While being a seven-piece can often afford a band an enviable amount of musical dexterity, greater numbers can often bring their own unique set of problems. Such as the ever-present one of how to fit a big band on a small stage. With this, as so many other things, size does matter.
This issue won’t likely come into play when Seattle popsters Hey Marseilles play WWU’s Underground Coffeehouse on Wed., Nov. 18, but when they stop by the Green Frog the next night, owner James Hardesty says each member will have roughly one square foot of real estate on the tavern’s tiny stage.
No matter. With their Old World style, marching band chops and arsenal of orchestral instruments, Hey Marseilles is used to being a band that doesn’t quite fit. And they’ve been working that difference to their distinct advantage, their ample accordions and wistfully sincere vocals having galvanized fans from almost the second of their inception.
Seven people + 10-plus instruments + one tiny stage = making music the Hey Marseilles way.
Hey Marseilles plays Wed., Nov. 18 at WWU’s Underground Coffeehouse and Thurs., Nov. 19 at the Green Frog Cafe Acoustic Tavern, 902 N. State St. Info: coffeehouse.as.wwu.edu or acoustictavern.com
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