Pocket Panda

Formed in 2010 by singer/guitarist Eric Herbig, Pocket Panda’s rustic, orchestral-tinged folk is organic and passionate. The sextet - including Herbig, bassist Chris Allen, cellist Max Calabro, violinist David Cho, mandolinist Jordan Cunningham, keyboardist Mike Waller, and drummer Hazel Scher - craft rich tracks that paint vivid pictures in a fashion reminiscent of their Seattle compatriots The Head and The Heart and Hey Marseilles. Traces of jazz and country infiltrate “City”, a track that’s sonically more in line with the countryside than urban sprawl. Burning at a steady, mid-tempo driving pace, Herbig growls, “I wake up to you early in the morning/last night I dreamt I was running”, in his husky, weathered voice. Warmth radiates throughout the track, and as it fades out into an amber-streaked conclusion, Herbig has more than made his case for an early morning escape from his city. - KEXP

Fact: Pandas do not hibernate. Instead, during the winter months, they move to lower elevations where temperatures tend to be higher. And, unlike other types of bears who can sleep through the winter without nourishment, pandas must eat all the time. Hungry bears! But Seattle's Pocket Panda have been hibernating lately, working on new material that they're going to share with us in the New Year. Hey, that's now! So if you've liked the lovely indie-rock orchestrations that the band has shared with us thus far (recommended if you like Hey Marseilles), you'll definitely want to warm up at the Tractor tonight to see what they've been working on while huddled up in their cave. - The Stranger

Pocket Panda followed with a lively and danceable set. Their seven-piece band had a unified sound rounded out with keyboards, electric violin, mandolin, and cello. Eric Herbig's vocals were strong with charisma. They inspire the wild abandon of dancing around a bonfire in the forest. Flames and sweaty nights with melodies that make you forget the letdowns they sing about. Every member of the band was not only talented, but also adorable and kind of like a panda. Pocket Panda, much like their sound, is ready for take-off. - The Levee Breaking

Pocket Panda followed with a lively and danceable set. Their seven-piece band had a unified sound rounded out with keyboards, electric violin, mandolin, and cello. Eric Herbig's vocals were strong with charisma. They inspire the wild abandon of dancing around a bonfire in the forest. Flames and sweaty nights with melodies that make you forget the letdowns they sing about. Every member of the band was not only talented, but also adorable and kind of like a panda. Pocket Panda, much like their sound, is ready for take-off. - The Levee Breaking

"Joining forces to release an exclusive joint 7" bearing one new song each, BRITE LINES and Pocket Panda have offered up a superb combo of catchy indie folk. Pulling punches in line with Pedro The Lion or Matt Pond PA, there's a hopeful yet apologetic tone that resonates throughout, blending perfectly with each other's core sound.

"...'My Brother the Dreamer,' by comparison, takes a slower approach with a curveball that's unexpected but fully appreciated. At first the single seems awkward and full of remorse, like you've walked in on someone singing in the shower. The kicker comes about a fourth of the way in when the build-up gets a sharper edge to it and unfolds into something really, really great - even if just for a moment. I continuously play this song on loop just to hear the chorus. If that moment could be captured into an entire album, it'd be one of my top picks for 2013.'" - Seattle Weekly

If the Seattle Symphony is not quite your cup of tea but you’re still yearning for some sweet orchestration in your life, ToST Lounge is the joint tonight. Featuring local synth-pop mini-orchestra, Pocket Panda, you’ll surely fill your desire for structured, melodic tunes complete with woodwinds and strings but they will also draw you in with their harmonic vocals layered with delicately placed synth. When they aren’t whisking you away into a dream-like trance, Pocket Panda will jolt you out of your seat and onto the dance floor; truly a best of both worlds situation. - Seattle Show Gal