"Close Encounters of the Monkey Kind . . ."
MONKEYSHINE was a songwriting/recording duo comprised of two ex-high-school friends in their mid-40s who sang in each other's living rooms off and on over the years, and on a whim in 2004 began writing original material together, the fruits of which can be found on this site, among other places.
Cate Doefer, lyrics, vocals. Lives in Howell, Michigan.
Tim Foley, music, lyrics, vocals, instrumentation. Lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Keenan Foley, saxophone on a few selected tunes, Tim's son, also from Grand Rapids.
In the summer of 2005 they released their first self-titled collection of songs. Home recorded on a small 8 track recorder and mixed on their computer, the songs are an eclectic mix of folk, pop, jazz, rock, country, guitars, male/female harmonies in a lumpy mixture held together by a healthy dollop of wry humor. Plenty of bang for your buck with 21 tracks for 11 bucks. Clicking on the 'Listen' link at the end of each description will take you to a 'Garageband' page where you can listen to a streaming audio sample of the tune.
Monkeyshine, the first song on the cd, is a snappy uptempo homage to home brewed banana wine that Cate's husband Brian cooks up in the basement**. Monkey noises included at no extra charge. One Garageband reviewer from Toronto mentioned that "...monkey shine is clearly emerging as one of my favorites on this site...like upbeat Tom Waits, this band has a consistent, cool vibe with a sense of humour, fun and adventure." -- Listen -- Lyrics
**Make your own banana wine at home - Doefer Monkeyshine Wine recipe here.
It Aint About Love follows, and is a country inspired ballad about marital infidelity, and features Cate in the drivers seat, telling us 'where we stand', which one reviewer called "kind of depressing . . . " -- Listen -- Lyrics
Hip Hip Hooray ruminates on dashed hopes and failed ambitions and just plain old bad luck, but with a good beat that you can dance to. "...Catchy as the bird flu, but a helluva lot more fun..." one reviewer writes. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Little Red Vega motors in with an ode to Tim's high school/college transportation. A real creampuff, not overly flashy, but with just enough style to get you where you're going (or almost there, at any rate). Was awarded #13 all time 'grooviest rhythm' in the Americana genre on Garageband, and one reviewer from Sweden proclaimed that "...the groove makes me happy..." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Gray Matter is well, a little indescribable. One podcaster remarked that "I bet even the creators of this song didn't quite know what to do with it". Guitars and cellos and alternating male/female vocals singing about frontal lobes and anal probes. Was 'Track of the Day' twice on Garageband, and currently holds the #13 Best Female Vocals all time reviewer award in the Experimental Rock genre. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Brown Finger Blues is a distasteful little ditty about urban dog owner responsibilites and the consequences thereof. Traditional blues in approach with doowop vocal harmonies and a harmonica solo by Tim's son Keenan. Inspired by Cate's little Jack Russell Terrier 'Max'. Currently holds the #18 all time Best Female Vocals in the Comedy genre on Garageband. -- Listen -- Lyrics
This Dogs Fer You follows in the 'dog theme' portion of the program, with a song by Tim about slavish devotion and obsequiousness. Laid back, bluesy and full of more canine references and metaphors than are usually allowable. "...a well written song with a catchy melody", one reviewer opined, and another said: "...Shades of Ricky Lee Jones and perhaps a little Tom Waits, this doggy themed little number is gritty and catchy." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Pot Bellied Swine tells the story of a rather unsavory character, set to a gritty 3 chord rock n roll beat. One reviewer put it this way: "I feel like I should be wearing protection listening to this track..." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Life's a Beach, a rather relaxed meditation on journeys and destinations. Frequent reviewer comparisons to Jimmy Buffet (I suppose he holds the monopoly on the 'seashore vibe'), plus nice comments like "somebody hand me my flip flops", "enjoying the ride for certain", while another reviewer wrote "...if that's the title then I'm gonna puke..." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Shower of Love, a fun little country-tinged, harmony infused bit of fluff, complete with cornball spoken word interlude in the middle. Tim's attempt to write a 'happy song'. Feel free to strip right down and dance. A reviewer from Iowa writes: "...This folksy composition is a warm breeze of pleasant..." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Badlands, on the opposite side of the spectrum, is a rather dark and gloomy western ballad, and you can almost see the tumbleweeds roll by. Currently holds the #13 position of Best Mood all time in the Folk genre at Garageband. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Unleash follows in the 'brooding moody' portion of the cd, with a hypnotic beat, and Cate 'unleashing her beast'. Look out. "great vocals and lyrics ... and a fairly mesmerizing tune" writes one reviewer. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Shattered Dreams takes the listener by stealth, with its catchy pop melody and harmonies, but at its heart it hides a core of bitterness and regret. Tim's very first attempt at songwriting. Frequent comparisons to Willie Nelson still have Tim scratching his head in befuddlement. