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Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is Woke Up Today by Port O’Brien from the 2008 self-released album All We Could Do Was Sing.

With modern technology being what it is, more and more albums come from previously unconventional circumstances. The story behind All We Could Do Was Sing, the debut from Oakland’s Port O’Brien, is old school with a touch of modernity. Upon its formation in 2005, the band consisted of Van Pierszalowski and Cambria Goodwin. While working aboard his father’s commercial salmon fishing boat near Alaska’s Kodiak Island, Van spent his free time creating half of AWCDWS. Meanwhile, Goodwin remained on shore, serving as Head Baker of a local bakery and dreaming up her half of the album. Once the fishing season came to a close, the two compared notes and with the help of engineers’ Aaron Prellwitz (Death Cab, Mountain Goats) and the Papercuts’ Jason Quever, the deed was done. All of this has led to a nautical-themed brand of folk rock rife with mature songwriting and benefiting from an enthusiastic rhythm section. Last year, M. Ward went so far as to call Port O’Brien his favorite new band of 2007. With the release of their debut, I have no doubt similar statements will be made in 2008. The following video shows the band captured by the now famous and revered La Blogotheque: