There is a great sense of discovery in The Flatirons debut release Prayer Bones. Vocalist Wendy Pate immediately draws you in with her strong true voice. She sounds like nobody else, yet her vocals evoke the heritage of traditional country's most unforgettable singers.

The four-piece band behind her, powered by inventive lead guitarist Jason Okamota, is a tasteful, versatile outfit which easily moves the 13 songs on Prayer Bones from neo-traditional country to soulful pop to gospel tinged folk.

The Flatirons are a refreshingly polite, anassuming bunch. They have a warm relationship with their fans. They are very excited about the opportunity for more people to hear their music.

The band seems to feed off the understated style of Okamota, whose genuine modesty belies his remakable chops; despite Okamota's quiet persona, every guitar player in Portland knows who he is. In typically modest Flatiron fashion, backing vocals and acoustic guitar player Scott Weddle harbors no unrealistic illusions about The Flatirons immediate future: "I think Wendy is one of the greatest singers I've ever heard," Of course like all young musicians, the band is eager to quit their jobs, but the Flatiron's day gigs reflect their eclectic talents: Scott Weddle is a growth management planner for Portland's regional government, Okamoto is a sushi chef, and percussionist Richard Cueller, graphic designer and budding tattoo artist. Ask the Flatirons what they are most looking forward to now and they will each say it is the recording of their next record. Prayer Bones is just a first step for this band of remarkable promise.