Photos and words by Chad Elder

The long awaited followup to Modest Mouse’s critically acclaimed 2007 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank finally reached eager hands at the beginning of the year when Strangers to Ourselves was released on March 17th. Touring in support of the album brought the band to the beautiful Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a sold out show and showed why Isaac Brock and company are on top of the indie rock world. With super high energy and incredible stage lighting, the eager crowd was treated to an epic 90 plus minute set spanning the hits, highlights and surprises of the bands 23 year career, including impromptu bass jams and facial guitar playing from Brock.

Mimicking Birds are a laid back Portland band that has been supporting Modest Mouse on the West Coast dates of their U.S. tour. The chilled out indie vibes are a contrast to the intensity of the headliners sound, but a perfect compliment as people gathered on blankets to eat some cheese and crackers and drink some wine.