THE ACCORDION MONSTERS:
JASON WEBLEY - Seattle, WA
Street performer turned cult musician, Jason Webley is one of the best known songwriters currently squeezing a squeezebox. His relentless touring schedule has built him a loyal following all across North America, Europe and Australia, as well as a large and loyal following in Russia. Known for his gravelly voice and energetic foot-stomping, Webley's specialty is involving his audience in his shows. Almost every concert ends with the entire crowd locked arm-in-arm, singing his trademark "Drinking Song" at the tops of their lungs. Since the last Monsters of Accordion Tour, Webley has performed in the most remote parts of Siberia, collaborated with Mexican chart-topper Ximena Sarinana, recorded an EP with Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls and released his fifth album, The Cost of Living.

"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


MARK GROWDEN - San Francisco, CA
After a three year hiatus, the Bay Area's sexiest accordionist is making his return to the touring circuit. 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. Growden has released several critically acclaimed albums and is currently finishing his eighth release The Island of the Gondoliers. His band, Mark Growden's Electric Pinata shares several members with Tom Waits' current touring band. He was nomiated twice by the San Francisco Weekly for "Best Americana/Roots performer" and was the recipient of the Isadora Duncan Award for one of his ballet scores.

"Endlessly, deliriously creative" –San Francisco Weekly

'Theatrical, dark and sexy.' -West Coast Performer

Mark Growden on Myspace


AMY DENIO - Seattle, WA
Amy Denio is a Seattle-based composer and multi-instrumentalist known world-wide for her unconventional songwriting, and incredible musicianship. She has worked with countless artists, including Bill Frisell, Danny Barnes, Kultur Shock, the Pat Graney Dance Company and even Chuck D. With a catalog of over 35 CDs to her name, Denio has performed all over the world, from Carnegie Hall to Taiwan to the Metro buses in downtown Seattle. In addition to her solo work, she currently plays with the Tipton Saxaphone Quartet, Quintetto alla Busara and her accordion quartet, Hell's Bellows. Since 1986, Denio has operated her own Seattle-based record label, Spoot Music.

"Her one-woman shows are replete with linguistic gymnastics, instrumental improvisations, and more mood elevators than a year's worth of your favorite pharmaceutical." -East Bay Express

www.amydenio.com | Amy Denio on Myspace


DUCKMANDU - Oakland, CA
Duckmandu is the stage name of Oakland performer, Aaron Seeman. A player with virtuosic technical skill, his repertoire includes, but is not limited to, 70's rock, Broadway, klezmer, classical, country, Sousa marches and even a polka or two. However, Duckmandu's specialty is alarmingly accurate accordion recreations of classic punk songs. His 2005 release, Fresh Duck for Rotting Accordionists is a note-for-note re-make of the entire first Dead Kennedys album. Just back from a succesful solo tour of Japan, Seeman also plays with the acclaimed Romanian folk group Fishtank Ensemble, composes for San Francisco's Punk Rock Orchestra and has recorded with Mr. Bungle.

"A virtuoso player" -SF Bay Guardian

"Over the top" -Maximum Rock n Roll

www.duckmandu.com | Duckmandu on Myspace


SPECIAL GUESTS:
COUNT SMOKULA - Los Angeles, CA
496 year old rockabilly vampire, Count Smokula is a cult star, recording artist, and emcee. The Count has worked extensively with B Movie giant, Troma Entertainment, writing music for such films as Fetal Boy Goes to Hell, Poultrygeist, and Die You Zombie Bastards. Host of the Vamphear Circus, and the British TV show Freak of the Week, he was the recipient of "Best Comedy Album of the Year" at the 2003 LA Music Awards.
Count Smokula on Myspace

MRS. HOBBS - Los Angeles, CA
Elegant but edgy, Mrs. Hobbs is a sultry cabaret singer and accordion player. Mixing jazz, rock, glam, tango, chanson, and minimalist influences, Mrs. Hobbs has been named “the post-pop diva” to watch by FlavorPill. She recently performed at the Los Angeles Accordion Festival, and began performing with her trio The Q and A.
Mrs. Hobbs on Myspace

SANSA ASYLUM - San Francisco, CA
Vaudeville accordionist extradordinaire, Sansa Asylum is a member of the world-renowned Yard Dogs Roadshow. She will win your heart, or steal your wallet. In addition to touring with the Yard Dogs and developing her own solo work, Sansa plays with Steam Beat Derby.
Yard Dogs Road Show web site | Sansa on Myspace

DAN CANTRELL - San Francisco, CA
Since the age of eleven, composer Dan Cantrell has been performing and writing music of all kinds. He has composed music for over thirty films, several plays, and a variety of dance groups. Cantrell received an Emmy Award as well as the Golden Gate award for his film scores, and recently had the honor of recording with one of his personal musical heroes Tom Waits.
Dan Cantrell's web site

DANIEL ARI - Oakland, CA
Original accordion monster, Daniel Ari, returns to join his compatriots at the birth place of the Monsters of Accordion. Also a writer and poet, in recent years fatherhood has taken precedence over performance projects. Ari recently finished writing a humorous novel about Las Vegas. Don't hesitate to contact him if you have any connections to publishers, editors or literary agents.

BAD MITTEN ORCHESTRE - Eugene, OR
Featuring accordionist Naima Muntal, the Bad Mitten Orchestre are six gals who share a deep appreciation for belly laughs, goofiness, romance, adventure,whiskey and beer. The Mittens have shared the stage with Devil makes Three and Clap Hands Say Yeah and recently released their debut CD, Garden of Eve.
Bad Mitten Orchestre on Myspace

ERIC STERN - Portland, OR
Eric Stern is the composer and leader of Portland's own Vagabond Opera, a Balkan Arabic Klezmer-based absurdist cabaret ensemble. With an operatic tenor and a commanding stage charisma, he has performed all across North America and Europe with a variety of projects. Stern also appears on the most recent Decemberists album.
Vagabond Opera Homepage

KARLI FAIRBANKS - Spokane, WA
Hope. Melancholy. Whiskey. Only 21 and already one of the most promising performers in Spokane's singer-songwriter scene, Karli Fairbanks draws crowds with her haunting alt-country melodies. Fairbanks will be performing a special solo accordion driven set for this event.
Karli Fairbanks on Myspace

STEVEN ARNTSON - Seattle, WA
During Steven Arntson's 35 years, he has broken two bones and eaten a thousand clams. His website, www.stevenarntson.info, contains some of his music and writing, including a short essay about his instrument, the 30-button Anglo concertina. Steven is currently president of no organizations.
Steven Arntson Homepage

OFFICIAL SPONSOR:
Smythe's Accordion Center
Kimric Smythe is a bona-fide mad scientist. He was one of the original pyrotechicians for Burning Man and is a member of Survival Research Laboratories, the robotic performance art group known for producing "the most dangerous shows on earth." He also happens to be an accordion repairman and the owner of Smythe's Accordion Center in Oakland, birthplace of the Monsters of Accordion. Kimric has served many an accordion monster's squeezebox over the years, and we hearily encourage you to visit him with all of your accordion needs.
Smythe's Accordion Center Homepage

For more information write to: info(at)elevenrecords(dot)com