The Rainy States, Wednesday, July 11

[July 11th, 2007]

[SOULFUL INDIE] Last Friday at Grapedrink—a new venue located, somewhat oddly, in the Willamette Athletic Club (see Clublist, page 63)—the Rainy States played to fewer than 10 people (including the solo opening act). And they were damn happy to do so. "Any club that gives us a chance to play deserves our best effort," explains bassist Benjamin Johnson. "It's easy when you like the group you're in."

The alternately mathy and R&B-leaning quartet's gracious demeanor is all the more impressive considering Benjamin and frontwoman Betsy Johnson are brother and sister. Though such an arrangement might portend built-in conflict, the Johnsons—whose family moved to Beaverton from Durand, Mich. (known for an adult drive-in nicknamed "Durand Dirties")—even team up on songwriting duties. In fact, Benjamin says the entire band "really prefers to work together as much as possible." And it shows: From the rim-tapping drums of Kevin Van Geem and Benjamin's pulsing bass (both of which could use a little tightening live) to the dual vocals of Betsy and guitarist Kevin Morgan, the States' rich, lilting rock tapestries ooze with teamwork.

It's the combination of Morgan's meandering-yet-sharp guitar and airy (almost girlish) vocals with Betsy's positively sultry alto, however, that's most striking. Though both Kevins claim to have never heard Rainer Maria, it's hard not to think of the fellow guys-and-a-girl outfit when listening to the States' "Move On! Move On!," which bends and breaks with similar drama and poise. Likewise, "The City Hustle," a standout track from the 7-month-old band's upcoming full-length, utilizes charming dual vocals floating above a guitar line that could have been stripped right from Modest Mouse's This Is a Long Drive [...].

Though the band says it doesn't intentionally emulate any particular artists, Benjamin does mention that he and Morgan grew up near Portland in the '90s and found themselves "at Heatmiser, Pond, Quasi, Hazel, Built to Spill and, a little later, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie shows." "That was a big part of our life growing up," he adds. Harder to pin down is Betsy's voice, which channels Bettye LaVette and Fiona Apple as easily as Rainer Maria's Caithlin De Marrais. But its depth is also easily lost in the mix, something the band had to struggle with during early shows. "When you're in the basement," explains Benjamin, "you can never tell how the songs will translate live."

But at Grapedrink, Betsy's voice boomed on both originals and a sweet and mellow cover of the Rolling Stones' "Moonlight Mile." This young band still has a few kinks to work out, but it has one simple, endearing goal: Says Benjamin, "We just hope to keep getting better." .