Artist of the Week

Chris Porterfield, the former bandmate of Justin Vernon in DeYarmond Edison, eventually broke off into his own band Conrad Plymouth. Since then, the group evolved into a new band, under the name Field Report, with self-titled sympathetic and heartbroken album, released on last Tuesday.

Porterfield, a 31-year-old Wisconsin native, managed to produce a raw, tear-jerking sound that hits the human in us hard. Porterfield’s songs are definitely best for an emotional purge, a late night or a long drive alone.

With soft, layered guitar introducing most of the songs, Porterfield’s voice enters with a quiver. It’s a bit more vulnerable than Justin Vernon’s signature high pitch, but it’s easy to imagine these guys collaborating. There is a welcoming and distinctive, raw sound that without, could’ve sounded a bit too similar to Bon Iver (though it’s hard to imagine that as a bad thing).

“I could’ve been an artist if I had the tools, I could’ve been a preacher if I suffered fools,” Porterfield sings on the outstanding track, “Fergus Falls.”

“My friends keep calling, I don’t pick up, I got nothing to say that I can’t just make up anyway,” he cries to himself on “Taking Alcatraz.”  While a moving album altogether, other standout tracks include “I Am Not Waiting Anymore” and “Circle Drive.”

Field Report actually performed in our very own Wilmington on Friday and in Sellersville, Pa. on the Saturday.  No other East Coast locations have been released as of yet, but something tells me Porterfield is going to get picked up sooner rather than later.