Veronique's Verbiage

* Radio CKCU FM-93.1 eV's Underground Features Veronique

2012-01-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

Station: CKCU FM, located in Ontario, Canada
Program: eV's Underground: PIPA sucks Edition: free tracks abound
Hosted By: e.V.
Date: Jan. 24th, 2012

In honour of the SOPA/PIPA fracas eV's features 2 free to download albums. In an industry full of payola Campus-community radio remains free for you to hear artists based on their musical merit - not how deep their pockets are.

Some Music X-Ray artists will be on the playlist tonight, including Frostbite (hour 2)and Principal Spinach

This week Lady Death Presents: Quarterfly and their new album "Addiction", which the band has made available free on Amazon to US residents (or to anyone who has their IP masked).

In hours 3, 4 and 5 Righteous Rock (leaning to funk in some cases): new music from Quarterfly, Matthew Meadows, funky rock magicians Principal Spinach, a new cut from Inner Planets the soon to drop album 'Tepin', and Ottawa's own Pretty Little Death Machine.

ReverbNation Band of the Week:
Principal Spinach

Helsinki Spotlight Artists of the Week:
Lordi

Sepiachord Steampunk Spotlight Artist of the week:
Veronique Chevalier (a.k.a. Weird Val)

Can Con: Pretty Little Death Machine

See the full posting on the show page of the CKCU website and leave a comment telling eV that "Weird Val" sent vous! :-)
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* New Logo Designed for Veronique by Artist Myke Amend

2012-01-25T17:18:00.000-08:00

Renowned artist Myke Amend created this beautiful logo. He's also created cover art for recordings by Abney Park & Vernian Process among others!

In 2004 Veronique Chevalier founded Cyphyre Music LLC as an umbrella for her own creative endeavours, as well as for those of other creative kindreds, in the fields of music, live entertainment & written works.

* Mission:
To nurture creative spirits who defy conventional categorization.

* Projects:
Music Recordings- "Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation"
Live Shows- "Veronique's Red Velvet Vaudeville Variety Show"
Written Works- "My Cog Is Bigger Than Your Cog: Steamku & Other Verbstrocities"
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* Veronique to MC in San Diego w/Zoe Boekbinder & Eliza Rickman 1/27

2012-01-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

VERONIQUE CHEVALIER will be MC for the evening! A French-born purveyor of madcap comedy, Veronique is sure to add a most jovial element to the proceedings, featuring ZOE BOEKBINDER, with ELIZA RICKMAN.

ZOE BOEKBINDER blazes her own trail in the world of modern singer-songwriters. Critically acclaimed nationwide, Zoe also is heralded for her cabaret-style performances with her sister Kim in the famed duo VERMILLION LIES. A native of Canada and resident of the San Francisco bay area, Zoe will be making her first major San Diego appearance at Queen Bee's. Ms. Boekbinder's new CD, Darling Specimens, was released in October.

ELIZA RICKMAN is a national touring artist originally from San Diego County (Escondido). Her unique and haunting sound is reminiscent of popular vocalists FEIST, ANNIE CLARK, PJ HARVEY and KURT WEILL. Eliza's new album is scheduled to be released in early 2012.

Tix $10 @Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/214424

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/289944627717668/
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* Please Vote For Veronique in The Shorty Awards #humor Category!

2012-01-07T15:38:00.001-08:00

Nominate VeroniqueCheVAL for a social media award in the Shorty Awards

Below are my responses the the interview questions. I guess they have neither a swimwear, nor an evening gown competition, so I hope this will suffice to garner your votes!

Perma Link to this very interview:

http://shortyawards.com/VeroniqueCheVAL/interview

Link to VOTE for La Moi in the Short Awards #humor Category:

http://shortyawards.com/VeroniqueCheVAL

with VeroniqueCheVAL

What's your best tweet?

This one!

What are six things you could never do without?

(1)Airships

(2)Aether

(3)Steam

(4)Brass

(5)Goggles

(6)C'thulhu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you use Twitter in your professional life?

To whore, I mean, promote La Moi as much as humanly possible, until I find a steam 'bot who can do it for me. ;-)

What's your favorite Twitter app?

Twitter app? I think not! Why would I use a 3rd party item when I can use the genuine article?

Twitter or Facebook?

All of the above, and in that order!

What was the funniest trend you've seen?

La Moi, of course! Only I've not yet actually been listed as a trend, since my teleporteur is broken. But when it's fixed, look out!

What feature should Twitter add?

I'd like to see "Tweet Dreams" for everyone, every night! :-)

Who do you wish had a Twitter feed but doesn't?

Oh that's easy! Jules Verne, H. P. Lovecraft, Mary Shelley, & Lucille Ball.

What are some words or phrases you refuse to shorten for brevity?

I shorten nothing, in fact I lengthen. I should be awarded the Grammarians Medal of Honour for Lack of Brevity!

Is there someone you want to follow you who doesn't already? If so, who?

If there is someone foolish enough NOT to follow La Moi, it's their loss, not mine!

Why should we vote for you?

Because I am a charming, witty, & MAD-nifique MAD-emoiselle of steamlish inclination!

Terms you wish would start trending on Twitter right now?

#ShortyAwardsHumorVeroniqueCheVAL

What's the most interesting connection you've made through Twitter?

@Kambrieldesign invited La Moi to model in the SteamCon II fashion show!

Hashtag you created that you wish everyone used?

#VeroniqueCheVAL

How do you make your tweets unique?

With my name: Veronique = Very Unique. Voila!

What inspires you to tweet?

My publique yearns for nuggets of my MAD-emoiselle-ness, so who am I to disappoint them?

Ever get called out for tweeting too much?

Yes, but I just put earplugs in, and kept right on going!

140 characters of advice for a new user?

Life is Tweet!

How long can you go without a tweet?

Follow @VeroniqueCheVAL and find out from first-hand experience! :-)

What question are we not asking here that we should?

Why does something called the "Shortys" ask so damned many questions?

How do you imagine Twitter changing?

If it's modest, it would change behind a curtain. If it's really daring, then it could change onstage during the Oscars! ;-)

Who do you admire most for his or her use of Twitter?

La Moi. I even have a mirror by my computer to ensure maximal admiration of my clever tweetage!

Who is the funniest person on Twitter that you follow?

La Moi, of course! My Inner Jewish Mother is so ingrained that if I didn't follow myself, she'd nag me to death!

What is one of the biggest misconceptions of Twitter?

That it sounds like a gaggle of giggling schoolgirls?

Why should people follow you?

Because I can make them laugh so hard, they'll squirt Earl Grey out of their nostrils AND their ears!

Can you name some one-of-a-kind Twitter accounts that you follow?

Is this a trick question? If something's "one-of-a-kind," there can't be "some" because that would mean there's MORE than one!

How do you decide what to tweet?

I am guided by what amuses La Moi, such as the foibles and faux pas of humans, myself included!

Why'd you start tweeting?

Because one would not wish to miss out on the latest gadgetry for self-promo. All the cool sheeple are doing it! ;-)

Has Twitter changed your life? If yes, how?

It's shortened the number of hours I've spent outside of tweetage.

What do you wish people would do more of on Twitter?

Make accounts for their more exotic pets. Especially arachnids. I think that cephalopods could be better represented here as well!

How will the world change in the next year?

Zut alors! My crystal ball, (along with as my teleporteur), is out for repairs!

What are some big Twitter faux pas?

Denigrating persons one has to see on a regular basis. Self-aggrandizement & tweeting the secret code to detonate all the WoMD in the world!

What will the world be like 10 years from now?

I don't want to know! I'm working diligently to repair my teleporteur & intend to go to The Ancient Library of Alexandria, circa 283 BC.

* Documentation Of Unusual Method To Compose Music!

2012-01-05T02:09:00.000-08:00

At last- I am vindicated! Here's a clip featured on 60 minutes about a 12 y.o. composer/prodigy who creates his music, fully actualized, right in his head, without having advanced musical-playing technique.

His compositions become clear as he walks along, humming and moving to the the rhythm. This is EXACTLY how I compose as well!

Although, I won't claim to be a prodigy, it's reassuring to La Moi that my methodology has been validated. One shudders to imagine how many would-be composers who, although not nearly so gifted as "Blue Jay" have been ridiculed, or discouraged from following their muse, since this methodology it flies in the face of "standardized" formal musical training!

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* BuzzFeed.com Article About "Steampunk: A Soundtrack for Blood In The Skies"

2012-01-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

Original Article URL: http://www.buzzfeed.com/steampunk/21-steampunk-songs-for-the-new-year-3n9d

Steampunk Volume 1 & Volume 2
These are the Steampunk songs and bands of the first ever Steampunk soundtrack, which was put together for G. D. Falksen's novel The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies

This musical compilation represents the combined work of some of the top award winning steampunk bands and musicians from across the world, who have come together to provide you with music to listen to while reading Blood In The Skies. The soundtrack also features an exclusive preview of the book, read by the author. Full track lists and artists listed below along with all the information on this fan favorite novel series.

These are the bands and the songs that contributed to the first ever steampunk soundtrack, which was put together for G. D. Falksen's novel The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies This musical compilation represents the combined work of some of the top award winning-steampunk bands and musicians from across the world, who have come together to provide you with music to listen to while reading Blood In The Skies. The soundtrack also features an exclusive preview of the book, read by the author. Full track lists and artists listed below along with all the information on this fan favorite novel series.

These are the bands and the songs that contributed to the first ever steampunk soundtrack "21 Steampunk Songs for the New Year."
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Steampunk Volume 1

Lullabye for Lizzie - by Hellblinki

Lullabye for Lizzie - Hellblinki
http://www.Hellblinki.com/

A brand new song from the Hellblinki… Broken tooth blues in a Tux, choral fantasies for agnostic angels, peg-leg waltzes on the rim of Mt. Vesuvius… Psycho-cabaret, southern fried with guerrilla operatics. Hellblinki is prone to suprise, tension, and dramatic release. Dark and experimental, Hellblinki mixes elements of American folk, European cabaret, and Punk Rock experimentation into an intoxicating brew of transcendent madness.
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The Killer- The Magnificent Seven

The Killer by The Magnificent Seven
http://www.Magnificentseven.se/

All the way from Sweden, The Magnificent Seven offers dark and haunting melodies inspired by the Scandinavian melancholy and all those strange and twisted tales from the dark side of life.
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Terpsichore by Strange Artifact

Terpsichore by Strange Artifact
http://www.strangeartifact.jp/

Strange Artifact is the premiere steampunk band of Japan. Through 130JET's fantastical music and MaRy's enchanting vocals, they strive to build a better past of the future that never was.
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Thick As Thieves -Loreli Pt. III- by Dr. Carmilla

http://www.Drcarmilla.com/ --------------------..." rel:bf_image_src="/static/enhanced/terminal05/2011/12/29/9/enhanced-buzz-3534-1325169837-69.jpg" src="http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/terminal05/2011/12/29/9/enhanced-buzz-3534-1325169837-69.jpg" rel:bf_bucket="progload" class="bf_dom"/>

Thick As Thieves -Loreli Pt. III- by Dr. Carmilla
http://www.Drcarmilla.com/

Made in England. Solo artist, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Dr. Carmilla weaves songs of madness, disease and love in a dystopian future, sewn together from the threads of a post-apocalyptic past.
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The Beer Hall In Hell - by Veronique Chevalier

The Beer Hall In Hell by Veronique Chevalier
http://www.WeirdVal.com/

From France and now living in the US, described as A Twisted Edith Piaf From An Alternate Reality, MADemoiselle Veronique also dabbles in wordplay, creating steam-friendly originals and parodies that polka fun at everything from One-Up-Cogsmanship, to Cthulhu.
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Valentine- by Sunday Driver

Valentine by Sunday Driver
http://sundaydriver.co.uk/

From London and Cambridge, England, the fantastic band Sunday Driver blend together Indian and British influences from past and present with the help of a pumpkin, a melon and the skin of a goat.
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The silent have names-by Platform One

The silent have names by Platform One
http://www.Platform-one.com/

From Philadelphia in the US, Platform One is darkness and dance music fused together. They combined the best of the 1880's and the 1980's aesthetic with relevance.
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On a 45- by This Way to the Egress

On a 45 by This Way to the Egress
http://www.thiswaytotheegress.com

Based out of Philadelphia This Way to the Egress is an Ole Tymey Gypsypunk Cabaret. With a valiant effort to bring the show back to the people they are a revolving door of musical mayhem, sideshow, burlesque, and comedy leaving a modern twist on the good old days of Vaudeville.
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For the Killers- By Unwoman

For the Killers by Unwoman
http://www.Unwoman.com/

Unwoman (aka Erica Mulkey) is a San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter. Layered with skillful cello, rich vocals, and electronically arranged beats, her solo music is a futuristic homage to her classical training.
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House of Cards- by Frenchy and the Punk

House of Cards by Frenchy and the Punk
http://www.Frenchyandthepunk.com/

Euro-American duo Frenchy and the Punk fuse raucous live guitar looping, cheeky ballads sung in English and French, danceable old-world inspired melodies and thunderous tribal-march-style drum instrumentals. Get transported to a world full of humor, theatricality, whirling dance and bohemian spirit. World cabaret served with a twist of vaudeville and a dash of steampunk flavoring rooted in folk, punk and the vineyards of southern France
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Prologue of The Hellfire Chronicles:
Blood In The Skies, read by the author

Prologue of The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies, read by the author.

