Q&A Session With Portugal. The Man At GRAMMY Camp - SoundCheck
GRAMMY U members and high school students from Temple High School's music organization, T.E.M.P.O, and students from the after-school program School Of Rock attended a GRAMMY Camp - SoundCheck with the alt-rock band, Portugal. The Man on October 6, 2011 at the well-known live music venue in Austin—Stubb's.
Students were escorted into the venue to check out Portugal. The Man conducting their sound check before their concert that night. It was a perfect learning situation combined with entertainment. They worked out some kinks with the sound engineer and the bass player to smooth out the sound of the bass's pedal, brought the bass drum beat out, and worked on the tone of the vocals. Then, the band went on to perform a few of their best songs for the students.
Afterward, the students gathered backstage for a candid Q&A session with all four band members. When one of the students asked about how they began to seek a career in music, lead singer John Gourley said that after they made their first record, toured their first record and connected with other bands and fans, they focused on getting the right label, not a major label. One student then revealed that he has recently been offered a record deal, so what should he look out for? John’s reply, “Step 1: Get a lawyer.”
The Q&A session also dove into the band’s songwriting process. We got to hear from bass player Zachary Scott about the interesting elements that go into creating albums such as In The Mountain In The Cloud. He explained that John goes back home to Alaska and creates the structure, chords, and melodies of the song. Afterward, the band gathers in the studio for collaboration on edits and additions. The lyrics come last. They also added that they’ve had no formal training in music, and although they support learning technique and theory, they feel as though not having that formal training helped give them their unique style.
At the end of the session, the band was kind enough to take photos with the students and autograph albums. GRAMMY U and high school attendees raved after the event about its unique educational format and setting, and Portugal. The Man’s helpful insight into the creativity and the business of rock-n-roll.
**In The Mountain In The Cloud marks Portland, OR via Wasilla, AK-based band Portugal. The Man’s sixth full-length in as many years also marks the band's debut for Atlantic Records. Carrying forth the momentum triggered by their unexpected rise in 2006, and their FM airwave success of "People Say," In The Mountain In The Cloud continues the pattern of an album per calendar year, a feat made all the more staggering when you consider the band's fervent devotion to the open road, logging more than 800 shows — performing everywhere from freight elevators to a mesmerizing set at Bonnaroo — since their inception. While the lineup of John Gourley, Zachary Scott Carothers, Jason Sechrist, and Ryan Neighbors are firmly dedicated to the rock and roll scripture — record, tour, repeat as necessary — Portugal. The Man still remain unsettled on the outskirts of any set genres.