No surprises here, Priory pieces together a masterpiece

It’s not surprising in the least that Warner Brothers Records and other major record labels wanted to sign Portland’s very own electro-pop-alt duo, Priory.

“We literally had the pick of our litter,” Priory’s Brandon Rush says. “But Warner Brothers let us write down our own contract, which was huge! It’s nice because we can put our own foot down and we’re guaranteed a second album.”

Speaking of album…

Priory just released their first major record label album: “Need To Know,” which dropped on April 7.

Bandmates, best buds and former housemates, Rush and Kyle Sears sure know how to make you dance through out this 10-song, 35-minute masterpiece.

“Need To Know” is one catchy tune after another. It doesn’t hurt any that Rush and Sears are also guitar gurus and tech nerds that expect perfection and weren’t going to finish this album until they were completely comfortable with it.

“We didn’t have a deadline” on finishing the album, Rush says. “We gave ourself that space and time,” adds Sears.

The group recorded and produced the album in their own home studio in Vancouver, Wash. – the same studio that Willie Nelson got his start in during the 1960s. They were both pretty stoked on the Willie Nelson factor.

Rush and Sears had help “mixing” the album between a couple of sessions in London with legendary producer/mixer Mark “Spike” Stent, who has worked with the best-of-the-best in the business, including U2, Bjork, Lady Gaga, Oasis, and Coldplay. That’s quite the track record.

“He’s a sound legend,” Sears says of his experience working with Stent. “He really liked the new album. And he doesn’t just work with anybody. It was quite the honor.”

No shit!

This was a nice follow up from their four-song EP that dropped last year, which featured their hit single, “Weekend,” that became a fan and charts favorite. They even performed “Weekend” on the ABC late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

Rush and Sears offer that they’re their own worst critics, just like many in their craft. However, the two were quite satisfied with the end result this time.

“When we first started recording the album we would lock ourselves in our studio for 12-to-15-hour days,” Sears says, with a half-ass chuckle, emphasizing the hard work that went into the project. “We weren’t sure what people would think; we knew that both of us were going to like our record. And we don’t give a shit about (becoming) famous. We just want our music to become (famous) and inspire,” he said.

“I don’t care if you’re a Christian/Or a Hare Krishna/Who gave you the right to/ judge another’s lover?” Rush and Sears sing on the first track, “Put Em Up.” Talk about a pretty message of “acceptance of sexuality” in a not-so-accepting world. Through research, I found out that the song was inspired by Rush’s brother’s experience in the military, where he was harassed for being gay.

Most of the album is quite diverse and the lyrics can be simple at times, which makes it easier to sing along with the duo. Trust me, you won’t be able to help yourself.

What’s most compelling about Priory is how humble these two are and how excited they are for their future. They seem to be living in the moment quite nicely. During a 45-minute-plus interview, the two talked about anything and everything. And what most stood out was how “surreal” this journey has felt for the pair, who started Priory back in 2009.

“No one gets this opportunity,” Rush says of their early success. “And we aren’t going to start becoming ungrateful dicks. It’s a pretty big dream come true.”

“It’s a ridiculous life!” Sears said. “Sometimes you’re really tired, sometimes you’re really happy and sometimes you just want to cry. But in the end, we like to work and we choose to roll with it.”

Best part of their job? Especially when they’re at the studio?

“If we want to drink whiskey at noon… we will do that,” Sears says. “We love our freedom.”

Nothing wrong with a little liquid courage.

Check out the album, definitely – and catch the guys live in action this summer at their July 18 performance at the Project Pabst Festival at Portland’s Waterfront District, which features headline acts Weezer and Blondie.