MAUREEN & THE MERCURY 5 THE FLUTTERBIES Summer 2014 Newsletter
Thursday, August 7th, 2014
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Happy Spring! Flowers blooming, birds are chirping and the bands are busier than ever…..
THE FLUTTERBIES Thank you all for the Pandora Radio & Spotify Plays! We are writing/recording new songs and hope to debut them for you this summer! Top radio hits continue to be “Faith In Rain” and “Hummingbird Heart” as heard in George Clooney’s Oscar Winning film “The Descendants”. In the meantime, Flutterby Adam continues to co-write songs for M&M 5 as well!
MAUREEN & THE MERCURY 5 – our Jump Swing Rockabilly Thang – just won 2nd Place in the 5th Annual Rockabilly Showdown at the Orange County Marketplace! We shared the bill with The Americans, who recently appeared on Late Night With Letterman. The event was hosted by the sassy Karling Abbeygate, who with her band, The Kadavar’s, is queen of the rockabilly scene.
In May, Maureen travels to Paris for a wedding (pleasure) and then will appear May 21st with Sanseverino, Duportal, Chopin and other Parisian all-stars at the Origin of Blues & Boogie Tribute at Club Balajo (monkey business). Formidable Mes Amies!
FLASH MOB / LINDY BOMB! In February, the band hooked up mics & guitars to not only Roland battery-operated amps but to the battery of a ’63 Chevy Longbed truck and played 2 sets for donut-driven dancers! The confectionary concert was captured on fan Iphones and personal cameras, and finalized by dancer/film editor Christopher Fessenden. Click here to see “Drink Him Down” (written with Flutterby Adam Daniel!) danced on donuts! Speaking of dancing, On May 22, Maureen will have danced 101 consecutive days – in honor of Mom who’s not able to dance at present. Go Mo! To catch up on the that dance challenge and for other news, please click here
M&M5 LIVE at DOWNTOWN DISNEY’S ESPN STAGE!
Friday: May 2, June 20, July 18, August 15
Saturday: May 3 (others TBA)
Sunday: May 25
Shows are at ESPN ZONE — 1545 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, ALL AGES, NO COVER – You do not need a Disney pass to attend and you get 3 hours free parking! DJ Dr. Nate will play between sets and the dynamic Dancee Angie will teach new steps!
As always, thanks for all your love & support with our musical adventures!
Listen to us on Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody – Buy us on Itunes, Amazon & CD Baby
Hope to see you soon!…..xo Maureen
April showered us with incredible fortune and May is flowering into an a-May-zing month!
Our secret sideshow – the Jump Swing Rockabilly thang, MAUREEN & THE MERCURY 5 is truly taking off! We’ve recorded some tunes and have several gigs coming up!
Click here for our Facebook & Reverbnation links: http://www.reverbnation.com/maureenandthemercury5
BBQ CLASSIC ON THE QUEEN MARY
Whose barbecue style reigns supreme? The Queen Mary presents the first-ever West Coast BBQ Classic – Enjoy a full day of finger lickin’ good competition with Pitmasters from around the country battling for the title of Ultimate Pitmaster. Then, dance off that great food with THE FLUTTERBIES and MAUREEN & THE MERCURY 5! Click here for more info: http://westcoastbbqclassic.com/
Here are the details:
SATURDAY MAY 12, 2012 – BBQ CLASSIC AT THE QUEEN MARY
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
4:30pm The Flutterbies
6:00pm Maureen & the Mercury 5 w/special performances by Swing Dance Sensations – The Hollywood Hotshots!
Between Sets – DJ Little Steven’s Underground Garage! Please come early for 11:30am-Them Novus and 1:30 pm Shoemaker Brothers
Gates open at 11 a.m. General admission to the West Coast Classic is $10 and includes one tasting ticket. Purchase one additional taste for $2; six tastes for $10; or 13 for $20. Children 12 and under are free; admission to the kids’ zone is $5. Parking is $12.
