Portugal The Man

So, the MOST famous person from Wasilla, Alaska is GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. But, RIGHT behind her are Wasilla natives John Baldwin Gourley and Zachary Scott Carothers, two members of indie-rock band Portugal. The Man, who, in its four-and-a-half-star review of the band's new album, "Censored Colors," Alternative Press called "one of the truly great bands of this generation."

John Gourley has just posted a blog on the band's website - http://portugaltheman.net/ - where he writes a passionate and touching essay about HIS Alaska, what is a TRUE Alaskan, and why we, the American people, don't need Sarah Palin.

Gourley and Carothers grew up in the tiny town of Wasilla, fishing, hiking, and playing music together. Gourley and his hippie parents lived outside of town in a remote log cabin that was powered by a generator and had no phone. His mom and dad, a team of dog sled mushers, ran Alaska's annual Iditarod, dubbed the "last great race on earth." And Carothers remembers his frequent banter with Palin, then Wasilla's Mayor, about building a town skate park (never happened). Gourley and Carothers' families still live in Wasilla, and both return home whenever their touring schedule allows. Gourley has said that Alaska, with its breathtaking, ice-filled landscapes, has had a huge impact on the band's music.

With their third album, "Censored Colors" set for release September 16, and their fall U.S. headline tour kicking off October 14, the critically-acclaimed blusey/folkie/indie/progy/poppy rock band has been making their own mark in the Lower Forty-Eight. Cutting-edge media, from Filter to Absolute Punk to Alternative Press to theTripwire have raved about the band, and put P.TM in some pretty heady company, comparing their music to the music of artists like the White Stripes, the Mars Volta, Jeff Buckley, Led Zeppelin and even the Beatles.