Regional Coverage: Donora (The Band)

Stumping for bands is second nature I believe for any music lover. We all have our favorites, and we make damn sure that everybody else knows just how much we like them. Regrettably, stumping for local bands tends to be a more cumbersome endeavor…

People rarely know of the group being discussed. Concerts are inevitably on Thursday’s at bars I avoid going near let alone in. Albums are scarce to come by (assuming they have even published an album yet), and frankly, the music coming from the big music houses has caused consumers to expect a lot from musicians… A stumbling point I think when small is trying to break out of its little shell and into regional acceptance.

Enter Pittsburgh regional band Donora (not to be confused with the borough of the same name). Regrettably, I have very little time to bar hop during the weekdays to see all the start-up groups doing their entry campaigns so Donora slipped under my radar for their early life until a friend mentioned them (and MOIP) during a conversation detailing weekend happenings in the ‘burgh. It is also worth noting that their popularity has grown to the point that they are making regional tours through the mid-Atlantic and Midwest.

Now, while Pittsburgh has a very active start-up music scene, the bulk of participants leave me crying blood and screaming “you’re doing it wrong!” by the time they’re done tuning instruments.

Oh yeah, in general they’re that bad.

It has to be a wheat/chaff analogy thing. For every one band with potential, there is a group with the suckitude needed to balance some global artistic scale.

Donora not only doesn’t suck (a rousing endorsement, I know), they also manage to draw dedicated crowds in what is, woefully, territory held squarely by Top 40 hits, oldies, rap, and *shiver* country. It’s simply tough to get people to realize that there are alternatives to what our limited radio stations play although I think the constant influx of new blood to the various universities is helping.

Donora is more-or-less an indie-rock band with a bit of pop and some Midwestern alternative thrown in for good measure. Their lyrics are questionably placed at times, but still stray nowhere near the ridiculousness of Dragonette – my hope here is that with a maturing band the lyrics will grow a little as well.

Donora has released a full length (self-titled) album. Ten songs ranging from the catchy and danceable “Shout” [Editor's note: "Shout" is the only song in the album strategically missing from playback on last.fm] to the quirky “I Think I Like You” and the reminiscing, synth-laden “Photograph” – all rather short with an average being right about three minutes ten. Totally worth it. Given slightly more experience I expect longer songs up in the more normal 3:30 – 3:40 range.

Donora finally got their album up on iTunes (at least for US customers), and if indie-rock is even close to your cup of tea I highly recommend a trial listen.

What to expect.

Classic, quirky, fun indie-rock from a group that is destined to grow into something large.

What to take away?

While they tend to attract a large percentage of hipsters don’t let the scene that seems to follow them throw you off. Donora’s music is simply intended to be fun and dance inducing (with one notable slow song) with no pretension or preaching.

Favorite song?

Tossup. I really like “I Think I Like You,” but I think “Shout” still has the ribbon. It’s a bit repetitive lyrically (I know – I get hung up), but the energy that goes into it is addicting.

Pairing?

A slightly advanced hipster beer (above PBR anyway) – Straub of St. Marys, Pennsylvania.