Zera Marvel: News/Blog
Welcome to zeramarvel.com
Called the "best-named singer in rock" by Alternative Press magazine, Zera Marvel - former front-woman of the band Tagging Satellites, ventures out on her own. Birds And Bullets Fly is Zera's first solo release.
"Birds And Bullets Fly" is available on CD Baby. Click on the link below to purchase the CD or MP3's
Click on the link below to find Zera on Facebook:
News / Blog
June 2009:
Tractor Tavern show with Tom Brosseau coming up on Wednesday, June 24th. I'll be playing with my full band and we'll be debuting at least one new song and re-working some of the old ones!
BUY YOUR TICKET HERE
NEW! One hundred and one degree fever. Five nights of not sleeping because I couldn't stop coughing. And on the last day, we filmed this video. When I watch it I am reminded of how sick I was. Perhaps I shouldn't tell you all this, maybe you wouldn't have noticed!
I am extremely thankful to the talented people that made this video happen. We had a very tiny budget...TINY! Yet, they managed to come up with something that is rich in color and professionally executed!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to....
Directing: Michael O'Neill & Jana Huskey of Stolen Matches Productions
Hair and makeup: Erin Skipley of Bellatrix Studio (extra thanks for making me look alive after I crawled out of bed with a fever!)
And thanks to Columbia City Theater, Graig Markel and Brent Lehmann.
May 2009:
I recently set up a secure Paypal account for those of you that would like to purchase a copy of "Birds And Bullets Fly" directly from me. It isn't really any less expensive than ordering through CD Baby, but you can request a signed copy if you'd like!*
Birds And Bullets Fly - 10 song CD:
$10.00 + $2.00 Shipping/Handling
*Please note when you are checking out if you'd like the CD signed.
The link below will take you to a secure Paypal checkout. You do NOT need to have a Paypal account, you can pay using any major credit or debit card.
April 2009:
Join us at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle on Thursday, April 9th - we will be playing a short set to open the evening for our friends The Memphis Radio Kings who are celebrating the release of their new CD, followed by the sexy, electro-pop duo Trentalange. My band is going to mix things up this time around with Graig Markel playing some lap steel as well as guitar and Gregg Panto playing some guitar and banjo. We go on first around 9...don't miss out!
March 2009:
"Tonight is a release party for Zera Marvel's first album, Birds and Bullets Fly, and it's hard, if not impossible, to avoid the early Neko Case comparisons. There's a kind of sullen country vibe—maybe "country gothic," in the literary sense of that loaded second word—that resembles Seattle's favorite red-headed export. Marvel doesn't have Case's over-the-top pipes, but she's better at atmospherics: Her songs are tiny, sad stories, beautifully told with an aching heart. If you can listen to Marvel and not get that genuinely sad, old-school country-music hurt in your gut, there's something wrong with you." - Paul Constant, The Stranger
CD Release Party!
Please join me at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Thursday, March 12th to celebrate the release of "Birds And Bullets Fly"
BUY YOUR TICKET HERE
11pm Zera Marvel (with full band)
10pm Kate Tucker And The Sons Of Sweden
9pm Husbands, Love Your Wives
UPDATE: 3.14.09 -
Thanks to everyone who came out to help me celebrate the Seattle release of "Birds And Bullets Fly". The show was amazing. Performing live usually makes me nervous, but I decided to replace the word "nervous" with "excited" for this one evening...and it seemed to work. I had so much fun playing. This CD has been a long time in the making and there were times when I honestly thought it would never see the light of day...keep reading the blog below for all those dirty details! Anyone who paid admission to the show the other night got a free copy of "Birds And Bullets Fly". The box at the entrance that was filled with Cd's at the beginning of the night emptied quickly. After the show I handed out about 50 more copies. It felt so good to put the CD into the hands of people that wanted to hear it. Thank you, again, to everyone who has been so patient and supportive. If you enjoy the music, please tell your friends it is available locally in Seattle at Sonic Boom Records and on-line at: CD Baby
Photos by: Lilly West
February 2009:
I've been busy practicing with my band, getting ready for the CD release show in March - we are all really looking forward to it! Please mark your calendars for March 12th at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle.
