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Unless you were born with one of those silver spoons, you likely work a day job, sneaking time for your own business when not taking care of someone else’s. You’re not alone. Brandon Stosuy finds out how our favorite indie artists make ends meet…
Port O’Brien started three years ago as the duo (and couple) of Van Pierszalowski and Cambria Goodwin. The Bay Area band’s currently a quintet, but the two remain at the group’s core. It’s a highly autobiographical project, connected to where they travel and how they opt to live while doing it. For instance, they have a song called “Fisherman’s Son” and it’s not just one of those indie-rock seafaring metaphors: Vocalist and guitarist Van Pierszalowski actually is the son of a commercial fisherman. He’s a fisherman himself, too. As any number of tracks like “Stuck On A Boat” suggest, when Port O’Brien sing about heading to sea, there’s lived experience affixed to the chorus.
Every summer Pierszalowski joins his father on Kodiak Island in Alaska to fish salmon. Goodwin, who sings and plays banjo, keyboard, and mandolin, goes north, too, as Head Baker at the Larsen Bay cannery. (This summer, bassist Caleb Nichols also worked at the cannery.) Like Bon Iver’s love of the Wisconsin landscape and respect for the hunting tradition, these are the sorts of “jobs” you don’t quit. After the discussions with Van (who details a few fishing accidents) and Cambria (who offers a recipe for cayenne cocoa cake), check out a couple Port O’Brien tracks. Listen closely for the echoes.
STEREOGUM: So, you return to Alaska each summer to help your father fish?
VAN PIERSZALOWSKI That’s right.
STEREOGUM: Fishing’s clearly an important aspect of your music as well — from the band name to lyrics, etc. How long has your father been involved in commercial fishing? Yourself? Is it something you may eventually have to give up?

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