One of the more interesting up-and-coming bands at this year's Bumbershoot is an eclectic group of local musicians who point to French folk music for inspiration.
That might sound a bit strange, but Hey Marseilles, a seven-piece folk rock group, is making it work. The group has been all over the Seattle music scene in the past couple of years, and this weekend's Seattle Center Bumbershoot show will be the second time the band has played the summer-ending festival.
"We put a lot of time and care into making our set as interesting as possible," trumpet player Patrick Brannon said. Brannon is no stranger to the Queen Anne area. An alum of Seattle Pacific University, Brannon recalls playing in SPU's jazz ensemble with members from the Queen Anne-based band Sea Fever. Brannon says the interest in French folk music emerged as the band took form. When band member Philip Kobernik purchased an accordion through craigslist.com and then combined it with the band's string arrangements, the European-influenced sound came naturally, Brannon said.
Listening to Hey Marseilles, it appears the band has the personality of such current bands as Beirut and Devotcka, but with the attitude of bands like Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire. After last year's Bumbershoot performance the band has seen a growth in its fan base. Brannon said that fans would approach the group and say they saw them at Bumbershoot, even when they play shows as far away as Portland, Ore. Brannon was surprised at the influence and reputation of the festival.
Brannon also joked about the band gaining success as last year they played the 12:30 p.m. slot and this year they are playing at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday on the Broad Street Stage. It is a sign the group is on the move. "It's cool to see people genuinely like our music," said Brannon, who maintains the band's music is very accessible to audiences. In fact, he said the band's fan base ranges from the middle-aged to newborns.
For their live performances, Hey Marseilles always tries to give the audience a great show. The recorded versions of songs often translate differently into their live set as they constantly change the songs for their performances. Brannon said they do not want to get trapped into playing songs the same way. "We put a lot of time and care into making our set as interesting as possible," Brannon said. With seven people on stage and occasionally special guests as well, Brannon said that all of their shows are interactive to a point, finding inspiration from the musicians who end up on their usually crowded stage.
When writing, Kobernik and guitarist Nick Ward usually approach the band with some parts they have written and ideas for songs. The band then develops the ideas, Brannon said. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Bishop writes the lyrics for the songs and also brings his own songs to the band. Brannon described the whole process as very collaborative. The band has no intention of slowing down now and is enjoying their new success. "It's been good," Brannon said, "There hasn't been a point where we've become super stagnant."[[In-content Ad]]
