Thanksgiving, "Home Alone" from Welcome Nowhere (PW Elverum and Sun)

Despite all the musicians he has played with live or the albums he has collaborated on in a studio, Adrian Orange (best known for his work as Thanksgiving) remains deep down, a solo artist. Thanksgiving songs—no matter if other musicians are playing steel drums or piano on the track—share similar traits: A narrative lyrical structure, Orange's deep and steady vocals, and a meandering guitar.

Orange's collaboration and long time friendship with Ancacortes, Wa.-based musician Phil Elverum, who now performs as Mount Eerie but is best known as the Microphones, definitely effects his music. And in a good way. Back in 2004, when Elverum started his label PW Elverum and Sun, he released Thanksgiving's third album, Welcome Nowhere. With Elverum's production (which can also be found on Adrian Orange and Her Band's latest self-titled release on K Records) Thanksgiving's normally stripped down folk music takes on new textures. On the track “Home Alone,” quiet steel drums and low vocals round out the song.

There's a reason why the first pressing of Welcome Nowhere sold out and became a common E-Bay item, prompting PW Elverum and Suns to re-release it this year: Elverum's presence takes Orange's music further, pushing the limits to make Thanksgiving more than just a boy with a guitar.

[audio:homealone.mp3]

Adrian Orange performs with his latest musical incarnation, Adrian Orange and Her Band at the Artistery at 8 pm on Friday, Sept. 21.

Links:
PW Elverum and Sun
Thanksgiving at Marriage Records
Adrian Orange and Her Band on Myspace
Adrian Orange's K Records profile

Picture taken from Thanksgiving's fan-site Myspace.