Is there anyone out there not from Portland?

Written on March 19, 2008

I’ve read about SxSW ad nauseum today and can read no more about it. One of the bands that’s getting pretty much universal praise after the goings on in Austin is Portland’s Blitzen Trapper. I’m not one to gloat (actually I kind of am), but I covered these guys last summer on my personal blog. It’s been a busy day, so if you’ll forgive a repeat…

Portland, Oregon of the first part of the naughties is like the Seattle of the early 90’s or the Athens, Georgia of the early 80’s - it is churning out some of the best bands in the world right now. The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols and The Gossip are all based out of Portland, and that’s not to mention the hundreds of lesser known acts that call this little corner of the Pacific Northwest home.

One of those lesser known acts is Blitzen Trapper, who must win some sort of prize for best band name. This sextet has been generating lots of buzz amongst the cool kids at Stereogum and Pitchfork and have recently signed to Sub Pop. I’ve got about a half dozen free tracks over the past few months, but it was “Sci-Fi Kid” (courtesy of KEXP) that turned my crank this morning with its sort of garage psychedelia sound that transitions into synth heavy carnivalia. “Wild Mountain Nation”(from Stereogum), the title track from their most recent record, features Led Zeppelin guitars with a refreshing country twang reminiscent of “Hot Dog”. Good stuff out of the Northwest - enjoy!

MP3: Blitzen Trapper - “Sci-Fi Kids”
MP3: Blitzen Trapper - “Wild Mountain Nation”

“Wild Mountain Nation” is available from eMusic, and Amazon.