"A folk-pop trio from Seattle, performs funny original songs whose exquisite musical detail and subtle needling wit attain a level of craft not often seen in pop" - The New York Times
The big news, of course, is Arni's retirement announcement -- Click here to read her note! -- and what that means for the future of the group. With 43 years under its belt, and an incredible repertoire, Andrew and Patrice have decided to move forward with a new member. And who's that lucky person? Who's gonna step in and learn lots of songs? Why, it's none other than Seattle's own Kat Bula! 
They've started rehearsing and Andrew's already written new songs for this exciting new line-up. And when can you hear them sing? That's easy . . May 10, 2025, at Traditions Fair Trade in Olympia, Washington; the following week, on May 16th, they'll make their Seattle debut at the Good Shepherd Center. (See below, in the concerts section, for more information and ticket sales.) So many of you have supported the group for years, from the start in 1981, through the hiatus that started in 1989, through the personnel change -- hello Patrice -- in 2005, and we hope you'll stick with us to hear what the next 43 years bring!
The most recent recording, "The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young," is available everyhere. The CD features many of the songs the group has been performing for the past few years or so. Included are: Problems, Brand New World, Modern Medicine (Old Man Arms), In The End, The Family Feast, Bat, and many others. The group is actively performing again, after that long, world-wide, "interruption," and is excited to be playing these songs, along with selections from the 25 new songs from the "Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs" song-cycle.
"Pitch-perfect in their delivery of often complex harmonic arrangements. And if there were an Ella Fitzgerald Award for Exquisite Elocution in Song, they would surely get it. The trio officially bills itself as a "folk" outfit, but has none of the naiveté that label might suggest. These are nicely edgy, sour-sweet songs, written for grown-ups." - The Seattle Times
Imagine what might happen if Tim Burton and Edward Gorey hijacked the Andrews Sisters en route to a Stephen Sondheim festival with The Beatles and Tom Lehrer in the sidecar; you'd get Seattle super-harmonizers Uncle Bonsai. With just three voices and an acoustic guitar, Uncl
e Bonsai presents an often dizzying vocal array of intricate harmony. Their songs, dark and hilarious at times, just as often delight with moments of great insight and beauty. The trio aligns itself with the under-achiever, the dejected, the outsider, the black sheep. Densely-packed lyrics fly by in a whirr at times, and take a skewed stance on topics such as first-world problems, the creation of the universe, the afterlife, and, of course, holidays with the family. Uncle Bonsai's acoustic folk-pop songs are almost one-act plays or short stories, resisting strict pop, folk, or singer-songwriter categories. Their songs focus on the passing of time, the passing of genes, and the passing of pets - the truth of everything seemingly buried somewhere under the family tree.
Now in its forty-fourth year, the group has nine recordings, a reversible/hard cover book for parents (and their kids), and recently premiered an all-new show, “Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs,” featuring a 25-song song cycle. On September 28, 2024, the group performed with co-founding member Arni Adler for the last time but, to quote Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, "the more things change, the more they stay the same!" And so, on May 10th, 2025, the group returns with new songs and a new member, the amazing Kat Bula! (For more information about the debut shows, see below!)
"Uncle Bonsai remains a distinctive voice in the folk-pop genre, celebrated for their sharp songwriting, vocal craftsmanship, and ability to blend humor with poignant observations about the human experience." - ChatGPT
The most recent recording and more!
This winter, the group plans to start recording selections from the "Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs" song-cycle, with hopes to release the sessions at the May 2025 concerts. The more recent recording, titled The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young, features many of the songs the group has been performing for the past few yers. Included are: Problems, Brand New World, Modern Medicine (Old Man Arms), In The End, The Family Feast, Bat, and many others. That's available, along with all the other Uncle Bonsai recordings, in the store.
The group is planning some "secret" and private events, in 2025, and the only way you're going to know about them is by being on the mailing list. We promise not to share your name with anyone else but, seriously, you REALLY want to be on this list moving forward!
Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwards: A New Song Cycle
Andrew recently completed his new song cycle, "Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs," a collection of songs inspired by, well, the seven sins, the seven wonders, and, um, the seven dwarfs. Uncle Bonsai finally got to perform the whole 25-song concert, at The Triple Door in Seattle, on April 23rd, and they're excited to head into the studio this summer to start recording the songs. More info to come but keep your eyes on the 7sinswondersdwarfs.com web site!
The Monster in the Closet/Go To Sleep
Two tauntingly twisted tales for tormented parents!