Chapter One of The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies, read by the author G. D. Falksen

http://www.gdfalksen.com

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Steampunk Volume 2

Glory -Blood in the Skies Mix - by The Clockwork Dolls

Glory -Blood in the Skies Mixbyby The Clockwork Dolls
http://www.theclockworkdolls.com/

Hailing from the port of Baltimore, MD, Allison Curval and Helene de Fer began The Clockwork Dolls in 2007 with a simple idea: To create music that serves not only as a means of the listener recreation, but also as the means of story narration.
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Goggles- by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing

- Goggles - by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing
https://www.facebook.com/blamedfornothing

Old school punk rock. Like, REALLY old school. Genuine 100% actual Londoners, The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing come from a past which probably never happened via a present they didn't want. Less steampunk and more Steampunk, the British four piece mix Anarchy and Anachrony in equal measure. Expect a robot Sid Vicious covering Slayer in an 1877 East End Music Hall: a murky mix of Doctor Who, Doctor Watson and Doctored History. Not for the faint hearted or those of a delicate disposition.
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The Cruel Intentions Of Time- by The Wet-Glass RO

The Cruel Intentions Of Time by The Wet-Glass RO
http://thewetglassro.bandcamp.com/

From Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The Wet-Glass RO, headed by the infamous Captain Caspar Byron and the genius Doctor Aegis Mutton, is a varied duo of eclectic styles and musicality. Orchestrally lead and accompanied with heavy electronic elements, the WGRO sound is a distinct blend of the old and new.
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Railroad Track-by Imaginary Airship

Railroad Track by Imaginary Airship
http://imaginaryairship.com/

Imaginary Airship is a one-of-a-kind four piece rock outfit from Portland, Oregon. The band formed in 2006 and began to acquire a devoted fan base across the United States with their unique mixture of ambient, electronic soundscapes and melodic pop songs.
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The Man Who Learnt To Fly-by Tom Slatter

The Man Who Learnt To Fly by Tom Slatter
http://tomslatter.co.uk/

Tom Slatter is a composer, singer and songwriter who composes, records, plays and teaches in London, England. He released his second solo album IronBark in July 2011.
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Blood in the skies-by Victor Sierra by

Blood in the skies by Victor Sierra
http://www.reverbnation.com/victorsierra

From France Victor Sierras transversal universe is made of sound and visual explorations and knows no limit. A powerful and imposing rhythmic set roars in the engine room of a baroque vessel sailing on a rough sea to mysterious lagoons and ice fields on fire.

Their melodies wind up and stretch out just like furious fever peaks. Words from varied origins open up to new roads that always take you further away. On stage, Anouk, Bobs and Big Machines energies invite you to go beyond the horizon line, to be stirred in unison and to live unpredictable experiences. Victor Sierra just will not get lost on beaten tracks, they sublimate their past and look to the future.
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Smoke & Mirrors- by GhostFire

Smoke & Mirrors by GhostFire
http://ghostfiremusic.com/

The music of London band Ghostfire resonates to the debauched decadence and absinthe-fuelled anarchy of life in the 1880s. Stalking the cobbled streets, lurking in the shadows of the darkest alleyways. Dare you glance beyond the safety of the guttering gaslights to where the gin-soaked moxie plies her trade, the dipper watches his mark and the drunken sailor staggers blindly.

This is the shadowy world of villains, rogues and rascals that the music of Ghostfire calls home.
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Eveen- by Lifes Decay

Eveen by Lifes Decay

http://lifesdecay.com/

Life's Decay is a French project, based in Paris. It was born at the beginning of 2003. Lyktwasst is the author.

Since its creation, six main albums have been born. Until 2005, Lyktwasst was alone in the center of the project, realizing everything, from the concept to the accomplishment. In 2008 Alea joined the project a talented singer, writer and skilled at all manner of classical acoustic instruments.

Life's Decay has the will to create a personal universe, musically and visually, influenced by eclectic universes dark classical acoustic music, steampunk industrial, experimental pop-rock.
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Until the End-by Escape The Clouds

Until the End by Escape The Clouds
http://www.EscapeTheClouds.com/

As Escape the Clouds, Mark Rossmore tells steampunk stories through music and words. Capturing sounds and influences from the world over, he combines them with modern songwriting and techniques.
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Savior of the Skies- by The Cog is Dead

Savior of the Skies by The Cog is Dead http://www.johnmondelliproductions.com/thecogisdead/index.html

The Cog is Dead is a steampunk band with a bit of a musical identity crisis, playing music of various styles. Their influences range from rock and roll to ragtime to russian folk music and movie scores. Along the way they have discovered several types of marvelous music which has helped to inspire their own.
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Zeppelins - by The Absinthe Drinkers

Zeppelins by The Absinthe Drinkershttp://theabsinthedrinkers.com/

Out of Philly, The Absinthe Drinkers spawn catchy, original pop/funk/rock/whatever songs from works of literature ancient and modern. The Drinkers have funkified Baudelaire, punkified Shakespeare, and rockified a number of modern writers.
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Chapter One of The Hellfire Chronicles:
Blood In The Skies, read by the author

Chapter One of The Hellfire Chronicles:
Blood In The Skies, read by the author G. D. Falksen
http://www.gdfalksen.com

Steampunk Volume 1 & Volume 2
These are the 21 Steampunk songs and bands of the first ever Steampunk soundtrack.Steampunk Vol. 1 & Vol. 2. These are the 21 Steampunk songs and bands of the first ever Steampunk soundtrack, put together for G. D. Falksen's novel The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies
This musical compilation represents the combined work of some of the top award winning steampunk bands and musicians from across the world, who have come together to provide you with music to listen to while reading Blood In The Skies. The soundtrack also features an exclusive preview of the book, read by the author.
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Original Article URL: http://www.buzzfeed.com/steampunk/21-steampunk-songs-for-the-new-year-3n9d

* Marvelous Polka Haunt Us Fan(g) Review

2011-12-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

It is with much honour that I today received this MAD-nifique "thumbs up" from a fan, who so kindly took the time to write this review of La Moi's "Polka Haunt Us" recording. Merci, Monsieur A. J. for your efforts and support!

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"Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation" is one of those rare musical treasures that one stumbles upon randomly. The title almost has a ring of silly novelty, and even triteness to it, but don't let that put you off.

The list of included performers on the project is more-than impressive enough to quell any doubts the title might convey: Lili Haydn- The "Jimi Hendrix of Violin," on the same record as CalArts Music Professor & Woodwind Expert Vinny Golia? WTF...? Polka Grammy Nominee Alex Meixner, as well Kai Kurosawa, Japanese Bass & Warr Guitar Virtuoso??

Add to that a Norwegian Opera Diva, revered in her native land, named Elisabeth Ekornes, and toss in a Fulbright Scholar & UCLA Lecturer, named Kirk Brundage, who is the author of the ONLY fully-annotated, and academically-researched texts of Afro-Brazilian percussion in the world. Plus, many more artists & musicians I won't even list here- Whoa! That's some kind of crazy!

I just HAD to listen to this record after reading that partial list of Who's Who of diverse musical talents! And I was not disappointed. I won't say that I understood exactly what I was hearing right away, but the work certainly has grown on me in ways I could never have imagined earlier, if I had heard someone use the word "Gothic" as a descriptor for the word "Polka."

Besides forcing me to reassess how musical genres are, and are not, supposed to be combined, "Polka Haunt Us," is downright entertaining, and surprisingly appealing in a wild-ride-through-a-fun-house-hall-of-mirrors kind of way. Just when you think you recognize something familiar, (and dare I say, traditional?)- a tango, a waltz, a folk tune- without warning, portions of crazy polka spring out like an unruly jack-in-the-box, and take you on a merry side trip, only to plop you right back where you were a moment before, leaving you to shake your head and wonder if you really heard what you just heard!

Executive Producer and "Mistressmind" (because she's a lady & not a gent) Veronique Chevalier has truly created a timeless recording based on authentic supernatural lore from the world over, in which the indigenous music of the country of the tale's origin is combined with polka, creating an unholy, and frightfully-unique, yet musically-satisfying, "Sonic Frankenstein." I recommend this not only at Halloween, but any time of year, because quality music, no matter how unusual, has no expiration date."

-- A. J. Behar, Londonderry, New Hampshire, USA

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* Holiday Well-wishes To All From Veronique!

2011-12-23T00:26:00.000-08:00

^Clickez la photo to see full-size image^
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* Veronique's Music Included in "Steampunk: A Soundtrack for Blood In The Skies"

2011-12-20T01:07:00.000-08:00

Out now! Steampunk is a two volume CD soundtrack for G. D. Falksen’s novel The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies. This musical compilation represents the combined work of some of the top steampunk bands and musicians from across the world, who have come together to provide you with music to listen to while reading Blood In The Skies. The soundtrack also features an exclusive preview of the book, read by the author.

Buy Steampunk Volume 1 here for only $6.99

Steampunk Vo.1

“Lullabye for Lizzie” by Hellblinki (Hellblinki.com)

”The Killer” by The Magnificent Seven (Magnificentseven.se)

“Terpsichore” by Strange Artifact (Strangeartifact.jp)

“Thick As Thieves {Loreli, Pt. III}” by Dr. Carmilla (Drcarmilla.com)

“The Beer Hall In Hell” by Veronique Chevalier (WeirdVal.com)

“Valentine” by Sunday Driver (Sundaydriver.co.uk)

“The silent have names” by Platform One (Platform-one.com)

“On a 45”” by This Way to the Egress (Thiswaytotheegress.com)

“For the Killers” by Unwoman (Unwoman.com )

“House of Cards” by Frenchy and the Punk (Frenchyandthepunk.com)

Prologue of The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies, read by the author

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Buy Volume 2 here for only $6.99

Steampunk Vol.2

“Glory (Blood in the Skies Mix)” by The Clockwork Dolls (theclockworkdolls.com)

“goggles” by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing (facebook.com/blamedfornothing)

“The Cruel Intentions Of Time” by The Wet-Glass RO (thewetglassro.bandcamp.com)

“Railroad Track” by Imaginary Airship (imaginaryairship.com)

“The Man Who Learnt To Fly” by Tom Slatter (tomslatter.co.uk)

“Blood in the skies” by Victor Sierra (victorsierra.net )

“Smoke & Mirrors” by GHOSTFIRE (ghostfiremusic.com)

“Eveen” by Life’s Decay (lifesdecay.com )

“Until the End” by Escape The Clouds (EscapeTheClouds.com)

“Savior of the Skies” by The Cog is Dead (thecogisdead.com)

“Zeppelins” by The Absinthe Drinkers (theabsinthedrinkers.com)

Chapter One of The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies, read by the author

* ATTN: Steampunk Music Lovers! Please donate to Sepiachord.com

2011-12-14T13:57:00.001-08:00

ATTN: All 'Fiends' & Fan(g)s of great Steampunk Music, please give what vous are able to help keep The Goode "EAR"ship Sepiachord afloat. It is run as a labour of love by Monsieur Captain Jordan Bodewell & Ms First Mate Jennifer Dowling.

Visit this link http://sepiachord.com scroll down to the purple "HELP SUPPORT" button. Clickez vous, & voila! Instant good karma!
.

* The Cover of Veronique Chevalier & Walter Sickert's book is featured on Steampunk Writers & Artists Guild!

2011-12-07T17:24:00.001-08:00

It is with great excitement that we announce that the cover of "My Cog Is Bigger Than Your Cog: SteamKu & Other Verbstrocities" has been placed in rotation amongst the covers of other steamlish books in the category of "Indie & Anthology Covers" on the Steampunk Writers & Artists Guild (S.W.A.G.) website!

.

* Veronique's Performance Schedule at TeslaCon 2

2011-11-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

MAD-emoiselle Veronique is ebullient to announce her schedule of public appearances/performances/spectacles of Herself at TeslaCon 2:

* Friday, November 18th, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, The Music Parlor
* Friday, November 18th, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, The Music Parlor
* Saturday, November 19th, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, The Music Parlor
* Saturday, November 19th, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, The Music Parlor
* Sunday, November 20th, 11:30 am- 1:00 pm, The Music Parlor

As vous can readily see, there shall be no shortage Veroniqueness at this eSTEAMed gathering!

What can vous expect? In addition to my warblings, attendees can also expect a plethora surprises- many of which shall no doubt be a surprise even La MAD One Herself.

And depending up the whim of the artiste, she may possibly be persuaded to read from her soon-to-be book of Steampunk Haiku "My Cog Is Bigger Than Your Cog: Steamku & Other Verbstrocities", and allow those deemed worthy-enough, to behold, first-hand, the full-color, retina-staining illustrations by Monsieur Walter Sickert.

Pre-orders for the book shall be taken as well, for those interested- and believe La Moi, vous shall be verrrrrry interested in owning this book after viewing the beautiful galley.

Alas, this year's event is completely SOLD OUT! Those of vous who shall not be joining us "20,000 Leagues Under The Aether," be sure to purchase your tickets for the 2012 event- "A Trip To The Moon," as soon as they are made available. Vous shan't want to repeat your faux pas again next year!