LET’S MOVE TOGETHER AT THE LOS ANGELES ARTHRITIS WALK!
Sing and dance with us for a cure at the Los Angeles Arthritis Walk, Saturday, May 19th, 7:30am to 11:30am on the Santa Monica Pier, Lot 1 North. We know it’s early morning on a Saturday – but come enjoy the beautiful beach weather and meet The Eagles’ Glenn Frey, as he gets an award from Flutterby Maureen and the Arthritis Foundation for his tireless efforts to find a cure (Maureen will sing “Desparado”). We are donating our talents as part of Let’s Move Together, a nationwide movement that encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Sign up to walk at 7AM. More info here: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1001905
Here are the details:
SATURDAY MAY 19, 2012 – ARTHRITIS WALK LOS ANGELES
7:30AM THE FLUTTERBIES – and Glenn Frey presentation
9:00AM – 11AM — Maureen & the Mercury 5 w/the Hollywood Hotshots
COURSE: 3-mile with a 1-mile course option; Pets welcome. Parking is $8 per car
OUR NEW FRIENDS
Ryan Schiff, of Americana band Lou Pine and our cool music director pal from West L.A. School of Rock will sub for Adam Daniel, May 19th. We’re thrilled to add his harmonies to THE FLUTTERBIES family. Also, Peter Kavanaugh, of (all star player of Phat Cat Swinger, among other notables) will sub for Eitaro Sako in MAUREEN & THE MERCURY 5 May 12 & May 19th. THE HOLLYWOOD HOTSHOTS are joining us for both gigs this month too! These dancers have been featured on Super Bowl 2012’s Budweiser Eternal Optimism Commercial, Gloria Estefan’s music video “Hotel Nacional”, Foster The People’s “Houdini” video and even JibJab E-Cards. HOTSHOTS Founder Minn Vo is one of LA’s favorite Swing Dance competitors and was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2004. Additional accomplishments include the Los Angeles Finals for the FOX reality series “So You Think You Can Dance” (Season 1), The 55th Annual Emmy Awards, The Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY, and sponsorship from Aris Allen Dance Shoes, Adidas, Vitamin Water and RedBull.
Hope to see you out and about…
xo
Maureen and The Flutterbies
Maureen & The Mercury 5
© 2011 The Flutterbies
Official website: www.theflutterbies.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/theflutterbies
Maureen at Facebook: www.facebook.com/theflutterbiesmaureen
The Flutterbies at Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/THE-FLUTTERBIES/62293491361?ref=s
Dear fans and friends of The Flutterbies,
We’ve recently been presented with an exciting opportunity to tour the East Coast in May! A full weekend of shows in New York, Baltimore, and Delaware is leading to more bookings in more cities, but before we can confirm any new gigs we need to raise some money for traveling, hotel, and other expenses. To that end, we’re very excited to offer you the chance to wrap your ears and eyes around some Flutterbies collectables and, in the process, to become co-sponsors of our tour!
Here’s how it works: Below are five sponsorship packages, each including additional unique items. Whichever interests you, please click its PayPal link and you’ll instantly become an official sponsor of The Flutterbies East Coast Tour 2010. Thank you so much!
PayPal takes all major credit cards, but for those of you who prefer paper, checks can also be sent to:
The Flutterbies
5419 Hollywood Blvd. #C123
Hollywood, CA 90027
Here are your package options:
$25 Flutterby Fan
Website tribute at Fans! page
CD & autographed pin-up pic of Maureen
$50 Band-Aide
Website tribute at Fans! page
CD & autographed pin-up pic of Maureen
Framed handwritten lyrics of your favorite Flutterbies song
(2) Tickets to (1) Flutterbies concert in 2010
$100 Monarch
Website tribute at Fans! page with your photo!
