DATEBOOK: HEY, NOW

Although early-’90s alt-rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket may technically be headlining an upcoming show at the Moore Theatre, we’re willing to bet opening band Hey Marseilles is the reason most people snap up tickets. Started in 2006 by Nick Ward, Matt Bishop and Philip Kobernik while students at the University of Washington, the band has since grown into a septet—and stolen the city’s heart. With a catchy, orchestral folk-pop sound (self-proclaimed as “folkestral”) and enjoyably excessive instrumentation (cello, trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, sousaphone, the list goes on), Hey Marseilles radiates a sort of Old-World-Europe-meets-Death-Cab-for-Cutie vibe. Their 2008 self-released album To Travels & Trunks earned high placement on several local top 10 albums of the year lists; last month the band rereleased the album on CD and vinyl—this time with national distribution, and a national tour to match. With apologies to Toad, we’ve found a new prince.