* Official TeslaCon Website: http://www.teslacon.com

.

* Veronique's Polka Haunt Us Music on Wild Wilson Radio

2011-11-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wild Wilson Show #443 Week of October 30, 2011
Portion 2 - Running Time: 24:13 - TRACK LIST:

Real American Hero (over the top actor)
After Wife Polka Tango - Mike Surratt & Veronique Chevalier
Happy Halloween
Ghost Train - Mike Surratt & Veronique Chevalier
Burn Remedy
Full Moon Face Off - Alex Meixner & Veronique Chevalier
Big Bill from the sales department
Bubbe's Dybbuk Polka - Jann Castor & Veronique Chevalier
Outro...

Listen to this portion of the podcast here:
http://wildwilson.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/443october30track2.mp3
.

* Veronique's Music on Radio Metronomik!

2011-11-06T22:23:00.000-08:00

Merci to Negr O Inmunsap & the folks at Radio Metromomik, broadcasting out of Mexico, as well as Spain, via the Aethernets, for including of the musical stylings of La MAD-emoiselle Herself, Veronique Chevalier, on their aurally delicious podcast!

http://radiometronomik.blogspot.com/2011/11/tercer-programa-de-radio-metronomik.html
.

* Is Veronique "Hell Bent" OR "Heaven Sent?"

2011-10-06T01:15:00.000-07:00

View full-size flier here: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308211_10150317827846134_6660101133_8090640_1395353889_n.jpg

October 15th! Hell Bent OR Heaven Sent? MADemoiselle Veronique Chevalier & Dark Glam Opera sensation, Timur & The Dime Museum in an unholy alliance with some of Portland's most notorious musical mayhemists!
.

* MAD V Perv-orming a Duet with Kazakh Tenor Timur Bekbosunov on Oct. 7th

2011-10-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

NUDES, er, NEWS:
The MAD One herself shall be perv-orming a duet with the fabulous Timur Bekbosunov and his band The Dime Museum this very week:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 – BOOTLEG BAR - $10 ADV/$12 DAY OF SHOW
2220 Beverly Blvd. (Across from Brooklyn Bagel), LA 90057

MUCCA PAZZA 11pm
TIMUR AND THE DIME MUSEUM 10pm
AK AND HER KALASNIKOVS 9pm

Venue Info:
http://www.bootlegtheater.org/music.html

Timur & The Dime Museum Website:
http://www.theoperaoftimur.com
.

* It's "Polka Haunt Us" Time Again!

2011-10-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

Huzzah! It's October & The Season Of The Witch has begun! Soon it will be Halloween! Be sure to inhale deeply of the ever-crispening, Autumn air; carve a pumpkin for your front porch (& make a pie with the innards), but most of all don't forget to acquire a copy of my classic recording, "Veronique Chevalier's Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation." It never goes out of season!

* Official Website (Cover Art, Lyrics & Liner Notes available):
http://PolkaHaunt.Us

* Digital downloads available on iTunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=293501182&s=143441

* Physical CD available on CD Baby & Amazon:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/veroniquechevalier

http://www.amazon.com/Polka-Haunt-Us-Spook-Tacular-Compilation/dp/B001HEID0W/ref=gfix-ews-form

.

* Veronique Featured in Gorgeous Steamgoth Magazine "El Investigador!"

2011-10-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Chere 'Fiends' & Fan(g)s!

A nefarious character calling himself Profesor Lecumberri slipped this link into my Inbox today. I can think of no better way to kick off Halloween Season than with an eyeful of Steamgoth in Spanish.

The article about the Mad Sonics & Music of La Moi is on pages 19 & 20. There are also wonderful articles about Voltaire, Gothic Lolita, & ever morbidly maddening, dark & sundry subjects.

Let the beastly feast commence!

View the original post here:

http://mercenariosddios.blogspot.com/2011/10/el-investigador-n8-octubre.html
.

* What is "Steamku?"

2011-10-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

SteamKu, is quite simply, "Droll Haiku on the subject of Steampunkery."

Instead of being buoyed aloft in the Aethers purely by steam, it is ardently hoped that one is also capable of being uplifted by somewhat indecorous humour; fun-pokery, and on occasion, a certain lack of seriousity.

I beg you, Dear Reader, do not take it as a *personal* affront- this skewering of Steampunkery- for indeed, one intended to be as broadly offensive as possible, so as to insult the greatest number, with the least amount of verbiage.

One found refuge in the paradoxical form known as Haiku, which on the one hand, forces all its practioners to adhere uniformly & unfailingly, (come Hell, high water, or tentacles), to 17 syllables, whilst on the other, giving the air of minimal effort, lack of strain, and very little evidence of extended bouts of nail-biting & self-flagelation.

One deems this form of verse to be the perv-ect vehicle with which to leave a few tyre treads over certain inhospitable portions of a sub-culture- for the most part charming- that is threatened, every-once-in-a-great-while, by over-zealous adherents, who may have a tendency to froth over into waves of pomposity, at but the slightest provocation.

The, at times, lurid verbiage & retina-staining full-color illustrations contained in the missive "My Cog Is Bigger Than Your Cog: SteamKu & Other Verbstrocities" by Veronique Chevalier & Walter Sickert, is the maiden voyage of this new artform, which one can only hope, shall serve to defuse efforts by persons of especially steamful inclination, to pass judgement (or gas) upon their fellows & fellettes of aetheric-tendancies.

With great eSTEAM,

MADemoiselle Veronique & Monsieur Walter

* Officious Facebook Fan(g) Page-
http://www.facebook.com/MyCogIsBiggerSteamKuBook

* Twit * Twat * Twot-
http://twitter.com/SteamKu

* Future Aetheric Home-
http://SteamKu.com/

* Veronique's Guest Column on "Age Of Steam" Blog

2011-09-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

I was most honoured to have been invited to write the following Guest Column. Here is the link of the original post:
http://ageofsteam.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/what-is-%E2%80%9Csteampunk-music%E2%80%9D-by-veronique-chevalier/

September 22, 2011 by suzannelazear

Today we welcome MADemoiselle Veronique Chevalier.

Veronique Chevalier is the eccentric Françican (Français-American) Chanteuse (Songstress) known as The “Weird VAL” of Dark Cabaret. She’s an unparalleled Parodist; a Steampunk-lish Chanteuse, and Spooky Polkanista, who has been described as a twisted incarnation of Edith Piaf from an alternate reality – the one in which her parents are Jim Morrison, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and her godparents are Lucille Ball and Weird Al. As a self-proclaimed “Mad Sonictist,” she takes maniacal pleasure in combining previously unrelated musical forms into new, unholy combinations. She vows to leave no genre unadulterated in her quest to create the ultimate Sonic Frankenstein. She originated the genre of “Gothic Polka”. Her twisted brand of humour hits at the core of daily reality. Being gonged off the premiere season of America’s Got Talent (which is FAKE reality) was irrefutable proof her gifts are wasted on the masses.

What Is “Steampunk Music?"

by Veronique Chevalier

MADemoiselle Veronique Chevalier

There seem to be more and more debates floating through the aethers on the subject of “Steampunk Music,” so I wrote this piece from the viewpoint that I have as an artiste. Although I have performed at numerous Steampunk events, and shall continue to do so as long as the invitations keep coming my way, I don’t call myself a “Steampunk” artiste, per say.

I prefer the word “artiste” without any descriptors, because I create to please myself, and I appear at non-Steampunk events (Cabarets/Music Halls/Gay Venues/Burlesque Rooms) as well. I do feel very privileged and honoured that many fine folk in the community appreciate my special brand of ODDitory MADemoiselle-ness.

However, I know that people new to the Steampunk community, as well as long-time adherents, yearn for more musical choices, so that they might have a soundtrack, as it were, to complement the aesthetics and spirit that drew them to the community initially.

In the spirit of inclusiveness, I’d like to share a couple of invaluable resources for Steampunk-ish music. Incidentally, there is no universal agreement about what constitutes “Steampunk” music, since it commenced as a literary and aesthetic movement. However, it does seem to follow that numerous music artistes enjoyed by many Steampunks (and in whose ranks I am honoured to be included) are congregated in the following two websites:

Gilded Age Records

* http://www.gildedagerecords.com*
*https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilded-Age-Records/122519387775698*

The world’s only artist collective, founded by Joshua A. Pfeiffer of Vernian Process & Evelyn Kriete, focused on musician’s combining old world aesthetics and sounds with current genres of music. Steampunk/Cabaret/Swing/Ragtime/Gypsy-Punk/Darkwave/etc.

Sepiachord

*http://sepiachord.com*

*https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_208390005860341*

Founded by Jordan Bodewell, “Sepiachord is the “genre that doesn’t exist”. It is to music what “Steampunk” is to literature and cinema: something that looks back to the past to comment on the present while looking sideways at the future. A cubist aural experience. As goth & glam are the bastards of David Bowie, Sepiachord is the made from the genetic material sown by Tom Waits.

Sepiachord is assembled like a clockwork orchestra, from such elements of music Sinister Circus, Cabaret Macabre, Chamber Pop, Organic Goth, Celtic/Gypsy Punk, Mutant Americana, Ghost Town Country It is the music our grandparents or great-grandparents would have listened to, if they were as off-set as we are.”

“A Sepiachord Passport” released under the Projekt Records imprint, is a compilation with a generous selection of 20 tracks by as many artistes, and is an excellent way to dip one’s toe into the Steampunk Music pool. It may be ordered from the Projekt website:

*http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00250*

Coming late fall 2011, Steampunk is a two volume CD soundtrack for G. D. Falksen’s novel The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies. This musical compilation represents the combined work of some of the top steampunk bands and musicians from across the world, who have come together to provide you with music to listen to while reading Blood In The Skies. The soundtrack also features an exclusive preview of the book, read by the author.

Disc 1

“Lullabye for Lizzie” by Hellblinki (Hellblinki.com)

”The Killer” by The Magnificent Seven (Magnificentseven.se)

“Terpsichore” by Strange Artifact (Strangeartifact.jp)

“Thick As Thieves {Loreli, Pt. III}” by Dr. Carmilla (Drcarmilla.com)

“The Beer Hall In Hell” by Veronique Chevalier (WeirdVal.com)

“Valentine” by Sunday Driver (Sundaydriver.co.uk)

“The silent have names” by Platform One (Platform-one.com)

““On a 45”” by This Way to the Egress (Thiswaytotheegress.com)

“For the Killers” by Unwoman (Unwoman.com )

“House of Cards” by Frenchy and the Punk (Frenchyandthepunk.com)

Prologue of The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies, read by the author

Disc 2

“Glory (Blood in the Skies Mix)” by The Clockwork Dolls (theclockworkdolls.com)

“goggles” by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing (facebook.com/blamedfornothing)

“The Cruel Intentions Of Time” by The Wet-Glass RO (thewetglassro.bandcamp.com)

“Railroad Track” by Imaginary Airship (imaginaryairship.com) “The Man Who Learnt To Fly” by Tom Slatter (tomslatter.co.uk)

“Blood in the skies” by Victor Sierra (victorsierra.net )

“Smoke & Mirrors” by GHOSTFIRE (ghostfiremusic.com)

“Eveen” by Life’s Decay (lifesdecay.com )

“Until the End” by Escape The Clouds (EscapeTheClouds.com)

“Savior of the Skies” by The Cog is Dead (thecogisdead.com)

“Zeppelins” by The Absinthe Drinkers (theabsinthedrinkers.com)

Chapter One of The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies, read by the author

With great eSTEAM,

~Veronique Chevalier

http://weirdval.com

* MADemoiselle Veronique's next Steampunk Perv-ormance @ Pyrate Daze, Santa Ana 8/27 & 28

2011-08-18T00:24:00.000-07:00

"Westways Magazine" published by The Auto Club of America named Pyrate Daze as one of their "5 Worth The Drive" Events for August, 2011. Add to that the perv-ormance of your very own MADemoiselle Veronique Chevalier at 5pm on both Saturday AND Sunday, August 27th & 28th, and vous have NO reason to stay home!

Also featuring:
Rillian & The Doxie Chicks
Zoe Boekbinder
The Pirates Charles
Moon-Mermaid
Aoha Nui Hula
Cirque Noir & MORE!!!

Here is a photo of page 68 of the August 2011 Issue of "Westways":

Here is the promo video. (Try not to blink or vous won't see my picture, jumbled in with other unnamed persons, at the very end. :-/ But, I shall "LIKE" it, since there is no such thing as bad publicity! :-)

I hope to see my 'fiends' & fan(g)s in the Southern Califor Nation there!
.

* Veronique's "Vampire Surprise" Included in June Sepiachord Playlist

2011-06-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

.
Sepiachord
Playlist for the Week Ending June 12th, 2011

Veronique Chevalier: Vampire Surprise

Eli August: Vanish

Siouxsie and the Banshees: Rawhead & Bloody Bones

The Gloria Darlings: This House

Rhubarb Whiskey: Heart on Her Sleeve

Curtis Eller's American Circus: Hide that Scar

This Way to the Egress: Gypsy Shoe

Bakelite 78: Katie Dear

Clare Fader: Queen

The Dad Horse Experience: I Saw the Light

16 Horsepower: I See What I Saw

Vernian Process: Vagues de Vapeur

Slim Cessna's Auto Club: What'll I Do?

