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In recent years, Portland music has come to imply something that's overtly indie. We're talking Blitzen Trapper, Blind Pilot, Portugal, The Man and scores of other bands that, although diverse in genre, are nothing if not considered hip.
Two up-and-coming Rose City exports will visit Lincoln's Duffy's Tavern, 1412 O St., for a show this Wednesday, Viva Voce and the Parson Red Heads: the former a psychedelic husband and wife rock duo and the latter a more folksy four-piece.
Viva Voce (comprised of Anita and Kevin Robinson) is headlining the national tour with Parson Red Heads that kicked off last week, promoting their most recent album "The Future Will Destroy You."
The Daily Nebraskan caught up with Evan Way, the chief songwriter from Parson Red Heads to discuss the tour and the opener's latest album "Yearling."
Daily Nebraskan: How goes the tour so far?
Evan Way: So far, so good. Last night was the first show in Seattle and it went really well. Today we're driving to Boise.
DN: Ever been through Nebraska before?
EW: We haven't. But we did a tour about a year ago and with The Good Life. I know those guys and they told me a little about Omaha, but not anything about Lincoln. I'm very curious to see what the response will be.
DN: I can promise you that we're not more disrespectful than fans elsewhere.
EW: (laughs) Sometimes that's all you can hope for.
DN: Do you find that the tracks from "Yearling" take on new life as you shop them around on the road every night?
EW: Normally that seems to happen and sometimes it kind of makes you want to record everything again. But it keeps things interesting, and I think when you're playing live, that's the place you're supposed to experiment with what's on the record. That way people have a reason to come and see you play and not just listen to your album.
DN: Between your band and Viva Voce, that's a lot of vocal harmony prowess on one billing. Any plans to jam or perform any wicked harmonies together?
EW: I think we're going to figure that out as time goes by. We'll probably team up and see what arises, since that normally ends up happening with most tours.
DN: When you guys are hitting all your spots on the vocal harmonies and everything is perfect, what do you think the effect on the audience is?
EW: I guess, in a way, it's the same as a band that does big guitar solos. I think the desired effect that any band wants is the audience to listen and be involved — to be a part of the experience and get something out of it.
DN: Do you think when you guys hit the road and people hear that you're a Portland group that they have expectations about how you'll play and sound?
EW: Maybe. I don't know what people are thinking the sound will be like. Portland, in general, has somewhat of a stereotyper, whether it be flannel shirts and thick-rimmed glasses. But right now we've got a lot of things coming out of Portland that sound older. I don't know if it's at the point where it has its own stereotyped sound yet, but I'll say there's not a lot of bands sounding like stuff you hear on the radio. Maybe people expect to see more trucker hats than they will at our show. But maybe we'll stop and pick up some trucker hats. Who knows?
DN: Listening to the two tracks on this record that were written by Sam (Fowles, guitar and vocals), I'm struck by the different identity the band takes on soundwise. Is it refreshing in a way to be able to put on a different hat, whether that be a trucker hat or not, when you play those songs live and let Sam take the lead?
EW: It's great. I love that he's taking on more of a song writing role and that's something that's kind of grown with each album. He writes them (his songs) in a different way than me and they come from a different place than mine. But, yeah, it's nice to have him take the lead and I can just play guitar and not have the pressure of lead singing on my mind. Plus, having the element of another songwriter benefits any band, whether it's Big Star or The Jayhawks, bands with multiple songwriters have a creative advantage that a lot of other bands don't.
chancesolem-pfeifer@dailynebraskan.com
if you go:
Viva Voce/Parson Red Heads
when: Sept. 14, 9 p.m.
where: Duffys Tavern, 1412 O St.
how much: TBD
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