Music

Reporting Back

Field Report to play first show in Eau Claire

Thom Fountain |

Field Report had one heck of a year in 2012. They put out their debut, self-titled record. They got a pretty extensive write-up in Rolling Stone Magazine. They toured with Counting Crows and Aimee Mann. And now to top it off they’re coming to the State Theatre. The semi-local group is fronted by Chris Porterfield (yes, Field Report is an anagram of his last name), a former Eau Clairian who also played in DeYarmond Edison, who writes gorgeously powerful folk ballads. Some may recognize songs off Field Report’s meteoric debut, many of which originated in Porterfield’s previous band Conrad Plymouth, which played in the area multiple times in the last few years. Although Field Report is regarded as a Milwaukee band (that’s where Porterfield calls home), many local ties still exist. The album was recorded in Fall Creek at the April Base studio and the group includes local musicians Ben Lester (S. Carey, Sarah Krueger) and Shane Leonard (Kalispell, Stoop Singers, Shillelagh Lads). Leonard and Lester will both be showcased in their other respective projects as well: Krueger and Kalispell will open for Field Report. Krueger, an Eau Claire native, is a singer/songwriter now based in Duluth. Kalispell is Leonard’s folk project, with soaring, catchy songs.