Best of What's Next: The Seedy Seeds

Hometown: Cincinnati
Album: Roll Deep EP
Band Members: Mike Ingram (vocals, banjo, guitar, kazoo), Margaret Darling (vocals, guitar, accordion, kazoo), Brian Penick (drums)
For Fans Of: Mates of State, The Moldy Peaches, The Postal Service

If you ever find yourself in a Cincinnati parking lot witnessing an impromptu concert by a band that seems to combine equal bits of folk, pop and electronica, chances are you’re watching The Seedy Seeds in action. While the trio loves playing in just about any sort of venue, they name non-traditional spaces—like backyards, art galleries and parking lots—among their most treasured performances.

“I really appreciate when there are, like, twenty 8-year-old kids running around in circles in front of us, and their parents are like, ‘Hey, I’m enjoying this,’ and then there are also music fans that came intentionally,” says Mike Ingram, one-third of group. “So when we sort of create a neighborhood bonfire experience, those are generally my favorites.”

It makes sense that these eclectic experiences are where the band feels most at home—you don’t have to devote much time listening to The Seedy Seeds to realize their sound is any anything but traditional. Even the bandmates themselves have trouble articulating the kind of music they play. “People always ask us what we sound like or what we call our sound, and to try to pigeonhole it is difficult,” says percussionist Brian Penick. “But I would say pop-folk with an electronic dance beat.”

“Lots of hyphens,” adds vocalist and accordion player Margaret Darling.

Whatever you call it, it’s served the The Seedy Seeds well. Though they’re still relatively low-profile nationally, they’ve released two full-length albums and one EP since 1999, and in April dropped a three-song 7’’ EP, Roll Deep, in celebration of Record Store Day. The band’s summer is shaping up to be full of festivals, with performances scheduled at NXNE in Toronto and a slot secured at Louisville, Ky.’s hallowed Lebowski Fest. Part of the secret to making the band work, according to Ingram, is their ability to view the outfit as as functional fusion.

“It’s not always fun and awesome and party time,” he says. “It’s basically like we’re all married and we all have to respect each other and arbitrate things and be political with each other.”