"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" - NY Times
Imagine what might happen if Tim Burton hijacked the Andrews Sisters en route to a Stephen Sondheim festival with The Beatles and Tom Lehrer in the sidecar; you'd get Seattle super-harmonizers Uncle Bonsai. With just three voices and an acoustic
guitar, Uncle Bonsai presents an often dizzying vocal array of intricate harmony. Their songs, dark and hilarious at times, just as often delight with moments of great insight and beauty. The trio aligns itself with the under-achiever, the dejected, the outsider, the black sheep. Densely-packed lyrics fly by in a whirr at times, and take a skewed stance on topics such as first-world problems, the creation of the universe, the afterlife, 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.
Now in its 36th year, Uncle Bonsai continues to perform and record new material. The group has eight recordings and, in mid-2013, released its first ever "bedtime book for grownups," "The Monster in the Closet/Go To Sleep." This fully illustrated, reversible, hard cover book for parents, features two popular 
Uncle Bonsai songs, with artwork by members Arni Adler and Patrice O'Neill, and includes a recording of the songs. In September 2017, the group will be releasing its ninth cd, "The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young," followed by a series of CD Releae Concerts throughout the Northeast and Pacific Northwest.
"Singers Ratshin, O'Neill and Adler are 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
The new recording, "The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young," will feature many of the songs the group has been performing for the past year or so. Included will be: Problems, Brand New World, Modern Medicine (Old Man Arms), In The End, The Family Feast, Bat, and many others. The group is planning a series ofCD Release Concert, on the East Coast and in the Seattle area, in Fall 2017 so stay tuned for updates.
The new recording, tentatively titled: The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young," will feature many of the songs the group has been performing for the past year or so. Included will be: Problems, Brand New World, Modern Medicine (Old Man Arms), In The End, The Family Feast, Bat, and many others. Look for an assortment of "CD Release Concerts" in Fall, 2017! Stay tuned for updates.
36 years ago this month, Uncle Bonsai performed for the first time ever. Hundreds of songs later, the group's about to release its 9th recording, "The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young." But wait . . .what about the old songs? You know, the ones they said they'd never play again but played again last year at the 35th Anniversary Concert? And what's this "Dougiversary" thing? Well, it's not just the 36th anniversray of the group; it's also the 30th anniversary of the very first "Doug" song. So, for this one night, you'll hear a bunch of "Doug" songs, more "song we promised never to sing again," and some songs from the new release. Don't wait . . .the room's already filling up!
Uncle Bonsai can’t seem to get it right. Everything goes askew in whatever they try. Their so-called “children’s” songs ended badly, especially for the family pets, but even their “grown- up” songs of childhood memories are rife with disappointment. Long obsessed with what gets swept beneath the rug of every family, the trio’s recent work turns its scrutiny on parenting. Once children themselves, they mocked the best (some say “futile”) efforts of their beleaguered parents. Not until after becoming parents themselves did they realize the great wisdom and fortitude of their parents, after all. Shoulda said something. Now they turn their “mature” attention to the sheer devilry of their own children.
Uncle Bonsai’s latest recording project is a book of two illustrated songs about extreme efforts certain skewed adults (might) take to get their own children to bed: Confess to them about the reality of monsters. Bribe them. Threaten their toys. Accept the futility and hit the gin. There are no swear words and no one’s getting hurt, but straight-faced lies and escalating tempers of angels will lead even good parents to feel superior to the depths sought out by the narrators of these songs.
That’s why we love Bonsai. They’re so much worse off than we are.
The group's returning to Abbie's for a CD Pre-Release Concert. What's that mean? It means we hope to have some copies of the new release available, even though it won't officially be available -- in stores, that is -- 'til October.
The group's returning to this great venue for a CD Pre-Release Concert. What's that mean? It means we hope to have some copies of the new release available, even though it won't officially be available -- in stores, that is -- 'til October.
DON'T WAIT ON THIS ONE . . . TICKETS ARE ALREADY ON SALE AND SELLING FAST! The 36th Anniversary Show! More "old songs we said we'd never sing again" plus a 30th Anniversary celebration of the Doug Songs. (Maybe even a new "Doug" song or two!) Venue, in downtown Seattle, to be announced soon.
We're having a party/celebration at one of our favorite venues . . .this theater offers great sound and wonderful sitelines. AND, this is where some of the live stuff on the new cd was recorded! Come join in the pre-release fun!
Finally! Uncle Bonsai returns to the East Coast for its first real tour in a LONG time. This is the also the first time the group will play this wonderful venue. . . we'll be bringing the new release, along with lots of surprises!
First show on Long Island in over 25 years! Tickets on sale soon . . .
Uncle Bonsai hits the stage at the Schimmel Center for the big NYC Release Concert. This show is part of an amazing "Folk Series," which also includes shows by Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Lonesome Travler, and the big Tribute to the Bottom Line. Series tckets are on sale now; individual tickets go on sale in mid-August. This is a wonderful series with some great discounts available when you buy the whole thing . . . don't wait on this one!
This CD Release Concert wlll be the first full Uncle Bonsai concert, in the Boston area, in over 25 years! We've got SO much to talk about . . . don't miss it! Amazing Things is, well, and amazing venue . . . come on out.
East Coast tour continues . . . venue to be announced shortly
What would be a really special way to end our East Coast tour? How 'bout a co-bill with one of our favorite singer/songwriters, Cliff Eberhardt? That's right . . Uncle Bonsai & Cliff Eberhardt together at The Towne Crier. Tickets will be going on sale soon.
The group returns to this wonderful, intimate, venue for CD Release Concert. This is particularly exciting 'cause some of the live stuff on the cd came from this very venue. Secret advance discount tickets are on sale now . . . sign up for the mailing list forthe code that makes it only $10/seat.
This is it! This is the one we've been waiting for . . . and even announced a couple of times. This is . . . wait for it . . THE CD RELEASE CONCERT. We'll be officially releasing "The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young!"
Uncle Bonsai returns to Michigan to perform, for the first time, at the 10 Pound Fiddle. We're very exciting to be doing a series of CD Release Concerts out this way and look forward to performing in Lansing! Details to be announced.
Venue TBA
Uncle Bonsai returns to this beautiful library for a couple of late-afternoon sets. Details coming!
Uncle Bonsai returns to this beautiful library for a couple of late-afternoon sets. Details coming!
The group finally makes it back to the Philadelphia area for the first "Evening with Uncle Bonsai" in over 30 years!
Live Uncle Bonsai Audio Samples |
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| Problems live @ Kirkland Performance Center | |
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| I Would Come Back from The Grim Parade (Live) | |
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| Men and Women live @ Kirkland Performance Center | |
