Doe Bay Love for Drew Grow ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Where do I even begin talking about what may have been the greatest weekend of my life?

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The Doe Bay Resort is situated on the far end of nowhere, about as far from the ferry dock on Orcas Island as one can hope to get. It is on the way to nowhere, and that is kind of the point. Among the yurts, cabins, campsites and forest, there’s no 3G to sap your attention. Only an idyllic setting to focus on relaxation and nature and the people you are with. A place to soak in the mineral spring and bathe in the expansive starlight, things normally obscured by the lights and pace of the big city.

Doe Bay faces southeast toward Cypress Island, and then the Cascades further on. An organic cafe overlooks the bay and getting up to watch the sun rise above the Cascades while cradling a hot cup of coffee is a favorite activity. We certainly spent our share of time waking up under a rising sun while sitting out on the Cafe patio, sipping coffee and attacking a truly delicious selection of breakfasts made with ingredients grown in an organic on-site garden.

Courtesy of resort den-mother and wonder woman Jami, our specially set reserved campsite ended up being a geodesic dome hidden among the trees on the opposite side of the inlet from the Cafe, a space age feeling structure with a bed. More importantly, it came with a pair of picnic tables spectacularly overlooking the resort. Prime property. These picnic tables would play host to series of mostly unplanned magical moments over the four days we spent at Doe Bay: A Hey Marseilles Doe Bay Session. Meeting new friends. A magnificent effort to fix our brand new generator that would ultimately be unsuccessful but a bonding experience just the same. A late night rap battle that went on and on. Getting a listen to a new Maldives song that is just exceptional. Having the privilege of hearing Kelli Schaefer and friends singing “Over the Rainbow,” with all of the festival bigwigs in attendance. And sharing countless Doe Bay hugs. It all added up the one of the most memorable and life affirming weekends of my life.

The Mainstage ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth


I think we might need to come up with a new word for what Doe Bay Fest is. Sure, it has a few stages, great bands are present, and it is nominally about seeing music. But calling it simply ‘a music festival’ doesn’t communicate the quality of interaction that a gathering in this setting encourages and makes possible. For four solid days I had no want to leave. In actively forgetting our worries and forgetting about clocks, Doe Bay became a real-life Utopia for those present, if only for an instant. And that’s not something that happens at just a ‘music festival.’

Read the rest of this entry »

Postcards appear to take the lowest priority for the US Post Office, because Hey Marseilles’ NYC postcard from two weeks ago just arrived. By now, we know that sharing time on Orcas Island with Hey Marseilles was wonderful and no bones were broken this year. By now, the inside joke of “deli sandwich” probably doesn’t make as much sense as it did back then, but we also know the band’s visit to NPR was fruitful, they were featured as the NPR song of the day on August 12th. Sometimes waiting isn’t all bad …

Dear SOTS c/o Abbey!

Abbey! I want you to know that NYC is really fun and all… but you can’t drink the air here. After getting done with our lil East Coast jaunt, Nick and I stuck around in NY to enjoy the city. Of our East Coast stops, I think Washington DC was the coolest because the show was packed and we got to meet Stephen Thompson and visit NPR. Nick says: Deli Sandwich!

Big <3, See you at Doe BAY!
Philip for Hey Marseilles

The Head and The Heart Sunset Session ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

As you will soon read here on Sound on the Sound, Doe Bay 2010 was one of the most magical experiences of our lives. (Narrowly edging out last years’ Doe Bay Fest for “best weekend ever.”) Not only were we surrounded by friends, family and incredible local music in one of the most idyllic and jaw-droppingly beautiful places you’ll ever see, we also spent the weekend working on an exciting project we’ve spent much of 2010 organizing: The Doe Bay Sessions.

The initial idea was to rent a yurt during the Doe Bay Festival and record acoustic sets with a couple of our favorite bands who were playing. We pitched the idea to the fine folks who organize and who own Doe Bay and from day one to the last day of shooting, they all bent over backwards to make sure the project could happen. What started as a typical DIY Sound on the Sound project turned into a professional video shoot inspired by the work of Vincent Moon and Yours Truly, complete with videographer Tyler Kalberg on the camera and sound guy extraordinaire Chris Proff manning our “mobile” sound set up. What we thought would be a couple yurt bound sessions, turned into 10 different video shoots all over Doe Bay with some of the best bands in Seattle.

For those of us who were a part of it and those of you who stumbled on to our sessions while hiking the trails or following the sound of the songs, The Doe Bay Sessions felt like a festival within the festival. Over the next 10 weeks we will be releasing videos featuring a candlelit session from Fences, The Head and the Heart (and the Doe Bay All-Stars) singing down the sun, Ravenna Woods using trees for percussion, a mid-trail serenade from Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives, The Maldives on a mossy knoll, picnic table perching with Hey Marseilles and many more.

