Monsters of Accordion 2010 Press Sheet Hi-res photos and music samples at:http://www.monstersofaccordion.com/press For interviews or all other requests, contact: [email protected]

With squeezeboxes strapped to their chests, JASON WEBLEY - Seattle the “Monsters of Accordion” (Jason Webley, Street performer turned cult musician, Jason Webley Corn Mo, Renée de la Prade, The Petrojvic has been carrying his squeezebox to the far corners Blasting Co. and variety of special guests) of the earth since 1998. Known for his huge gravelly are launching an assault on West-Coast cit- voice and a battered porkpie hat that dances around ies from Seattle to Los Angeles this Decem- his head as he stomps out the beat, Webley's relentless ber. touring schedule and legendary live performances have built him a loyal fanbase across North America, “When I’m on tour, I meet so many amaz- Europe and beyond (he is especially loved in Sibe- ing accordion players, and the idea is just to ria.) Webley's specialty is involving his audience in bring them together,” explains Webley, who his performances - most concerts end with the entire organizes the annual tour. crowd locked arm-in-arm, singing at the top of their The result is a tour-de-force featuring many lungs. Recently, Webley finished a world tour with of the most entertaining accordion perform- Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls as one-half ers currently working in North America. But of the duo Evelyn Evelyn. don’t expect a night of polkas, because these CORN MO - New York aren’t your grandmother’s accordion mon- New York City’s Corn Mo plays a mixture of glam- sters. Instead Webley and company will be rock and circus music which Rolling Stone has de- delivering an evening of squeezebox-fueled scribed as “the future of rock”. With a powerful voice drinking songs, Celtic-punk jigs, retro-rock that rivals Freddie Mercury, Corn Mo has toured anthems and Balkan gypsy music. the country with the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, The A relatively young musical instrument, the Polyphonic Spree, They Might Be Giants and Ben accordion was invented in Germany in the Folds (he gave Folds a CD in an airport which be- early 1800s and quickly spread throughout gan a collaborative friendship.) He has written six the planet. The instrument’s portability, albums and the rock opera Alice Wakeman which flexibility and loud volume made it tremen- debuted at New York’s Ars Nova Theater. In addi- dously popular, the driving sound in a vari- tion to his epic accordion performances, Corn Mo is ety of musical styles from French musette to an accomplished pianist, short story writer and lead zydeco, Argentine tango to Klezmer. singer in the band .357 Lover.

In the United States the accordion suffered a RENÉE DE LA PRADE - San Francisco big decline in popularity with the rise of the Pink-haired accordion pin-up goddess Renée de la electric guitar. Associated with polkas and Prade comes armed with a low-slung button box and Lawrence Welk, by the 80’s the squeezebox a funky fusion of old Celtic melodies, zydeco and had become the musical symbol of nerdi- punk rock power. De la Prade adds her boot stomp- ness. However, in recent years the accordion ing and squeezebox fire to Bay Area groupsCulann’s has enjoyed a renaissance in attention. Partly Hounds and Whiskey and Women. In 2008, she be- due to the efforts of troubadours such as We- gan publishing the annual Accordion Babes Pin-Up bley and his fellow monsters, many young Calendar which has sold tens of thousands of copies musicians have been picking up the instru- and features players from around the world. When ment again. The accordion has squeezed not on stage or hanging on your wall, de la Prade its way into cabaret and burlesque troupes, works as an accordion teacher and repair specialist at neo-jugbands, folk-punk enembles, and a Smythe’s Accordion Center in Oakland. few high profile rock groups such as The Ar- cade Fire and The Decemberists. THE PETROJVIC BLASTING “These things move in cycles,” says Webley, COMPANY - Los Angeles “perhaps in a few years kids will all be ask- Originally from Nashville, The Petrojvic Blasting ing for accordions for Christmas, and people Company are one of the most talked about rising will be embarrassed to admit they ever took stars in the LA scene. Founded by brothers Josh and guitar lessons as kids.” Justin Petrojvic, The Blasting Company have trav- elled across North America and Europe in a variety of 2010 TOUR DATES: configurations with their accordions, trombones and Dec 15 - Seattle, WA - Neumos foot-drums. Recently, the brothers returned from a Dec 16 - Portland, OR - Kennedy School pilgrimage to Eastern Europe, where they shared the Dec 17 - Eugene, OR - Wow Hall stage with some of ex-Yugoslavia's best musicians Dec 18 - San Francisco, CA - Slim’s and performed everywhere from the streets of Bel- Dec 19 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour grade to an ancient Roman Coliseum.