11pm Zera Marvel (with full band)
10pm Kate Tucker And The Sons Of Sweden
9pm Husbands, Love Your Wives
January 2009:
Happy New Year! Lots of exciting things happening. My CD's are finished and the release show is planned for March 12, 2009 at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle with: Husbands, Love Your Wives and Kate Tucker And The Sons Of Sweden.
December 2008:
I finally have my CD's! I'm in the process of assembling the CD packages myself - had to cut costs somehow. I must remember to find a different way to cut cost next time. I've been inhaling way too much glue lately while putting these things together! I'll be announcing a release date very soon!
November 2008:
Another fun-filled night in Seattle with Head Like A Kite! Check out more pictures and the full show review at: www.threeimaginarygirls.com
Photos: Amelia Gydé
October/November 2008:
Well, I finally sent my CD artwork off again to another company that I am confident will stay in business long enough to finish it...unlike the last company that took my money and went out of business (see August news).
Stumptown Printers are a letterpress and offset print shop in Portland, Oregon. In addition to using recycled paper, their printing methods emphasize environmental responsibility by using vegetable based inks, alcohol free dampening systems and low impact press room chemicals. I am happy to be working with them, and I will be sure to keep you posted on the progress of the release of this damn CD!
In other news: I started recording new songs which I am very excited about. By the time I get my first CD out, I will already be well on my way to having the second one complete. The next time around will go much smoother...I sure!
I have been having such a blast joining Head Like A Kite on stage. If you get the chance to see them you should, they are a very fun band to see live. I'll be joining them for a few songs on October 3rd at Neumos in Seattle - details below:
KEXP presents John in the Morning at Night with:
Two Gallants
Harvey Danger (acoustic)
Blue Giant (featuring Viva Voce)
Head Like A Kite
Neumos
Doors: 8 PM
Age: 21+
$13 advance/$16 at the door
Tix: Tickets West
KEXP LIVE Broadcast with DJ Michele Myers spinning between sets.
September 2008: 
Backstage at Bumbershoot: Zera and Asya (from Smoosh) getting ready to join Head Like A Kite on stage.
I will also be joining Head Like A Kite for a few songs on September 10th at Nectar in Seattle. Come join in on the fun!
August 2008:
Turns out that the company manufacturing my CD's wasn't just "behind schedule" - after paying them, and listening to their false promises for the past 5 months, they've gone out of business.
Thingmakers in Tacoma, Washington was respected for their creative CD packaging. They were not your everyday printing company, they were artists. They did jobs for family and friends of mine, as well as CD packaging for Barsuk Records including releases for Death Cab For Cutie, Jesse Sykes, Rocky Votolato and more. I chose them because I wanted to use a local company, and I wanted something special for my first release.
Now I am preparing myself for having to pay for this job all over again. I am getting quotes from other companies, and trying to figure out how to dumb down the packaging so it is less unique....but still something I am excited about and proud of. This is a set back but I'm still going to make it happen. Damn you Thingmakers!
In other news: I'll be playing in Yakima, Washington on 08-08-08 with Star Anna. Check out the show preview from On Magazine:
"Yakima Sports Center regulars may recognize Zera Marvel as the stunning blond who sang a little back-up during Head Like A Kite’s last show there — she and husband, The Animals At Night electro-wiz Graig Markel, both have guest spots on HLAK’s latest album.
However, Marvel’s solo material is something quite different, falling somewhere in that lonesome prairie between dusty alt-country and indie-singer/songwriter sirenship.
But you don’t have to wait for her upcoming solo album “Birds & Bullets Fly,” to hear Marvel’s haunting, melancholy music. She plays tomorrow night at the Sports Center, 214 E. Yakima Ave. Also on the bill is Ellensburg songstress Star Anna and her pack of Laughing Dogs." - Kim Nowacki
July 2008: 
Dave Einmo of Head Like A Kite with Graig Markel from The Animals At Night & Zera Marvel.
Photo by: Jeanine Anderson
Asya from Smoosh, Zera, Graig & Dave: Head Like A Kite CD release show at Neumos. Photo by: Louise Wall
The company manufacturing the covers for my CD are still "behind schedule" and I have not been able to confirm a date with them as to when I will actually see the CDs. While I grow more impatient by the day, I do have some exciting things to keep me pre-occupied. The new Head Like A Kite CD, "There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere" on LA-based electronic label Mush Records is out now and # 1 on KEXP.
