The Maldives
LABEL: Mt. Fuji Records  |||  TEXT: Carolyn Manney  |||  PHOTOGRAPHY: Kyle Johnson

I'd been hearing a lot about The Maldives for a while these past few months. Being relatively new to Seattle it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which bands to check out since music permeates this city to its core. But all of a sudden it seemed that their name and music were popping up everywhere. So I became curious about this nine-piece soulful country-rock band that, from what I'd heard, played some of the best live shows in the city.

Since their self-titled, self-released album in 2006, The Maldives have quickly become one of the most reputable local bands in Seattle. And their latest album, Listen to the Thunder, which was released in September 2009, has not only cemented their status in the roots-music scene but has also created even more of a dedicated following.

The Maldives seem to have really grown into their sound over these past few years. The band started in the early 2000's, quickly moving through different musicians in order to find the right sound and balance. Lead singer Jason Dodson has said about the process, “if you have clear sense of sound and vision, you attract the most brilliant and compatible people to work with.”  And you can witness the truth of that statement when you see all nine members working together. Despite the crowded stage and the variety of instruments which include lap steel, fiddle, accordian and banjo, they make it look effortless.

Which brings me to their sold-out show at Neumos this past December (2009). For the past 5 years The Maldives have been playing an annual Christmas show with some of their favorite local bands. That night, the stage was decorated for Christmas and you couldn't have asked for better opening bands which included Goldfinch, Champagne Champagne and Hey Marseilles. The place was jam-packed, the energy electric. The whole experience made me understand why The Maldives have said that live shows are what ultimately expanded their fan base. Their performance was at times edgy rock 'n' roll and at other times gently swooning folk mixed with country twang. Dodson's mournful, introspective songs may seem reminiscent of the long, dusty roads of Kansas rather than the crowded city streets of Seattle but there's something in the music that everyone can relate to and I think this is what makes them unique and appealing. That and the fact that they've named themselves after a chain of tropical islands, which, in the gray cold winter of the Pacific Northwest, isn't a bad image to get stuck in your head.


Purchase music from The Maldives directly from the label


LINKS
The Maldives on Myspace
The Maldives on Facebook
The Maldives on last.fm