BLACK PRAIRIE‘s name has been popping up just about everywhere this month. The Portland-based five piece band, which includes several members of The Decemberists, has appeared on countless Top Ten lists for their remarkable 2012 album A Tear in the Eye is a Wound in the Heart, garnering praise from the likes of NPR, Magnet, and Folk Alley. But what songs and artists have been in heavy rotation for the members of BP? Multi-instumentalist CHRIS FUNK, gave us a peek into his top picks for this month’s MIXTAPE (and those with a keen eye just might notice a theme…).
Track: I Swear
Artist: Sallie Ford and The Sound Outside
‘Great Portland band that we like to collaborate with. Plus our fiddler Annalisa’s brother is in the band!’
Track: My Love is a Forest Fire
Artist: Y La Bamba
‘Friends of ours again from the Rose City. This song makes me weep.’
Track: Navy Parade
Artist: Agesandages
‘Guess what! Another Portland band! I dare you to buy their record and deny how these songs don’t creep around in your head for a month.’
Artist: Caleb Kaluder Band
Track: Hole In My Heart
‘That music doesn’t sound like Portland. Rick Roll’d! They ARE! They also happen to be half of the Foghorn String band. Look out!’
Track: Red Pony
Artist: John Fahey
‘Not from Portland but DIED 40 miles south of us. I’m in a recently released documentary about his life (shameless plug) called ‘In Search Of Blind Joe Death’ and was reminded with how much I love his music.’
You can learn more about Chris and the band at their website www.blackprairie.com
