Menage

Mary Ellen Bush and Sarah McDonald are the gifted talents that merged to form ?M?nage,? a band whose intimate, harmonic landscapes echo the authenticity of Emmylou Harris, the Indigo Girls, and Neil Young. While legendary predecessors inform any current artist, M?nage has etched their own signature perspective: folk-rooted melodies wrapped in a bluesy swing, conveyed in grooves ranging from smoky, rollicking roadhouse, to dreamy, three-quarter waltz.

Originally a female trio with a focus on vocal harmony, M?nage now has a new attitude. The band is fronted by 2003 founding members Sarah McDonald, the swanky wordsmith (guitar, banjo, super sultry singin') and Mary Ellen Bush, the sophisticated growler (dog house bass, guitar, harmonica, and amazing boots.) M?nage is proud to introduce their newest members, Matthew Kinne (electric guitars) and Matthew Roberts (drums).

M?nage's collective musicianship underscores lyrics of whimsy and gravitas delivered in unfettered harmony, sparked by the occasional Texas croon. Solid stringed riffs laced with distant artful flashes of harmonica and accordion are siren songs to those lucky enough to be within earshot.

Sweet harmonies and distinct song writing are the backbone of this band's novel style. Menage presents an exciting and powerful live show that began in a small neighborhood pub in West Asheville, NC in 2002. Since that time, much of the positive and widespread buzz about Menage can be attributed to the support of local newspapers, television and news stations that keep Menage in regular rotation. WNCW used one of the group's songs on their annual compilation disc in 2004, which also featured Donna the Buffalo, Gillian Welch, Tim O'Brian, The Indigo Girls, and many more. Menage has shared the stage with nationally and internationally appreciated groups such as The Snake Oil Medicine Show, Donna the Buffalo, The Blue Rags, and The Avett Brothers. Menage is currently working with a management team that is preparing them for their first major record label affiliation. "M?nage is the most exciting new Asheville act I've heard this year," Martin Anderson, program director, WNCW-FM, May 2004. This regional favorite has been wooing folks from near and far with their own brand of sass. To describe their original music: Think Patsy Cline country, Nina Simone soul, Bob Wills western swing, Tom Waits jazz and Jimmy Reed blues. You will hear songs about ping-pong, turtles, sandwiches with the crust cut off, and flowers, given as an apology, "I can't wait for them to die!" The songwriting and the talent of this young group will draw you in, and bring you back to see them again.
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