Portugal. the Man Share Unreleased Version of “The Devil”

John Gourley in concert with Portugal. The Man in 2018.
John Gourley in concert with Portugal. The Man in 2018. Photo by Roberto Finizio/Shutterstock (9735495h)

Alaska indie rockers Portugal. the Man has shared a previously unreleased version of their 2006 song “The Devil.” The track will be part of the upcoming Oregon City Sessions and comes with a music video that features archival footage of the band’s early days.

Oregon City Sessions, recorded in 2008, will get a digital release on April 16th. The vinyl and CD versions are coming on June 11th.

Back in 2008, Portugal. the Man were together for just around two years but already had several albums and extended plays out. The group was also actively touring the United States and had almost 500 shows under their belt.

After wrapping up one of their tours, the band decided to make a stop in Portland, Oregon, where they found “a rare gem of a studio” in the city’s suburbs. They settled in and recorded a live set in a single try, forgoing re-takes and overdubs. 

The recording session captured Portugal. the Man in its “natural form,” but the band decided to put the tape on a shelf and release it when the time is right.

“The first few years of PTM were whirlwind,” said singer/guitarist John Gourley in a press release. “We didn’t have a place to live, so we were pretty much either recording or touring. We were so wide-eyed coming out of Alaska that every day was an exciting new adventure. I think you can see it in our playing.”

Portugal. the Man had prolific first several years of existence, releasing five albums in under four years. They have been making longer breaks recently, with their last album, Woodstock, being released in 2017.