Jason Webley & Monsters of Accordion August 23, 2008

Monsters of Accordion return!

Description
JASON WEBLEY - Seattle, WA
Street performer turned cult musician, Jason Webley is one of the best known songwriters currently squeezing a squeezebox. His relentless touring schedule has built him a loyal following all across North America, Europe and Australia, as well as a large and loyal following in Russia. Known for his gravelly voice and energetic foot-stomping, Webley's specialty is involving his audience in his shows. Almost every concert ends with the entire crowd locked arm-in-arm, singing his trademark "Drinking Song" at the tops of their lungs. Since the last Monsters of Accordion Tour, Webley has performed in the most remote parts of Siberia, collaborated with Mexican chart-topper Ximena Sarinana, recorded an EP with Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls and released his fifth album, The Cost of Living.

"One of Seattles most talented musicians, a singer-songwriter with a rare gift for crafting timeless songs that approach Waits and Leonard Cohen territory." -The Seattle Times

MARK GROWDEN - San Francisco, CA
After a three year hiatus, the Bay Area's sexiest accordionist is making his return to the touring circuit. Best known for his dark, passionate accordion-driven compositions, Growden is truly a Renaissance man. Playing a variety of other instruments including saxophone, banjo and guitar, he is also an accomplished visual artist and composer for theater and film, as well as a teacher, an athlete and a father. Growden has released several critically acclaimed albums and is currently finishing his eighth release The Island of the Gondoliers. His band, Mark Growden's Electric Pinata shares several members with Tom Waits' current touring band. He was nomiated twice by the San Francisco Weekly for "Best Americana/Roots performer" and was the recipient of the Isadora Duncan Award for one of his ballet scores.

"Endlessly, deliriously creative" San Francisco Weekly

'Theatrical, dark and sexy.' -West Coast Performer

AMY DENIO - Seattle, WA
Amy Denio is a Seattle-based composer and multi-instrumentalist known world-wide for her unconventional songwriting, and incredible musicianship. She has worked with countless artists, including Bill Frisell, Danny Barnes, Kultur Shock, the Pat Graney Dance Company and even Chuck D. With a catalog of over 35 CDs to her name, Denio has performed all over the world, from Carnegie Hall to Taiwan to the Metro buses in downtown Seattle. In addition to her solo work, she currently plays with the Tipton Saxaphone Quartet, Quintetto alla Busara and her accordion quartet, Hell's Bellows. Since 1986, Denio has operated her own Seattle-based record label, Spoot Music.

"Her one-woman shows are replete with linguistic gymnastics, instrumental improvisations, and more mood elevators than a year's worth of your favorite pharmaceutical." -East Bay Express

DUCKMANDU - Oakland, CA
Duckmandu is the stage name of Oakland performer, Aaron Seeman. A player with virtuosic technical skill, his repertoire includes, but is not limited to, 70's rock, Broadway, klezmer, classical, country, Sousa marches and even a polka or two. However, Duckmandu's specialty is alarmingly accurate accordion recreations of classic punk songs. His 2005 release, Fresh Duck for Rotting Accordionists is a note-for-note re-make of the entire first Dead Kennedys album. Just back from a succesful solo tour of Japan, Seeman also plays with the acclaimed Romanian folk group Fishtank Ensemble, composes for San Francisco's Punk Rock Orchestra and has recorded with Mr. Bunngle.

"A virtuoso player" -SF Bay Guardian

"Over the top" -Maximum Rock n Roll

Official Website: http://www.monstersofaccordion.com