Flying Mammals pump up the funk on new EP release
Flying Mammals have landed and with a new album in tow.
At the turn of 2013, the Coeur d’Alene band of brothers made a pledge to fans that they would release four EPs this year, one for each season.
In March, Flying Mammals self-released “Liars Lovers Fighters Brothers,” toured it around the country and came back in time to ready the second installment.
“New Funk Fam” is an extended family affair in which the sibling trio picks up where they left on “Liars Lovers Fighters Brothers.”
“On this album we felt it was time for a new funk band-esque vibe out there,” said Flying Mammals bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Birdsall. “This is a family band, and not just us brothers, but everybody, the listeners, the artists that work on the posters, the performers. … This is a call to our fans and everyone in general to come together.”
Flying Mammals – brothers Aaron, Andy, and James Birdsall – headlines a multifaceted CD release party for its “New Funk Fam” EP tonight at 7:30 at the Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave. Highlighted by jugglers, hula hoopers and aerialists, the bill also includes Goodnight Venus, Son of Brad, BBBBandits, The Static Tones, Fuse, Bagdad Alamode, Visual Vortex and The Spokane Aerial Performing Arts. Cover is $5 for those under 21, free for 21 and older.
Bloom in ugly shirts
Fans of Camille Bloom know the Seattle-by-way-of-Spokane singer-songwriter likes to tell stories between songs.
But if it seems as if Bloom is speaking deliberately slowly, it’s because she is readjusting to English-speaking audiences, as she just returned from a European tour.
“I have to get used to speaking at full speed again. I was over there for six weeks, and after about the second week my English starts to deteriorate to slow, simple words. When I’m calling home to speak to my family they think it’s hilarious,” Bloom said.
Bloom’s sixth European tour hit Germany, Belgium, Iceland and the Netherlands. She said the main difference in concert culture between the U.S. and Europe is volume.
“In the states, they cheer wildly at the end of a song if they like it, but the European audiences are incredibly quiet and shy to express their emotions,” Bloom said. “If they really love something they will take a moment of silence for 15 to 20 seconds. It was uncomfortable at first but I got used to it. It’s both positive and negative because they are not as exciting to play for but they are so respectful.”
Fans are encouraged to wear “ugly” ’70s-style polyester shirts when Blooms returns Saturday at 7 p.m. to The Shop, 924 S. Perry St. Tickets are $15 ($10 if you wear an ugly shirt), through www.brownpapertickets.com.