Local Songwriter Ian George’s “Kingdom of My Youth” is No Ordinary Album 

Following the disillusion of his Portland-based band Patchy Sanders, Ian George went backpacking in Europe (as one often does). A chance encounter with popular French rock songwriter Mathieu Chedid, known as M-, led to the creation of Kingdom of my Youth.  

Although only recently acquainted, the popular French musician insisted that George record his album at Labo M., a 17th-century manor originally built for King Louis XVI’s nephew in Paris. George brought the band together in a hurry, finding the right group while traveling across Norway, London, Paris, and Brooklyn.  

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The songs are strong, featuring sparse arrangements that accentuate George’s tender-but-strong vocals and engaging melodies. The band gives the material a cool, international flavor with its world beat rhythms, percussion straight out of a Parisian café, and well-placed accents of trumpet, flugelhorn, and violin.  

Although not a concept album about youth, Kingdom finds George looking back at his home of Minnesota in addition to touching on his national and international travels (“Gitche Gumee,” “Better with a Buddy”). Ode to impressionist painter Wassily Kandinsky (simply “Kandinsky”) is another highlight.  

Kingdom of my Youth is a well-crafted indie folk album. Its touch of world music gives it a flavor as unique as its back story.    

Check out the CD release show for the album on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Icehouse. Tickets are $8 advance and $10 at the door.