Port O'Brien
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Van Pierszalowski |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Port O'Brien was a U.S.-based musical ensemble known for combining elements of acoustic, folk, and indie rock genres. The band took its name from a bay in Alaska connected to the family of its founder, Van Pierszalowski. Initially formed as a folk duo comprising Van and Cambria Goodwin, the lineup later grew to include Caleb Nichols on rhythm and Joshua Barnhart.
The group embarked on national tours alongside artists such as Nada Surf, Bright Eyes, and The Cave Singers, and also performed across Europe with Modest Mouse. Their work garnered favorable reviews from critics at Pitchfork Media, Allmusic, and The Times. Notably, musician M. Ward praised Port O'Brien as his "favorite new band."
Across their career, Port O'Brien released four albums: their debut When the Rain Comes through Tecolote Records; a compilation entitled The Wind and the Swell issued by American Dust Records; the studio album All We Could Do Was Sing via City Slang Records; and their final studio effort Threadbare, released on TBD Records. Before recording All We Could Do Was Sing, Caleb Nichols left the band and was succeeded by Ryan Stively. Joshua Barnhart departed prior to the completion of Threadbare, with Tyson Vogel stepping in.
The song "I Woke Up Today" from All We Could Do Was Sing was featured in television commercials for Dulux Paints in Australia. In February 2009, the band toured Australia as part of the St Jerome's Laneway Festival lineup.
Their album Threadbare became available on October 6, 2009. Port O'Brien dissolved in 2011, after which Van Pierszalowski pursued a solo project named Waters, releasing "Out in the Light" through City Slang and TBD Records. Waters subsequently signed with Vagrant Records and issued the EP "It All Might Be OK" in 2014.
Albums
- When the Rain Comes (2005), Tecolote Records
- The Wind and the Swell (compilation) (2007), American Dust
- All We Could Do Was Sing (2008), City Slang
- Threadbare (2009), TBD Records
EPs
- Nowhere To Run (2006), Tecolote Records
- Winter (2009), City Slang
Singles
- "I Woke Up Today" (2007)
- "Close the Lid" (2007)
- "The Whiskey Song" (2009)
- "Tree Bones" (2009)