Head Like A Kite is Dave Einmo, joined live by drummer Trent Moorman, and in the studio by a revolving cast of musical friends including members of The Long Winters, Radio 4, Crooked Fingers, Smoosh, The Animals at Night and others. I am honored to have contributed backup vocals on a track. We just celebrated the release of the CD with two shows - one in Seattle and another in Yakima, WA.
Here is a link to a review of the Seattle show on the Seattle Weekly website:
Head Like A Kite show review
I also sing on a track from the new The Animals At Night CD, "Rain Falls On Asphalt". AAN also has a remix CD, "Northwest Remixed", which includes a remix of my song "Honeymoon", as well as songs by Kristin Hersh, Daniel G. Harmann, The Transmissionary Six, and more.
7.26.08 UPDATE: Head Like A Kite played the Capitol Hill Block Party yesterday - check out the review of the show on the Three Imaginary Girls website: Live Show Review
The show was also broadcast live on KEXP. Thanks to Dave and Trent for having me join them on stage once again! 
June 2008:
There is a new review on the PRESS PAGE from the Radio Free Seattle music blog.
I wish I had an update on the release of my CD. Unfortunately the company I chose to do the packaging is running behind schedule.
May 2008:
Upcoming show:
May 6th at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. I will be playing with a full band including: Graig Markel on guitar, Johnny Shea Bliss on drums, Jon Hyde on pedal steel, Doran Bastin on bass, and Gregg Panto will be playing banjo.
Also on the bill: J. Tillman & Monahans
March 2008:
Join us as we celebrate "Cosmonautical", the beautiful new release from my friends Transmissionary Six. Check out their website and have a listen:www.rodeosatellite.com
Zera Marvel followed by Transmissionary Six playing all the songs from their new CD. We will both be playing with full bands.
Friday, March 7th, 2008
Sunset Tavern, Seattle
It's an early show, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
January 2008:
Friday, January 18th at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. I will be playing with a full band including: Graig Markel on guitar, Johnny Shea Bliss on drums, Jon Hyde on pedal steel, Doran Bastin on bass, and Gregg Panto playing banjo.
Also on the bill: Shane Tutmarc & The Traveling Mercies, and Jesse Sykes!
Click here to see a show preview & interview I did with Trent Moorman for The Stranger.
UPDATE: 1.21.08 - what an amazing evening we all had on Friday! The show was sold-out! Click here to see pictures from the show. Photos by Louise Wall.
November/December 2007:
Listen to a mix of the new song "Above My Head". Recorded on a very rainy Seattle evening: hi-fi - lo-fi
October 2007:
Listen to a mix of the new song "The Carpenter": hi-fi - lo-fi
September 2007:
I am done recording. Graig Markel is working on the mastering and I should have a finished record within the next few weeks! The bad news is that I will be delaying the official release until this spring. It will be called "Birds And Bullets Fly" - I look forward to the finished product and will let you know more details as it comes together!
July/August 2007:
Check out the July issue of Seattle Magazine below. I am very honored to share the page with two of my local favorites, Jesse Sykes and Sera Cahoone.
May/June 2007:
5,000 miles in 13 days is a lot of driving, but we are safely back in Seattle. We had a great time on tour. We saw Taco Bell's, Wal-Mart's, cacti and palm trees, cows and sheep, strip malls and condos (both are taking over America), sun and snow, mountains, desert, and the sea...and lots and lots of highway! Happily there wasn't much road kill. We did kill billions of bugs though - sorry bugs! We avoided traffic tickets and parking tickets and hospitals. We met many nice people and saw a lot of great music. I do believe it was a success! Looking forward to the summer and recording more music now that we are back home.
April 2007:
New songs on the Music page! These songs will be available on a 5 song EP that I am putting together for the west coast tour we are about to embark on. Check out the Calendar page for show info.
February 2007:
"Zera Marvel. She’s drifting acoustic and dark. There’s a mist, and fireflies. Zera slows and points. Reminders on the wall. She’s been recording and mixing at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco. A new album is close." - Click here to see this review.