CD & autographed pin-up pic of Maureen
Framed handwritten lyrics of your favorite Flutterbies song
Fan Exclusive download of the unreleased Flutterbies track "Swear U Might Be Him"
(2) Tickets to ALL Flutterbies concerts in 2010
$150 Spoonerist (one who says "Flutterbies" instead of "butterflies")
Website tribute at Fans! page with your photo!
CD & autographed pin-up pic of Maureen
Framed handwritten lyrics of your favorite Flutterbies song
Fan Exclusive download of the unreleased Flutterbies track "Swear U Might Be Him"
(2) Tickets to ALL Flutterbies concerts 2010-2012 *venue maximum capacity 200
Fan Exclusive DVD of live Flutterbies concert clips!
Tea date with Maureen!! *within 100 miles of Los Angeles, CA or along our tour itinerary
$250 Hummingbird-Hearted
Website tribute at Fans! page with your photo!
CD & autographed pin-up pic of Maureen
Framed handwritten lyrics of your favorite Flutterbies song
Fan Exclusive download of the unreleased Flutterbies track "Swear U Might Be Him"
(2) Tickets to ALL Flutterbies concerts 2010-2012 *venue maximum capacity 200
Fan Exclusive DVD of live Flutterbies concert clips
Tea date with Maureen *within 100 miles of Los Angeles, CA or along our tour itinerary
LIVE ACOUSTIC HOUSE CONCERT!!! *within 100 miles of Los Angeles, CA or along our tour itinerary
Here’s our tour itinerary so far:
May 13, 2010 at National Underground in New York, NY
May 15, 2010 at NightCat in Easton, MD
May 16, 2010 at Cooldog Concerts in Dover, DE
We’ll be adding more shows as soon as we’re able, hopefully in your town!
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Meantime, back home in Los Angeles…
Upcoming Gigs
TONIGHT: a full-band electric set! The Flutterbies are bustin’ up Ronnie Mack’s legendary Barn Dance in Burbank, sharing a bill with Lynda Kay, Karen Tobin, 50 Cent Haircut, and Sideshow Preachers (special thanks to Ronnie Mack and Mark Tortorici). Come for the music, stay for the Swing dancing!
Monday April 5, 2010 at 9:30pm
Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill
4311 West Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
And later this month we’re playing an intimate acoustic set at downtown Americana hang, Redwood Bar & Grill, hosted by our good friend Adam Mackintosh:
Wednesday April 21, 2010 at 8:30pm
Redwood Bar & Grill
316 West 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Flutterbies are Maureen Davis on lead vocals, Adam Daniel on guitar/vocals, Christopher Allis on drums, Steve Whalen on bass, and special guest Marty Rifkin (Bruce Springsteen, Jewel, Keith Urban) on pedal steel.
Full gig info is always posted and current at our website’s Shows page.
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Thank you so much for your support… Our fans mean the world to us! And happy April, y’all!
xo
Maureen & The Flutterbies
Hey, y’all! Welcome to The Flutterbies August newsletter… This month: some exciting retail news, new pics and video for you, and more!
The Flutterbies On Sale at Amoeba Records
The last great record store! We’re pleased as punch to be on sale now at Amoeba Records in Hollywood, CA. Our EP The Flutterbies featuring Maureen Davis is shelved atop Ben Folds Five and Peter Frampton, and this month it’s also a featured pick at Amoeba’s website! We’re working on booking an in-store performance this fall, so if you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by the store, grab a CD, and ask when we’re playing!
In-Flight Flutterbies
Our single "Hummingbird Heart" is in regular rotation on Lufthansa Airlines’ Country/Folk/Americana channel. So should any of you be flying to or from Germany this month, you can tune into us on your in-flight radio!
We’re worldwide, baby.
New Pic, and Video… with Trombone!
