25 candles, and possibly a major-label record deal

As of Friday, Nov. 9 (why, that’s today!), singer-songwriter Pete Kilpatrick is 10 days shy of his 25th birthday. What’s he got to show for it?

If you’re at all familiar with the Portland music scene, then you already know: lots. Winning the Best Local Band category in the Phoenix Best Music Poll two years in a row, for starters. Two nominations in the Boston Music Awards as well. Three full-length albums of laid-back, soulful acoustic pop under his belt. More than 1,000 gigs logged.

And on Nov. 19, when he’s blowing out the 25 candles on his cake, Kilpatrick and his band will get the news as to whether or not they’ve won the WFNX-FM’s Rock Star Rising competition, co-sponsored by Music Nation. If they win, they get a deal with Epic Records. Not too shabby.

“Yeah, have my birthday and maybe get a big record deal on the same day,” he said. “That would be pretty cool.”

So the question is: Will success spoil Pete Kilpatrick? The answer: Apparently not, since when I talked to him he was

totally down to earth. Ask him what he’s got on his iPod, and he talks excitedly about his current favorite bands, such as the Frames, Ryan Adams and Mute Math. Ask him about what he’s most proud of so far, and he’s humble – a bit like the good-natured, guy-next-door persona that his music gives off.

“In 2006, in the Phoenix Music Awards, we were up against Paranoid Social Club and As Fast As,” said Kilpatrick. “I grew up with Rustic Overtones. They were my favorite band in high school. To be up against those two bands and to actually win was really amazing. I was psyched to even be in the same category as them. It was all fan voting, too. I’m really proud of that.”

Kilpatrick’s set to play at 103 Ultra Lounge in Orono tonight, bringing his band and his collection of smart, sensitive songs to the Bangor area for the first time since a spot opening for Guster at the University of Maine last year. It’s not surprising he gets favorable comparisons to folks such as Gavin DeGraw or Jack Johnson, as well as fellow Maine songwriter contemporaries Howie Day and Ray Lamontagne.

But a closer listen reveals further influences and inspiration. On his latest album, “Louder Than the Storm,” there are flashes of ’70s soul and driving alt-rock a la early Radiohead. Kilpatrick’s attributes it to a sense of adventure prevalent among him and his bandmates.

“The thing with our band is that we are always up for anything,” he said. “People say we’re acoustic rock, but we always try to mix it up and keep it interesting.”

Kilpatrick definitely keeps busy, playing close to 200 gigs a year all over the Northeast, with recent focuses on Boston and Burlington, Vt. How do they stay engaged in the music, with so much touring?

“We try to write as much new stuff as we can,” he explained. “Also, a lot of times we have different people playing with us, so that keeps things fresh. We’re like Mr. Potato Head, with all kinds of different parts. I’ve got a list of five other backups for each instrument. You get a different feel for the song every time.”

It seems as though Kilpatrick’s pretty well-positioned to move on to bigger things. He could fly the coop and take off to Los Angeles or New York and try to make it as a big star. But he’s pretty content with sticking around in his home state, for now. Ah, the siren call of Maine.

“I love living in Portland. I love Maine,” he said. “I like going to Boston for a couple days, but I’m not good with traffic. Maine is home.”

Pete Kilpatrick will play tonight with Roy Davis at 103 Ultra Lounge in Orono. Doors are at 8 p.m. and the show is all ages; tickets are $8 at Bull Moose Music and $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.petekilpatrick.com. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.

Supporting acts

It’s a sad day when “The Dr. Demento Show” gets booted off the airwaves on WKIT 100.3 FM. I grew up listening to that show every Sunday night – I can still sing you “Fishheads” by Barnes and Barnes, no foolin’. But the show that replaced it more than makes up for the loss. In their its wisdom, WKIT picked up “Little Steven’s Underground Garage,” a totally sweet two-hour program devoted to garage rock through the ages. It’s hosted by Little Steven, also known as the guitarist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, also known as Silvio on “The Sopranos.” I didn’t know it was on at first, so when I heard the 13th Floor Elevators in the car one night, I was thrilled. Everything from Gene Vincent to the White Stripes, with varying levels of obscurity. Good stuff. Starts at 10 p.m. on Sundays.