« Benefit Show This Sunday Night | Main | Today in PDX »
Friday, January 26, 2007
Music Portland Bands Singing in Fake Country Accents?
Posted by on Fri, Jan 26 at 1:42 PM
I’m listening to Willie Nelson sing “It’s Not Supposed to be that Way” right now and it’s made me remember a conversation I had recently about country bands—specifically Portland country bands (“indie” and “alt” species)—singing in fake country accents. It was a tough call. Sometimes it feels right; most times it’s silly. But affected vocals span all genres of music. Most peoples’ singing voices sound nothing like their talking voices, but why does it feel so wrong when a kid from Seattle or LA or Portland sings in an affected drawl? Please discuss. Also, what do you think about Portland country bands? Have we got some good shit going on, or is it dry as a corn husk? Who’s your favorite? Who do you think needs to move to Gresham?
And yeah, Willie Nelson thinks this whole debate is boring. Here’s a very YOUNG Willie…
Comments
Moonshine Hangover puts on a good show.
Lana Rebel sounds good. I'm not sure if she's from Portland though...
Like they say, the only thing worse than country karaoke is the real thing.
Comments Closed
In order to combat spam, we are no longer accepting comments on this post (or any post more than 45 days old).
Our Friends
- UrbanHonking
- Your Daily Awesome
- Portland Metroblogs
- Hype Machine
- Lelo in NoPo
- Furious Nads!
- Oregon Media Insiders
- Huffington Post
- Loaded Orygun
- Food Fight Grocery
- Jesus Christ's Blog
- Willamette Week
- BlueOregon
- Pampelmoose
- The Etchasketchist
Our Enemies
- Russian Amputee Brides
- God Hates Fags (Westboro Baptist Church)
- Portland Indy Media
- Oregon Republican Party
- Jack Bog's Blog
- The Stranger
- Men Who Look Like Kenny Rogers
- Any Dumbass Still Using MySpace
- Portland Monthly
- Life Decisions International
- Courtney Taylor-Taylor
- The Earthly Minions of Emperor Klaktu
All contents © 2006 Index Publishing • Privacy Policy • Contact Info • Production Guidelines
I find myself at a whole lot of these shows listening to what PDX fella's (and a few gals) are turning out in the name of twang.
There are some great Portland country bands. The good ones (IMHO) don't do the fake accent.
Richmond Fontaine stands head and shoulders above the rest, but there are others that I think are great.
Lewi Longmire skews toward the Gram Parsons/Psychedelic country, but is as real as they come.
Spigot's junkyard country is unique and familiar at the same time.
Mike Damron's projects are of high quality and his very real drawl delivers some of the most personal, naked lyrics you'll find in any genre.
There is a group of bands that regularly play at smaller places like Duff's Garage and the "World Famous Kenton Club" that while they might use a gimmick, they are making quality music and guarantee good times.
I think that PDX country has something to say... but I am with you, Adam, I would rather hear it without the fake drawl.