Ma & God

Ma & God
On the dark, murky end of the spectrum, there’s local (I think?) duo Ma & God, which consists of multi-instrumentalists/singers Peak Allon and Fritz Keen and which plays gritty, gospel-tinged, dirt-level blues-folk of the absolute best possible kind. The pair roll and ramble along on a variety of instruments as they travel down some dusty, off-the-beaten-path road into the deepening twilight, roaming the land to some bleak, known-only-to-them purpose.
Now, Keen’s a fine, fine musician and possesses a nicely rough-edged voice, but truthfully, it’s Allon who really grabs me, with that alternately warbling/crooning/shouting vocal style she has. On minimalist, backwoods stomper “A Prayer,” in particular, she comes off like a strange, out-of-time, less-desperate Janis Joplin if she sang the lead in the choir of some broken-down church way back in the hills. Damn, I need to see these two people live. - Space City Rock

Ma & God: a couple/band from a small town in Texas, touring the the Northwest in their 2001 Dodge Ram Van, playing shows in coffee shops and bars, spending their free time writing music, meeting new people and visiting old friends.

I met Ma & God (Peak & Fritz) at The Waypost. Peak wore yellow tinted glasses and a tiger-print fanny pack; a wooden kazoo hung from her neck. Fritz’s jacket complimented the curtain behind The Waypost’s stage. From the first hand shake, I knew three things about this couple:

1. They were incredibly stylish & creative
2. They were on an adventure
3. They were in love

All 3 of my first impressions were true. My partner and I (I am also a member of a couple/band: Hart & Hare) joined Ma & God for a beer before the show started. It was one of the last days of spring: the sun was still out even though it was 8:30, it was warm but not too hot and everyone in the bar seemed to be feeling the spring-time-vibes.

Ma & God played first. The stage area was filled with instruments, even though they are a 2-piece band: a kick-drum, a symbol, a tambourine, a guitar, an electric ukulele, a violin, a mandolin and a small collection of hand-percussion instruments. Peak also played her necklace-kazoo and had a stash of harmonicas in her fanny pack. When Peak sang, I think the whole bar felt inspired; her voice is powerful and sultry. Peak and Fritz sang together beautifully. I love love.

The next day, my partner and I met Peak and Fritz for brunch at SweeDeeDee. Around my second cup of coffee, I realized I needed to make a Video Profile of Peak and Fritz. As they described how they met, their hometown and other short stories from their tour, I couldn’t help but visualize their life as a movie: warm filters, some hand-held footage and obviously an amazing musical score. Since I currently do not have the crew and budget to turn their life story into an adorable indie film, I asked Peak and Fritz if they had time to play a couple of songs and do a short interview in my backyard.

They drove their van to our little house, and the rest unfolded. Not only did I get a private mini-concert in my own backyard, I was able to talk with Peak and Fritz a little more about their tour, their experiences and their future plans.

Peak and Fritz laugh a lot. They are passionate and talented musicians. They are adventure-seekers with free spirits and a van full of stringed instruments and drums. I hope to cross paths with Peak and Fritz again, and I hope they continue to spread music and happiness across the Northwest.

We could all use a little bit of Ma & God.

/ / JESKU - Jesku

'handmade-folk duo Ma & God, newcomers who seem intent on conquering the world even if they have to make all their weapons themselves' - Houstonia

'The trippy dual vocal attack of Houston’s Ma & God will hit the stage at 8:15. These two are definitely something to see live, as their minimalist style makes for quite the interesting style. ' - Free Press Houston