Kevin Morby and Carrie Brownstein united onstage in Portland for a rare performance of Sleater-Kinney's "Modern Girl," the 2005 track that crystallized the Seattle duo's sharp wit and angular guitar work. Brownstein, who co-founded the band with Corin Tucker in 1995, appeared as a special guest during Morby's Portland show, turning the performance into an unexpected moment of indie rock convergence.
"Modern Girl" stands as one of Sleater-Kinney's most enduring compositions. Released during their peak commercial moment, the song captures the band's ability to blend post-punk sensibility with catchy hooks. Brownstein's distinctive guitar tone and vocal delivery became hallmarks of the track, which appeared on the album "The Woods," a critical success that showcased their evolution from their earlier minimalist approach toward something richer and more expansive.
The Portland venue choice carries weight. Brownstein and Tucker built Sleater-Kinney into one of the defining bands of Pacific Northwest indie rock, and Portland remains their spiritual home. The city's music community fostered their early years and continued to embrace their work through various iterations of the band. Sleater-Kinney officially reunited in 2015 after a seven-year hiatus and has remained active since, though members have pursued solo work and other collaborations.
Morby, the Kansas City-born singer-songwriter and former War on Drugs member, has established himself as a distinctive solo artist with albums like "Singing Saw" and "Murder Sounds." His indie credibility and reverence for artists like Brownstein makes him a natural fit for these kinds of musical moments. The collaboration underscores how deeply "Modern Girl" has embedded itself in indie rock culture.
These unexpected reunions and guest appearances continue to energize indie music fandom. They represent the collaborative spirit of a community where artists frequently cross-pollinate. For longtime Sleater-Kinney devotees, seeing Brownstein perform one of the band's classics alongside another respected indie figure offers a