Make Way for an Arctic Indie
By Zach Kobrinsky
Contributing Writer
Montreal has become a dominating voice in the indie rock scene over the past decade, so much so that Montreal bands like Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Islands and The Unicorns have practically become household names (at least in households that listen to indie rock). It seems appropriate then that an indie group of rivaling momentum should arise from the same span of northern land mass, Montreal’s reciprocating geographical space—Alaska. What makes an Alaskan indie band even better, however (aside from their sheer talent), is the pontificated pride-provoking fact that they are American. In your face, Canada.
Since their debut record in 2006, Portugal The Man has been perpetually picking up speed and evolving their style. While they are most certainly what you would call an indie group, what makes them truly great is their ability to step outside genre constraints with ease, incorporating gospel, blues, soul and synth into their repertoire. The men that comprise the group are enigmas unto themselves as well. Lead singer John Gourley is an astounding visual artist in addition to being an astounding musician. He created the artwork for their album, “The Satanic Satanist,” which is both striking and thought-provoking.
Bassist and vocalist Zach Carothers doesn’t fail to intrigue either.
HPR: Tell me what it was like growing up in Alaska. What kind of a town was Wasilla? What’s the whole complete darkness during winter thing like?
ZC: Alaska is an amazing place. So much space and wilderness. Wasilla is a little crazy…real small community, but it has its share of weirdos. If you are not into the outdoors, there’s not a whole lot to do, but I was always a fan of fishing and camping and shit.The winters can get a little nuts. The sun comes up around 10:30 and goes down around 3:30, So if you are going to school or working, you won’t see it too much. A lot of people get depressed, but it never bothered me too much. The summers are unreal.
HPR: I’ve heard that some of the Alaskan locals can kind of hate on “mainlanders.” Is that true?
ZC: Ha…some of them. I wouldn’t say they hate on them so much, it’s just that most Alaskans are very proud of where they come from…and there is a fair share of jealousy as well…there are a lot of things we can’t do up there. Very isolated.
HPR: Is there any performance you’ve given that stands out in your mind as the most memorable?
ZC: Last year’s Bonnarroo was pretty amazing. It was our first open air festival and it really couldn’t have gone better for us. We were the first band to play after the sun went down and that is always cool. By far the biggest crowd we’ve ever played for and smiles didn’t leave our faces for weeks after the show.
HPR: What exactly is the meaning behind the band name? Something to do with David Bowie?
ZC: It started as an alter ego. David Bowie kind of gave us the idea when he invented Ziggy Stardust. We wanted a fictional character but since we are not just one person, we figured a country is one name for a group of people with one voice in the world. We randomly picked Portugal cause we thought it would make an awesome name for a man.
HPR: Have you ever experienced anything that could be classified as supernatural?
ZC: For sure…both John and I have a lot of ghost and alien stories…we’re into that shit…mostly ghost and shadow people for me. I almost got trampled by a moose when I was a kid. I got saved by my friend’s pet wolf…crazy day for a 9-year-old. That night I saw a man walk out of the wall and smile at me. I wasn’t scared, but more comforted. Felt like he protected me. A year later I was looking at pictures at my grandma’s house and I saw that same guy. It was my uncle who died before I was born and who I was named after…crazy, huh?
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If You Go
What: Portugal. The Man with Port O’Brien
Where: The Aquarium
When: Wed, Feb 24, 10pm
How Much: $8, 21+ID
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