Alice Cooper: Crazy Little Child

Munly & the Lee Lewis Harots: The Denver Boot Redux

Birdeatsbaby: Rosary

Diable Amoreux: The Town Rat & the Country Rat

Di Nigunim: The Town Rat & the Country Rat

Baby Gramps & the Back Swamp Potioners: Shanghai Lil

Victor Sierra: Pale Golden Flecks

Jaakko Laitinen & Väärä Raha: Viratulet

Ando Ehlers: Damsel

Not Waving But Drowning: Processional

Cop Shoot Cop: Hung Again

* The Clockwork Cabaret, and Davenport & Winkleperry: Steampunk-run Radio & Cafe

2011-06-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

.

Yes, Virginia, there really is a show devoted exclusively to that elusive ODD-itory genre known as "Steampunk Music."

To paraphrase some of the verbiage from their website http://www.clockworkcabaret.com says:

"The Clockwork Cabaret is a weekly radio show hosted by the darling Davenport sisters, Emmett & Klaude, on WCOM 103.5 FM-LP in Chapel Hill/Carrboro, NC, every Monday at 11pm. And, you can call in to the show via the telephone at 919.929.9601.

The sisters play the "Music o' Gears" for Steampunk ears, an anachronistic style of music that will make you long for the days gone by. A wide assortment of jazz, blues, goth, folk, swing, gypsy punk, dark cabaret, classical and other related genres."

(I might add that they have even had the excellent taste to play "Vampire Surprise," by MADemoiselle Veronique on their Halloween Programme, entitled "Episode 92: Screaming Banshees of Halloween (aka It’s Spooktacular)."

http://clockworkcabaret.podbean.com/2009/10/26/episode-92-screaming-banshees-of-halloween-aka-its-spooktacular/

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

What's more, in addition to the aforementioned wireless transmission, there is also a family business involved, Davenport & Winkleperry: Purveyors of Fine Art, Coffee, Tea & What-not

Imagine a space filled with art, coffee, books, live music and an in-house seamstress. Impossible? Located in quaint downtown Pittsboro, North Carolina, Davenport & Winkleperry, is a gallery and coffeehouse that offers all those extraordinary things along with other amusing oddities for your purchase, most with a hint of the Victorian aesthetic.

Address: 18A East Salisbury Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: 919-533-6178
Website: http://www.davenportandwinkleperry.com

.

* Veronique Featured on WAIR- Wicked Awesome Internet Radio

2011-06-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Run by Brian Donovan, WAIR: Wicked Awesome Internet Radio, plays the best unsigned music from some of the worlds hottest unsigned artists, and he's chosen to spotlight my "Internet Date" song track.

Here is the link to his post:
http://thewair.posterous.com/veronique-chevalier-on-thewairposterouscom

Here is the video of "Internet Date":

Monsieur Brian has excellent taste to include La Moi, non?
.

* What Is "Steampunk Music?" Op-Ed by Veronique Chevalier

2011-05-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

There seem to be more and more debates floating through the aethers on the subject of "Steampunk Music," so I wrote this piece from the viewpoint that I have as an artiste. Although I have performed at numerous Steampunk events, and shall continue to do so as long as the invitations keep coming my way, I don't call myself a "Steampunk" artiste, per say.

I prefer the word "artiste" without any descriptors, because I create to please myself, and I appear at non-Steampunk events (Cabarets/Music Halls/Gay Venues/Burlesque Rooms) as well. I do feel very privileged and honoured that many fine folk in the community appreciate my special brand of ODDitory MADemoiselle-ness.

However, I know that people new to the Steampunk community, as well as long-time adherents, yearn for more musical choices, so that they might have a soundtrack, as it were, to complement the aesthetics and spirit that drew them to the community initially.

In the spirit of inclusiveness, I'd like to share a couple of invaluable resources for Steampunk-ish music. Incidentally, there is no universal agreement about what constitutes "Steampunk" music, since it commenced as a literary and aesthetic movement. However, it does seem to follow that numerous music artistes enjoyed by many Steampunks (and in whose ranks I am honoured to be included) are congregated in the following two websites:

Gilded Age Records
* http://www.gildedagerecords.com*
* https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilded-Age-Records/122519387775698*

The world's only artist collective, founded by Joshua A. Pfeiffer of Vernian Process & Evelyn Kriete, focused on musician's combining old world aesthetics and sounds with current genres of music. Steampunk/Cabaret/Swing/Ragtime/Gypsy-Punk/Darkwave/etc.

Sepiachord
* http://sepiachord.com*
* https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_208390005860341*

Founded by Jordan Bodewell, "Sepiachord is the "genre that doesn't exist". It is to music what "Steampunk" is to literature and cinema: something that looks back to the past to comment on the present while looking sideways at the future. A cubist aural experience. As goth & glam are the bastards of David Bowie, Sepiachord is the made from the genetic material sown by Tom Waits.

Sepiachord is assembled like a clockwork orchestra, from such elements of music Sinister Circus, Cabaret Macabre, Chamber Pop, Organic Goth, Celtic/Gypsy Punk, Mutant Americana, Ghost Town Country It is the music our grandparents or great-grandparents would have listened to, if they were as off-set as we are."

"A Sepiachord Passport" released under the Projekt Records imprint, is a compilation with a generous selection of 20 tracks by as many artistes, and is an excellent way to dip one's toe into the Steampunk Music pool. It may be ordered from the Projekt website:

* http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00250*

.

* More Notices of "A Sepiachord Passport" Compilation with Veronique Mentioned!

2011-05-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

This compilation, "A Sepiachord Passport" features performers from around the world with a common passion for steampunk music. More than just a fashion statement or a convention theme, the notion of steampunk extends into the music realm with a blending of the avant-garde, theatrical, and fantastical tones of gypsy punk, circus blues, and dark cabaret.

The 20-track album is full of surprises - some eerily outlandish and other resoundingly pleasant. With contributions by established acts with crossover appeal, like Black Tape for a Blue Girl (with guest vocals by Nicki Jaine), this album is at least worth a listen - even if only to understand how neo-vaudeville/steampunk music sounds.

The Clockwork Dolls and Veronique Chevalier are also presences worth mentioning, for being steampunk scene attention grabbers and having appeared at the Steampunk World's Fair in New Jersey. Both acts are clearly praised for representing the steampunk sub-genre of music.

There are also many Seattle bands that add their own local flair to the mix. Though surely an acquired taste, this collection is an excellent introduction for those uneducated on the unique breadth of steampunk music. - Alison

"A Sepiachord Passport" is available from the Projekt Records website:
http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00250

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

THE ULTIMATE GOTH GUIDE:
A Blog About Everything about Goth & Dark Culture

Sepiachord is a relatively new term in the Goth scene, made increasingly popular by Projekt's compilation release The Sepiachord Passport (which "presents twenty(!) songs that meld dark cabaret, gypsy punk, neo-folk, twisted waltzes and circus blues with pop, rock, hip-hop, world music and the avant-garde").

The website Sepia Chord describes the genre thusly: "It is to music what 'steampunk' is to literature and cinema: something that looks back to the past to comment on the present while looking sideways at the future... As goth & glam are the bastards of David Bowie, Sepiachord is made from the genetic material sown by Tom Waits. Sepiachord is assembled like a clockwork orchestra, from such elements of music as Sinister Circus, Cabaret Macabre, Chamber Pop, Organic Goth, Celtic/Gypsy Punk, Mutant Americana, Ghost Town Country."

Musicians whose music could be termed 'sepiachord' include: Toy-Box Trio, Blackbird Orchestra, Bat Country, Tiger Lillies, Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys, Circus Contraption, Veronique Chevalier, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, Sxip Shirey, Rhubarb Whiskey.

Original Blog Post Here:
http://ultimategothguide.blogspot.com/2011/04/dark-and-goth-friendly-music-part-10.html
.

* MAD Veronique's Upcoming 2011 Perv-ormances

2011-05-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

* July 22, 23, 24, 2011
PDX Gear Con
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Portland, Oregon

* August 27 & 28, 2011
Pyrate Daze
Embassy Suites
Santa Ana, CA

* September 16,17, 18, 2011
TGNESE
Courtyard Marriott/
Central MA Expo Center
Fitchburg, MA

* October 21, 2011
Carnivale Delerium
Location TBA
Chicago, IL

* November 18, 19, 20, 2011
TeslaCon
Sheraton Hotel
Madison, WI

* Veronique is included in the book "1,000 Steampunk Creations"

2011-05-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

Vous are cordially commanded to acquire this book when it is released in July! Edited by Joey Marsocci, aka Dr. Grymm, MADemoiselle Veronique Chevalier's image, in which she is sporting "Valkyrie" Goggles by PH Factor, was shot by David Zentz Photography, and is found on page 176. Merci, & many congrats to the other 999 includees in this beautiful volume by Quarry Books.

NOTE:
If you wish to pre-purchase the book go to http://www.qbookshop.com and enter the promo code: DRGRYMM to receive 25% off this and ANY BOOK at Quarry Publications! (Offer ends at midnight on Thursday, June 30th, 2011.)

A sepia-toned version of this image appears in the book ©David Zentz

.

* Friday The 13th: Veronique's "Vampire Surprise" Featured on Six Feet Plus Radio!

2011-05-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

6’+ (Six Feet Plus) Radio Episode 04:
You Don’t Need A License (To Drive A Stake)
Release Date: May 13th, 2011

The V word. Vampires. Once the inspiration for a thousand Halloween costumes, now they’re the inspiration for a million bad YA novels. But there are those who remember that vampires can be scary. For this episode of 6′+, we salute you, nosferatu.

Vous are cordially commanded to listen at your leisure!

Download Show Here:
http://6ftplus.gravediggerslocal.com/podpress_trac/web/183/0/Episode_04.mp3

Listen on the Six Feet Plus website here:
http://6ftplus.gravediggerslocal.com/archives/183

Playlist:
—————
Band: The Vooduo
Song: “Drink Your Blood”
—————
Band: Horror Story
Song: “Vampires…”
—————
Band: The Dark Shadows
Song: “Sleeping With A Vampire”
—————
Band: The Phantom Cowboys
Song: “Transylvanian Girl”
—————
Band: Teenage Bottlerocket
Song: “They Came From The Shadows”
—————
Band: The Dead Next Door
Song: “The Vampire Beast Craves Blood”
—————
Band: The Creeping Cruds
Song: “I, Vampire”
—————
Band: Veronique Chevalier
Song: “Vampire Surprise”
—————
Band: The Brickbats
Song: “Too Many Vampires”
—————
Band: Hola Ghost
Song: “Night of the Vampire”
—————
Band: Famous Monsters
Song: “Vampire Cosmonaut”
—————
Band: The Demon Seeds
Song: “Bloodsucker’s Lament”
—————
Band: Koffin Kats
Song: “A Vampire’s 2084″
—————
Band: Calabrese
Song: “Vampires Don’t Exist”
—————

Add the 6'+ Facebook Fan Page Here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/6-Six-Foot-Plus/213430098684895
.

* Veronique Chevalier Featured Artist on "The Traveler's Steampunk Blog"

2011-05-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Featured Artist: Veronique Chevalier

Direct URL to original post on "The Steampunk Traveler": http://daily-steampunk.com/steampunk-blog/2011/05/05/featured-artist-veronique-chevalier

Posted By Traveler on 5. Mai 2011

Veronique Chevalier is the eccentric Françican (Français-American) Chanteuse (Songstress) known as The “Weird VAL” of Dark Cabaret.
She’s an unparalleled Parodist; a Steamy Chanteuse, and Spooky Polkanista, who has been described as a campy incarnation of Edith Piaf from a parallel universe – the one in which her parents are Jim Morrison, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and her godparents are Lucille Ball and Weird Al.
As a self-proclaimed “Mad Sonictist,” she takes maniacal pleasure in combining previously unrelated musical forms into new, unholy combinations. She vows to leave no genre unadulterated in her quest to create the ultimate Sonic Frankenstein…
She originated the genre of “Gothic Polka”. Her twisted brand of humour hits at the core of daily reality. Being gonged off the premiere season of America’s Got Talent (which is FAKE reality) was irrefutable proof her gifts are wasted on the masses.

This sums it up better than I ever could. Veronique really is one of a kind and when she introduced herself to me and I checked out her music, I first did not know what to expect. I did not expect what I found either…

Yes, this is a very unique and thoroughly weird style, Veronique has developed. It is also curiously, even frighteningly appealing.

Very danceable tunes for various different styles alternate with songs best listened to in a comfortable chair with a glass of fine absinthe or wine in your hand.

I also find the images the lyrics creat in in your mind fascinating. The Beer Hall in Hell in particular would make an excellent place for a lighthearted Steampunk adventure featuring intrepid explorers wearing Pickelhauben like this one:

This is a Bavarian Pickelhaube, the Prussians were not the only ones, despite what some people think...

Veronique Chevalier truely is a weird mistress of music, she delivers everything the description on her official page promises...Oh dear, I guess one day I really have to cross the ocean again and see all those wonderful Steampunk artist and musicians of the New World…

I digress.

