Port O'Brien: Just Singing
» Port O'Brien - Manning Bar - Sydney University, NSW - Wed, February 4
The Dwarf caught up with Van, frontman for California-via-Alaska's Port O'Brien to dish up the dirt on the indie-popsters....
You’ve just released your debut album All We Could Do Was Sing, it must feel pretty good – especially considering how well it’s been received – what were you trying to achieve through this album, as far as musical and lyrical aspects are concerned?
Cambria and I tried to narrate what it feels like to live this kind of lifestyle… working in Alaska in the summer, and living in California the rest of the year. All of the feelings that go along with that are so intense, but they are universal at the core. We had to be very narrative and autobiographical in the lyrics. It wasn’t just a choice. We had to do that in order to tell the story.
What was the hardest part about releasing your new album?
The money. We are self releasing in the United States, so its really hard to get off the ground financially. We paid for everything out of our own pocket. We had to borrow money from our parents, from our managers, and had to work extra hard all summer up north to pay for everything and to get our band started. I don’t think people realize how much money goes into starting a band. We spent almost $10,000 of our own money just on the recording and none of us have rich parents, or anything like that. A lot of bands get lucky in that way, but we didn’t.
What aspects in particular did you love out of the whole process?
Even though it was tough financially, I really did love recording the album. We recorded right after we were getting some sort of attention, thanks to M. Ward and Bright Eyes and that whole crew. It was a very positive and encouraging time.
Your sound is really quite unique and beautiful, what would you say your influences were?
Musically, Cambria and I have loved the same music together since high school. That has gone through many changes, from the Beatles to Modest Mouse to Neil Young. Lately, all we can listen to is Bon Iver.
You’ve just finished your European tour, what was it like? You were playing with some pretty big names too, like Tapes n’ Tapes, what were they like? Any funny stories to share? C’mon!
We didn’t get to hang out with them much, or see their set. I’ve never heard their music even to this day, but they were really nice dudes. We were really excited to play with the Silver Jews, the Dodos, and Bon Iver. All of those bands are so fantastic, and so nice. Its really been surprising seeing how grounded all these people are.
What’s on the agenda now that you’ve released your successful debut album?
Touring. I want to record our next album tomorrow, but we can’t. I wish there was a faster turn-around time for albums… but now you have to wait at least a year and a half for everyone to be ready for the next one. Its very unfortunate, because we could honestly release one album every 6 months if we were allowed to. Touring is all you have to do.
Any plans to head down our way to Australia?
We really want to get down there for October. Everyone we’ve talked to down there seems to be so very nice. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. I just hope we can. It costs a lot to get over there, but I hope that doesn’t get in our way.
I read on your Myspace that your lyrics are a collaboration of both Van and Cambria’s lyrics – which are written separately but end up to create one song….what’s the approach to this fusion, it can’t be easy can it?
It actually does happen very naturally. It starts with an idea usually and goes from there.
Is there any song that you particularly love on the album, if so – why?
Alive for Nothing is my favorite. It has such a great vibe, and it’s the same vibe that’s in the demo. That’s when you know you’ve done a successful recording, when it recaptures that original feeling of the song.