We are so excited to share these videos with you and to usher in a new chapter of Sound on the Sound content. For now, we wanted to share a few stills from the sessions, as well as offer our sincerest thanks to Tyler, Chris, the bands, Doe Bay staff and maintenance crew, Artist Home, Bob from The Ballard Mine and the Doe Bay magic that made these sessions not just possible, but also so much more than we would have ever dared imagine.

Check back here on August 24th to see whose session we’ll share first!

Fences Candle Lit Session ::: by Tyler Kalberg

The Maldives on “Hobbit Hill” ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Chris Proff ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Ravenna Woods Session ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

See more photos from The Doe Bay Sessions on our Flickr

The Moondoggies at Doe Bay 2009 ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

We’ve been counting down the days to this year’s Doe Bay Fest since the moment we drove off the Doe Bay Resort property early one sunny morning last August. Now that the fest is finally here, we’re having a seriously difficult time focusing on anything not Doe Bay related.

Since we’re veterans of the festival, we wanted to share some tips with those of you lucky enough to be joining us for some Island time.

Getting There:

Be sure to plan ahead in regards to the ferries. Ferries will fill up during summer months, especially on weekends and most especially when there are music festivals happening. Arrive in Anacortes at least an hour before your ferry is scheduled to leave, lest the boat fills up. If you are going to walk on the ferry, realize that Doe Bay is on the opposite side of the island from Olga/the ferry dock and you’ll have to figure out a ride across the island to the festival.

Our recommended Doe Bay Schedule:

Friday August 13th

If you arrive before 4 — explore the grounds, set up your tent and check out Mike McCarthy & Tito Ramsey on the Patio Stage.

4:00-4:45 - Shelby Earl (Patio Stage)
5:00-5:45 - Jake Hemming (Patio Stage) - catch 15 or 20 minutes, before running to …
5:15-6:00 - Black Whales (Main Stage)
6:15-7:00 - Fences (Main Stage)
7:20-8:30 - Portland Cello Project with Special Guests (Main Stage)
8:45-9:45 - Hey Marseilles (Main Stage)
10:15-11:00 - Ravenna Woods (Yoga Studio)
or also at 10:15 Tomo Nakyama and Drew Victor (Cafe Stage)
11:15-12:00 - The Head and The Heart (Yoga Studio)

Saturday August 14th

We know you partied last night around the bonfire, but wake up early and have breakfast at the Cafe. You’ll be serenaded by the songs of Kimo Muraki (10:00) and Ivan & Alyosha (11:00).

Even with a raging hangover there is no acceptable excuse to miss:

12:00-12:45 - Kaylee Cole (Patio Stage)
1:05-1:45 - Zoe Muth and Her Lost High Rollers (Main Stage)
2:00-2:45 - Shenandoah Davis (Patio Stage) — catch 25 minutes of Shenandoah then run up to
2:10-2:55 - Curtains for You (Main Stage)
3:15-4:00 - Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives (Main Stage)
4:20-4:55 - Grand Hallway (Main Stage)
5:15-6:15 - The Maldives (Main Stage)
6:40-8:00 - Grand Archives (Main Stage)
8:30 -10:00 - Fruit Bats (Main Stage)
10:15-11:00 - Kelli Schaefer (Yoga Studio)
11:15-12:00 - THEESastisfaction (Yoga Studio)

And some non-schedule recommendations from Doe Bay veterans:

Remember to bring flashlights to get around the grounds when the sun goes down, sunscreen for when the sun is up (the forecast is for sunny and 70s all weekend), water bottles, cash for the Cafe, Doe Bay Store and visiting food trucks, a sweatshirt or layers when it cools down in the evening, a garbage bag to pack out your trash, and a blanket to sit on for the main stage shows. Also don’t forget your quiet voice, Doe Bay Fest can only happen if the neighbors surrounding the festival grounds are happy … so there are quiet hours after 10pm.

While we here in Seattle have been long acquainted with the charms of Hey Marseilles, the rest of the country is just getting to know Seattle’s orchestral outfit. The band is currently touring behind the national release of To Travels and Trunks and today they released a video for their clap-happy gem, “Rio.”

Hey Marseilles will be back home this Friday, where they’re scheduled to play a free afternoon show on the Harbor Steps.

Magic Mountains ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Sometimes, it feels like a week of local line-ups were made just for me, but  few have ever felt more so than this coming week of wall-to-wall wonderful local line-ups.  There are always great shows happening in Seattle, but this week is extraordinary.

Here’s what I recommend you check out and the shows you’ll most certainly be seeing us in the front row for.

