TheBayBridged.com and New, Improved Recording are proud to present the fourth installment of New, Improved, LIVE, our ongoing series of live studio sessions with top indie bands, recorded at the New, Improved Recording studio in Oakland, California. This month’s session features Port O’Brien delivering exclusive recordings of songs from the band’s upcoming album Threadbare (out October 6th on TBD Records) as well as a terrific Beyonce Knowles cover.

With bandmates Cambria Goodwin and Ryan Stively away when this session was recorded, Van Pierszalowski and new bandmate Gram Lebron (ex-Rogue Wave) gathered some talented Bay Area musicians to deliver loose renditions of new Port O’Brien songs, as well as a spirited take on Beyonce’s “Halo”, which Van described as “one of my favorite songs since it came out” and something he’s always wanted to cover. This collection of tracks by what may have been a one-time-only ensemble have us very excited for Threadbare and help document the band’s continued evolution into one of indie rock’s most potent groups.

For even more, check out videos and photos from the session and an interview with Van Pierszalowski at our New, Improved, LIVE page!

New, Improved, LIVE, featuring: Port O’Brien

1. Port O’Brien – “Leap Year” (originally from Threadbare)

[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebaybridged/Leap_Year_160.mp3|artists=Port O’Brien|titles=Leap Year] Download: 160kbps mp3 / 320kbps mp3

2. Port O’Brien – “Oslo Campfire” (originally from Threadbare)[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebaybridged/Oslo_Campfire_160.mp3|artists=Port O’Brien|titles=Oslo Campfire] Download: 160kbps mp3 / 320kbps mp3

3. Port O’Brien – “Love Me Through” (originally from Threadbare)[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebaybridged/Love_Me_Through_160.mp3|artists=Port O’Brien|titles=Love Me Through] Download: 160kbps mp3 / 320kbps mp3

4. Port O’Brien – “Halo” (cover; originally by Beyonce Knowles on 2009’s I Am… Sasha Fierce)[audio:http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebaybridged/Halo_160.mp3|artists=Port O’Brien|titles=Halo] Download: 160kbps mp3 / 320kbps mp3

We’d like to thank Van and the band for the excellent session. Port O’Brien will be performing at Bottom of the Hill on Thursday, November 5th, and at the Brookdale Lodge on Saturday, November 7th.

We’ve got plenty of great performances scheduled to come in future months, and all of our past episodes, featuring Yoni Wolf (of Why?), Citay, and Deerhoof at thebaybridged.com/new-improved-live/. Acclaimed performers and a top notch studio means great free music that redefines the studio experience: New, Improved, LIVE.