Portland’s Pilar French is one of those unexpected talents who can mow you over with intelligent, passionate songwriting, as well as give you a groove to rock out to. She’s a varied musician, and not just because she plays guitar and bass, depending on the situation. One minute she’s loungy, smoky and silky. The next she’s belting out a bluesy tune that’s slightly askew. Another moment finds her in a funk vein, and then she’s somewhat ethereal and most definitely intimate and intense.
Pilar calls it “twisted funk and blues,” but there’s more to it than that. This veteran insider of many local bands and styles may spend much time with the backbeat and the danceability, but Pilar has an arty, introspective side as well. She can be reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich singing Cole Porter, Nicolette Larson, Steely Dan, Maria Muldar, Dave Matthews with touches of soul, and the occasional shot of more esoteric artists like David Sylvian or Sarah McLaughlin.
All this could be the result of a varied background. Pilar’s musical path has taken a meandering and slightly comical, kooky road at times. Before moving to Puddle Town, she played in several bands while attending college in Chicago– one of which opened for Spin Doctors. After college, she briefly played gigs at a dude ranch in Colorado.
French has lived in Portland for 12 years, becoming deeply ingrained in the music scene through a variety of bands and musical partnerships. She started in similarly bluesy, funky bands, including Soul Patrol Mission. “The goal was to play in the coolest spots we could find,” Pilar said. “We played on top of skyscrapers in downtown Portland and on the Portland Spirit. We played cheesy 80’s tunes on acoustic guitars and the accordion.”
Next was the six-piece blues band Swerve for two years, then Pilar spent time with local art songstress Kate Mann in Ginger Lovely. Soon, Pilar found herself working with singer Lara Michell (Carmina Piranha, Dirty Martini) in a Duran Duran tribute band, which led to her joining Michell and Nicole Campbell's goofy cover band, Guilty Pleasures and One Hit Wonders. The band has torn up the house with regular, raucous gigs at Imbibe in recent years.
During the last two years, Pilar has also been found playing bass with Portland veterans, Justin Carroll and the Time Being and the Nicole Campbell Trio.
These days, her funk, blues and delicate personal tunes are combined in her own solo career as well as in the vibrant Pilar French Intention, originally comprised as a trio including drummer Bevan (the Very Foundation, Kerosene Dream) and bassist Todd Aschoff (TooLoose Cajun Band). The Intention recently added guitar frontman, Robert PeArt (Trash Art, Rachel Taylor Brown, Amelia White), and for larger shows includes the backing vocals of identical twins Amanda and Jenni Price (Acoustic Minds).
First CD Review:
"It is rare when an album strikes me at first listen. Even rarer for me to go 'HOLY S*#T this is good - this is something different.' On her first outing, Pilar French has made a brilliant pop album. Butterflies delights the senses with hooks, diversity, musicianship....as it uncocoons a vibrant new voice, Pilar French."
- Lisa Lepine ProMotion Queen, arts consultant
CD Review by the Portland Tribune, May 4, 2007
"'Butterflies' may be her first solo album, but years of playing in various — and varied — outfits have given Portlander Pilar French a confidence and polish that can’t be faked.
From the laid-back rock groove of album openers “Safe Place to Fall” and “Home” to more eclectic tracks like “Funny Girls’ Blues,” French (who also plays as a group called Pilar French Intention) has crafted a beguiling album from start to finish.
While French calls her music “twisted funk and blues,” her clear voice and the material’s mellow tempos make “Butterflies” more of a high-quality grab bag of modern and assorted contemporary pop gems.
Tracks like “Be Myself” — a warning against trying to find salvation in relationships — and “Funny Girls’ Blues” are the standouts: arresting and compelling statements from an artist who may not always feel like she’s found her way but has certainly found her voice."
CD Review by The Stonewailer (www.thestonewailer.com), May 15, 2007
"As far as grooving goes, Pilar French is one of this town’s more melodic acts to catch. French’s intelligent, passionate songwriting lends itself to a sultry, longing, lounge-like sound that is smooth and gravelly all at once. It’s a sound spawned from her background in the local music scene, which has helped define her music after years of playing with musicians from several musical genres."
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