double helix

 

 

 

03.06.08 - The Moondoggies sign to Hardly Art
The above headline is true - we are indeed at the height of some sort of strange bandemonium around here, contracts and signing pens being flung everywhere, angry lawyers and celebratory drinks, and the last but certainly not least in this marathon round of band acquisition comes in the form of The Moondoggies. This country-fried five-piece comes from the haunts of Seattle, or specifically the Blue Moon Tavern, and has been peddling their hook-drenched guitars, gospel-entrenched harmonies, and of course their Rhodes organ, since circa 2006 or so. We are quite pleased to be releasing their yet-to-be-titled debut LP later this year. Who says we don’t know how to handle a recession, eh?

 

 

And did you see The Seattle Times tonight?  These guys are EVERYWHERE!

"Everard is working both sides of 10th tonight, hosting "The Young Ones," a collection of rising Seattle acts, including rap crew Dyme Def, indie-poppers Throw Me the Statue and old-school rockers the Moondoggies (who recently signed to Sub Pop offshoot Hardly Art). "

 

It couldn't have happened to greater guys- way to go!!

 

 

So there was a great aritcle in the Seattle Times on Sunday.  It was all about the anniversary of SubPop records- they were the label that originally signed Nirvana and released Bleach- and other great bands- my favs Death Cab for Cutie and the Shins.  The main founder had some very nice things to say- and about the 'doggies in particular:

Sub Pop's kind of town

Sub Pop long ago earned a national reputation, and in recent years has earned a second one. Yet it remains, in many ways, a Seattle thing.

"Sub Pop would not have been Sub Pop without Seattle," Poneman says. "Seattle is an essential component to the story. Sub Pop is less geographical [now] — it has less of a regional focus. But Seattle is still home — I can complain about the irresponsible development going on downtown, I can complain about the traffic and real-estate prices, but it's still my home. And I think I can speak for Sub Pop: The people living in Seattle have always been very supportive of Sub Pop."

While he cites independent radio station KEXP (and its predecessor, KCMU) and Seattle indie record stores as "amazing partners to Sub Pop through the years," it again comes down to the bands. While Sub Pop's signings extend around the country, the most successful have Northwest roots.

And, Poneman flatly states, "We are in the midst of a resurrection" of Seattle music. He cites Band of Horses, new signings Grand Archives (led by Mat Brooke, formerly of Carissa's Wierd and Band of Horses) and Fleet Floxes, and unsigned (for now) band the Moondoggies as "great, great bands that are coming up — very exciting."

But Poneman can't talk too long without that self-deprecating, ironic streak. And here comes that smirk again.

"I've signed bands to Sub Pop whose parents used to watch the original Sub Pop bands."

So I have yet to send off b-day presents to those who celebrated in September- now... I'm working on it.  But just wanted to take a couple of moments to celebrate both Mike and Kev...

 

 

Mike's show "Uncle Mike ruins Christmas" at the Jet City Improv has a strong review from Seattle Weekly.  That paper just loves these guys!

 

 

Kevin and The Moondoggies are playing a local show at the Tractor tomorrow night where it is a play through of Dylan's Blonde on Blonde record, with different bands switching in for each song.  Good on 'em!  They just finished recording a real record.  More details on it soon!  Oh- and they are being showcased at the Experience Music Project on January 3rd. 

I am behind.  Not just a day or two but 2 months.  I have been so busy at work, finishing up the last triathlon, training (or pretending to train) for the Seattle half-marathon, planning a big party.... that I have let everything else slip.  Right now I am staring at a stack of cards, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, notes, etc. that go back to dates that I missed in August- and right up to now.  I have 3 family birthdays coming up in the next 3 weeks and I am not on track to hit any of them.  It has gotten to the point that I am so embarrassed by how late some of these things are, that I'm not sure if it is better to give them to people for Christmas gifts, or for the event next year.  So if you are a close friend or family member and have had a special occasion in the last 3 months, please know that I did think about you as it came around, took the time to get a card (of course I did!) and then I just never carried through with it.  And I am a dork.  And I will probably sit on whatever it is for the next 3 weeks as well.  Because I suck.

 

 

I love reading Wil Wheaton's blog.  I started reading it a few years ago, and it is still one of my favorites.  He makes me laugh.  The kind where if you are drinking something it comes out of your nose- that kind of laughter. 

How are you all?

 

So here is a cool story about the Moondoggies  here- where they are profiled by Seattle Weekly

 

and then later in this week's issue Kevin is the "Day job of the week" where he discusses his intricate routine for preparing tasty bagels daily. 

 

So cool! 

 The Moondoggies got some hot new gushy press from the music editor of The Stranger. 

 

 

Way to go guys!

Chris and I bought HP while on the big boat trip.  We went to a midnight release party in Friday Harbor.  Sans kids... which probably made us look really creepy.

 

Read it for 5 hours and finished.  Chris is done too.  We were really shocked when Ron Weasley killed everyone.  Who saw that coming?  Ha ha, just kidding... 

Chris and I have had a great time at the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery outdoor concerts this year.  We saw Harry Connick Jr. in early June- and that was a fabulous concert.  We got to be in the "special people" tent with a free wine bar and dinner...but most importantly a running water VIP port-a-potty!!!  Then we saw Chris Isaak with my sister, mom, Mike and Jeannine.  Again- it was another fabulous concert.  Both of the artists had lots of fun audience banter and played great music.  Then we got free tickets to go back to see the Moody Blues- who I like, and who Chris thought he liked.  And it was back in the VIP tent, so we were all ready to go!  We got there and they played all of the old favorites, Tuesday afternoon, In Your Wildest Dreams, etc.  Of course they left Nights in White Satin until last.... but it was pretty good.  And then there were other songs I didn't recognized, and new band members that I didn't recognize.  It was a mix between old crunchy members and new young members with um, easy to view assets.  One girl was in charge of getting the audience to clap, between the 3 songs she banged on the keyboard during.  So Chris was bored and we both sat there and concentrated on the lyrics.  Here are some gems from the Moody Blues catalogue. 

 

Floating: 

Now I know how it feels
To have wings on my heels
To take a stroll among the stars
Get a close look at planet Mars 

 

Candle of life:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Chris and I went out with Jeannine and our new friends Kris and JB to see the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical sing-along last month.  In case you missed this fabulous event, it was a regular episode (Once more with Feeling) where a demon put a spell on Sunnydale that caused the entire town to burst into song and or dance.  And yes I know all of the words.  We have been so busy lately, that I didn't blog about it- but it was a great time.  Chris and I went to see Rocky Horror while we were in marching band in high school and this experience was very reminiscent of that.  It started at midnight (and we're getting old, so this was a stretch!) at the Egyptian theater in Capital Hill.  The line was around the block, and I managed to avoid eye contact with a few former students.  It is not that I'd be embarrassed to be seen there, but that I am always aware that sometimes students don't want to be recognized by their former Biology teacher while out in the wee hours of the morning.   

 

We got a little gift bag of goodies- fake vampire teeth, a confetti popper, bubbles, a kazoo, and other items to either be thrown, or used, or ? during the sing-a-long.  The audience was into it, and they had some Buffy-oke before the event and then some Buffy trivia and it was entertaining.  The only part that was a wee bit uncomfortable was a group of about 20 people that were screaming at the MCs to start the video.  I was pretty embarrassed to be a fellow Seattlite... our lack of audience etiquette strikes again.  And this was a traveling show.  I hope they come back next year.

 

Anyhoo, the crowd seemed to have no problem joining right in, and we all sounded uber nerdy, and out of tune, but great fun was had by all. 

 

If you have the chance to catch this in your town... I highly recommend it!