Veronique Chevalier’s music is a unique and very refreshing experience. Each track is an accoustic adventure and you never know what too expect, and this, I am convinced, is just how the good lady wants it…

Ten out of ten zeppelins, and those zeppelins really have a weird colour scheme and follow an odd course…

* MADemoiselle Veronique Confirmed for PDX Gear Con, July 22-24, 2011

2011-05-09T02:03:00.001-07:00

July 22-24
Portland GEAR Con
Portland's Gaslight Explorers, Adventurers, & Romantics Convention

REGISTER NOW

http://pdxgearcon.com/?page_id=11

Portland's Gaslight Explorers, Adventurers, & Romantics Convention is a celebration of Steampunk and neo-Victoriana in the Pacific Northwest, taking place over three days in Portland, Oregon. Members of the public can register to meet fellow enthusiasts, attend presentations and workshops, meet authors and other steampunk community luminaries, shop for costumes and other goods, enjoy musical and variety performances, and much more.

STARRING

VERONIQUE CHEVALIER

http:/www.weirdval.com/

Photo of Veronique © Ves Pitts

VAGABOND OPERA

http://www.vagabondopera.com

VERNIAN PROCESS

http://www.vernianprocess.com

WANDERLUST CIRCUS

http://www.wanderlustcircus.com

UNWOMAN

http://www.unwoman.com

and a host of others

with appearances from our honored guests

at
Crowne Plaza Portland
1441 NE 2nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
503-233-2401

What is Steampunk?

Steampunk is a retro-futuristic subgenre of speculative fiction, set in or thematically referring to an alternate Victorian period during which the technologies of the Industrial Revolution achieve fantastic sophistication and power. It is also an aesthetic inspired by said literary phenomenon, expressed in art, fashion, music, motion pictures, handcrafts, and other media. The name was coined as a tongue-in-cheek reference to Cyberpunk, another science fiction subgenre.

How do I register?

Adults and teenagers 14+ register for all three days of Portland GEAR Con by paying the PayPal button on our registration page, signifying that they have read and agreed to our convention policies and code of conduct.

If you are paying for multiple passes, please use PayPal's "note to seller" feature to provide the names and email addresses of attendees other than the purchaser. All pre-registered tickets will be available at the Will Call desk.

more about our featured personae

JORDAN BODEWELL

Record reviewer, musician interviewer and Chief Officer atSepiachord.com; Steampunk University faculty; role-playing game scribe and commentator at VictorianAdventureEnthusiast.com. Jordan is one of the leading voices in the ongoing debate over the question, "what does steampunk sound like?"

MELJEAN BROOK

Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.

VERONIQUE CHEVALIER

Veronique Chevalier is the eccentric Françican (Français-American) Chanteuse (Songstress) known as The "Weird VAL" of Dark Cabaret.

She's an unparalleled Parodist; a Steamy Chanteuse, and Spooky Polkanista, who has been described as a campy incarnation of Edith Piaf from a parallel universe – the one in which her parents are Jim Morrison, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and her godparents are Lucille Ball and Weird Al.

As a self-proclaimed "Mad Sonictist," she takes maniacal pleasure in combining previously unrelated musical forms into new, unholy combinations. She vows to leave no genre unadulterated in her quest to create the ultimate Sonic Frankenstein…

She originated the genre of "Gothic Polka". Her twisted brand of humour hits at the core of daily reality. Being gonged off the premiere season of America's Got Talent (which is FAKE reality) was irrefutable proof her gifts are wasted on the masses.

JENNIFER DOWLING

Jennifer Dowling of Sepiachord.com is a graphic designer, performer, photographer, seamstress, but most of all- Dreamer. When she isn't in the spotlight, she is behind the stage helping out. She has been creating and entertaining for over 18 years. Her work has been showcased internationally on her many websites, but recently most events are in Seattle, WA.

M.K. HOBSON

M.K. Hobson was born in Riverside, California, but grew up in Portland, Oregon. She attended the University of Oregon, where she ran Catalyst Films (the campus film society), helped launch The Student Insurgent (a radical progressive 'zine that's still being published) and drove night-shift cab in nearby Springfield, Oregon. After graduating with a degree in English and Communications, she moved to Hiroshima, Japan to teach English. Returning to the United States two years later, she purchased The Northwest Neighbor, a community newspaper founded by legendary Portland mayor Bud Clark. She ran the paper for several years before moving on to a career in the field of corporate communications, working with Fortune 500 clients in the fields of retirement and healthcare.

Currently, she is one of the co-hosts of Podcastle, the acclaimed short fiction podcast. She lives in Oregon City, Oregon with her husband and daughter.

KIMBERLY KING

The fiend holding the scissors is Kimberly May King, a madwoman for historical fashion in Portland, Oregon. As a very young lady she gravitated toward daring and scandalous pursuits — not one for humble beginnings, her very first sewing project was a custom corset. In the years since, she has further debauched herself by immersion in dressmaking, theatrical costuming, Victorian wardrobe both faithful and fanciful, and ever-more-elaborate corsetry. (I hear she even grinds her own bones — the very thought!)

Rumor has the girl they call Scissorfiend continuing to flout decency by producing everyday apparel, occasional wear, accessories, and handbags for clientele of certain . . . inclinations. Not content to fall only so far, she has even learned the tricks of the milliner's trade; it is whispered that she will indulge herself for hours over steam, block, and ribbon, abandoning herself unreservedly to obsession and delight.

JAY LAKE

Jay Lake has been described as one of the rising stars of the science fiction and fantasy genre. Since first appearing on the scene in late 2001, he has seen over 240 short stories published, along with seven novels out, and three more forthcoming over the next few years. His work has received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and significant recognition within the science fiction and fantasy field. He has won two of the most prestigious awards in science fiction and been nominated for numerous others.

Lake was born and raised overseas as the son of a United States diplomat. His childhood experiences in Asia, African and Europe have given him a wealth of cultural and geographical detail to draw from when creating exotic settings and strange situations. He has, after all, lived them. His professional career has been in advertising and marketing for the high technology field, which gives Lake a lifetime of exposure to technology issues and trends. Taken together, these go a long way to explaining his choice of writing fields.

Lake is a frequent guest at writing conferences and conventions, where his readings are well attended. He also workshops with newer writers, paying forward all the help and mentoring he has received and continues to benefit from. With his distinctive attire and quirky, improvisational humor, Lake is a familiar figure and a fan favorite all over the West Coast.

He also maintains a blog which has been ranked as a top 25 science fiction blog. There Lake talks about writing, photography, politics, his journey through cancer, his experiences as a parent, as well as posting travelogs of his trips to some unlikely destinations, such as a recent outing to a long-abandoned Titan I missile silo. Lake also regularly posts online reprints of his older work, and a biweekly podcast consisting of recorded readings, panels and interviews conducted during his travels.

Today Jay Lake lives in Portland, Oregon, where he works on multiple writing and editing projects. His 2007 book Mainspringreceived a starred review in Booklist. His 2009 novels are Green [Amazon ] from Tor Books, Madness of Flowers [ Amazon ] from Night Shade Books, and Death of a Starship from MonkeyBrain Books. His short fiction appears regularly in literary and genre markets worldwide. Jay is a winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and a multiple nominee for the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards. Jay can be reached through his Web site at www.jlake.com.

ANDREW P. MAYER

Andrew Mayer has spent sixteen years involved with every facet of game design and production, bringing his unique insight and skills to companies such as Sony, Time/Warner, PlayFirst, Zynga, The Learning Company, 2K Boston, and more.He has been a creative force behind numerous best-selling titles, turning his unique insights in player participation and interaction into highly successful projects spanning a variety of genres and media, including online, television, and retail.As a designer and producer he provided original concepts for the wildly successful "Petz" brand, one of the first true "Social Games." He also created numerous unique titles based on top brands, including Batman, Scooby-Doo, the Powerpuff girls, Diner Dash, Tonka Toys, Reader Rabbit, Mavis Beacon, and many more.As a writer Andrew has completed numerous short stories and a Steampunk Superhero novel. He also co-wrote the script for THE LEGEND OF ZORRO, which was released for the Wii. In 2008 his short comic "OM NOM NOM"was published by Dark Horse as the first new story for Creepy Magazine in almost 20 years. Expect to see more published work in the near future.Andrew is currently working as a consultant in social games and virtual goods, focused on working with game publishers and developers to help them create successful, original social game titles and integrate effective development, monetization, and community strategies. He has worked with top social game companies including Zynga, Meteor, Mob Science, and Hands On, as well as core game companies such as 2K Boston and EA/Bioware.

NOAH MICKENS

Noah Mickens has produced, directed, and starred in five independent circus troupes over the past 10 years (Cicuri Curajul, The 999 Eyes ov Endless Dream, Societas Insomnia, Batty's Hippodrome, and Wanderlust Circus); as well as directing the new opera Queen of Knives with Eric Stern, a butoh version of A Midsummer Night's Dream with Mizu Desierto, and the dark fairytale operetta Bogville with Tiare Tashnick; sitting on the board of directors for 2Gyrlz Performative Arts; serving as booker and promoter of Someday Lounge, Rotture, Branx, The Jasmine Tree, and the Hippodrome Circus Arts Center; performing with the butoh troupe P.A.N., experimental theater group Implied Violence, ritual performance project Soriah, and numerous others; playing percussion with bands such as Nequaquam Vacuum and The Steve MacKay Ensemble; and MC-ing shows from Sinferno Cabaret to The Bite of Oregon. His work has been the subject of innumerable newspaper and magazine articles, television and radio shows, and government investigations. He'll take you off like a Saturday.

DEVON MONK
Devon Monk writes the Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series, the Age of Steam steampunk series, and the occasional short story. She has one husband, two sons, and a dog named Mojo. She lives in Oregon and is surrounded by colorful and numerous family members who mostly live within dinner-calling distance of each other. She has sold over fifty short stories to magazines and anthologies in five different countries, including a Year's Best Fantasy collection. When not writing, Devon is either knitting strange things, remodeling the house-that-was-once-a-barn, or hosting a family celebration.

CHERIE PRIEST
Cherie Priest is the author of ten novels, including the steampunk pulp adventures Dreadnought, Clementine, and Boneshaker. Boneshaker was nominated for both the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award; it was a PNBA Award winner, and winner of the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. Cherie also wrote Bloodshot for Bantam Spectra; Fathom and the Eden Moore series from Tor; and three novellas published by Subterranean Press. In addition to all of the above, she is a newly minted member of the Wild Cards Consortium – and her first foray into George R. R. Martin's superhero universe, Fort Freak (for which she wrote the frame story), will debut in 2011. Cherie's short stories and nonfiction articles have appeared in such fine publications as Weird Tales, Subterranean Magazine, Publishers Weekly, and the Stoker-nominated anthology Aegri Somnia from Apex. Though she spent most of her life in the southeast, she presently lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and a fat black cat.

IRENE RADFORD
Phyllis Irene Radford, aka P.R. Frost, aka C.F. Bentley, has been writing stories ever since she figured out what a pencil was for. A member of an endangered species, a native Oregonian who lives in Oregon, she and her husband make their home in Welches, Oregon, where deer, bears, coyotes, hawks, owls, and woodpeckers feed regularly on their back deck.A museum trained historian, Irene has spent many hours prowling pioneer cemeteries deepening her connections to the past. Raised in a military family, she grew up all over the US and learned early on that books are friends that don't get left behind with a move. Her interests and reading range from ancient history, to spiritual meditations, to space stations, and a whole lot in between.Her signal corps brother has launched several communications satellites on the shuttle. Watching those launches got her hooked on the ideal of humans reaching out into the universe.Phyl has edited or co-edited several of BVC's anthologies, including the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund benefit book Breaking Waves and the Shadow Conspiracy steampunk books. Please visit her BVC Bookshelf for more about her and her work, and to read her free short stories and flash fiction.

PROFESSOR D.R. SCHRIEBER

As a professor of natural philosophy, presenter of experimental conjuring, and exhibitor of legerdemain, Professor DR Schreiber evokes the spirit of early magical performances. His audiences experience illusion and mystery in the same way that 18th, 19th, and early 20th century aristocrats, nobles and elite would have seen it, in their home, mansion, or estate with a private demonstration. Professor DR Schreiber brings parlor magic back into parlors.

Professor DR Schreiber is Danny Schreiber, a Portland, OR-based magic historian, performer, and teacher for young magicians. He is the Vice President of the Portland Assembly of Society of American Magicians, a member of the Portland Society of Magicians and the Academy of Magical Arts (Magic Castle), as well as a certified mentor for the Society of Young Magicians, Salem and Portland chapters. Schreiber uses his long career in television producing and years of working as a cast member at Disneyland to enhance the all around entertainment experience for his audiences.

KEVIN STEIL

Kevin Steil, the Airship Ambassador, is a one-man information clearinghouse about all things steampunk. His website and Twitter feed are a constantly-updating directory of global steampunk happenings, and his in-depth event reportage, editorials, and interviews cement his position as steampunk's cultural curator.

