and, of course, holidays with the family. Uncle Bonsai's acoustic folk-pop songs are almost one-act plays or short stories, resisting strict pop, folk, or singer-songwriter categories. Their songs focus on the passing of time, the passing of genes, and the passing of pets - the truth of everything seemingly buried somewhere under the family tree.
Live Uncle Bonsai Audio Samples |
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"Problems" |
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"I Would Come Back" |
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"Men and Women" |
“No other folk group has a vocal blend comparable to Uncle Bonsai. Uncle Bonsai writes and performs songs that combine folk-oriented melodies with lyrics whose intricate rhymes, ironic knowingness and satirical thrust suggest vintage theater songs filtered through the influence of the Beatles.” - The New York Times
"Pitch-perfect in their delivery of often complex harmonic arrangements. And if there were an Ella Fitzgerald Award for Exquisite Elocution in Song, they would surely get it. The trio officially bills itself as a "folk" outfit, but has none of the naiveté that label might suggest. These are nicely edgy, sour-sweet songs, written for grown-ups." - The Seattle Times
“Uncle Bonsai, a folk-pop trio from Seattle, performs funny original songs whose exquisite musical detail and subtle needling wit attain a level of craft not often seen in pop” - The New York Times
“The group has achieved an almost cult status...their music ranges from irreverent to ironic, from satirical to sad. And despite the folk tag, their music defies categorization as it incorporates elements of jazz, pop, broadway, reggae, and classical.” - Associated Press
“...hilarious and very entertaining, through perfectly meshed voices and acoustic guitar. Every piece is a gem; each has the same kind of quirky sardonic edge that Loudon Wainwright III and the Roches work has.” - Toronto Star
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| Uncle Bonsai: Promo #1 Click on photo for high-res version. (Right+Click Large Photo to Save) |
Uncle Bonsai: Promo #2 Click on photo for high-res version. (Right+Click Large Photo to Save) |
Uncle Bonsai: Promo #3 Click on photo for high-res version. (Right+Click Large Photo to Save) |
concerts/news
June 7th - 7:30pmPrivate (Secret) Event - SeattleUncle Bonsai will be recording selections from the "Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs" song cycle, live at a private concert in Seattle. While invitations went out to the regional mailing list, there are still a few seats left for the Saturday night show. If you're interested, grab 'em now! Tickets on sale here! |
What's Next?Two New Recordings and a Release Concert?This summer, the group plans to produce a live recording of songs from the "Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs" song cycle, with hope of releasing a new cd on September 20th, at The Triple Door in Seattle. At the same time, work has begun on the next studio album . . . songs will be released as they're finished, along with videos, with plans to have an official release concert in May, 2026. The group hopes to start touring nationally in Spring, 2026. If you're interested in having the group come play in your town, let us know using the contact form below! |
