Hometown Pride: Pollination Population

 A parlor guitar, bright blue eyes, and a voice that could beckon burrowed creatures from their warm winter places make up Pollination Population.

The group's sole permanent member is Kate Ersing, a New York native who moved to Denver in the fall of 2008.

In New York, Pollination Population was made up of Ersing and some of her closest friends. She ventured west, alone, upon finding a nutrition school that she liked.
Without deliberately planning the continuation of Pollination Population, it naturally unfolded as she met more and more local musicians and shared her songs. She was booking shows after living in Denver for six months.

The Vernon parlor guitar Pollination Population uses was made in the 1890s.
Its sound quality is similar to a classical guitar, but warmer. The old-fashioned guitar, played mainly by women back in the day, features nylon strings and a small body. Perhaps the energy of that time, or those women, is channeled through it.

Ersing's songs often incorporate themes of the seasons and anatomy, but they're not directed in any particular way.

They are not "topical" songs, so it's easy to lose yourself in the sweet fluctuation of vocals and visuals.

As an example, in the song "The Roots Are All In Love," Ersing sings, "The winter hollows out its trees, branches that shake as they point to me/Come to me June-star, we'll discover what's ailing you."

For the song "Sweet Grass," Pollination Population busts out a Casio keyboard, made in the mid-80s, to provide percussion while Ersing sings.

In this song, she sings, "Now is your time to know that these bones are still hollow," suggesting malleability in herself. These more fragile, visual lyrics provide a way for listeners to identify with Ersing.

Ersing's strength and force are heightened by her willingness to reveal the softer sides of herself.

The chanteuse will bring this gentle energy to an all-day house party this Saturday dubbed Dumpster Fest with other Denver bands like Mehko & Ocean Birds and Adam Adam—don't miss out. 

Pollination Population + Mehko & Ocean Birds, Adam Adam
11 a.m., Oct. 25, 159 Hooker St.
myspace.com/pollinationpopulation