GIRL GROUP/THE BRILL BUILDING/70's PUNK/SOUL/ROCK'N'ROLL/FRENCH POP...Burt Bacharach, The Zeros, The Poppy Family, The Shirelles, The Flirtations, Nina Simone, Richard Hell, Leslie Gore, Nancy Sinatra, Mary Wells, The Exciters, Sophia Loren, Serge Gainsbourg, April Young, Brenda Holloway, Dusty Springfield, The Ronettes, Dinah Washington, The Undertones, Brenda Lee, France Gall, Dee Dee Warwick, Dani, The Stylistics, Laura Nyro, Connie Francis, The Avengers, Fifth Dimension
Sounds Like
"Utilizing a ‘60s, swanky, swingy, Brill Building-esque sound, the Moonspinners are well dressed throwbacks to a simpler time – a time of Nancy Sinatra boots and smoke filled rooms. Though they’re a band of today, they’re also a band of yesterday" -The Weekly Volcano
SOUNDS LIKE 60-ISH POP AND OTHER STUFF KINDA LIKE GIRL GROUP/BRILL BUILDING/70's PUNK/YE-YE/ROCK'N'ROLL/SOUL...
photo ivan lasso
“The MoonSpinners are a trio who play 60-esque inspired music--pop, mostly, music of various types, soul, girl-group, French pop, lounge-y, jazz-y, garage-y and even some 70's punk. The MoonSpinners combine insouciance with sophistication-- and people love it!”
HOW IT ALL BEGAN:
Garth and Tor are longtime musical collaborators. Garth met Annabella on the bus one day and they talked about maybe getting together to play songs by artists they both loved...some years and a couple of bands later the group of acquaintances and friends finally got together and started to play obscure tunes from artist's like Lesley Gore, The Shirelles, France Gall, The Stylistics, Nina Simone, The Poppy Family, Richard Hell and Brenda Lee to name a few...their favorite song to cover to date is Burt Bacharach’s, Don't Go Breaking My Heart. But wait...this ain't no cover band--they do originals too, one of which is their theme song, MoonSpinners Theme, which conjures up a dream summer of 1964 and Make It Your Own, which brings to mind a scene from The Umbrella’s of Cherbourg or the psychedelicWhat I Saw and Sugar Pie with it's girl-group chorus...
“Their music achieves many tiers of mood.”
FIRST SHOWS:
The Moonspinners first gig was in a Capitol Hill speakeasy playing to drunks, dropouts and other members of the art crowd till wee in the morning. The MoonSpinners won over the crowd with their dynamic set of songs and unique stage presence. Feeling very much at home in this setting the MoonSpinners became regulars at this particular speakeasy, working out their songs, even though frequently halted by task master Tor for hitting a wrong note or arguing on what song to play next…the crowd seemed to enjoy this behavior. Their second gig was a gala party at the Seattle International Film Festival, in attendance was one Steve Buscemi, who’s film had just screened, he dug the MoonSpinners, they even asked him to join the band, but he lives in Brooklyn. The speakeasy closed it’s doors and the MoonSpinners moved to the warm confines of Café Racer where you can find them playing today on a fairly irregular basis if they aren’t out and about performing for movie stars, politicians and the town…
“Utilizing a 60’s, swingy, Brill Building-esque sound, the MoonSpinners are well dressed throwbacks to a simpler time-a time of Nancy Sinatra boots and smoke filled rooms. Though they’re a band of today, they’re also a band of yesterday” –The Weekly Volcano
THE MUSICIANS:
The MoonSpinners are Tor Midtskog, Garth Brandenburg and Annabella Kirby.
Tor is a multi instrumentalist, keyboardist and artful arranger he has done a slew of musical projects-- anything from soundtrack writing to lounge acts to art rock bands to playing drums in a hardcore punk band-- he also plays guitar on a couple of songs. Garth, a veteran of the Seattle music scene, is a southpaw guitarist who plays “Albert King style” (righty guitar held upside down) and is known for his golden ear and masterful snaking solos. Annabella is a singer with a disarmingly beautiful voice who would like to channel Lulu, P P Arnold and Fay Fife.
“The MoonSpinners are unlike any other band in the Northwest, with their own special sound, it’s apparent that people appreciate their diversity. What other band would play The Saints and Lesley Gore in the same set? Dig it!”
Well we are still jiving and grooving from that incredible time we had with you guys at Slim's. You were awesome as you always are. Hope we play with you again soon, and if not, we'll just show up to see you. Keep us posted and we all say "the pants were totally working!" The MoonSpinners rule!
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
You guys and gal sounded killer at The Shanty and we love the Esquivel/cocktail sound you've got going on. You really classed up the joint. Let's do a show together soon. Maybe you, us, and The Black Crabs or somethin'?
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