forest mcbrian / yes please / yr heart breaks / eli moore / bob schwenkler / 1985 / polka dot dot dot
Sounds Like
"Opening track ‘Battle Ground’ is an exploration of the history of consequence and responsibility seen through the microcosm of the family unit – it’s plaintive delivery and funereal pace bely a quiet celebration of the cosy simplicity of the homestead, faults and all. As Cowman moves, in the final verse, toward the ironies of American history it becomes evident that this is a talent to reckon with – every single line is mesmeric but none more so than it’s closing mantra ‘We’re connected’. It’s stunning." -Rock Louder -UK Nov, 2007
"Au fil des ans, Olympia a supplanté San Francisco comme capitale libertaire et alternative de la contre-culture West Coast... On imagine volontiers June Madrona suivre le même chemin tortueux (son précédent album s’appelait A Long & Ugly Road) que celui emprunté par Elliott Smith ou Sufjan Stevens – deux mentors de ce folk frêle mais ambitieux –, des tréfonds de l’underground associatif aux BO prestigieuses, tant sa musique impose avec fermeté ses humeurs contradictoires. Car ici, le dialogue entre mélancolie et euphorie, entre sous-bois ombrageux et terrasses ensoleillées est fécond et naturel, offrant à ce songwriting fin une étonnante et trop rare partie de montagnes russes. Car le spleen n’est pas ici un marigot où se noyer, mais une mare où faire des bombes, entre amis venus les mains pleines de rêves éveillés (harpe, violoncelle, clochettes, banjo…). Et même si les textes restent poignants ou même flippants (Bedroom Faeries, My Secret Father), même s’ils jouent souvent avec une nostalgie sépia (à l’image de la pochette), ce folk semble, lui, sorti de ce chaos : apaisé et lumineux, il a l’air hébété et béat de celui sorti indemne du carnage." les inrockuptibles- march 08
"June Madrona sing modern day campfire songs. The crackle of the flames and the sweet smell of smores is nearly palpable in these demos from their upcoming record on Bicycle." -Songs: Illinois 7/07
A Madrona grows by Woddard Bay near our home in Olympia, Washington. Over the years I’ve seen deep words cut into it’s trunk replaced by smooth bark as it sheds it’s skin each summer. June Madrona is the name of a musical project based on songs I’ve written with topics ranging from mental illness, gender standards, and male privilege, to the celebration of relationships and place. I feel that bringing these stories into a public space promotes healing and overcomes the isolation and silence on which oppression depends. Write Letters! bicycle records 2523 18th Ave NW Olympia, WA 98502
Hi! I was thinking about you the other day... lots of reminders of olympia falling back into my life lately :) I am having a nice summer..moving to France in the Fall to go to baking school for a few months! how are you, sir? Where are you, sir?
I was quite happy to see your Berkeley performance last night. I especially liked the comment on acoustic music vs. electric. The wine glasses also were a nice touch. Wish you the best on your way back north!--RW aka Singing Bicycle
i'm sorry i had to leave so soon, i'm really sad about it!! plans got weird, but i look forward to reading with you next time you come round to san francisco/berkeley...
Charity month @ seveninchproject.com – Only 7 DAYS left. A portion of proceeds from this 7-inch will go to Olympia Free Herbal Clinic, an organization that offer’s education, personalized health consultations, botanical remedies and other supplies free of charge. They serve to empower everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, to take charge of their own health care.
Hi label-mates! If someone here is curious of the French pop-folk scene, and is around NY these days, I wanted to tell you that I would play at Sidewalk Café (94 av. A, Manhattan) next tuesday at 11 pm. xxx isabelle
