Well, this one is pretty big news for us. So, let’s break it down shall we?

Q1: What does Blue Giant have in common with Merle Haggard & The Watson Twins?

A1: They’re all artists on Vanguard Records! That’s right folks we’re elated to announce we’ve  joined the ranks of the venerable Vanguard Record label. They will be releasing our eponymous debut album on July 13th. If 2010 keeps on like this, I’ll float up to heaven come Autumn! Obviously this is huge news around these parts & it’s an honor to be added to their roster of artists!
There will be more album updates in the weeks to come, but we wanted to make the official big announcement today! Hot damn, right?!?!

Q2: Who are those adorable new faces on stage with Blue Giant?

A2: Those two mugs you see in the pic above are the new recruits. Everyone say hello to Dave Depper (on right) and Jesse Bates (on left) – our new bass and pedal steel players respectively. To wit:

Seth recorded with us and toured til now, but has this beautiful thing called, a child, that encumbers the desire to pick up at the drop of a hat and play a show for pennies in BFE. Something we’re foolish enough to love doing. He’s taken up some local duties & is just happier at home these days – understandably so. So what do we do? We go and nab Portlands finest (with perfect pitch no doubt) Dave Depper. He’s a dear friend and total crusher. We’re honored to have him aboard!

Funk is now a casualty of war. A war of axe slingin’. The guy is really off the charts. We recorded a metal band together in December (ahem,…Red Fang!), and since then has found a new home for his bluegrass project – Black Prarie, toured Australia, mixed said metal band in Nashville, started a monthly kids variety show, plays in this tiny little band called The Decemberists, and has a 2010 google calendar that looks like a rorschach test. I know busy. I know insanely busy,..but this guy is like lesbian busy. You know what I mean, right? Every gay woman I know has 20 jobs and makes me feel like one lazy sunnovabitch. Funk is lesbian busy.  Point being – we needed a pinch hitter.
We got a knock out of the park! Jesse was in Portland for 3 days. We played together on the 4th day and he was in the band on the 5th. Bing, bang, boom!  No lie! It was magic from the start. Add to the fact that we have a shared love of MST3K, and you’ve got a match made in heaven! Jesse is a great new addition – an absolute crusher – and we’re happy to have him aboard!

So that’s the big news around these parts. Totally nuts, huh?! And we’re not even through with February yet! Can’t wait to see what’s comin’ round the bend!

Take care ya’ll – Kevin