Portugal. The Man
Interview with John Baldwin Gourley
Words: Michael Spadoni
Photos: Hypozentrum.com

Appearing:
August 3, 2007
Jack Rabbits, Jacksonville

August 4, 2007
The Orpheum, Ybor City

August 5, 2007
The Social, Orlando

Portugal. The Man started their journey in a small Alaskan town called Wasilla and the music they create resembles what it must be like to stare at an Alaskan glacier through rose-colored glasses.  Expect a high-energy, spontaneous, and unforgettable concert going experience when you catch them on one (or all three) of their dates in Florida this August.  We were able to track down vocalist and guitarist, John Baldwin Gourley, and ask him about what it’s like growing up where there really isn’t anything going on… get over it Florida!

REAX:  How would you describe the underground music scene in Alaska and were you a part of it growing up?
John Baldwin Gourley: Underground music when I was growing up was like… old Green Day.  I always loved the argument we would have about the best Green Day and Blink 182 albums being the oldest ones.  It’s funny, for the most part those kinds of bands need to progress and need to write better songs or they shouldn’t be a band anymore. As far as local music, you could either play pop-punk or Acid Bath-metal, those were the only options.  It was really random.  From what I understand now, it’s a lot different… but back then it was more of a hardcore scene.  The main reason we left and started touring was because there was nowhere to play.  We lived in Portland for two years and went back to Alaska with the intent of playing and touring from there, but we freaked out and had to move again.

REAX:  On a trip to Alaska when I was younger, I experienced complete culture shock having grown up in Florida my whole life.  Was it the other way around for you when you started touring the U.S. and Europe or were you aware of the world outside?
JBG:  When I was growing up, there was a place called Gig’s Music Theater.  I used to go there all the time and the Jesus Lizard was one of the first bands I saw there.  At the time, I had no idea who this band was that was onstage, now I realize that it was insane that I got to see them.  The singer was getting naked, jumping on everyone, and just being a crazy asshole.  Those kinds of bands would come up and I really have no idea why…

Actually there was a record store in Anchorage called Mammoth Music.  They always knew about new good music and somehow a promoter that worked with them was getting all these great bands to come up and play.  But, it was still a pretty rare occasion.  It was never made to be a huge deal and, for the most part, the general public is unaware of what is going on music-wise.  I really had no idea aside from going to those shows.  It must be the colleges that give reason for the indie record shops to be around there.

REAX:  Do bigger bands ever tour up there?
JBG: It’s definitely a special thing when bands come up to Alaska to play.  We get one really cool big band a year.  My very first concert was Pantera, which everyone was stoked about.  Alaska and Pantera goes together like nothing else. Laughs

REAX:  Obviously a lot of thought was put into the overall aesthetic of the band, from the name Portugal. The Man, to the seemingly deliberate sound you create with your music.  Was there a band or person in your life in particular that inspired these steps that you took?
JBG:  A lot of the reason we do everything we do is because of the family I grew up with.  They’ve always been open and supportive and they helped me develop a constant work pace.  My dad pretty much taught me everything about my work ethic.  It makes sense to me to release things as they’re written.  It’s not like a musician really stops writing and if they do stop, then obviously they aren’t content in what they’re doing.

REAX:  The lyrics in “Church Mouth” sound very autobiographical.  Are these words meant to be taken literally or are you more of a storyteller?
JBG:  I suppose… yes, that’s what I’m saying.  When I write lyrics, it’s normally after we write the music.  I tend to write all the lyrics on the spot while we’re recording.  I hate the notebook full of random thoughts way of writing.  It feels like you’re editing and re-editing all these thoughts that you had six months earlier.  Anyway, it works best for me that way and I would probably end up losing everything if I had to carry it around with me.  We’re really a spontaneous band with everything we’ve done… it’s never been completely planned out before we go into the studio.  I think it’s a really fun way to do things.

REAX:  Your “It’s Complicated Being a Wizard” EP is what first drew me to your band.  How did you jump into something so different from your previous full-length?
JBG:  Honestly, I sat down to write three songs and it was our first time recording with a drummer.  I really needed to get some stuff out and then things just started snowballing and those three songs became one really long song.  I decided halfway through that it should be 23 minutes and I was surprised when it came out to exactly that.

REAX:  Was that EP the product of you fleshing out ideas that you could not put out on a Fearless Records release?
JBG:  The industry works in the strangest ways…  Fearless supports us completely and I would have never expected that they would let us record something like that and then let us release it on our own label.  Even with Church Mouth they were completely cool.  They didn’t even ask for demos.  There was a lot of trust there, which I was really thankful for.

REAX:  I noticed that you are responsible for all of the artwork and promotional materials for the band.  Is having control over that significantly important to you and is the artwork an extension of the band’s music?
JBG:  There is always a visual that goes along with all of our music.  All art is hand in hand with its brothers.  Music can always have a visual and visuals can always have music.  It feels fitting to show the thoughts behind our songs.  To me, the lyrics are my personal views and show the way I see and look at things around me.  The lyrics are very literal… as messy as they look on paper.

REAX:  How do you feel about your album leaking a month and a half before it’s release date?  Are you happy with the exposure or does it irritate you?
JBG:  I’m all about downloading.  I guess the only way I could put it… if a band is recording an album that they fully believe in and they know it’s the right step for their band, then they shouldn’t give a shit.  If people “get it” then they’re going to buy it, or they’ll just download it after it comes out anyway.  That’s not going to change.  I suppose it’s more of a problem for a band who is trying whatever they can to make it.  But, in almost every case bands make most of their money on the road.

www.portugaltheman.net