Portland’s Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives played Seattle’s Tractor Tavern for a Team Up benefit gig Thursday night. Team Up for Non-Profits is an organization dedicated to raising resources for other non-profits. As founder Ryan Hodgon stated, “it’s a pretty simple, yet thoughtful, approach: with Team Up fans buy the tickets, Team Up brings the music and sponsorships, and nonprofits get the money”. At Ryan’s speech during Thursdays show, he noted how Team Up has helped supply art schools, allow inner city kids to snowboard, fought coal shipping and benefited other non-profit causes. Check out Team Up on Facebook as well.

Regarding the show, Lower Lights Burning opened. Then Drew Grow started with a solo performance (not his only during the night), before his band the Pastors’ Wives joined him. I’d caught DGPW at MusicFestNW this year. Whether it was the venue, the timing of day or other factors, their performance at Tractor Tavern was far beyond their earlier show. Drew certainly can hold things down on his down, but it’s amazing how well the other three contribute on individual levels. Their song “Bootstraps” and it’s intricate opening harmonies are a great example. Drummer Jeremiah Hayden actively shared in harmonies and aux percussion duties, never wading into any lethargic lulls during downtime. At Musicfest, I’m pretty sure I made some comment about how eclectic swing-auxiliary man Seth Schaper was. While that may be true, he’s a wildly capable musician in his own right. His on-spot psychedelic guitar phrases, ultra-high harmonies and keys work were very impressive. And on a final note, the band rocked much harder than I gave them credit for at MFNW. Watch out for Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives in 2012. But check out their s/t album in the meantime.