Album Review: Hey Marseilles - To Travels & Trunks

             Let’s face it – the accordion is the sweetest instrument in the history of foreverness.  The few contemporary bands that have incorporated it appropriately in their music have produced monstrous cult acts (Arcade Fire, Beirut).  And Hey Marseilles’ new album, To Travels & Trunks, does the accordion and analogue music wonders with their refreshingly polyphonic arrangements.

            This Seattle seven-man outfit delivers orchestral pop divinity on their debut album released June 29^th 2010.  Cello, piano, viola, accordion, acoustic and electric guitar are all provocatively layered and synthesized with each other throughout the album.  The opening track, “Marseilles,” starts with a beautiful and delicate piano solo then erupts into a grandiose display of the entire band – one of the best instrumental tracks of 2010.  And songs like “Gasworks” and “Rio” exhibit the depth and control of their musical knowledge. The instruments weave through thick and cohesive layers in 6/8 meter joined by intriguing lyrics  -- poetic thoughts that range from dreamy love to moody warnings like the “Rio” line, “Love is a hazard in lower Manhattan / You cannot escape / And mustn’t be saddened.”

            At times though, this well-crafted album loses its direction.  A mixture between haphazard lyrics that just do not stick and songs that struggle to end interfere with the ebb and flow of the album.  There are probably better places for the solo guitar and vocal arrangements that are scattered amongst many of the tracks on the album.  Or maybe there are too many of them.

            Hey Marseilles should be very proud of To Travels & Trunks – debut albums of this caliber are not an every day occurrence.  It takes a keen mind to control and mix genres and these Seattle boys combine folk and orchestral arrangements as effortlessly as Sufjan Stevens.  So if you weren’t sold solely on the fact that these guys rock an accordion, pick up the album because you owe it to yourself to hear some of the best music of the year.

Interview: Kristin Lee Ayers

Our inaugural Shinny interview and I find myself sitting in front of the familiar face of Kristin Lee Ayers – the 22 year old skilled soprano who hails from Qunicy, Illinois. People might recognize her by Krissy Lee on her Myspace music profile where you can check out her simple jazzed-infused folk tunes. Or the Youtube account misskrissy688 which has netted over 4,000 views – showcasing a gloomy/catchy ukulele ditty entitled “You’re Never There” and cover songs from artists like Tristan Prettyman and Bright Eyes. We caught up with the sparkling singer/songwriter after she got off work and discussed being afraid of the dark, loving music, and putting on concerts for plush toys.

Shinny: Hi! Thanks for doing this interview for The Shinny Blog. So let the folks at home know who you are and what’re up to.

Kristin Ayers: Well…I am a twenty two year old who just graduated from Lake Forest College with degrees in Music and Communications. My primary focus throughout college was vocal performance. Right now I am working full time as a marketing intern for the Ravinia Festival and that takes up most of my time. But I’ve always loved music – I could sing before I could read.

Shinny: To whom did you sing?

KA: My mom would read me bedtime stories and I would make up songs about the pictures. Then I would put on pop concerts for my stuffed animals in my basement.

Shinny: Was this a reoccurring thing?

KA: Haha yeah it was until I got a little older and got involved with music at school. It was good practice!

Shinny: Your music jumps between smoky, jazz club singer to down-to-earth folk. What artists have been influential to you?

KA: Well I loved the likes of Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin from an early age. And I then I got into artists like Sufjan Stevens and Tristan Prettyman down the road.

Shinny: What would you call your music?

KA: I would call it folk-ish music. I suck at this. It’s hard for me to label my own music. I think secretly, people don’t want to label their own music. Musicians do not like labels.

Shinny: Are you currently performing in or around Chicago? Any gigs or projects lined up?

KA: I am looking for gigs. Working full time makes it tough – I just need to get back to writing. I’ve been playing a lot, but not writing new things. I have a couple of things I am working on so keep checking in on my Myspace for updates.

Shinny: Share with us an interesting fact about you right now! Go!

KA: Ah! I’m terrified of the dark. Especially when I am alone.

Shinny: Name a couple of albums that anyone reading this blog should listen to.

KA: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings’ album, I learned the Hard Way, and Beach House Teen Dream. Other than that I’m not listening to new stuff right now. I’m stuck on The Dirty Projectors' Bitte Orca and old Black Keys.

Shinny: Name your favorite North Side Chicago hang out.

KA: I am a fan of the Heartland Café and the Red Line Tap. I played an open mic at the Red Line Tap and dug the scene and atmosphere. It was the first time I played there and people were really nice to me. I got a free beer out of the deal – anyone who plays gets a free beer. I would have played without the beer though, it was fun.

Shinny: Here’s the fun part of The Shinny Blog: you tell me who I should try to interview next.

KA: I do not remember her name, but the girl with dreads who runs the Red Line Tap open mic on Thursday evenings. She is an amazing musician and so is her husband. Good Luck!

And we're off!