Orchestral Americana is an oft sailed ship these days, but sadly one that is often sunk by the weight of it's own cargo. When your band consists of nine members, half of them multi-instrumentalists, space becomes a precious commodity both physically (how many people can you cram onto the stage of a dive bar?) and musically (with ten or more instruments in each song, cacophony quickly ensues). Add to this an elaborate lyricist who is intent on singing the plot of a different short story for each tune and you have a weighty vessel not meant for quick or streamlined voyages. Or you have early Decemberists. Same thing.

However, the bill at the Columbia City Theater tonight showcases some of the Northwest's best and saltiest musical storytellers, songwriters who are as comfortable with the simple as they are with the stunningly complex. Sean Flinn and the Royal We hail from Portland which practically makes them a local band. Their tunes focus on a smaller set of emotions and the tales told within reflect the outside world but occur internally. An even mixture of pop, americana and folk, Flinn writes concise songs buoyed by images of salt, dirt and skin. While not particularly unique or captivating, his voice is solid and reliable like the wooden chair your grandfather built and possesses an everyman appeal.

The Smokey Brights will also play a rustic set of alt-country tunes that twang and stomp (quite a bit more twang than stomp). "Wine From A Jug" is a standout track propelled by a rubbery bassline and an off-kilter drum track that keeps the pace interesting. Brother Bear will arrive dressed in full regalia, ready to do more than play a rock show: they come to perform theater, man. This is psychadelic pop at it's finest, madman ravings guised in a storyteller's lilt, chord progressions pulled straight from an acid trip circa 1966. They carry with them a tattered suitcase filled with vintage electric guitars, a banjolele, a piano stolen from an old saloon, two Beach Boys records, a few hundred loose pages from various novels, a moog and a deadpan sense of humor.

The show begins at 9 pm at Columbia City Theater and tickets are $8 at the door.