music

an evening with uncle bonsai

“…exquisite musical detail and subtle wit…” - New York Times

November 22 , 2009
Sunday @ 7:00 p.m.

Tickets
$17 for adults, and $13 for students, seniors and military @ 206.527.3546 or online (advance ticket sales)
$20 for adults, and $15 for students, seniors and military (at the door)

Uncle Bonsai's soaring and intricate vocal harmonies and biting humor deliver poignantly unflinching portrayals of life, love, and a guy named Doug.

The trio's influences range from the Beatles to Stephen Sondheim. Some say Zappa cross-bred with Peter, Paul and Mary. Loudon Wainright III, the Roches. Three tightly tiered and adhered voices, acoustic guitar. That’s it. Nearly naked folk-pop for everyone.

Bonsai has released five recordings, headlined at clubs, concert halls, and festivals through North America and appeared with superluminaries, including Bonnie Raitt, Suzanne Vega, They Might Be Giants, The Bobs, et al. At their final show (before what turned out to be only an extended hiatus) at the Woodland Park Zoo, 8,000 fans came to bid them a fond farewell.

Bonsai material these days focuses 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. New songs include “The Baby’s Head is a Hexagon” and “The Fish is in the Freezer.”