January 2007:
It feels like I have been working on my solo record for a lifetime, and well, I guess I have been! Since it is my first solo release I want to take my time and make sure I love each song. I will not be playing any shows for the month of December so I can focus on writing and recording. Happy Holidays.
October 2006:
I am very excited about opening for Micah P. Hinson at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Halloween! Micah has an old-soul voice and a story to match. I can't wait to see him perform. If you are in Seattle on Halloween, you should come out to the Tractor, it will be a great night.
September 2006:
On Saturday, September 2nd I will be playing at the High Dive in Seattle. It is a KEXP Live Remote Broadcast - so even if you are not in Seattle you can tune into www.kexp.org and listen. Check out the Calendar Page for more info.
August 2006:
I have had this website for one year now – how time flies. I just posted some pictures from the show on July 19th on the Photo page. I have a live band now: Graig Markel on guitar, Johnny S. Bliss on drums, and Jeff McCallum playing stand-up bass. Those names might be recognizable to those of you familiar with my old band, Tagging Satellites. Looks as though the band is back together! This time around we are playing my solo material. I got together with the guys a few days ago and started recording two new songs. There is another show in the works for the beginning of September – check back for details!
July 2006:
I didn't die of stage fright! Thank you to everyone who came out to the High Dive on June 28th for my first solo show. I was a wreck all day with nervous energy. Even as I got onto the stage, I wasn't sure I would be able to remember my songs. But I did, and it was a wonderful night! I am sure I will be nervous the next time I play, but last night reminded me that it is all worth it. The other bands that played were amazing -Transmissionary Six, Graig Markel, and Jen Wood. I felt honored to share the stage with such great talent! Thanks to everyone who came out to support me and those of you that sent your love and support from miles away - I appreciate it!
June 2006:
Live shows listed on the calendar page! I have not stepped onto a stage since 2002. It is really hard to believe it has been that long, especially since the stage fright never left. I am looking forward to these upcoming shows...despite my nerves! If you live in Seattle, it might be worth the $6 to see what happens!
April 2006:
I just returned from mixing with engineer/producer Aaron Prellwitz (Sun Kil Moon, Red House Painters, Death Cab for Cutie, etc.) at John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone studio in San Francisco. In the short amount of time we had, he was able to mix two songs. Aaron is a pleasure to work with, like visiting an old friend, even though we have only met once before. I posted pictures from the trip on the Photos page, and one of the songs we worked on, “Honeymoon”, on the Music page. Back to recording for now!
January/February 2006:
I posted two "songs in progress" on the music page. Keep in mind they are rough mixes. Just thought it would give you an idea of what I've been working on!
December 2005:
Started to make further progress on recording. Unfortunately I was sidetracked by the death of my wonderful Grandfather. Just returned from his funeral on the East Coast. Not in the mood for the upcoming holidays, but I always manage to get through them. I will post rough demos of some new songs next month. Thanks for checking in.
November 2005:
I took a break from recording in October. I got obsessed with my Halloween costume. I won some money on Halloween for my costume though! Back to the music now...
October 2005:
Taking a break from recording to work on a very cool Halloween costume based on the Greek myth of The Sirens. I've been playing lots of guitar, and now have a few new songs to record next month!
September 2005:
I have been enjoying the beautiful Seattle summer weather. It is difficult to lock yourself in the studio and record when the weather is calling for you to swim in the lake! I tend to be much more productive, artistically speaking, when the weather is gray and calls for hibernating! So far I have recorded 9 songs and plan to work on 4 more next month. I have been practicing new material with Johnny S. Bliss (Tagging Satellites) and Graig Markel (solo artist/ Tagging Satellites) preparing to record a few more songs. Graig has been upgrading equipment in the Recovery Room, and I am looking forward to using some of the new mics for this next round of recording. The songs are coming along great. Thanks for checking in!
August 2005:
It has been over two years since my band Tagging Satellites broke up. I am excited to be involved in music again; it has been the biggest thing missing over these past few years. I have been recording solo material at the Recovery Room in Seattle. My plan is to put out a CD sometime in 2007. Thanks for visiting my new website, keep checking back for updates!