants more to plug in and scrape than to acoustically serenade. So the violin-laden banjo-folk of "Don't Take My Advice" retains the banjo but gets a little more muscle: the gentler songs move towards "Pigeonhold"'s screamy scuzz, which is mostly cool, although I missed some of the record's slighter gearshifts. And the set ended as it should, with "I Woke Up Today"'s frenzy and the crowd screaming along, clanging on band-supplied pots and pans. Pretty great. For your pan-banging practice sessions:
Port O'Brien - "I Woke Up Today" (MP3)
I really like that album. Also, this Port O'Brien fan is my favorite guy in a really long time.
One more pic of drumhead, one more MP3, some Delta Spirit, and many more shots of the bands await.
Here's another good Port tune:
Port O'Brien - "Stuck On A Boat" (MP3)
But here's the main reason you jumped:
I hadn't planned on sticking around for Delta Spirit, but their opening tunes were good enough to keep me for a few tunes (until the crowd's steadily increasing douchey bro-factor of high-fives and muscles forced me towards the back of the room, and then out of it). Matthew Vasquez's vocals are powerhouse stuff, and his Dylanistic harmonica and melodies worked well over Delta's roots-rock roots. "Strange Vine" was a standout, riding the sway of old mid-tempo, '50s-styled r&b rock, with vocal lines ala Alec Ounsworth or Julian Casablancas depending on how the light caught it. (That's a mouthful but after listening to it again at MySpace, I'm sticking with it. While you're there, check more of the '50s in the piano-rolling "Trashcan.")
Although for me this is music that works in small doses, the impressive contingent of conventionally pretty girls in attendance seemed to be of a different mind. But that's at least partially because Matthew looks like he unwinds between shows at the Peach Pit.
Oh and I want to say thanks for the shirt compliment, Van, and that you have great taste in No Age tees. Also, I do my best to be respectful when taking photos -- little flash, not obstructing peoples' views, etc. -- so I have at least a few inches of moral high ground when I say: skull cap guy with the hand-held flash and the need to practically stand on the stage to take your 3,000 photos that are probably just as shitty as mine ... you were the most aggressively obnoxious photog I think I've ever seen. Congratulations on that.
PORT O'BRIEN
DELTA SPIRIT
Posted at 1:16 PM in Concert, MP3
Tags: Delta Spirit | Port O'Brien
Port O Brien fucking rules. End quote.
Score = 1
that port o'brien fan with the drum on his head is the tour manager for
delta spirit... and his is super awesome, taught me how to con my way out of parking tickets.
Score = 0
Loved this show, Van and the gang killed it. Everytime I see them, I Woke Up Today gets better. And ya know what, The Rooftop Song is a great jam too!
Score = 0
Delta Spirit's album, Ode to Sunshine, is fantastic. one of my favorites of '07.
Score = 2
After seeing them both at Union Hall and Piano's I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite band. I banged on one of those pans for "I Woke Up Today", which strangely, felt better than talking to a therapist.
Score = 1
Wait, so you decided to leave a band's show because they had muscles? What a discerning music journalist! What a totally profesh publication.
Score = 0
agreed on the photo, that dude was a straight up douche. worst is i still havent seen any pics from the evening online, except these. whatever.
ive seen both of these bands twice and both times i've left feeling that something really really big was about to happen. yet, why, why must new york crowds just stand there as if they arent having their faces rocked off? so weak
Score = 0
i dont know why no one likes Delta Spirit. they are incredible. ode to sunshine is INCREDIBLE. their live performances are INCREDIBLE> ....
what gives?
Score = 2
Yeah, Delta Spirit definitely needs more coverage, their stuff is awesome
Score = 3
if you thought that "Woke Up Today" was a set closer, you should have survived a few more minutes of muscle ridden bro-love for DS's People, Turn Around. Last night in D.C. turned into a room screaming sing-along with Port O'Brien and DS piled onto a small stage in a packed room.
DS has something that's pretty special, something that might actually survive for awhile. Port O'Brien is good, but not nearly at the same level.
Fyi, DS just signed with Rounder (Alison Kraus/Martha Wainright etc.) so look for them to take some bigger stages in the not too distant future.
lirv.
Score = 0
Port O'Brien has one mode and that mode is Neil Young's Crazyhorse. Seriously, they're very little original or even interesting about this band. Not sure where all the love is coming from, sounds like someone hired a street team for hype.
Delta Spirit on the otherhand are excellent. Creative and original. Thoughtful lyrics with dynamic arrangements. There could be more personality in the performance -- but otherwise everything is first rate. I'd recommend both "Ode To Sunshine" and "I Think I've Found It" to anyone.
Don't understand the reviewer's impression of the crowd. While the crowd was slightly more main-stream than that typicially seen at Pianos, I didn't walk away with the douchey-bro vibe. Agreed on the photog though. Unfortunately he's a by-product of the digital photography boom. Film & development costs were a welcome barrier back in the day...
Score = 0
yeah, i bet with all the millions of dollars port o'brien makes from playing places like painos theyve hired street teamers and radio promo people to drum up all that hype. you are a douchebag. i was at that show and it killed! stop typing and go play music
Score = 0
What a jolly bunch of commenters!
Score = 0
Both bands are amazing. I saw them play a sold out show in San Diego a few weeks ago to kick off the tour, and I was blown away. They both deserve more coverage than they are currently getting. And "drumhead?" Unless my eyes betray me, that's Jake, the sound guy for Delta Spirit. A great guy, and it looks like he was having fun.
And yeah, I'm with you on the asshole photogs. I'm a photographer myself, and there's nothing that pisses me off more than catching someone else's flash in my shot. Well, maybe those photographers who don't bother to show up early to sold out gigs and then shove themselves to the front, where you've been patiently waiting all night.
Score = 0
man, sorry, but "catching someone else's flash in my (your) shot," is all i got out of natalie's post. i don't know how to read that sentence differently.
Score = 0
What I meant by "catching someone else's flash in my shot" is when you take a shot and your shutter opens at the same time as someone else's flash goes off - resulting in a totally overexposed (in terms of light) photo on your end.
Wow, that still sounds like it could have a totally different meaning.
Score = 0
That skull cap photog was incredibly awful. And delta's spirit front man tries a bit too hard. I think he watched Joaquin Phoenix doing Johnny Cash one to many times.
Score = -1
wow. you really fucked up that review of delta spirit. strange how all the negative comments are about the appearance of A. Matt Vazquez, and B. the crowd. You're pissed about the crowd because pianos was an intolerably small venue for that show. You're pissed about Matt Vazquez because he's clearly going to be a hit with the ladies. Let it go. listen to the music. the band is amazing (great players!). the songs are great - "Children" is revelatory. This band is going to be around for a very long time.
Score = 1
if i see one more American calling another person a "douche" I think I will decide forever that there is no such thing as culture on the otherside of the Atlantic.
Also, Port O Brien are completely tepid. They aren't awful, just oddballs with no tunes that will never get anyway. That said, I'm glad you can enjoy them if you can. I certainly didn't when I saw them last year. Infact, it was the worst gig I've ever been to!
Score = 0
delta spirit; one of the best bands today. music great. live performances great. i'm tellin you, they're huge.
Score = 1