This Electronic Press Kit has been updated as of May 19, 2009. Please use these photos, bio information, and quotes for articles, posters, flyers, and promotions. If you have any questions or problems, or would like to arrange an interview with the band, please contact us at info @ unclebonsai.com. [link removed for security purposes]

bio | quotes | photos | audio samples | reviews

Bio:

Uncle Bonsai formed in 1981, after three recent graduates of Bennington College in Vermont migrated to Seattle and found each other in the want ads. Though virtually strangers on the college campus of 600 students, quickly congealed as a single entity after answering the ad one of them placed for a folk group . . . to sing sea shanties.

Instead, Andrew, the group’s guitarist and primary songwriter, arranged a few covers (by Martin Mull, Dave Edmunds, Tom Paxton), and wrote new tunes for three-part vocal gymnastics. The voices merged to create a sound that soon became Uncle Bonsai’s trademark: high soaring and intricate vocal harmonies wrapped around biting humor, and poignant unflinching portrayals of life, love, and a guy named Doug.

The first “show” -- busking outside the gates of the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle -- earned the trio seven dollars apiece, enough to cross the gates onto festival grounds. One year later, the trio was invited in to open for Firesign Theater, the first of several appearances at that festival and others across North America

Shortly thereafter, KEZX radio began to play the group’s first recording, “Suzy,” which led to sell-out houses in the Pacific Northwest. Over the next eight years, Uncle Bonsai released several recordings, motor-homing its way around the national folk circuit for club, theater and festival engagements, frequently playing at New York’s The Bottom Line, DC’s The Birchmere and San Franscisco’s The Great American Music Hall, among others. The trio received accolades from national press and, en route, picked up a notice or two from the FCC (for what the group insists was an “innocent Seussian-type song about a beloved body part. -- Sorry, Miami!!”)

Uncle Bonsai’s acoustic folk-pop songs are almost one-act plays or very short stories, resisting strict pop, folk, or singer-songwriter categories. Consequently, in the ‘80s the trio was paired with a wide range of artists: Bonnie Raitt, Suzanne Vega, Loudon Wainright III, Tracey Chapman, They Might Be Giants, The Persuasions, The Bobs, and Robyn Hitchcock -- reflecting a diversity of influences. The group also linked arms in 1987 with the improv group None of the Above for shows at Seattle’s A Contemporary Theater, featuring songs and sketches written and performed on a different monthly topic (Money, Sex, Travel, Superheroes, etc.), some songs written on the spot (and left there). Recordings from this early Bonsai era are, A Lonely Grain of Corn (1984), Boys Want Sex in the Morning (1986), and Myn Ynd Wymyn (1988).

In February of 1989, after eight years of touring and recording, and a final 14-shows-in-12-days national tour, the group called it quits.

The following summer, the trio performed one final show, a benefit concert before an audience of 8,000 at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and then called it quits.

Eight years later, Uncle Bonsai reunited for one night only, to perform and record the “Doug” release.

The following year, the group began performing a series of reunion concerts, and released the long overdue CD “Apology.”

In early 2008, the talented Patrice O’Neill joined with original members Arni Adler and Andrew Ratshin, adding her lyrical (and agile) voice to the mix. Patrice, a singer/songwriter, member of the group Mel Cooleys, and one half of a duo with classical guitarist Hilary Field, is a multi-instrumentalist and possesses a voice of singular beauty. The new configuration of Uncle Bonsai hopes to release a new recording, "The Grim Parade," by Spring 2010.

Quotes:

“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.” - Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“They brought cerebral wit, an assured stage presence, strong visual appeal and unusual and sophisticated harmonies (to their show). Uncle Bonsai is very talented, very promising, a group to watch.” - Jeff McLaughlin, The Boston Globe

“The group has achieved an almost cult status...delighting audiences with such songs as “Cheerleaders on Drugs”, “Chubby Wanna Sundae”, “Boys Want Sex in the Morning” ...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.” - Carlos Andres Pedraza, Associated Press

“Uncle Bonsai are not normal. (They have) humor that starts at irreverent and moves out from there. They have the technical ability one expects of the Pointer Sisters or Manhattan Transfer...The crowd gave them a wildly enthusiastic reception and they encored with a breakneck “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” that left the Andrew Sisters’ original in the dust.” - Elijah Wald, The Boston Globe

“The problem with some ‘funny’ songs is that they don’t bear repeated playings. Uncle Bonsai’s songs defy the convention. They’re peanut butter for the brain, spread thick.” - Ed McKeon, Folk Roots, UK

“Whenever depression overwhelms, I remember I still have the Uncle Bonsai records. An intelligent band that’s also funny? Too good to be true.” - Lin Brehmer, WXRT, Chicago

“...vocal harmonizing is sophisticated and soaring, filling up all the empty spaces. Stylistically, they’re adept at everything from opera to jazz, reggae to doo-wop.”- Philadelphia Daily News

“...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 Wainright III and the Roches work has.” - Greg Quill, Toronto Star

“...humorous, warm, exhilarating, creative and politically courageous. It’s exciting to play their music; it makes me happy.” - Fred Herskowitz, WBAI, NY

“...superb in singing its own witty, arch and hugely entertaining songs...stunningly perceptive and often hilarious.” - Wayne Johnson, Seattle Times

“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 group offered more than scintillating cleverness. Songs about sexual manners and role-playing directly confront ticklish situations that one would not ordinarily expect to hear discussed in pop songs with honesty, delicacy and humor.” - Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“Uncle Bonsai is one of todays most talented and entertaining folk vocal trios...sounding at times as sweet as a church choir or skipping and swinging like psychotic Andrews Sisters and brother.” - Jackpot, CMJ New Music Report

“...complex but catchy vocal music...tackle issues most songwriters wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pen. Their forte is to take the most unusual subjects and deliver them with hot musicianship.” - Larry Kelp, Oakland Tribune

“...innovative approach and a vibrant signature style. At a frenetic pace, with endlessly entertaining wit...notable for zinging one liners that cut through egos and pretensions and cultural blind spots like a scalpel.” - Chris Hill, City Paper, Philadelphia

“Their lyrics are as sophisticate as their harmonics. Folk, jazz, rock, even Gilbert and Sullivan patter-style songs – everything is grist for their creative mill. Uncle Bonsai is a treat not to be missed.- Diane Wright, Everett Herald

“Uncle Bonsai are one of the best things to erupt since Mt. St. Helens inspired all those lost environment, mother nature, Harry Truman epics...The effect is overwhelming and is a startling as a dog with good breath. They captivate and revet you. Their music is comprised of a babbling jungle of disjointed wordings too intellectual for most graffiti specialists but on the mark so solid you laugh and see a bit more of what goes on in your life and theirs.”- Chris Lunn, Victory Music Review

Press Photos:

High-Resolution press photos are available for download on the right side of this page or by visiting the Press Photo Link.

Audio Samples:

MP3 files are available on the right side of this page or by visiting the Audio Sample Page.

UNCLE BONSAI VS. THE BEATLES

Reviews:

Additional biographical information, and copies of reviews, are available below.

BIO	Quotes 1	Quotes 2	NY Times 1	NY Times 2
NY Times 3	"Doug"	AP	ARC Review	Boston Globe - 1
Boston Globe - 2	Oakland Review	WXRT	DISCOGRAHY	PRESS PHOTOS

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