The Flutterbies live! Pic taken by Chef Dion Trujillo at our summer residency "First Tuesdays" show last month at O’Brien’s Pub in Santa Monica, CA. Later that evening, our guitarist Adam Daniel began hurriedly packing up the Les Paul sitting on a stand in the center of the photo before it was kindly pointed out to him that the guitar, in fact, belonged to Brant Biles, soundman extraordinaire and rhythm guitarist for Bart Ryan, also on the bill that night. Alt-country outlaw, indeed…
And from the same show, click here to see video of the Flutterbies’ new friend Nick "Danger" Daley jamming improbably amazing trombone along with our new song "Shoot Me". Yes: trombone.
Video Killed the Radio Star
The Flutterbies are filming our first video, for our next single "How I Get Over You". The video will co-star our good friend Mindy Sterling from the Austin Powers movies, and S-Factor pole dancers Tracy Mueller and Christina Grance. Produced and directed by Dan Zacharias, the video will be shot August 28 at The Good Nite Bar in North Hollywood, CA. Thanks to owner/bartender Daniel for gifting us with his amazing room! Stay tuned…
Upcoming Gigs
We’re continuing our recession special with more FREE gigs:
TONIGHT! August 4
Last night of our summer residency at O’Brien’s Pub
2941 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
8pm: Sentimental Sinners
9pm: The Flutterbies FULL BAND
10pm: Bart Ryan
11pm: All-star jam!
And in September… The Flutterbies are hitting the road, playing a benefit for Soldiers R Us at the Cadillac Ranch in Phoenix, AZ (exact date and time upcoming).
The Flutterbies are Maureen Davis on lead vocals, Bart Ryan on guitar/lap steel/vocals, Adam Daniel on guitar/keys/vocals, Christopher Allis on drums, and Steve Whalen on bass.
Full gig info is always posted and current at our website’s Shows page.
Reviews
This month’s review snippet comes from a fan posting at the Independent Music Awards website. We’re nominated for this year’s awards, and received this exciting and eloquent comment from NYC journalist Tammy Quinn McKillip:
The Flutterbies are city slicker country twang, urban hillbilly, rock-n-ride amazing! Maureen Davis has the voice of an angel and a body made for sin. Sexy, soulful and intelligent, the Flutterbies are everything that alternative country should be–down to Earth and transcendent.
Thanks, Tammy!
Flutterbies For Sale
Our EP The Flutterbies featuring Maureen Davis is for sale, still and always, at iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, Rhapsody, etc. Buy us, baby, buy us!
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Happy August, y’all!
xo
Maureen & The Flutterbies
From July 10 to August 10, you can hear The Flutterbies coast-to-coast, in-auditorium at Laemmle and Angelika Theatres — and get a coupon to buy us at Amoeba Records and www.amoeba.com!
This month, The Flutterbies hit Amoeba Records — top shelf, alongside Ben Folds Five, Foreigner and Peter Frampton! Now that you know that:
1. See a movie @ Laemmle’s or Angelika Theatres in California/Texas/New York
2. Hear our single “Hummingbird Heart” on the big screen during previews
3. Get a $2 off coupon, and go buy THE FLUTTERBIES FEATURING MAUREEN DAVIS @ Amoeba Records
or
http://www.amoeba.com/buy-stuff/category/featured-picks/page3.html
4. Bring your Amoeba receipt to our next show and get a crazy cool gift! Or scan your Amoeba receipt in, email to maureen@theflutterbies and we’ll email your treat…
See you online or in-person at Kulak’s Woodshed live international web stream July 30th!
(Hollywood CA) THE FLUTTERBIES (featuring Maureen Davis) join ARTISTS UNITED musicians Taxi Doll, The B.O.L.T., Sabrina Taylor, Allison Geddie, Gerina Di Marco and Alestar Digby for LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY (www.living-free.org) to help save dogs and cats from euthanasia. Hosted by Mindy Sterling ( from “Austin Powers” — Frau Farbissina — you know Dr. Evil’s girlfriend?). Clothing & jewelry & more….tickets $10 at www.groovetickets.com — doors open 7pm, Flutterbies @ 9pm. 21 and over, please….
