Three of Portland's finest musical acts were featured Wednesday evening at Neumos. All three of these bands featured poetic lyrics in combination with Americana pop-folk sensibilities, utilizing a variety of instruments ranging from traditional to electric. While surely these acts have a strong following in the indie-scene, I had no idea the scale of their popularity.
Nate Lacy's solo project The Mimicking Birds started off the evening strong with a few light, atmospheric songs. It is no surprise that these guys were previously asked to headline for Modest Mouse, as their style is much in the style of their slower songs. Lacy has a similarly unique voice, at times reminding me of Jeremy Enigk's solo work. Musically they fit right into the indie rock genre. Blind Pilot's Dave Jorgensen came on stage to play trumpet on the band's last song, a fun and seemingly impromptu moment to complete the set.
Next up Laura Veirs, a folk singer-song writer who got her start in Seattle, took the stage with her band. I was excited to finally get to see this adorable woman in person wearing her Lisa Loeb-like black-rimmed glasses. To my pleasant surprise she had two other female musicians, as well as two males. However, Veirs was not as scrawny as I had imagined; she announced that she is in fact expecting a baby in April! The band put on a wonderful show together: Laura's voice was crystal clear and exactly as I anticipated from listening to her albums. She alternated between acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and banjo. One of the highlights of the set was when they performed a traditional fiddle tune that gradually speeds tempo with the help of the audience. They saved the one of the most popular hits, Galaxies, for last - calling on a little help from Blind Pilot members Israel and Ryan.
As expected, the audience got amped up at the sight of Israel Nebeker, Blind Pilot's front man. But the crowd's anticipation of the headlining act was getting stronger and stronger. I was excited yet somewhat confused: was I at the right show? Were these rambunctious, seemingly college students here to see a band that had been compared to the musical stylings of The Shins? Yes - they were. Even the bleached-blond girls throwing themselves at the stage and the beer drenched dude-bros calling out band members' names couldn't stop me from enjoying this exquisite set. They featured the largest variety of instruments of the evening: trumpet, keyboard, xylophone, pedal steel, banjo, - and even a mountain dulcimer - just to name a few! Yet somehow they kept the sound very clean and polished, nothing felt out of place. The songs had a nice variety ranging between indie rock and folk, mid-tempo and faster. My favorite moments were when Isreal and Kati combined their voices into full, beautiful melodies.
Blind Pilot are one of the few bands out there that deserve all of the attention that they are receiving. Hard work and relentless touring paid off for this genuinely talented act. All three of these bands will certainly help keep Portland on the music world's map for awhile to come.
