Ports of Aidia
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Ports of Aidia

Band Alternative Rock

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"One part Radiohead, one part Incubus, 100 percent talent. A review:"

Having never been to a show at the Loft in Bay City, the only expectation was that a lot of young people would be there. Unlike some shows for young DIY bands, everyone was genuinely kind to one another at this one. Then again, this was my first Traveling Kid Productions show.

On Saturday September 27, I climbed to the upper level of a church to see a band that I knew nothing about and had only heard of through word of mouth.

A few hours later, well into Ports of Aidia's headlining set, I was anything but disappointed. There were Pixie-like scenester girls dancing in their socks, moonwalking into each other along a checkered, black-and-white-tile floor. Young couples were either holding each other or leaning against one another in all the dark corners of the room - in particular, underneath the banister behind the stage. Flood lights have been strategically placed near the bass drum and are timed to go off and on during the most cinematic moments of the set.

Tonight's headliner is the perfect amalgam of the previous three bands that just played. Ports of Aidia, from Birch Run, are reminiscent of Mae, Radiohead or Incubus. Live, their sound is heavy, yet intricate and melodic. Boiled down, their music is spacey, but very sincere.

To put it bluntly, this band is one of the most original in the tri-cities and I'm convinced that if the world were to explode tonight, this would be the only music left - because this would be the only band capable of surviving in space.

Early during their interview, Tyler Morse (bass player and brother to guitarist Eliott), says, "see you guys, this is why we suck during these things..." He's slightly annoyed that everyone in the band was talking at the same time or possibly giving what he thinks might be ridiculous answers. He quickly changes the subject, giving off the impression that he doesn't really want to be interviewed. "I feel bad that we're not in there watching the other band play, I mean, they're going to stick around to see us," he adds.

They're very serious about their band and upon meeting them collectively, I get a very warm, down-to-earth vibe from them.

They're specific to note that financial struggle is the only major thing holding any of them back. "If it weren't for money, we'd play in space," said Andy Raquepaw (guitar). "That's what we'd like to do, be the first band to play on the moon." This statement got a huge response from the rest of the band and launched all of them into a brief conversation about outer space and the planets.

As they discuss recent scientific information that Pluto is no longer a planet, I'm frantically trying to write down as much about their band as I possibly can. They have a habit of all talking at the same time, which makes them a little difficult to interview - which they admit to, but at the same time, it's refreshing to hear from a young band with a lot to say... or something coherent to say at all.

Their name comes from the Morse brothers who said that when they were younger, they used to play a video game called Turok 2, and that's where they got Ports of Aidia from. "We decided that if we were to ever have a band, that's what we would call it," said Eliott. Years later, Andy, Tyler and Eliott started a band and later enlisted their current drummer, Chris Loveland, and Josh Worley (vocals and keys) who is their primary songwriter.

Between the ages of 20 to 23, the five of them all have jobs, girlfriends or school to keep them occupied when they're not playing music. When asked of the goal (or goals) they'd like to accomplish, the Morse brothers simultaneously say "world domination," to the humor of the rest of the band. Unknowingly to them, this is the same answer Madonna gave (at the same age) during an interview with Dick Clark.

"I like talking to people all the time and doing this," said Tyler. "Just hanging out with people who like our music." The whole band added that they were no strangers to any type of show. They say they've played everything from drag shows to birthday parties to weddings. They add that they'd like to one day play a Bar Mitzvah.

Though Worley is usually the one to bring the songs to the table, the entire band collaborates and brings the rest of the music to life. "We have a lot of meaning behind our songs," said Worley. "The new album is about the beginning and end of the world, and everything in between."

Worley said he came up with their first song, "Genesis," while they were traveling around in their school bus, which is a half-sized bus that they hope to one day convert to vegetable oil.

"Genesis means 'beginning' and we find a lot of inspiration in nature and space and going back to the beginnings of things," said Worley. "While traveling, we came across a place were the people just lived on practically nothing. They lived the simplest lives possible, and we find a lot of inspiration in that."

Genesis, by the way, is a song that truly needs to be heard live. With the key lyric, "I can see the world through their eyes," I can't help but repeat this piece of the song over and over again in my head throughout the remainder of my night... and later the next day... and throughout the week and even as I write this article. Their songs are beautifully crafted and contagious. After the set ended, all I wanted was to hear more.

Enough stress cannot be put on how amazing it was to see all of the bands support each other so well. The friendliness between new and old fans, the bands themselves and everyone representing Traveling Kid Productions was really refreshing to see. Each person worked really hard to put on a good show and make it enjoyable for everyone. A show run as smoothly as this really says a lot about the people running it.

For more information about Ports of Aidia, visit: www.myspace.com/portsofaidia and for more information on Traveling Kid, visit: www.myspace.com/travelingkidproductions

A.J. Hoffman is editor of The Tridge.
- By: A.J. Hoffman


Discography

Origami- 5 song Demo
Tour Sampler- 2 song demo

to be Released on June 6th, 2009 "You are the Sky And I'm just the Pilot." 10 song full length album

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Bio

Bio

I cringe upon hearing someone call Ports of Aidia a local band. Really. To me, they are so much more than that. To their fans, they’re more than that. To our scene, they’re more than that. In fact, anyone that says POA is just another local band doesn’t really know what they’re talking about. They have far too much talent to be stuck with a label like that, and they’ve been to far too many places. They never really stay in one place (both in the musical and literal sense) to pin them down and say they play _______ type of music and they are from ________.

As a journalist, I’m supposed to be objective. But as a rock reporter, I can honestly say that they have more potential and more talent than any other musical group in the area. They’re younger, smarter, sharper, funnier and more confident than any other band I’ve met. They don’t belong here.

They kind of remind me of that band, Clearwater, from the movie Almost Famous. Have you ever seen Almost Famous? What I like most about that band, and what I like most about POA is two very key things: 1.) Authenticity and 2.) Likeability. If you ever meet them, you’ll see that POA exudes both of these qualities. They’re authentic in the way that they were put together the way a band is supposed to be put together. The old fashion way – five young guys with nothing better to do, getting together and playing musical instruments in a garage/loft/bedroom/whatever.

Likeability isn’t really that important. Most bands aren’t very likeable. They’re usually rude and self-absorbed, because they are convinced that because they can play a guitar, they are in fact better than you. And you should believe it. The guys in POA are not like that. They’re down to earth fellows who just happen to have the drive to be in a band, with hopes of making it.

I can’t say enough good things about Ports of Aidia… and if I tried, you would think it was all bullshit anyways. What I would like to say though, is that this is a great live band and they’ve only been around for less than three years. They’re one of those rare breeds who are serious about their songwriting… and in the long run, this is incredibly important. When I was asked to write a bio for POA, they sent me a short list of bullet-pointed accomplishments to include. In the brief time span of three years, it’s already an impressive resume. It is as follows:

-A.J. Hoffman
Spring 2009

- started in 2006
- 2 east coast mid west tours
- 2007 plus 2008 tour exceeded 50 dates
- Played the 2007 Vans Warped tour Detroit date
- Played over 250 concerts
- Discography:

"Origami" 5 song demo - Recorded @ Down Beat Studio in Port Huron, MI march 2007
sold 1000 copies
"Tour sampler" 2 song demo - Recorded @ Sentient Studio in Chicago, IL march 2008
sold 1000 copies
" You are the Sky, and Im just the Pilot" To be released on June 6th 2009- Recorded @ Sentient Studio in Chicago, IL march-july 2008