For me, this was The Rural Alberta Advantage, Take 2. The first take came in December of last year, when the trio stopped by Backspace in Portland. As Daniel Couch noted in his fantastic review, the long floor, low stage and tall ceilings of the venue swallowed up the sound and muddled what should have been a charming, intimate performance.
This time around, the RAA were under a small tent out back of the delightfully funky Yard Dog Gallery. They could not have picked a better setting; Nils Edenloff's urgent vocals, Paul Banwatt's frantic drums and Amy Cole's delicate harmonies beg to be released into the open air. After a couple of minor hiccups early in the set, Edenloff explained that they were used to playing small, dark clubs, and that he was nervous in the daylight. He had no need to be. The RAA's short, 8-song set was tight and propulsive and the band was as adorable as ever. Sprinkled into the set were a few new songs, including the lovely, "Barnes' Yard," a love story centered around the creepy house Edenloff would pass on his childhood paper route. After 30 minutes, bad memories from from Backspace were erased and replaced with anticipation for a new RAA release.
Setlist
The Ballad of the RAA
New ("Jungle" on setlist)
Frank, AB
New ("Muscle" on setlist)
Barnes' Yard
The Deadroads
Drain the Blood
The Dethbridge in Lethbridge
