The last two years have been a whirlwind for singer-songwriter Margo Cilker as her debut album Pohorylle (REVIEW) landed on numerous 2021 best-of lists (including Glide’s) and that recognition led to a 2022 filled with non-stop touring. All of this has been well-deserved, as Cilker is a different breed of Americana artist who stands apart from the look-at-me varieties that have been clogging your Instagram feed the last several years. She brings a lyrical wisdom that feels beyond her years and more sophisticated than the majority of her peers, crafting tales of the American West that resonate universally. Oddly enough, Cilker has never played a headlining Portland, Oregon show during her rise to success despite living just a couple hours away and being signed to Portland label Fluff & Gravy Records. This strategy of letting anticipation build may have paid off when she played a sold-out show at Mississippi Studios on December 15th.
Jeremy James Meyer got the evening started with a set of his easygoing country-folk, playing several tunes off his 2021 album Alive & OK (REVIEW). Looking and sounding like a true cowboy, Meyer and his band cruised through a 45-minute set that showcased his songwriting alongside their musical chops. Taking occasional forays into danceable little jams, the group kept things humming along while offering yet another reminder that some of the best country, folk and Americana music being made these days comes from the Pacific Northwest.
Margo Cilker was beaming as took the stage, radiating gratitude to the room of adoring fans. One might think that Cilker has grown tired of playing the songs off Pohorylle after so much touring, but you wouldn’t have known it from the enthusiasm she brought to the stage. The timeless country of “That River,” the rambling infectiousness of “Kevin Johnson” complete with Clara Baker and Paul Brainard adding their own flourishes on fiddle and pedal steel guitar, and the mournful waltz of “Chester” exuded emotional power. New song “Lowland Trail” – from what we can hope will be a sophomore album in 2023 – tapped into a Texas country sound with an upbeat twang and gorgeous three-part harmonies bolstered by Jen Borst, who filled in for Cilker’s sister Sarah on background vocals. “Flood Plain” was a standout with its poignant and timeless sound that captured the beauty in her lyrics and also reminded the audience why she has been compared to Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams.
There were few dull moments in this set filled with highlights, including Cilker’s stirring take on Tom Waits’ “Back in the Crowd,” the charming country-soul of “Keep It On a Burner” complete with a Paul Brainard guitar solo, and Cilker’s musical compadre Bart Budwig lending a little brassy flavor to the rollicking “Tehachapi” when he sat in on trumpet to complement the kind of guitar work from Brainard that would make Waylon Jennings smile. By the time Cilker and her band got to “Wine in the World” – a pristine ballad filled with emotional power accentuated by harmonies and pedal steel – she had the in the palm of her hand singing every word.
Cilker’s show felt like the culmination of her hard work and talent being recognized by what is likely the closest she might have to a “hometown” crowd (unless you count Goldendale, Washington, where she currently resides). Her well-worn style of country and Americana brought to mind what can sometimes feel like a bygone era with its rough and tumble authenticity. Mostly, there was a sense of pride in her presence, which was reciprocated by an audience that was clearly elated to see one of their own ascending and drawing more attention to the amazing music coming from the Pacific Northwest.
All photos by Greg Homolka.