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Whipped Cream on a Cow Pie, is an uptempo bluesy shuffler that tells the story of a philanderer getting his 'just desserts'. Title inspired by a comment made by an Atlanta Braves announcer during a game. "... a funky groove with a slinky beat ..." as one reviewer remarked. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Brand New Day is a tribute to a local Grand Rapids public access television sensation who appeared on Saturday nights back in the early 90s. See the man himself in action from this blog posting on WFMU here "...uplifting and depressing at the same time ..." as one reviewer put it. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Mail Order Bride, a bluesy, tongue in cheek duet about a lonely man who gets more than he bargained for. Track of the Day twice on Garageband, holder of numerous all time 'reviewer awards' including: #17 best female vocals, #7 best lyrics, #13 most original track, #21 chill-out track, #19 potential soundtrack in the Blues genre. "... very musically addictive, like candy...", "It's nice to hear something a bit sexy that doesn't take itself too seriously" reviewers wrote. -- Listen -- Lyrics
I Wish You Well, despite its benign sounding title, is a caustic bit of venom. A pat on the back and a spit in the face. Loud and rude. "...sarcasm put to music, on a high level...", a reviewer wrote. -- Listen -- Lyrics
Anymore, almost a companion piece to the previous song, soft, quiet, slinky and jazzy, and almost, but not quite apologetic. Lyrics and Melody by Cate. One reviewer remarked: "...its the perfect lazy sunday song..." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Till I'm Gone is a bluesy shuffling reminiscence of our early days together living in an apartment house in Grand Rapids. The first collaboration between Tim & Cate. One reviewer put it succinctly: "Yes, it sounds like they've been together a long time." Sax solo by 15 year old Keenan -- Listen -- Lyrics
Where the Rainbow Ends brings us closer to the finish line with a pit stop in Tim's least favorite U.S. tourist destination. A reviewer from London writes: "Very thought-provoking song, poetic and beautiful in a really sad way." -- Listen -- Lyrics
Heaven on Ice is a quiet little dessert tray after the full course meal. Light and sweet, but with a bitter aftertaste. A reviewer wrote: "this song has the quality of sounding very heartfelt and genuine" -- Listen -- Lyrics
Garageband.com is a peer review site, where musicians and listeners can check out new independent acts and review songs that have been entered into 'the review process'. It is an interesting way of getting feedback from non-biaised ears. A number of our songs have been awarded weekly 'reviewer awards', and 'Track of the Day' honors. Check each song's 'page' for details.
The cd is available in various locations and internet sites including:
Buy it direct through this site by emailing Cate - $11.00 + $2.00 shipping (single cd) - discounted rate for multiple orders
Aria Booksellers in Howell, Michigan
VKT's in Lennon, Michigan (and have Cate's sister Vicky cut your shaggy hair while you're at it)
CDBaby.com (where you can also listen to song samples, and find lots of other good independent music)
Apple iTunes (99 cents a song) - as of this writing, the last 5 songs are corrupted, we are working on getting that problem fixed
Rhapsody.com - a Windows based streaming subscription service
MusicNet.com
Napster.com
Many more internet sites both in the U.S. and overseas either available now, or will be soon including: Iriver Media Online, Puretracks, Interia, GroupieTunes, WrapFactory, Mp3-Extension, MusicIsHere, Destra, Tradebit, QTRnote, Choice Records, Inprodicon, PassAlong, Arvato, MusicNow, MSN Music, Daiki, Chondo, Mp3tunes, Emusic, YooPeDoo, PayPlay, BuyMusic, AudioLunchbox, Bitmunk, DigitalKiosk, MOD Systems, Liquid Digital Media, GreatIndieMusic-- will update with links as I get more information as to their actual status.
Rumor has it you can also check the cd out of the Howell Library.
While you are surfing around on the internet, be sure and check out Talkeetna, Alaska's Internet Radio Station "Whole Wheat Radio", where you can request our songs, and more than likely end up sharing the chat room with Cate. A while back we recorded a Promo for use on the station.
Another good internet radio station to check out is 'Head Case Radio', and thanks to DJ Meatwad for putting us on the playlist.
Cate sat down for a chat with The Livingston Daily back in October of '05, and you can read the article here.
We've had a little radio airplay here and there, WYCE 88.1 FM in Grand Rapids, WMHI 93.5 Livingston Underground, Internet Radio Station 'Blues in the Night' from Paris, France, and various podcasts around the country (see below).
If you are a podcaster, you can find a number of our songs and Tim's solo works posted on the Podsafe Music Network for royalty free usage. And thanks to all the podcasters who have featured Monkeyshine songs in their shows. This is an interesting new medium, and we are excited to see broadcasting in the hands of the 'people'.
The unpublished planned follow-up cd, 'Naked on a Goat', can be heard by clicking on the cover image at the right. Some songs are more finished than others. In addition, at the bottom of the page, you can also find some bonus tracks, demos, and other attic treasures.
Sandwiched between two songs inspired by the late Silent Film Actress Louise Brooks (one by Cate, one by Tim), and then filled out with a hodgepodge of styles and whoknowswhatall.
We also have a few black tee shirts left with the Monkeyshine Logo emblazoned on the front available for $15 for XL and $20 for XXL. Write Cate for details.