Wednesday May 19th

Whalebones, (( Low Hums )) , Hard Drugs - The Comet
Blunt Mechanic, SHiPs, Nature’s Bandit (who you know by another name) - The Crocodile

Thursday May 20th

The Moondoggies, Grand Hallway, Magic Mountains - Neumo’s
Grand Archives, See Me River, S  - The Tractor
What What Now, The Magic Mirrors - Blue Moon
Green Apple Quick Step - The Crocodile

Friday May 21st

BARE: An A capallea Evening with The Moondoggies, Maldives, Grand Hallway Goldfinch & More - Fremont Abbey
KEXP’s Hood-to-Hood with Damien Jurado, The Lights, Erik Blood - All Over West Seattle, All-day
Hey Marseilles, Ravenna Woods - Vera Project
Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives - The Loft at Urban Grace (Tacoma)
Head Like a Kite, Thee Emergency - Neumo’s

Saturday May 22nd

Hey Marseilles, The Head and The Heart - The Tractor
Curtains For You, The Hoarde and The Harem - The Crocodile
School of Rock Presents: Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett - Vera Project

Sunset at Doe Bay Festival 2009 ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

It may be five months away, but I’m already ready for Doe Bay Fest 2010. I was ready for it a day after I left Orcas last August, after being treated to one of the most enjoyable and intimate musical experiences of my life. Last year, I called the Doe Bay Fest the local line-up of the summer and by the looks of just this initial announcement, which we’re excited to bring you first, 2010 is going to be just as good.

From now ’til August, Sound on the Sound will be your official source for all things Doe Bay Festival. You’ll hear everything here first: from line-ups to ticket information to interviews and introductions to the artists and just why Doe Bay is such a wonderful place for a festival. Just call us the Official Blog of Doe Bay. We’ll be letting you know soon all the exciting ways Sound on the Sound is going to be involved with our favorite little local festival.

But first things first…we’ve got an initial line-up to announce! This may just the beginning of the Doe Bay line-up, but man, what a beginning it is.

Fruit Bats
Hey Marseilles
Grand Hallway
THEESatisfaction
Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives
The Portland Cello Project
Shenandoah Davis

Those names alone should be enough to have you blocking out the weekend of August 13th and 14th, and I can promise you it’s only going to get better.

Hey Marseilles get animated for their brand new video for the orchestral pop gem “From a Terrace.”

You can see the band in the flesh January 30th at The Crocodile with Loch Lomond.

Courtesy of Left Out Counties

The talk of the town after The Maldives Christmas show on Friday night was Hey Marseilles 10 minute holiday song medley/orgy featuring a seriously sick flow by Sir Thomas Gray from Champagne Champagne and stage-full of randy Christmas elves.  Sound on the Sound was lucky enough to hear the medley twice that night as the band warmed up downstairs in the Neumos’ green room and then again on stage. This is a video of the festive warm up, it’s missing the naughty elves but none of the holiday spirit. Special thanks to Philip Kobernik of Hey Marseilles for letting us post the backstage video.

And happy holidays to you and yours from Sound on the Sound. Thanks for celebrating another great year of local music with us! We can’t wait to discover and share more with you in the coming new year.

The Maldives ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Each year the Maldives gather some of their favorite local acts that they’ve played with or met over the past year and invite them to play a big Christmas show. Last year’s edition with the Moondoggies was subject to Snowmaggedon 2008, so we were stuck on the hill, and only lucky Ballard dwellers were able to enjoy the one show in all of Seattle that wasn’t canceled that weekend. This year’s sold out show at Neumos suffered no such impediments and went off without a hitch. We’ve never seen a stronger Goldfinch set, Sir Thomas Gray was backed by Hey Marseilles for a Christmas rap (where Matt Bishop sang harmonies rhyming Thomas Gray with sleigh), THEESatisfaction got the entire dancing when they joined Champagne Champagne to do “Magnetic Blackness,” and a horde of Christmas elves celebrated the season on stage during Hey Marseilles’ 10 minute Christmas medley. The Maldives played at least three new songs, maybe four, since I don’t think I’d heard the second song before either. The trio of Chris Zasche, Jess Bonn, and Tim Dubois on “Blood Relations” (and “Walk Away” which they didn’t play this night) produce some of my favorite live lead guitar-work going these days.

For now the Maldives are taking a few months away from shows to develop their new songs and plan for a massive 2010. I very much look forward to what’s in store.

Goldfinch ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Goldfinch ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Champagne Champagne ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Hey Marseilles ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Hey Marseilles ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Hey Marseilles ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Thomas Christmas Rapping with Hey Marseilles ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The Maldives ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

The Maldives ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

The Maldives ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Flickr: The 2009 Maldives Christmas Show at Neumos with Goldfinch, Champagne Champagne, and Hey Marseilles