The Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Tomorrow, The Moondoggies triumphant Tidelands will be released to eager ears. This Saturday, the band celebrated their sophomore release in an unlikely venue: a puddle-filled tent at the Pyramid Alehouse during their annual Snow Cap Party. It was a strange venue choice for one of the few local bands in Seattle that could fill venues like The Showbox or a couple nights at Neumo’s for a CD Release; but even a chatty tent in a SoDo parking lot during the hardest rain in recent memory couldn’t take away from a skillful set executed with a new found confidence by one of the best band’s in town.

Despite playing in an unfamiliar and down-right strange space (two words: ice sculptures), The Moondoggies played a loose and rollicking set that included just about all of Tidelands and Don’t Be A Stranger’s most memorable tracks. Having seen the band perform on stages of all sizes over the past four years, this was one of The Moondoggies most confident concerts. The band riffed off each other seamlessly, even improvising a jazzy tune for a full minute as front-man Kevin Murphy tuned his guitar and spent much of the set exchanging pleased smiles with each other. Meanwhile, Murphy, who has been open about suffering from severe nerves before and during shows, seems to have fully embraced his role as the band’s front man - warmly interacting with the audience and no longer performing the entire set with his eyes tightly shut. Musically, the highlight of the evening was a wailing rendition of “What Took So Long,” that turned Caleb Quick’s bluesy gospel organ line into the pied piper of Pyramid Alehouse. Conversations stopped and people snapped to attention as the song came to a crashing crescendo, brimming with Southern soulfulness.

It might have been an unconventional venue and crowd, but it was also a party. There was dancing. There was singing. There was lots of family and old friends. There was an acclaimed national opener who flew in just for the show. There were arms slung around neighbor’s shoulders and broad smiles. There were ice sculptures and fake snow. There were raucous cheers and chants for an encore. There was post show break-dancing. And wherever it is, Tidelands is an album deserving of such a party.

If you missed The Moondoggies this weekend, you have a couple times in the coming months to catch them:

October 19th at Queen Anne Easy Street at 7pm
November 5th opening for The Cave Singers at The Showbox

The Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

See more photos from The Moondoggies’ CD Release show below and on our Flickr

The Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

The Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down ::: photo by Abbey Simmons