MEET THE MONSTERS:
JASON WEBLEY - Seattle, USA
Street performer turned cult musician, Jason Webley is known for his gravelly voice, his caterwauling squeezebox, and his unique ability to involve the audience in his shows; most of his concerts end with the entire crowd locked arm-in-arm, singing at the tops of their lungs. Switching on a dime between childish sing-alongs and Leonard Cohen-like poetry, Webley has built a loyal following throughout Europe, North America and Australia, and has become a minor celebrity in Russia. While keeping a relentless touring schedule, he has released five albums and numerous collaborations, and has shared the stage with such artists as Regina Spektor, Devotchka, The Avett Brothers, and his frequent collaborators The Dresden Dolls.

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

www.jasonwebley.com | Jason Webley on Myspace


STEVHEN IANCU - Tokyo, JAPAN
Stevhen Koji Iancu is a Japanese/Romanian British Immigrant who puts together a fiery blend of Gypsy music, fusing older Japanese styles of Enka with subtle elements of Cumbia, Ska, Punk, Balkan and Romanian music, and many other styles from around the world. Iancu sings energetic, rhythmically driven songs about life's hardships and beauties in Japanese, Romanian, English, and Italian. He is the founder and primary member of The Dolomites, a constantly evolving band that has performed in many configurations at festivals, colleges and other venues across America, Europe and Japan. Iancu has also performed with numerous groups, including Balkan Beat Box, and was a touring member of Gogol Bordello.

"Iancu's accordion pumps out frenzied melodies in accompaniment to his mischievous, and sometimes maniacal, vocals." -Japan Times

"Stefanko Iancu's accordion is like a lifelong drinking buddy." -Time Out New York

The Dolomites homepage | Stevhen Iancu on Myspace


GEOFF BERNER - Vancouver, CANADA
"I want to make original klezmer music that’s drunk, dirty, political and passionate," says accordion wielding songwriter Geoff Berner. Berner's music, inspired by traditional Jewish folk song and fueled by whiskey, dresses his wry wit and biting social commentary in shockingly beautiful, plaintive melodies. A constant traveler, he had taken these songs to festivals and stages in seventeen countries. Respected internationally for his songcraft, Berner has toured extensively with The Kaiser Chiefs and Billy Bragg, and has had his songs covered by many artists, including Jollie Holland. His 2009 release, "Klemzer Mongrels”, is a klezmer punk folk dance album about mixed-breeds of all kinds.

“The Avenging Angel of klezmer” -Canada’s Globe and Mail

"Cherish him, cherish him, for there really is no one like him. Fantastic." -Billy Bragg

www.geoffberner.com | Geoff Berner on Myspace


ERIC STERN - Portland, USA
Eric Stern is the bandleader and primary composer of Vagabond Opera, Portland's favorite absurdist cabaret ensemble. A premiere operatic tenor, accordionist, composer and showman, Stern commands the room with his incendiary stage presence and devilish virtuosity. Son of an accomplished Gaullic accordionist, he is adept at countless styles, at times performing on a specially-tuned quarter tone instrument to play complex Arabic melodies. As a vocalist, Stern has appeared in over 30 operas, including leading roles in La Boheme and Carmen. Trained in the United States and Europe he has garnered international critical acclaim for his voice, musicianship and songwriting. Stern has worked with countless artists and appears on the most recent Decemberists album.

"With his masterly accordion work and a robust voice capable of either the sly, light touch... or the show-stopping sustain and vibrato he employs for occasional snippets of opera, he’s a wonderfully outsized and charismatic character." -The Oregonian

Vagabond Opera Homepage | Eric Stern Homepage


SPECIAL GUESTS:
JIMMY THE PICKPOCKET - Seattle, WA
Jimmy the Pickpocket is the accordionist and lead vocalist of The Bad Things, Seattle’s premier “junkyard cabaret” band. The group was founded in 2004 and has, under Jimmy’s charge, earned a reputation for drunken debauchery and delirious live shows which have included aerialists, gypsy brass bands, and clowns. They released their third CD “It’ll All Be Over Soon” in 2008 and will be presenting a two week run of their cabaret show “The Breaking” at The Can Can in September 2009. At the Seattle show, Jimmy will be giving a rare solo performance.
www.thebadthings.com | The Bad Things on MySpace

MOOD AREA 52 - Eugene, OR
Founded by accordionist Michael Roderick, Mood Area 52 is a Piazzola inspired neo-tango ensemble. With Amy Danziger on cello and a rotating cast of talented friends, the group incorporates new tango, lounge, electronica, Eastern European influences, Brechtian cabaret tunes, chanson, and original compositions. Roderick and company sing about love, loss, genetic mutations and daring women in petticoats. They have performed everywhere from Bach festivals to Alzheimer's units. They are performing at the Portland and Eugene concerts.
Mood Area 52 on MySpace

MARK GROWDEN - San Francisco, CA
The Bay Area's 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. He was nominated twice by the San Francisco Weekly as "Best Americana/Roots performer" and has just completed his much anticipated 2009 release "Saint Judas". He is performing at the San Francisco concert.
Mark Growden on Myspace

For more information write to: