Better Know a CHBP Band: Hey Marseilles, Fences, and The Lonely Forest
Fans of thoughtful, melodic, and occasionally melodramatic rock, fear not. There is a place for you at Capitol Hill Block Party as well! With the third and final part of our "Better Know a CHBP Band" series, we present Hey Marseilles, Fences, and The Lonely Forest. The last three bands of our local spotlight are among some of your best bets for heartfelt tunes that may or may not tug at your heartstrings. Regardless of what musical choices you make on the ground, with 45 acts to choose from, you’re bound to find something that will please your ears.
Hey Marseilles (Sat 2:00 p.m., Mainstage) - Matt Bishop - vocals/guitar
Self description of music - Orchestral folk-pop. Straightforward folk-pop tunes that integrate some European influences and the skills of reputable string players.
Biggest influences - With seven guys, we pull from a pretty wide catalog in terms of inspiration. In terms of the band as a whole—current artists that a number of us geek out over include Andrew Bird, Loch Lomond, Page France, Loney Dear, Bowerbirds….
Band most excited about on the CHBP roster - Gossip. Those are some real shit-kicking tunes.
How CHBP compares to other festivals played or attended recently - In terms of performing, we are local and still very much in our infancy, so CHBP will really be our first summer festival experience as a band. But loving music and being from Seattle, we’ve spent many summers at Block Party; our favorite bands play it, our friends go to it, and the Pike/Pine corridor is a second home for many of us. Block Party is demonstrative of the reason we count ourselves lucky to be playing music in Seattle. That we will actually be on stage performing this year is a significant joy.
Favorite things about Capitol Hill - $2 wells at Moe Bar happy hour. Rancho Bravo tamale. Watching pick-up basketball at Cal Anderson with Molly Moon ice cream in hand.
Best part of being a Seattle band - It’s easily the support of a community that is so invested in its local music. Mind you, we’ve been to towns that have nightlife regulations much friendlier to live music than here, but in terms of the regular Seattleite who comes to shows and buys records—as a band, I can’t imagine a better place to start. Before we had a name, our first show was opening up for a friend at the Conor Byrne. In a period of months, another friend had us set up at Neumos for our CD release and the place was packed out. We have been constantly humbled and are continually appreciative of the support of fellow musicians, venues, and run of the mill listeners.
Three favorite local bands right now - Raggedy Anns put on an explosive live experience that shouldn’t be missed. Song Sparrow Research just released a record I’m digging on. This is going to seem inappropriately biased because a few of us sometimes play with this group, but Cataldo makes our collective heart swoon. We only play alongside admiringly and have no hand in the writing process, so that recommendation is still legit.
What people should expect when Hey Marseilles takes the stage - A frenetic orchestral folk-pop forty minutes. We’ve got a new tune to try out, and a friend or two who will add some depth to a couple songs.
Fences and The Lonely Forest after the jump.
Fences (Sat 4:30 p.m., Vera stage) - Chris Mansfield - vocals/guitar
Self description of music - Slightly melodramatic. Think if Hank Williams did the soundtrack to Sixteen Candles.
Biggest influences - The Smiths, Rose Montoise, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Aidan Coughlan.
Band most excited about on the CHBP roster - Wild Orchid Children. I like watching Thomas play guitar, he's incredible.
Favorite things about Capitol Hill - Harvard Exit Theatre, Half Price Books, my bed.
Best part of being a Seattle band - KEXP does a lot for new bands, so does the Stranger. Everyone gets a pretty fair chance, at least in regards to local exposure.
Favorite local band right now - Perfume Genius.
What people should expect when Fences take the stage - It is a different group of young men joining me on stage. More happening, not just friends with a belly full of Pabst. The melodic statements are played, not just implied.
The Lonely Forest (Sat 7:30 p.m., Vera stage) - John Van Deusen - vocals/guitar
Self description of music - Energetic rock and roll with a strong dose of pop sensibility.
Biggest influences - The Long Winters, REM, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Beatles.
Band most excited about on the CHBP roster - Sonic Youth, The Thermals, and Built to Spill.
How CHBP compares to other festivals played or attended recently - They have a stronger line-up than any others.
Best part of being a Seattle band - The cool people and awesome bands we get to know.
Three favorite local bands right now - The Globes, Karl Blau, and The Oregon Donor.
What people should expect when The Lonely Forest take the stage - People should prepare for a good introduction in to the new, more focused direction of the Lonely Forest.