UNWOMAN

San Francisco's Unwoman, also known as Erica Mulkey, creates darkly beautiful music, a powerful collage of vocals, cello, and electronics. Matthew Heilman of Starvox.net writes, "Her style ranges from a kind of experimental trip hop to swirling darkwave atmosphere with just enough static and noise to give it that extra technical punch."
In July 2005 Unwoman published Wildness & Artifice, a wholly original double-CD featuring a full disc of material in a similar vein to her debut Knowledge Scars, plus a bonus acoustic piano-vocal CD. At the end of 2007 Unwoman released Blossoms, an utterly gorgeous album featuring original electro-acoustic works on the first half, and acoustic (mostly cello-vocal) compositions based on poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay on the second half. In 2008, struck with a rush of inspiration, Unwoman composed the six-song Trouble EP. Then in the Fall of 2009, Unwoman released The Keys as a 15-track download plus antique key. Unwoman has just finished a full-length album, Casualties featuring 16 songs, all written after Blossoms was released.
In April 2009 Erica toured with Voltaire as part of his Skeletal Orchestra. Prior to that she performed inRasputina at Convergence 12 in New Orleans and in part of their June 2006 US tour, in which she also opened solo. She currently plays cello with Stripmall Architecture (formerly Halou), Eliza Rickman, andVernian Process, and has also shared the stage with Abney Park, HUMANWINE, Attrition, Jill Tracy,Falling You, and improvised aural alchemy with Paul Mercer's The Ghosts Project. She often performs solo, with or without laptop accompaniment, in the Bay Area and all over North America, appearing at festivals and conventions for steampunks, sci-fi fans, vampires, anarchists, goths, and anyone else.

DIANA VICK

Diana Vick is vice chair, creative director, and co-founder of Steamcon, one of the largest steampunk conventions held thus far. For the past several years, she has been speaking on the topic of steampunk at many conventions across the country, beginning with the infamous "guerilla steampunk panel" that she instigated at Dragoncon in Atlanta. She has been interviewed by Women's Wear Daily Fast, and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, and appeared on King Five News. She has written many articles and guest blogs on the subject of steampunk and has many more in the works. She has a few short stories and serials in the works as well. One of her steampunk costumes took grand prize in the masquerade at Orycon in 2009. Even her art has taken a decidedly steampunk direction lately and you can find examples of this on her Zazzle site at http://www.zazzle.com/artvixn. To find more of her art, costumes and articles, you may go to http://www.dianavick.com.

VAGABOND OPERA

European Cabaret! Vintage Americana! Balkan Belly Dance! Neo-Classical Opera! Old World Yiddish Theater! Welcome to the six-piece, Portland, Oregon-based Vagabond Opera.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, yet encompassing the world, Vagabond Opera delivers passionate offerings of Bohemian cabaret. Paris hot Jazz, gut bucket swing, Tangos, Ukrainian folk-punk ballads, Klezmer and vigorous originals meet a world of riverboat gambling queens, Turkish belly dancers, and the enigmatic Marlene Dietrich. Weaving elements of Kurt Weil, Duke Ellington and Edith Piaf with absurdist flair, theatrics and an old world mood, Vagabond Opera presents the new wave of opera--lusty (trained) voices singing in 15 languages and presenting a cabaret of rich musical phrasing, sparkling lyrics and indomitable stage presence, all played with exuberance, skill and a gritty Vagabond edge. This is Opera liberated and reinvented for everyone.
The band's lineup features trained operatic tenor and soprano vocals, accordion, tenor and alto saxophones, cello, stand-up bass, drums, and, when the mood is right, a burlesque hoola-hooping fire performer.
Vagabond Opera has been featured in Jazziz Magazine, shared stages and players with The Decembrists, Pink Martini, Al Franken and the Oregon Symphony. Vagabond opera has two full length albums.

VERNIAN PROCESS

Artists have dabbled in Steampunk's Scientific Romance, Neo-Victorian and Gothic Horror themes throughout the history of modern music, but none of them were created with the express intent of creating Steampunk music . . . until the year 2003. Enter Vernian Process, the San Francisco-based progenitor of the Steampunk music scene – inspiring a cadre of artists worldwide to find musical expression through retrofuturism. The band's moniker is inspired by the forefather of Steampunk himself: science fiction author Jules Verne. By fusing sounds and styles spanning over two centuries with the themes of an alternate Victorian timeline," Vernian Process musically captures the surreal and gritty essence of Steampunk culture. Their latest album, Behold the Machine (released October 1, 2010), has already sold hundreds of copies to an audience spanning the globe from the United States and the UK to Russia and Australia.

WANDERLUST CIRCUS

The ways of the Circus are older than the nightclubs, older than the banks, older than the cities. These most ancient of performative traditions have always existed just slightly to the left of the Mundane World. Now, at the first flickering of the 21st Century, our piebald clan is shedding its skin and remaking itself in the funhouse mirror image of The Second Great Depression.

To aid and abet this glorious rebirth, Wanderlust has established itself as the premiere circus operation in The City of Roses, helmed by Noah Mickens and Nick "The Creature" Harbar. Acrobats, aerialists, hand balancers, stilt dancers, trick ropers, jugglers and jazz-bos, crooners and clowns – these arts are our chosen creed, our map through the wilderness.

Ours is the story of an immortal carnie family blessed and cursed to live forever on The Endless Road. The logic of dreams pervades the action onstage and the lives of the characters backstage, and from those artifices to the True World of performer and audience.

2011 marks the further refinement of this fabulist fairytale revue into a pair of new forms. In both cases our new-broke trail leads Wanderlust Circus to a more complete synthesis with music – one embracing the breakneck madcappery of the 1920s novelty bands, one laying its root deep in the ecstatic ghetto of the Dubstep Massive.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg, beloved Cousins of the Spirit. Wanderlust will persist in presenting countless shows of all sizes and styles, in any room we may squeeze ourselves into, for any audience with eyes to see. We will not rest until the whole of the world has been entertained.

NOTE: This post is a slightly altered re-print of a post in the blog of
Wanderlust Circus at this URL:
http://www.myspace.com/thewanderlustcircus/blog/542668764

* Please "FOLLOW" @VeroniqueCheVAL on Twitter!

2011-04-30T00:39:00.000-07:00

Oui! Oui! In my true, ongoing quest to be one of the top Cyber-whores, I am SpreadingTheDisease (STD) that's my own Special Brand of Madness, far & wide!

Vous are cordially commanded to "FOLLOW" VeroniqueCheVAL.

See? That's not so very difficult!

Merci beaucoup!

* Archive of Volver de la Magia Radio Show Featuring Veronique

2011-04-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

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eSTEAMed Greetings once again, Chere 'Fiends' & Fan(g)s!

If vous missed the April 21st live broadcast of The Charlie Chaplin Tribute Show on Volver de la Magia Radio, here's your opportunity to take a listen at your leisure. It's in Spanish, but the music, from an array of international artistes, transcends language!

Download the episode here:
http://www.multiupload.com/IU64SLASRA

Or play it online here:
http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/78526516

PLAYLIST PROGRAMA Nº 497 (23-04-2011)

Especial Homenaje a Charles Chaplin
122 Aniversario

Musica: Polka Dark Cabaret Steampunk, Dramatic Dark Cabaret Avant-Garde, Opera Dark Cabaret Vaudeville Circus, Romantic Ballad, Hard Rock, Neo-Cabaret, Gypsy Steampunk Dark Cabaret

1 “The Beer Hall In Hell” – VERONIQUE CHEVALIER
Album: “Polka Haunt Us”
(USA-2010)

2 “Neigung zum Nichts” – ANGIZIA
Album: “Kokon – Ein Schauring-schones Schachtelstuck”
(Austria-2011)

3 “Chaplin Nonsense Song” – VAGABOND OPERA
Album: “Get the Train”
(USA-2004)

OLDIES/ROMANTIC MELODIES
4 "Te Propongo" - SANDRO
Album: "Sandro Lo Mejor" (Argentina-1969)

RETRO EN EL TIEMPO
5 “Just a Gigolo/ I Ain't Got Nobody"” – DAVID LEE ROTH
Album: “Crazy From the Heat” EP (USA-1985)

6 “Stuck with you” – VOLTAIRE & AMANDA PALMER
Album “Oooky Spooky”
(USA-2007)

7 “Vaudeville Voodoo” – THE GYPSY NOMADS
Album: “Happy Madness”
(USA-2010)

* Veronique's Music To Be Broadcast In Argentina!

2011-04-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Buenos Dias mes amis (Greetings my friends)!

MAD V is most honoured to have her music played on Argentina's "Volver de las Magia" Radio Station on Friday, April 22, 9 pm PST.

Hosts McKland and Deborah are dedicating this broadcast to the 122nd anniversary of the birth of "The Little Tramp"- beloved iconic actor/director/composer Charlie Chaplin, so I am especially honoured to be included in this show!

Please tune in and enjoy the sonic offerings, which include (but are not limited to):

Gothic/ Darkwave
Dark Cabaret/ Steampunk/ NeoCabaret Avant-Garde
Symphonic Gothic Metal
Viking Folk Pagan Metal
Neofolk/ Dark Folk/ Folk Noir/Apocalyptic Folk
New Wave/ Retro 80's & 90's
Oldies/ Notalgies/ Tango
EBM/ Dark Electro/ Industrial/Harsh
Death Rock/ Post-Punk
Celtic/ Folk Rock

* MAD Veronique "Steampunk Culture" Interview on KNSD "Sound Diego" Blog

2011-02-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

Bonjour chere 'Fiends' & Fan(g)s!

During the course of my evening as Em Ceess (Mistress of Ceremonies) for "Voyages Extraordinaires", a steampunk extravaganza, featuring live music, vendors, food, libations and art, with headliners Abney Park, at Queen Bee's Art & Cultural Center in San Diego, on Saturday, February 12th, 2011, videographer Marc Balanky from KNSD Sound Diego, the NBC Television affiliate station's blog, conducted a short interview with La Moi about my views on the Steampunk Phenomenon.

The music in this video is by San Diego-based band Tragic Tantrum, featuring the beautiful Zoe Tantrum, a prolific musical artiste and creative powerhouse.

Other acts shown in the video include Shovelman, a mysterious, itinerant spinner of yarns and instrumentalist of rusty, electronically-modified farm impliments; San Diego's Steam Powered Giraffe, musical comedy robotic mime troupe, as well as Elective Surgery, San Diego-based performers who present monthly shadowcasts of "REPO: The Genetic Opera".

Steampunk culture is gaining more and more attention from the media, and is capturing the imaginations of ever greater numbers of followers. I think H.G. Wells & Jules Verne would be astonished at what their imaginations have wrought!
.

* Happy Natal Date, Monsieur Jule Verne, February 8, 1828

2011-02-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, chere Monsieur V!!!
Jules Verne - Natal Date: 8 February, 1828
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* Veronique Featured as a Steampunk Beauty!

2011-02-02T02:22:00.000-08:00

The eSTEAMed blog "Steampunk Beauties" featured MAD Veronique as one of their models:

aka The “Weird Val” of Dark Cabaret"width="400">

MADemoiselle Veronique Chevalier, Mad Sonictist

aka The “Weird Val” of Dark Cabaret

View the original post here:

http://steampunk-beauties.tumblr.com/post/2961127477/mademoiselle-veronique-chevalier-mad-sonictist

Tagged: steampunk steampunk women steampunk woman steampunk beauty steampunk beauties steampunk girl steampunk girls submission

* Abney Park in San Diego, with Veronique + More, Feb. 12th!

2011-01-19T19:07:00.000-08:00

Vous are cordially invited on Saturday, Feb. 12th, 2011

Pueblo Estrella Music Presents: Voyages Extraordinaires, Queen Bee's, San Diego.

* * ALL AGES!!! * *

MC & Host: Veronique Chevalier!

FEATURING:
+ Abney Park
+ Steam Powered Giraffe
+ The Tragic Tantrum
+ Shovel Man
+ Fire Dancers
+ Belly Dancers
+ Food
+ Prizes
+ Alcohol for 21 & over with ID

Tickets: $25 - Purchase here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/140611/ref/355559

* Veronique's "Cthulhu" Sepiachord Song Of The Day 1/9/2011

2011-01-11T02:28:00.000-08:00

Here is Mr. Bodewell's post on the subject:

"Cthulhu" by Veronique Chevalier is the Sepiachord Song of the Day.
Here are two videos of her performing the song at the 2010 Steampunk World's Fair:

This one has better sound quality & includes the intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ywPTMAjGQ&NR%3B=1

In this one you can actually hear Mr Bodewell & Lady Adderly giggling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDGQPHIJ9O4

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* "The Steampunk Chronicle" Reviews "A Sepiachord Passport"

2010-12-13T19:52:00.000-08:00

Travels With the Sepiachord Passport
by DoctorQ

For those who are unfamiliar, I must take a moment to tell you all of the wonderful folks of Sepiachord. Cpt. Jordan Bodewell (aka Jordan Block) and his crew of fellow musicians on this collection scour the length and breadth of the ether and broadcast the strange and wonderful findings to all who visit their port of call, www.sepiachord.co m.

As an arranger of musical oddities myself, I must say that this place is a regular travel destination for me, and so when they produced the Sepiachord Companion anthology last year, I grabbed it and was delighted. Thus, I have eagerly awaited this year’s audio collection – A Sepiachord Passport – and I am happy to say it did not disappoint.

