The Maldives - "Go Back to Virginia"

Since I heard Jason play this song back in March, I've been looking for a recording of it. Not great quality, but I love this song.

Cosmic Panther Land Band

I would use the term supergroup to describe Cosmic Panther Land Band. From their myspace:

"Founded in 2009 to meet the ever-growing need for the development of quality musical entertainment, the Cosmic Panther Land Band has quickly skyrocketed to becoming one of Seattle's largest and most alluring bands. Comprised of three parts Maldives, equal parts Moondoggies, Widower, Shim, Pica Beats, and one part intergalactic freakazoid, CPLB defends the summertime universe with their own brand of Mungo music, hot Jerry jams, and Canned country rhythms. Get in the van, man!"

Jason Dodson of the Maldives played a song he wrote for the band with Kevin Murphy of the Moondoggies at the Empyrean last month. No songs yet on their myspace and the band hasn't figured out when they are going to release anything according to Jason. The Maldives and the Moondoggies are both playing at the Birds on a Wire festival in Pullman this weekend (at the same time), so maybe we'll hear more about the band.

Birds on a Wire Festival 2010

Pullman, I know you can't believe. Pullman, you have a folk festival. It's a pretty good one too. The first annual Birds on a Wire festival takes place on the streets of downtown Pullman March 26 and 27. They were able to get a nice group of NW folk and alternative acts, including the Maldives and the Moondoggies. They also grabbed a couple Spokane acts like Joel Smith and Karli Fairbanks.

In Spokane, tickets can be bought at the Empyrean. Also at the Empyrean tonight, Jason Dodson from the Maldives will be playing a solo show with Kasey Anderson and Matthew Ryan.

Lineup:

Justin Townes Earle
Damien Jurado
Joe Pug
Rocky Votolato
Horse Feathers
Sera Cahoone
Frontier Ruckus
The Maldives
The Moondoggies
Cataldo
Laura Gibson
Al James (Dolorean)
Final Spins
Stephen Ray Leslie & the Crooked Mile
Super XX Man
Avians Alright (Jenna Conrad)
Goldfinch
Karli Fairbanks
Pablo Trucker
Mike Kelly
Joel Smith
Hueco
Samuel Dickison
Tony Kevin Jr.
Low-Fi

2009's Best Music

1) The Maldives - Listen to the Thunder (stream)
2) Port O'Brien - Threadbare ("My Will Is Good")
3) The Decemberists - Hazards of Love
4) Joel Smith - The Filibuster
5) The Thermals - Now We Can See
6) David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
7) Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
8) Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
9) Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
10) Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

The Maldives - "Cold November"

Another Capitol Hill Block Party video since it happens to be a cold November day.

Elkfest 2009 - Spokane, WA (5/29-31/2009)

Elkfest was hot and fun this year. The Elk installed water misters in their tented area which were quite refreshing. All of the bands were pleasantly surprising. I was already looking forward to seeing the Moondoggies and I wasn't disappointed. I caught the very end of Shim's set on Saturday night. I'll definitely have to check them out in the future. I was able to grab CD's from the Moondoggies and Joel Smith.

The Booze Fighters

Silian Rail

Joel Smith and the Hands of Plenty

The Maldives

Pickwick

David Dondero

The Moondoggies

Flickr, Last.fm

Elkfest 2009 Lineup

Elkfest is taking over Cannon St. again for 3 days of music, sun, and beer. Elkfest runs Friday through Sunday, May 29th through May 31st. Artfest is also taking place down the street at Coeur d'Alene Park. Here's the Elkfest Lineup, check out the Elkfest page for artist links.

Friday May 29th

4 PM - The Booze Fighters

6:30 PM - Silian Rail

9:15 PM - The Globes

Saturday May 30th

2 PM - Kaylee Cole w/ Adam David, Dane Ueland, and Kevin Long

3:30 PM - Joel Smith & the Hands of Plenty

5 PM - Whiskey Dick Mountain

6:15 PM - La Cha-Cha

8 PM - The Maldives

9:15 PM - Shim

Sunday May 31st

3 PM - Pickwick

4:15 PM - David Dondero

5:30 PM - The Moondoggies ("Changing" MP3)

7 PM - James Pants & the Royal Zodiac

8:15 PM - Velella Velella ("Do Not Fold/Do Not Bend" MP3)