Interview: Doug Snyder (The Jellydots)

Finally had the chance to upload (and post) a nice little interview with the genius behind The Jellydots, Doug Snyder. He played a couple sweet shows here in Phoenix a couple weeks back, and I caught him in between sets. We talked about his guitar, work on his upcoming album, and other Jellydot-ian news. (Oh, and Little Boy Blue wandered in occasionally, so apologies for the odd camera angles for some of the interview.)

Concert Recap: Doug Snyder of the Jellydots (Phoenix, Jan. 2009)

So very pleased was I with main Jellydot Doug Snyder's performance at the Children's Museum of Phoenix this past weekend, the first of several shows I'm helping the Museum put on. (Does that make me a musical curator of sorts?)

A good crowd (split into two parts, for Doug's two sets), a friendly group of kids, and a lovely sun-dappled space perfect for this song. I thought it was so perfect, I even panned the camera at the proper moment...

Doug Snyder (The Jellydots) - "Mr. Gloom"

And there's more...
Doug ran through both his new and old stuff. We were only able to stay for the first 30-minute set, but looking at his setlists, he had a completely different setlist for the second 30-minute set. Phish would be proud.

I hadn't fully appreciated quite how small his guitar was -- not soprano ukulele sized, but definitely smaller than a lot of guitars I've seen. Sounded great. And Doug does good crowd interaction...

(But next time, I'm having him bring the band.)

I'll have more from Doug next week, but in the meantime, more live videos for your enjoyment...

Doug Snyder (The Jellydots) - "Race Cars Go"

Doug Snyder (The Jellydots) - "San Diego"

Doug Snyder (The Jellydots) - "Captain Sleep"

Reminder: Doug Snyder (The Jellydots) -- Live In Phoenix This Sunday!

It's been a crazy-busy week for me, but I've got my calendar clear to see the Jellydots' Doug Snyder play a show at the wonderful Children's Museum of Phoenix this Sunday, January 11. Sets are at 2 and 3 PM, free with Museum admission. I'm so geeked I was able to help the Museum with their new series, especially with Doug.

Make sure you get there early, for two reasons:
1) Space is limited. (Check out the CMOP calendar for how to make reservations, though they're leaving a few spots open for walk-ins.)
2) Your kids (and you) will be so distracted by "Whoosh!" on the ground floor that it'll take you a good 20 minutes to get up to the 2nd floor...

See you tomorrow!

Live in Phoenix: Doug Snyder (January 11, 2009)

A while ago, main Jellydot Doug Snyder lived in Phoenix, even playing a Sing-Along Saturday at Stinkweeds Records. Well, Doug moved on to New Mexico, but he's returning to the Valley of the Sun to kick off a great 2009 kids music-wise when he plays a couple of sets at the Children's Museum of Phoenix on Sunday, January 11. Come at 2 PM, or come at 3 PM (or maybe even stay for both). The show is free with CMOP admission and if you haven't yet visited the museum and you've got kids who are still in the single-digit age range, you really should stop by -- it's a really cool museum.

I've helped CMOP put together a whole concert series for 2009 -- more details on the rest of the series coming soon!

Listen To This: "The Water Tower" - Doug Snyder (The Jellydots)

I know Doug Snyder of The Jellydots is recording tracks for the next album, but in the meantime, he's involved a project called Friends of Niko.

It's a project started by Friend-of-Doug Loreta Boskovic, whose son Niko developed autism at some point after he turned 3 years old. To raise funds to provide some expensive therapy for her son, Boskovic wrote some pretty heartfelt lyrics and then turned to Doug to create some music to go with it. The result, "The Water Tower," has some fairly personal lyrics that are difficult to listen to if you're not in that situation, but the chorus (one line: "And you, forever in our minds / Like a water tower / That I don't notice driving by"), matched with a swooping chorus, fairly well soars.

Listen to the song below, but make sure you check out the website and Niko's story, and donate if possible.

Doug Snyder (The Jellydots) - "The Water Tower"

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