Some artists on the collection I was well familiar with. Others only from Cpt. Bodewell’s website, making this compilation one of the few ways I knew to acquire such new and unique sounds. So while the album is billed a passport, my only real criticism is that it still felt decidedly like the travels were simply around America, with the occasional jaunt to the U.K. for a few tracks. Though after opening the cover, I have to say I was very impressed with the interior design and look of the CD as a whole. Very clever, and with that I was ready to disembark.

It opens with “Roll Up” by the Tiger Lilies, which is notable as the band is rarely ever on compilations. Walter Sickert and His Army of Broken Toys’ addition of “Off With Her Head!” informs the ear of the quirky, enjoyable, and sometimes spooky songs to come. Bakelite 78’s slow tempo “Aurora Ave Motel” was a quick visit from this band I’ve heard so much about, and it simply made me wish for a more extended stay. Next, Bat Country’s “Knockin’ On My Coffin” picked up the pace and was easily among my favorite selections on the compilation. “Thief Song” by Miss Mammie Lavona The Exotic Mulatta and her White Boy Band was one part torch song, one part humorous toe-tapping delight.

As the travels continue, Nathaniel Johnstone and the Brazilian Surf Mafia take us along the “Scarlet Carpet Interstate, Part One.” I should note that Nathaniel’s musical work is often heard on Abney Park; so having his solo band featured on this compilation was a treat. I own this whole album, and I regret to say I have still not heard Part Two to this piece. Next, Huxley Vertical Cabaret Nouveau’s “Early Chill” is an enjoyable, but still down-tempo, vaudevillian affair.

Now, I must pause to relate that hearing “If I Told You Once” was a real treat. Circus Contraption is among one of my favorite bands, and so this compilation’s release gives us one of the last releases from the band, and did not disappoint. Following it, we have Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band’s “Kibosh On Your Scene,” which is one of my favorite tracks from the band’s debut release and I was pleased to see it featured here. I should note, in passing, that many of the bands on this passport require two stamps to spell.

The next two tracks give us two female vocal artists, Veronique Chevalier’s “The Dance Master” and The Clockwork Dolls’ “The Ballad of Black Jack Jezebel” were excellent additions to round out the midway point on this twenty track trip. Turning the ship back home, the somber sounds of the Blackbird Orchestra’s “Hollowland,” broken up briefly by the American debut of the famed U.K. steampunk band The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing’s “Charlie” (another favorite of mine, and am happy to see on this compilation), and then returning to the dark sounds of Black Tape For A Blue Girl’s “Rotten Zurich Cafe.” Nicki Jane’s vocals make it a song that really resonates for those who love the dark cabaret sounds Projekt Records are so famed for.

Jaunting back across the pond for another American debut, Professor Elemental gave us “Sweet Cold Consolation,” a track if you needed just one reason to add this CD to your collection – the Professor is it. And following it is Sxip Shirey’s “Mehenatta,” a song so toe-tappingly eclectic I think its instrumental oddity will be floating in my head for days… in a good way. The infectious beat continues with The Peculiar Pretzelmen’s “Hammer Nails” track… there’s something about woodwinds and banjo that I just can’t get enough of.

We slow down to the end of our trip with the final two tracks. “Lilacs from Canada” by Rhubarb Whiskey and “The Last Waltz” by The Magnificent Seven match the pace back to the album’s earlier slower rhythms, with the “Waltz” track being among the best of the slower songs on the compilation. Closing out the journey is Toy Box Trio with their usual ephemeral toy piano tones to bring this strange voyage to a close.

Overall, this compilation was a solid addition to Cpt. Bodewell’s prior release, and I can easily recommend it to any who love the music so well embraced by the vaudevillian, neo-burlesque, and steampunk communities.

Were I to have a bit of input on it, I would only comment as to the high amount of slower songs over high energy pieces. While great music, it just seemed the energy of the album as a whole was more down than up. I also would have advised about song placement – I feel that “Hollowland” flowing into “Rotten Zurich Cafe” and “Charlie” preceding “Sweet Cold Consolation” would have a better aural progression than as it was. But, outside those details, Passport is easily a CD I would recommend to anyone that shares the musical malady for fresh, innovative sounds using old musical parts. All in all, Kudos to Cpt. Bodewell and the staff of Sepiachord.

Doctor Q is the Media Editor for Steampunk Chronicle. He fancies himself an acoustic arranger of music and founder of the Artifice Club.

* Repost from "Trial By Steam": Please Help Keep Sepiachord.com Online

2010-12-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

Help Keep Sepiachord.com Online

In an outpouring of generosity from the Steampunk community, a number of musicians who have been touched by Mr. Bodewell’s outstanding talent and generous spirit have offered up their music as a means to support him. This is a real win-win for everyone. You can get some great new music for yourself or for friends. The musicians can support Jordan through the medium they know best, and perhaps gain a few new fans along the way. And it all goes to support an incredibly giving member of our little community.

Below are all the offers I’ve been made of aware of to date to help Mr. Bodewell through his trying times.

Veronique Chevalier

Horrific music is NOT just for HELLoween any more! Add “Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation” to your playlist for the HORRORdaze! Give the CD to yourself, or to the top ‘fiends’ on your “chopping” list! Regularly $13, but until Dec. 31st, Only $10, including shipping! 20% ($2) per CD will be donated to Sepiachord.com, in your name (or a name of your choice) (All tracks also available on iTunes, but discount & donation offer applies only to the CD)

Learn more about “Polka Haunt Us here”: http://PolkaHaunt.Us/

Put SEPIACHORD in the subject line to get the discount, & donation in your name, by emailing: PolkaHauntUs AT gmail DOT com

Eli August

I am having a sale on my website http://www.eliaugust.com/music/where from now until Sunday I will donate half of the sales of all music and merchandise directly to Jordan at Sepiachord. In the spirit of the season, help him keep this much needed resource alive.

You can also buy either (or both!) of the Sepiachord compilations to support Sepiachord. Both collections have received positive reviews here at Trial By Steam. Click on the covers to head to the respective websites to purchase these great musical collections.

If you are a musician who has set up an offer to help Jordan and you are not listed above, please get in contact through me through Facebook as soon as possible and tell me about the offer you have going on. I’ll be updating this post regularly as I learn about more bands reaching out to help.

And, if you have all these albums and don’t particularly want to buy more, please consider making a straight, financial gift to Sepiachord. Visit their website and click the Help Support button to make your gift.

Let’s stand together and keep Sepiachord alive!

* Veronique's Page on LastFm.com

2010-12-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

Dear 'fiends' & fan(g)s - Please feel free to dress up my musician page on LastFM.com with videos, photos and other ephemera! With great eSTEAM, Mad Veronique

http://www.last.fm/music/Veronique+CheVALier

* Veronique's WikiPedia Page (& Related Community Page On Facebook)

2010-12-10T23:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the Wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronique_Chevalier

And the community page for my Wiki entry on facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronique-Chevalier/130711810306307

The wonderful photo on both pages of moi is by Michael Pao of Mad Calamity. It was taken at The First Temporal Adventurers Society Gala Steampunk after party at Queen Bee's Art Center, during San Diego Comic Con, July 24th, 2010.

* Mad Veronique Confirmed To Perform At Nova Albion 2011!

2010-12-10T23:09:00.000-08:00

Save the date: March 25, 26, & 27, 2011. Join Mad Veronique and a cast(e) of characters to remember at Nova Albion. The theme? The Wild Wild East!

http://www.steampunkexhibition.com/

* "Overbury Ink" Reviews "A Sepiachord Passport"

2010-12-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

"Steampunk as a musical genre has as many variations as it does in film and literary styles. Vaudeville, cabaret, waltz are common as well as brass and acoustic instruments – but this is hardly a definition of the style. Often the lyrics take on a macabre, darkly humorous or grim storyline – to the swell of an accordion or waltz tempo.

Singer/comedian Veronique Chevalier tackles the issue of white slavery with “The Dance Master”'

Read more here:

http://overburyink.com/?p=1307

Nancy Overbury

* "The Big Takeover" Reviews "A Sepiachord Passport"

2010-12-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Things take a darker turn on the same smoky stage with Circus Contraption‘s “If I Told You Once,” as a Gene Austin-style crooner liltingly tells the tale of a Bluebeard-esque serial killer who blames his victims’ unfortunate fates on not knowing any better than to get involved with him. Singer/comedian Veronique Chevalier weaves a similar story on “The Dance Master,” adding white slavery and other unsavory activities to the mix, while the Magnificent Seven cuts out the middleman and goes straight to the grave with “The Last Waltz.”'

Read the entire thing here:

http://www.bigtakeover.com/recordings/various-artists-a-sepiachord-passport-projekt

* "Zombo's Closet Of Horror" Interviews Veronique!

2010-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

Veronique's Halloween 2010 interview on "Zombo's Closet Of Horrors"! Learn more than vous ever wanted to about Mad V's spooktacular odd-itory adventures and childhood influences. Plus, find out who she deems to be the most terrifying woman on the planet!

http://www.zomboscloset.com/zombos_closet_of_horror_b/2010/09/my-halloween--1.html

* The Two "V's" - Voltaire & Veronique - Captured On Film By Mad Calamity Photo

2010-12-10T17:09:00.000-08:00

Here is a fine example of the Madcap MADemoiselle Veronique & Monsieur Voltaire in action at The First Temporal Adventurers League Gala Ball, at Queen Bee's Art Center. It was the Official after party for the Steampunks who attended San Diego Comic Convention, on July 24th, 2010. A good time was had by ALL!!!

* Trial By Steam Reviews of "A Sepiachord Passport" Recording!

2010-12-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

Yet another lovely review of "A Sepiachord Passport", with a kind mention of my track "The Dance Master". Merci to Ms. A. E. Flint for her review. Read on...

http://trialbysteam.com/2010/10/17/a-sepiachord-passport-review/

Audelia Flint

* "Internet Date" Video Screened At The Seattle International Cabaret Festival!

2010-12-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

Miss Oblivious has to graciously invited Mad V to screen her latest vidiocy- "Internet Date". Many other exciting goings-on that night as well, Hosted by Jackie HELL!

* Geek Girls Rule Review of "A Sepiachord Passport" Recording!

2010-12-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

"The tag line for the Sepiachord site is “Music for a Past that Never was.” Many of the songs on this compilation (and the other Sepiachord CD) have strong vaudevillian and cabaret influences. Jangly pianos and accordions feature strongly, as does the occasional theremin. Everything on this CD is more than listenable, but there are a few standouts.

“The Dance Master” by Veronique Chevalier is hands down the best song on this CD. It tells the story of an evil Dance Master who seduces girls into a life of prostitution. She has a throaty voice, with a French accent. The first time I heard the song, I texted Mr. Bodewell immediately to tell him how incredible I thought it was..."

Read the entire review here:

http://geekgirlsrule.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/geek-girls-rule-137-review-sepiachord-passport/

* Steampunk Canada Review of "A Sepiachord Passport" Recording!

2010-12-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

"The whole collection left a good taste in my mouth – like absinthe flavoured cotton candy..." with songs by the likes of Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys and The Tiger Lillies and Veronique Chevalier and Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band and many many more!

http://www.steampunkcanada.ca/apps/blog/show/5020429-review-of-a-sepiachord-passport-cd

* "A Sepiachord Passport" Compilation Released By Projekt Records!

2010-12-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

Forget the tricks this year, and just go for a treat: "A Sepiachord Passport" compilation recording. Dark Cabaret at its finest! 20 tracks & 20 artistes (including La Moi on Track # 10!) for only less than $10!

Featuring cover art by Jamie B. Wolcott!

Order it NOW from the Projekt Records website:
http://projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00250

* "Vampire Surprise" Played on "Out Of The Coffin" Podcast!

2010-12-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

Huzzah! Monsieur Dan Shaurette, creator of the "Out Of The Coffin" podcast, has chosen Mad Veronique's "Vampire Surprise" as the closing musical number for his latest episode. Please do drop in and give it a listen! >:-)

http://outofthecoffin.com/ep63

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* Letter of Support To Veronique & From Dr. Grymm Laboratories!

2010-12-10T13:25:00.000-08:00

What a great honour (as well as rare artifact- Dated "Dec. 1, 1889") that Dr. Grymm has paid moi in this, a letter written to thank moi for performing at his Steampunk Bizarre- "The Experiment" in 2010.

^ CLICK ^ on the image to see a full size view of the letter

Geek Girls Rule! Reviews "Sepiachord Passport Compilation" & Commends Veronique's Song!

2010-09-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Permalink: http://geekgirlsrule.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/geek-girls-rule-137-review-sepiachord-passport

Posted by geekgirlsrule on September 3, 2010

I need to start off this review by stating that I’ve known Mr. Bodewell, the curator of Sepiachord for a very long time. He is a good friend. I also know members of several of the bands on this compilation. But, as I’ve said before, if something doesn’t work, I’ll be honest about it.

A Sepiachord Passport compilation CD.

Now, I’m not a huge Steampunk fan. I enjoy the esthetic on others, but it’s not a style I favor for myself. However, much of the music on this CD touches the part of me that winds up humming, “Mein Herr” from Cabaret for months on end every time I see it.

