My new favorite show is Portlandia. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen play various people living life in Portland, OR. It’s hilarious and amazing and wonderful, but this isn’t a post about my love of Portlandia. This is a post about how I’m a moron.
So, I kinda’ wanna’ be a hipster. I aspire to be Zooey Deschanel. That guy Wilco is my favorite band. I only drink Vegan beer. (one truth, two lies.)
Anyhoo…while doing some research for a post for a friend’s blog today I stumbled upon this….
Wait…I know that girl….
In season 1 of Portlandia a music fest had come to Portland, Blunderbus. Hispsters were everywhere and one sad, lonely girl with bows in her hair and a guitar case covered in stickers couldn’t get into any of the venues because everyone thought she was a weirdo. I loved her. She said she was the band Sparkle Pony. At the time I thought, “Wow…that chick is super real and funny. I wonder why I haven’t seen her do more stuff.” Because she’s in The fucking Decemberists you idiot, that’s why. Jenny Conlee. Not an actress, but an actual muscian that, according to Wikipedia, plays every instrument on Earth. They’re on the soundtrack for The Hunger Games for Christ’s sake.
What rock have I been living under? I’ve LITERALLY heard every single one of their songs on one of my stupid Pandora hipster stations I create, but I had absolutely no clue who they were. Clearly.
You know, this isn’t acutally my fault. Back in the day I could have counted on MTV or Sound FX to show me music videos where I could put faces to names, but now all I have to rely on is Apple Commercials and Internet Radio. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT!!!
Jenny Conlee, I’m sorry I thought you were just some local Portland actress who got her big break playing a weird girl with a guitar in the fifth episode of the first season of a sketch comedy show on IFC.
I like your bows. I’m sorry I didn’t know who you were. I love you.
God I miss Sound FX.
Come on, Mr. Sunshine 
So happy I found your blog. I’m sure you will grow up to be a fabulous hipster. I live in Portlandia and the show is disturbingly accurate. Let me know if you need any tips. Definitely join a Dodgeball league.
OMG…You don’t know how happy it makes me to find out that Portland is everything I’d hoped it would be! I’m glad you found me too! 🙂
I make a point of not knowing what the artists I like look like. It’s always better in my head.
I still don’t know what Michael Jackson looks like.
I’m moving to Portland. Come see me there.
Caitlin,
Portlandia is brilliant. Joanna Newsom never sounded as good as when being featured in the show. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am with you touring Chicago. I should talk to you, instead of communicating with you through WordPress.
Le Clown