Horse + Feathers

Justin Ringle @ Doug Fir

Sam Cooper, Nathan Crockett, and Catherine Odell @ Doug Fir

Horse Feathers may just be the hardest working band in the PDX indie-folk circuit.  2010 marked the release of their third album, "Thistled Spring", as well as a slew of European tour dates and stateside shows.   After their sold-out run at the Doug Fir, they would have only a few days to cool their jets before hitting the road again for a wrap-up tour of the West Coast.  

This session was unique in that I did not have to interpret any of their Tarot spreads.  Nate (a.k.a Sgt. Pepper-era Paul McCartney) asked if he could read the cards for the band.  He had no idea what the Tarot represents symbolically, but used his "beginner's mind" and sharp wit to provide some hilarious (and passable) interpretations for the group.  Being obliged to add context, I surmised that the cards were advising Horse Feathers to listen to Kanye West's  cra-mazing new album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and consider moving their fragile, forlorn tunes forward towards the brave, new world of Folk-Crunk.  So far, they have yet to heed the call of Yeezy, but I'm still pushing.  Why?  Because Horsefeathers are a band of badasses.  They might sing bitterweet songs about heartbreak and doomed love and all that, but just look at them:  Justin practically radiates inspiration like he was Chernobyl; Nate and Cat look deadly serious and ready to fucking rule this gig; and Sam... well he's so badass, he can fall asleep in the middle of a photo shoot.  That's how Horse Feathers roll.  Mr. West, where you at?