Come on — ya know ya wanna go ….all the cool kids are doin’ it…and get the EP — THE FLUTTERBIES FEATURING MAUREEN DAVIS at Itunes, CDBaby, Amazon, Digstation and all your favorite digital distributers. Hear us on Rhapsody.com, indie 104/iRadioLA and all Lufthansa flights worldwide July/August!
reviewer martin overheul writes:
I’m a sucker for sensual female voices, or – for that matter – for any exceptional female voice. Whether it’s Joni Mitchell, Dusty Springfield or less known singers as Lisa Mednick or Carla Cook, I really love the nuances and emotions they express with their voice. That’s why I’m so excited with the brand new self-titled EP by the American altcountry band The Flutterbies featuring the ravishing Maureen Davis. Trust me; this is a band with lots of potential.
Maureen Davis’ voice has all the great qualities of singers like Lucy Kalplansky, Pat Benatar (especially when she ‘belts out’), and Sue Foley while the guys in the band create a solid yet playful foundation.
Opener ‘Louder, Louder’ does what it promises: crashing guitars, a very tight playing rhythm section, and a fiery Maureen Davis deliver a powerful song with a distinct wink to The Pretenders. On the other hand a song like ‘Hummingbird Heart’ shows that this band also has a feeling for refinement. The delightful arrangement of this song offers Davis’ voice all the opportunities it needs to stand out.
‘How I Get Over You’ and ‘Kill Him With Kisses’ need to be played a full volume. These songs rock like a freight train gone berserk and Davis outclasses the likes of Pat Benatar by far. In between the band plays one of their two truly classy songs: ‘Faith In The Rain’, a superb country waltz with sparkling instruments and a dazzling voice. The second classy song is ‘Damn Glad’, a seemingly simple ballad with highly sensitive vocals by Maureen Davis.
SOUTH BAY MUSIC AWARDS named The Flutterbies 2009 COUNTRY BAND/ARTIST OF THE YEAR! Thank you for all your votes! We’ve also been nominated for BEST SINGER SONGWRITER at the 2009 L.A. MUSIC AWARDS in November. Life is good…. The Flutterbies are Maureen Davis-Lead Vocals; Bart Ryan-Guitars, Lap Steel; Steve Whalen-Bass; Christopher Allis-Drums; Jamieson Trotter-Keyboards. The Flutterbies Featuring Maureen Davis EP was produced by Bart Ryan and engineered by Grammy-award-winning Seth Atkins Horan.
Again – many, many thanks y’all….
Simon Petty of Minibar (new project Solomon’s Seal) has invited us to jam with him monthly on Sundays at Renee’s Courtyard Cafe 522 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401. No cover, 21 & Over, please….
APRIL 26th — 9pm acoustic set of Flutterbies originals with Maureen Davis, Bart Ryan and Adam Daniel. Back bar features drinks by Leah and original art by L.A.’s best female visual creators and other cool female singer/songwriters — this Sunday only.
MAY 31 — 9pm acoustic set of Flutterbies originals with Maureen, Bart & Adam. 10pm it’s 3 hours of “stump the band” time for an unrehearsed, unpredictable, unbelievable night of whatever strikes our fancy, led by Minibar’s Simon Petty. This is L.A.’s best kept secret jam and the coolest thing to do on Sunday night.
MAY 4TH — 7PM – 10PM (set time/interview TBD) THE FLUTTERBIES LIVE ON HUNNYPOT RADIO! Hear a track from our EP and a live acoustic thang. Tune your computer dial to http://www.hunnypotunlimited.com/?page=radio and listen live 7 to 10pm (PST). If you’re in the LA area and would like to join us in the Hot Tub bring classy girls, dancing boys and booze — butcha haveta RSVP at the website www.hunnypotunlimited.com . Give us your feedback at cheap mortgages.