The hit comedy show, “Portlandia,” pokes fun at the hipster lifestyle in Portland, Ore. Lucky for its writers and creators, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, The Parson Red Heads, a pop-rock band hailing from the artisan-embracing and organic-eating area, were happy to take part in the satirical spoof.
Following the “go-with-the-flow” mind-set native to Oregon, The Parson Red Heads appeared in the opening song “Dream of the 1890s” in the “Portlandia” episode “Cops Redesign.”
Being able to joke about the group’s homeland is just one of the many attributes attached to The Parson Red Heads’ laid-back mentality. In fact, traveling across the country on tour has proved the four-member crew’s relaxed approach is an important necessity.
Because of the band’s open-mindedness, The Parson Red Heads admit going on tour teaches them many lessons.
“It’s a real good way to learn about your country,” said lead singer, Evan Way, in an interview. “You see all sorts of places that you never get to see. You get a small peek into the different cultures that make up this country.”
When asked about his favorite moments on tour, Way reminisced about his experience in the Vermont town of Winooski. Finding some free time on tour, the gang decided to stop in the eastern settlement. Way was flabbergasted by the hospitality of Winooski residents. After meeting the owner of a local bar, Way and the other three musicians played a spur-of-the-moment show at their newfound friend’s watering hole.
“[If] you go into it with an open mind, just looking to meet people and have a good experience, you’re going to go and find the best in it,” Way said. “When you do that, you have a good time.”
Being surprised by an out-of-the-blue concert is something any music lover and aficionado welcomes. To The Parson Red Heads, the group’s cool temperament aided them in this much-appreciated spontaneous moment.
Recently, however, the band had to make some changes to the happenstance routine usually followed during tours.
The birth of fellow bandmates Evan and Brette Way’s son has thrown the regimen of the band into a different key. Nevertheless, an unperturbed viewpoint is still prevalent in the band’s life on tour.
“Having a baby on tour makes us more organized and intentional … it makes us, on one hand, be able to roll with punches,” Evan Way said. It also forces us to plan ahead a lot more.”
The Parson Red Heads still strive to transfer their calm demeanor into their music and stage performances.
With yet another chance to demonstrate the band’s learned attitude that applies to all areas of its music, The Parson Red Heads are sweeping into Salt Lake City tonight to play a show at the Garage on Beck at 8 p.m.
“Our personality comes out in the music,” Way said. “There’s a certain no frills and laid back thing about us. It’s earnest and honest music.”