We at BestNewBands.com have had our eyes on the Moondoggies for a while: staffer Kelly Montgomery featured the Seattle band in an album review and playlist last fall. I’ll try my best to keep up with them at the Sasquatch! Music Festival this weekend, but I’m starting to realize this band may be pretty hard to peg down – in any sense of the phrase. Read on for a band bio and mini-interview.

Four guys comprise the Moondoggies: lead singer and guitarist Kevin Murphy, drummer Carl Dahlen, keyboard player Caleb Quick, and bassist Robert Terreberry. A statement from the band’s Facebook says it best: “Though they sprang from Seattle’s vibrant roots music scene, the Moondoggies are a band schooled in much more than the common touchstones of the current Americana movement; there are no intentions of treading water stylistically here.”

The Moondoggies dropped their first album, Don’t Be a Stranger, in 2008. The band’s sophomore effort, 2010’s Tidelands, was named after a remote area outside Murphy’s hometown of Ketchikan, Alaska, which exemplified the solace, sense and even the sly, recurring themes of water throughout the Moondoggies’ album. For a musical sample of the album, check out “It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity” below.

It’s a Shame, It’s a Pity by The Moondoggies. Uploaded with BandPage by RootMusic

I got a short but sweet email from Kevin Murphy of the Moondoggies – here’s what he had to say about the band’s upcoming Sasquatch! appearance.

Monica Christoffels: What are some things you’d like all your new fans to know about you?

Kevin Murphy: Most of the shows are bootlegged now…so If you’re in the crowd you’re likely able to track down the show in yer town.

MC: Have you played at Sasquatch! before? If so, when, how was it like, etc.? If not, what are your feelings coming into the Festival?

KM: Yes twice, the last time was as a backing band for Arthur and Yu. It’s been super nice and sunny both times so I’m hoping it continues. It’s been awesome both times….should be, it’s a beautiful setting.

MC: What can fans expect from your performance?

KM: New stuff slipped between old songs, longer versions… Bigger band (+2)

MC: What else is coming up for your band?

KM: Finish writing the next album and touring…in no particular order

MC: Anything else you’d like to add?

KM: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Moondoggies will be performing at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29, on the Bigfoot stage. Keep up with the band on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.