Donerail's Official Website — Portland Band

Back in September 2009, Donerail got together with Mr. James Dineen and Mr. Jimmy Jazz Prescott at Jambox Studios, in Southeast Portland, to record a podcast for the Sessions From The Box website. We recorded a few songs and sat down for a conversation with Mr. Dineen, in front of the mic and on record.

“Sessions From the Box features intimate performances and interviews from up and coming and established artists”, and we were tickled to be asked to participate. It’s pretty exciting to be in the same company as artists like Erin McKeown, The Crosswalks, The Hydropods, and Gliss. Said podcast is now up on on the Sessions website and can also be found on iTunes. Go ahead, pop in and have a listen!

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Sessions From The Box – Donerail

Donerail...as a Cartoon Artwork by Emily Block.

I guess you could say that Donerail said goodbye to aught nine in grand fashion, figuratively…not literally. If you’ve ever been to Langano Lounge, you’ll know what I mean. This is a small basement lounge, located under an Ethiopian restaurant on the city’s SE side. Even though it not a big venue, I don’t think you could call it cramped. Cozy…intimate…I think that these would be better descriptors.  I think it was Duncan that described it as “feeling like you’re hanging out in your parents basement”, after they let you fix it up with old Christmas lights, rugs, rock posters and beanbag chairs. Another great thing about a place like Langano is that the crowd never seems small, especially when the crowd is filled with old friends, which come to think of it, made it feel even more like your parents basement. “Dude, my parents are out of town for the weekend! I’m having a kegger and my band is gonna play!”

We were able to squeeze all of the momentum from  the last month and a half of live shows into a 2 1/2 to 3 hour period and all-in-all, this was just a really fun and relaxed (but energetic) show, comprised of a mix of of covers and Donerail originals that that garnered the best reaction over the past 4 shows. It was almost like a live greatest hits album, just not one made for housewives and little girls. On second thought, I guess you can say that we did end 2009 in grand fashion…literally.

Highlights:

• Handle With Care: Dude, it’s the Traveling Wilburys. Of course it’s a highlight, especially because Duncan sings a bulk of the song and drums. Phoo!
• Push It: An impromptu, and really brief, lighthearted moment while tuning. Non stop entertainment. Don’t judge…you know you like Salt ‘N Pepa. Salt salt salt salt salt salt ‘N Pepa’s here…
• Talk 2 Me: It’s okay, It’s okay.

Next Stop: 2010 – Donerail will be taking the month of December to work on recording some of our newer material and set up some live shows for the first part of the year. Stay tuned!