Uncle Bonsai can’t seem to get it right. Everything goes askew in whatever they try. Their so-called “children’s” songs ended badly, especially for the family pets, but even their “grown- up” songs of childhood memories are rife with disappointment. Long obsessed with what gets swept beneath the rug of every family, the trio’s recent work turns its scrutiny on parenting. Once children themselves, they mocked the best (some say “futile”) efforts of their beleaguered parents. Not until after becoming parents themselves did they realize the great wisdom and fortitude of their parents, after all. Shoulda said something. Now they turn their “mature” attention to the sheer devilry of their own children.
Uncle Bonsai’s first "flipover" book contains two illustrated songs about extreme efforts certain skewed adults (might) take to get their own children to bed: Confess to them about the reality of monsters. Bribe them. Threaten their toys. Accept the futility and hit the gin. There are no swear words and no one’s getting hurt, but straight-faced lies and escalating tempers of angels will lead even good parents to feel superior to the depths sought out by the narrators of these songs.
That’s why we love Bonsai. They’re so much worse off than we are.
Here we go!
- 05mayThe Return of Uncle Bonsai: Part 1- Stage3 Concerts, Kingston
SAVE THE DATE! Where do you go for your first public appearance? Where is there an intimate listening venue, with great sound, suitable to launch the next 43 years? You go to Stage3 Concerts, Kingston, Washington! It's the first public show since September, 2024. There are a whole bunch of new songs, and some favorites too. Will we hear songs from the new "Seven Modern Wonders" series? Definitely. Is this an afternoon concert witha potluck lunch? Yes! Join Andrew, Patrice, and the wonderful Kat Bula, in this very special event.
- 10mayThe Return of Uncle Bonsai: Part 2- Traditions Fair Trade, Olympia
SAVE THE DATE! Where is there a great listening venue, with excellent sight lines, and great sound? Traditions Fair Trade in Olympia . . it's obvious! It's the second show with new member Kat Bula and there are a whole bunch of new songs, and some favorites too. Will we hear songs from the new "Seven Modern Wonders" series? Definitely. Join the group at this very special event.
- 16mayThe Return of Uncle Bonsai: Part 3 - The Good Shepherd Center, Seattle
SAVE THE DATE! Things just got very exciting. On May 16, 2025, Uncle Bonsai returns to Seattle with new songs and a new member. Will you hear some of your favorites? Yep! Will there by a new "Doug" song, to mark the occasion? We hope so! Will we hear songs from the new "Seven Modern Wonders" series? Definitely. Andrew, Patrice, and the wonderful Kat Bula, come to this beautiful venue for their first public Seattle performance. Who knows . . . there might even be a new CD!
- 17mayThe Return of Uncle Bonsai: Part 4 - New Prospect Theatre, Bellingham
SAVE THE DATE! Very exciting that the group not only gets to return to Bellingham, for the first time in over five years, but they get to play at this beautiful theater. Lots of new songs, some familiar favorites, and even some from the "Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs" song cycle. And maybe they'll have that new CD!
Live Uncle Bonsai Audio Samples |
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| Problems live @ Kirkland Performance Center | |
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| I Would Come Back from The Grim Parade (Live) | |
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| Men and Women live @ Kirkland Performance Center | |
| Uncle Bonsai performs "Problems" from the latest release, "The Family Feast," at the Kirkland Performance Center | Uncle Bonsai showcasing at the FAR West Conference, in California, performing "The Monster in the Closet." |
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Uncle Bonsai performs the song "Modern Medicine (Old Man Arms)" at the Kirkland Performance Center. (Lyrics included.) Interesting note: this was the world premiere performance of this song, which is included on the latest release, "The Family Feast." |
Live performance of "Where's The Milk." Sing along with Uncle Bonsai . . . this video includes the lyrics! |
Special "Backstage With Uncle Bonsai" Moment! |
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All photos by Mark Ouellette 
Uncle Bonsai: Promo #1
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Uncle Bonsai: Promo #2
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Uncle Bonsai: Promo #3
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Uncle Bonsai has released 8 full-length cds, 1 cd single, 1 "Bedtime Book for Grownups," which is a flip-over book that also contains a cd, and can be found on a number of compilations, including the "Just One Angel" recordings. Uncle Bonsai's label, Yellow Tail Records, has released over 30 folk, classical, holiday, compilation, and childrens recordings and all are available in stores throughout North America, as well as all the online sites. You can visit our store at The Yellow Tail Records Store.
