For those of you who are not familiar with Field Report, it is the solo project of Chris Porterfield. The musician got his start playing the pedal steel guitar in DeYarmond Edison, the now defunct indie-folk, Americana-tinged outfit the included Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and Megafaun’s Joe Westerlund as members. Porterfield thought his musical career was over when the band broke up in 2006 but spent the next six years compose haunting compositions. With the help of producer Paul Kolderie (Radiohead, Pixies, Warren Zevon, Uncle Tupelo), Porterfield breathed life into his songs, and after acclaim from a number of SXSW presenters and touring with Emmylou Harris and Counting Crows, the poignant musician signed a deal with Partisan Records, which will be releasing his debut, self-titled full-length album on September 11.

As a teaser to the 10-track release, Porterfield is offering a three-song preview on his Bandcamp. Listening to “Fergus Falls,” “I Am Not Waiting Anymore,” and “Taking Alcatraz,” gives their listeners a good idea what to expect from the full album—beautiful, expansive soundscapes led by descriptive lyricism and acoustic guitar riffs and paved by galloping percussion and rushing strings and horns. The tracks are much larger than one man, beautifully lush and full of life. It will be exciting to see them translated in a live setting.

The show at Hotel Café is a special one, as it marks Field Report’s first headlining gig before touring with Melissa Ferrick and Aimee Mann in September and October. You can find a complete list of tour dates here.

We will choose our winner at 9 AM Pacific Time on Thursday, August 23, so get to likin’ and tweetin’!