Ryan Sollee (r)
The five members of The Builders and the Butchers escaped subzero winter temperatures and endless dark winter days in Alaska for long and rainy winters in Portland, Oregon. It’s no wonder that the band was originally named The Funeral Band, at which point the only requirement for their songs was that they had to be “death-themed.”
The Builders and the Butchers initially used a DIY approach to music, playing street corners and outside of venues in the Portland area, honing their craft before bringing it indoors to paying audiences. Their music is a mix of folk-rock, gospel, bluegrass, and Depression-era blues.
Butchers’ frontman Ryan Sollee is a talented, storytelling singer-songwriter taking cues from his heroes Johnny Cash and Tom Waits and expertly singing dark tales of hell, murder, the Devil, blood, rain, and drinking your sorrows away.
I caught up with Ryan last month after the Butchers’ performance at Lollapalooza.
R&G: I understand it was raining during your set at Lollapalooza. I imagine that the rain didn’t really faze you, since you’re from Portland.
Ryan: No, we’ve played in the rain quite a few times. It’s always actually really fun, because people kind of are irritated at first, but then they get used to it and can have fun with it.
R&G: How did the audience respond to your performance?
Ryan: It seemed like there was a good response. There were some people dancing around, clapping, and singing along.
R&G: This is the band’s first headlining tour. Do you feel like there’s more pressure on the band in this role than there is when the band is the supporting act?
Ryan: Definitely more pressure and it’s more disappointing when not very many people show up. When people show up, it’s really rewarding, because you know exactly what you have as far as fans. You’re not depending on some other band.
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