I’m pretty sure we all have a recurring dream that could use a song like “Sleep Forever” by Portugal. The Man as the soundtrack.
And if you are like me and have been popping pain killers and drinking coffee all day, a song like this could work as a soundtrack to your life as well. (Ed’s Note: Do not use pain killers recreationally. I recently had my wisdom teeth pulled.)
There is something eerie and beautiful about a song about transition–that moment after saying goodbye while not being entirely sure what you are about to be introduced to.
“As the world revolves the sun
I hope the light that I become can
Sleep for once”
The song and music video, which debuted on IFC.com last month, both seem to have a strong resemblance in tone to Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The authors of both write about being exhausted and ready for a long moment of peace.
In the video the band’s front man, John Gourley, loses his dogs while sledding through Alaska and finds himself taking a long hike alone after a moment of panic. The wide open landscape shots are a great compliment to the song.
Gourley, originally from Alaska, told IFC.com, “That’s what Alaska is: You look around, and it’s mountains as far as you can see, mountains of trees. Everything is bigger than you. You’re just a speck out there. All the shots were behind the house I grew up in and the house I currently live in. It was really easy for us to do because we had the space to do it. My dad helped out with the dogs.”
Gourley’s father has actually participated in Iditarod.
Portland’s Portugal. The Man will release their debut album with Atlantic Records on July 19th. The album is titled “In the Mountain in the Cloud” and is their sixth release since 2006. That’s a one hot record every one year average. *Jay Z voice*
Mixed with an insane touring schedule, Portugal. The Man may be the hardest working band in the industry.
Jason Sechrist, the band’s drummer and Portland native, said, “I think touring is awesome. I have a relationships with different cities, and that makes it exciting to come into a certain town and go to your favorite place to eat or visit a favorite shop. That’s the great thing about touring is that there really are incredible things in every town. ”
Spending the last half decade as an independent, Sechrist understands the risk involved with making a living on the road.
“You have to get rid of a lot of things and kind of lived bare bones unless you’ve got a lot of support. It’s a constant gamble so you have to be able to play enough shows, and you have to be eager to play literally every day.”
The second song that plays in the video is titled Got it All and is currently available for download on iTunes.
For more information visit www.portugaltheman.com.
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. ”
– Robert Frost