The Portland Playlist welcomed The Colin Trio, a trio of Virginia transplants, to the studio Wednesday night. Fronted by Colin Hogan, they’re a little bit jazz, a little bit blues, and a whole lot of Southern soul. While they may only be a Trio, theirs is a full band sound with Brian Link on bass and Matt Ramsdell on drums and percussion. “Colin’s original lyrics and compositions combines many musical influences, to create a totally unique sound that can captivate any audience.”
The Colin Trio, photo by Teri Briggs
Their influences include Amy Winehouse, You Know I’m No Good, for her classic sound, sarcastic wit, and vivid storytelling. They love the song so much that it is now one the band covers. The Wood Brothers, Neon Tombstone, for their harmonies, gospel-esque vibe, and the imagery of their lyrics. Ray LaMontagne, Hey Me, and Amos Lee, The Man Who Wants You are two Colin has a deep appreciation for, and the way you can feel “where they are” when they are singing.
Colin Hogan, photo by Teri Briggs
Colin Hogan & Brian Link, photo by Teri Briggs
We listened to two recorded tracks, Letta (a sultry gem that’s a bit jazzy with an ounce of the blues), and the pretty, Simple Sweet (“a simple sweet something I made to remind you that I love you”) before moving on to their live performance. They performed the new, Wee Hour and Done a Good Thing, a fun one with a cabaret sound. Colin is such a prolific songwriter that volumes of new songs exist just waiting to be turned into albums, something we hope will happen in 2017. Their recent Tiny Desk Contest submission to These Days, in a simple Victorian setting, showcases Colin’s vocals and keys perfectly.
Matt Ramsdell, photo by Teri Briggs
The Colin Trio, photo by Teri Briggs
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Karyn Ann, photo by Teri Briggs
Karyn Ann joined us at the end of the show. She “is a geologist…a graduate level geologist. She knows rocks. But she is also a geologist of the heart. Her songs excavate its bright seams of gold and dark rivers of coal, its trials and tribulations, the exultations of love and loss. To quote Neil Young – she is a miner for a heart of gold.” She recently recorded a new album at 8 Ball Studio which Colin and Brian added keyboard and bass tracks to. Teri’s Tunes PDX captured some of that session on Facebook Live Stream. If you are curious about the recording process, check out those videos here and here. She performed live the somewhat bluesy, No Better, (“you may be what I want, but you ain’t what I need”) with The Colin Trio backing.
Matt Ramsdell, Karyn Ann & Colin Hogan, photo by Teri Briggs
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The Colin Trio will perform at next month’s Mogo Music Festival presented by J-Fell Presents. Karyn Ann, Santiam, and Corner will also perform on March 3rd at The White Eagle. The Mogo Music Festival (#MOGOFest) is a two day event with some of Portland’s most influential music fans and musicians showcasing 65 acts spanning a dozen area venues. This event is sponsored by J-Fell Presents, Vortex Music Magazine, and Portland Radio Project.
We hope you will come to The White Eagle on March 3rd because as you can hear from this podcast, these are local bands that deserve your attention. Portland’s music scene needs you, the audience, to come out and support their music and the venues that host them. Without listeners, this talent pool won’t be heard. If you would like to win two tickets to their 3/3 show, text “MOGO” to 27299 and your name will be added to the guest list.
Matt Ramsdell, Karyn Ann, Brian Link & Colin Hogan, photo by Teri Briggs
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