ACL Artist Profile: Portugal. The Man

Before Sarah Palin put it on the map, Wasillia, Alaska's biggest export, arguably was Portugal. the Man. Though they moved to Portland shortly after forming, the band took the years of experience they had playing with other groups, most notably post-hardcore outfit Anatomy of A Ghost, and created their own musical path. And that path is just as eclectic and diverse as the band is prolific.

The group has released a total of five albums since 2006, starting with their debut, Waiter: You Vultures!, which saw the band experimenting with many different styles. 2007's Church Mouth took more of a hard rock route, with critics name-dropping Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath at will for the sake of comparison. The next year, Censored Colors looked to progressive rock groups for inspiration, while 2009's “The Satanic Satinist” aimed for a more pop-friendly sound. The recently released “American Ghetto” again finds the band shifting musical paradigms, opting for a more electronic sound.

No matter what musical mask they decide to wear, though, John Baldwin Gourley's pleasant voice, his oftentimes ambiguous lyrics, and the band's willingness to experiment with different sounds have garnered them a loyal and devoted fan base. Many Austinites are among them, as the band sold out two nights in a row at The Parish back in March. Expect sizable crowds at this set. -Ryan Lester

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