Artist of the Week: Field Report

field_report_me1_5x7

Even with an album coming out next Tuesday, Field Report to many music fans, remains an unknown quantity as a new band, yet there’s an aura of curiosity hovering around them. Though as a group they’re new, the truth is that the members have an impressive resume.

Having been in DeYarmond Edison before this outfit, Christopher Porterfield knows what it’s like to perform with music heavyweights. For those of you who don’t know, one of other bandmates was Justin Vernon, yes, THAT, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame. If that wasn’t enough for you, members of psych-folk group Megafaun were also in the band. After seeing those names, you may wonder what in the hell happened to Porterfield when his bandmates had so much success after the band dissolved. For starters, the singer thought his career was over and wouldn’t you after seeing everyone else move forward?

Once he fought through the natural emotions that come with seeing success happen to everyone else, Porterfield slowly began writing his own material and five years later after honing, tinkering and doing anything possible to make sure the songs were perfected.

Working with producer Paul Kolderie (Radiohead, Warren Zevon, The Pixies, Uncle Tupelo), in December 2011, the record was finally recorded at Vernon’s studio in Fall Creek, Wisc. He has his old buddy to thank for introducing to him to his backing band.

“I was talking with Justin, and he said that he had heard through the grapevine that I finally had found the right people to play with,” Porterfield says in the band’s bio. “He invited us to use his space. We were particularly interested in recording at his studio (April Base) because of the large live room. We wanted to capture the sound of a band in a moment. We specifically brought Beau [Sorenson] in for this reason, and for his love of later Talk Talk.”

With lyrics channeling the subjects he comes across, including some autobiographical tales, the songs possess a certain specificity that makes each song personal, and relatable in their own right.

Once Kolderie mixed the album in February, the band trekked on down to Austin for a series of well-received showcases at SXSW. Despite not having a label, the band’s performances were so strong that they attracted the interest of labels before signing to Partisan Records.

After one of the pre-released songs from the album, “Taking Alcatraz,” became one of the most downloaded tracks from the blogosphere, Field Report accepted an opening spot on the Counting Crows (yes, apparently they’re still around) summer tour, once lead singer Adam Duritz heard the songs. “It is undeniable when you listen to Field Report,” Duritz exclaimed to Rolling Stone, “This is just great music.”

And he’s right. It IS great music. Amazingly, everything that didn’t happen to Porterfield before is finally correcting itself. With tunes that are relatable, don’t be surprised Field Report to become one of the next indie darlings to win both your heart and your mind.