Hooves on the Turf

Download “I Woke Up Today” | I headed straight for Union Hall after seeing Regina Spektor at McCarren Pool, and from the 30 or so minutes spent with Port O’Brien in the room, I’m sure everyone picked up on the band’s affability–this is one of those bands who really means it when they name their album All We Could Was Sing. When singer Van Pierszalowski said that they were sad to leave New York and told the audience, “You guys live in the best place”, he was actually quite earnest, as was he when he asked if anyone knew what “Cha Cha” was. The dance? Nope–I guess that would be three cha’s? He, the official caretaker of the band’s myspace, was referring to the the “Ask Away” mobile service, saying “Try it out right now, we won’t mind if we see you texting”. Except, only the super-magical beings get service down there, and a few may have been present.

All photos after the jump.

Banjo player Cambria, the only female in the band, sat modestly at the right-front corner of the teeny stage while the three standing men leaped and cavorted without a care. Though the sound was a little murky (big sound, small venue), the band was in high spirits. The show ended with “I Woke Up Today”, which played like a party song with no shortcomings. Outside there was a “Port Obama 2008″ button for sale, and there was another that I’m pretty sure sums up the band’s outlook: “I Woke Up Today”.

Union Hall,
Park Slope, Brooklyn
August 15, 2008 

Update: I asked Cha Cha, “What is Sufjan Stevens up to?” And I got the answer, “He just did an encore of Austin City Limits, Euro/Australian tour earlier this year and currently. Cha Cha!”