The tagline for the Sepiachord site is “Music for a Past that Never was.” Many of the songs on this compilation (and the other Sepiachord CD) have strong vaudevillian and cabaret influences. Jangly pianos and accordions feature strongly, as does the occasional theremin. Everything on this CD is more than listenable, but there are a few standouts.

“The Dance Master” by Veronique Chevalier is hands down the best song on this CD. It tells the story of an evil Dance Master who seduces girls into a life of prostitution. She has a throaty voice, with a French accent. The first time I heard the song, I texted Mr. Bodewell immediately to tell him how incredible I thought it was.

“Hollowland” by Blackbird Orchestra is also a great song, but it doesn’t fit. The others songs feature jangly vaudeville-sounding instruments, and Blackbird Orchestra has a very lush, full sound. Don’t get me wrong, I love the song! It reminds me a bit of Sisters of Mercy with some elements of the Killers thrown in. It’s fantastic, but I just don’t think it really fits.

My other favorites on this compiliation are Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys‘ “Off With Her Head,” and Miss Mamie Lavona the Exotic Mulatta and Her White Boy Band doing “Thief Song.”

“Rotten Zurich Cafe” by Black Tape for a Blue Girl is probably the weakest song on the CD. It’s ok, but not quite as good as the rest. I think her Tallulah Bankhead impersonation was just a bit much for me. And at first listen I didn’t think I’d like the Tiger Lillies song, “Roll Up,” but his voice grew on me after a couple of listenings, and I quickly grew quite fond of it. I’m also pretty fond of Sxip Shirey’s “Mehenatta.”

The majority of songs on this album tell stories, good ones, interesting stories, and with the exception of “Hollowland” they all fit together very well. They’re incredibly evocative, and I could probably give you a paragraph or more about each if pressed, but I’d like to go finish getting ready for PAX now.

You can buy the Sepiachord Passport on the site (or you will be able to soon), or if you happen to meet Mr. Bodewell while out and about.

ETA: You can buy the Passport now on Projekt’s website.

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Veronique Photos From LA County Museum of Art's "Muse 'til Midnight" Event

2010-08-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

On August 21, Muse hosted its annual summer event, Muse ‘til Los Angeles—The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) Muse program presented its fourteenth annual Muse ‘til Midnight on Saturday, August 21, 2010, from 8:15 pm — 12 am.

Muse ‘til Midnight featured live music, drinks, and food that celebrates the exhibitions currently on display at LACMA.

This year’s theme is derived from Manly Pursuits: The Sporting Images of Thomas Eakins and will featured an atmosphere to match Eakins’ late nineteenth-century paintings. Live music, video projections, vaudeville performers, and steampunk-inspired crafts enhanced the scene to create a truly unique and spectacular environment. Presented in two acts, the first half of the night welcomed guests to “The Eakins Arena” in the Los Angeles Times Central Courtyard and featured exclusive after-hours access to Manly Pursuits and Catherine Opie: Figure and Landscape, plus a live performance by Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, a circus of vaudeville activities, and Opie-inspired photo stations.

For the second half of the evening, the action switched to the penthouse of LACMA West, where Steampunk props, recently featured in the annual Labyrinth of Jareth Masquarade, were on display. There were also elaborately-garbed stiltwalkers, and live music by Unextraordinary Genlemen, replete with Victorian (un)garbed burlesque dancers!

Veronique Chevalier's "Internet Date" Video going viral!

2010-07-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Bonjour!

Please pass this link along if vous enjoy my video! Merci!

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd9rSsaEZvo

Veronique featured in The LA Weekly Online coverage of Comic Con!

2010-07-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

It was a true delight to participate in The Steampunk Meet Up & Official Guinness Book Of World Records shoot to document the largest group photo of steampunks on the planet! The official from TGBOWR took a census as we assembled for the photo, but did not share his tally with us. We'll have to wait until the "real" photo is published. For now, here is one shot by Jerry Abuan:

(I am the woman in red & black, wearing a feathered neck piece & with goggles on my hat, who appears just over the right shoulder of the grinning gent in the tan-colored vest, who is holding the blue and white framed certificate of authenticity along with the woman in the fabulous steampunked wheelchair!)

I also received notice in The LA Weekly, for my role as MC and performer in The League of Temporal Adventurers First Society Gala @ Queen Bee's, on the Saturday night of Comic Con. Featuring Voltaire, UXG, The Hoop Unity & The Slow Poisoner. Members of The League of STEAM (who are in the front row on the right side of the railing in the above photo) were on hand to mix and mingle, as were the four members of Steam Powered Giraffe.

All in all, it was an excellent foray for my first-ever Comic Con!

Here is the link to The LA Weekly coverage of Comic Con Day 3 (Saturday):
http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/san-diego-comic-con-2010-day-3-30647156/26/

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Production Stills from Veronique's First Animated Music Video "Internet Date"

2010-07-17T03:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few stills from my new original animated music video "Internet Date" that will be posted on YouTube, at 12:01 am, July 19th! Art & Direction by: Kyle A. Carrozza; Animated by: John Berry; Sound Design by: Jann Castor

Opening Credits- Spoof of my portrait by Justice Howard

Still # 1- Me with The Man In The Moon

Still # 2- Checking "HIM" out on Google

Still # 3- Uh oh!

Still # 4- Unwinding after all my misadventures

Still # 5- Oui! That is The Coin Operated Boy!

All Images © Veronique Chevalier 2010.

World Premiere of Veronique's New Music Video @ Steampunk Bizarre on July 11th!

2010-07-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear 'Fiends' & Fan(g)s!

New excitement has been added to the froth that's already being generated around The Steampunk Bizarre! Behold the Official Press Release:

Internet Dating with a Comedic Twist, Weird Val Croons a New 'Toon!

The new animated comedy music video by Veronique Chevalier (aka Weird Val) is a lively lampoon of contemporary courtship. Part social satire, and part homage to her Dark Cabaret & Steampunk roots, her original song "Internet Date" is a cleverly packaged tour of the netherworld that is "Cyberian" (online) dating.

Los Angeles, CA - July 3, 2010 -- Veronique Chevalier, the quirky, aristocratic French-American cabaret artist whose Halloween record "Polka Haunt Us" was an Official Entry on the 51st Annual Grammy Ballot, is at it again this time with a new, animated cartoon music video, created for her humorous original song "Internet Date." With online dating already a well-entrenched method of modern courtship, Ms. Chevalier's cheeky wit serves her well, as she skewers the practice.

The narrative commences as a lament, and ends with one woman's triumphant solution to her earlier dating travails. Chevalier openly acknowledges the video is also an homage to the song "Coin-Operated Boy" by one of her favorite Dark Cabaret musical duos, Dresden Dolls.

"Internet Date" features the cartoon artistry of director Kyle A. Carrozza (a storyboard revisionist on Nickelodeon's "Fan Boy and Chum Chum"), whom she initially met online, via TheMadMusicArchive.com. It was their mutual love of demented music (not of each other) that brought them together.

Animator on the project was John Berry, who co-creates "Frog Raccoon Strawberry" strips with Carrozza for DummComics.com. ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, Jann Castor, who was chief recording engineer, sound designer and producer for "Polka Haunt Us," contributed foley and sound design for "Internet Date" as well. Castor and Chevalier also met online, via an ad she placed on Craigslist, seeking music collaborators.

The “Internet Date” video will premiere on Sunday, July 11th, 2010, at The Second Annual Steampunk Bizarre, at ArtSpace in Hartford, Connecticut, and will be available on YouTube one week after the live premiere. The Steampunk Bizarre, curated by Joey Marsocci, and presented by DrGrymmLaboratories.net, is a week-long exhibition, running July 9th - 16th, exploring various aspects of Steampunk, which is a term that has been coined for "The Scholar's Science Fiction."

Born from the imaginations of H.G. Welles, Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, Nikola Tesla and others, Steampunk offers a melding of late 1800's aesthetic with scientific discovery and other-worldly technology. Though Steampunk reached a tipping point recently, it is not just a current trend. The Steampunk aesthetic has been woven through our media and consciousness for more than a century in books, film, music, fashion, and art. Today, the Steampunk movement is alive with artistic creation and ideas to bring “a world that never happened” into reality.

The Steampunk Bizarre Exhibit will be alive with sights and sounds of ingenious and strange contraptions set in a themed atmosphere. Dr. Grymm's EXPERIMENT is to bring together 23 international artists, some from the Steampunk community, some professional artists trying their hand at Steampunk for the first time.

Chevalier, who also found Marsocci online, is the only performance artist who has been invited to participate in The Steampunk Bizarre, and in addition to screening the "Internet Date" video, she has written two song new parodies and a spoken word piece entitled "I Am Steampunk" that she will perform live.

Highlights of the exhibition will be filmed for a documentary by Neurotic Films, tentatively entitled “I Am Steampunk: The Making Of A Bizarre World,” which will premiere in the Fall of 2010.

When asked if any of the narrative in "Internet Date" is based on her personal experiences, Chevalier will only say that she prefers to focus on how effective a tool the Internet has been for locating people with whom to work in a professional capacity.

"Internet Date"producer/writer/singer Veronique Chevalier is known as The "Weird Val" of Cabaret, for her hilarious parodies and side-splitting covers. (Imagine if Jim Morrison and Elvira had a twisted, Edith Piaf-like love child). She is the recipient of The Unanimous Choice Award for Best Independent Cabaret Artist by the Los Angeles Music Awards for her benefit recording Cabaret4Choice. Deemed "too extreme for Simon" she was gonged off the first season of America's Got Talent, after only 20 seconds, proving that her gifts are wasted on the masses.

WEBSITE
http://www.WeirdVal.com

YouTube (The video will be uploaded to YouTube on July 16th)
http://www.youtube.com/user/VeroniqueChevalier

PHOTOS
Veronique Chevalier Red Velvet Curtains Photo by Justice Howard
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/VeroRedVelvetNOcrosses.jpg

Veronique Chevalier as "Hell-ga The Devil's Beer Maid" Photo by Justice Howard
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/BeerMaidinHell-final.jpg

###

What: Steampunk immersion experience for all ages, July 9-16th
Veronique's Appearance: Sunday, July 11th (Steampunk Meet Up)
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Venue: Hartford ArtSpace
Address: 555 Asylum Avenue, Hartford CT, 06103
Telephony: 860 - 548 - 9975
Event URL: http://www.drgrymmlaboratories.net/Steampunk-Bizarre.html

* Gearing up for Steampunk Bizarre, July 11, 2010, Hartford, CT

2010-05-25T23:43:00.000-07:00

Dr. Grymm Laboratories Presents: THE STEAMPUNK BIZARRE

Greetings Dear Ones!

I have been specially-commissioned by Dr. Grymm, and shall be premiering a site-specific performance piece on the occasion of The 2nd Annual Steampunk Bizarre!

What: Steampunk immersion experience for all ages, July 9-16th
Veronique's Appearance: Sunday, July 11th (Steampunk Meet Up)
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Venue: Hartford ArtSpace
Address: 555 Asylum Avenue, Hartford CT, 06103
Telephony: 860 - 548 - 9975
Event URL: http://www.drgrymmlaboratories.net/Steampunk-Bizarre.html

+ + + What follows is directly from Dr. Grymm himself:

"...I have been knee deep in the production and curating for the 2010 Steampunk Bizarre. A production of this scale does not happen overnight and I have the bags under my eyes to prove it!

So for now just a quick post to discuss some of the fine points of what I have been up to:

1. I have created an brand new website for Dr. Grymm Laboratories! It will showcase my work, merchandise, media gallery, the Steampug Adventures and of course the Steampunk Bizarre 2010 along with it's own journal.

http://www.drgrymmlaboratories.net/ is the new homepage so visit often for updates!

2. The STEAMPUNK BIZARRE will be featuring 23 International artists from CA, NY, PA, CT, and the UK!

3. A STEAMPUNK MEET-UP is planned for July 11th 5:00PM to 10:00PM at the Steampunk Bizarre. And I am honored to have the lovely and talented Steampunk songtress, Veronique Chevalier performing that night!

4. A Documentory Film is being produced about the Exhibit through Neurotic Films!

5. I am colaborating with a few artists in the show, including the amazingly talented James Muscarello on a piece of my design inspired by the legend of John Henry. I will be posting a process blog on it's creation in the next few weeks, but here is a rough concept sketch..."

* Veronique's Shows @ The Steampunk World's Fair, May 14-16th!

2010-05-10T00:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear 'Fiends' & Fan(g)s!

I have just been informed that I shall be performing four (4)
sets over the course of the three days of SPWF.

Programmes will be distributed at the event, and things may change,
so please take the following information as tentative only. I would
hate for vous to miss out on La Moi, but I did want to share the
breaking news, so that vous would have at least some idea of when
I shall appear.

PLEASE NOTE: I have TWO shows on Saturday night & The Really Big
Showis on Saturday Night @ 8 pm as part of "The Gaslight Cabaret",
so please try to make that, if vous can only come to one of my sets!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(1) Friday, May 14th-
Midnight-12:30am - Veronique - Miracle Room

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

# # BIG SHOW!!! BIG SHOW!!! BIG SHOW!!! # #

(2) Saturday, May 15th- 8-10pm -Main Stage
Act 1 of "The Gaslamp Cabaret"
- with Prof. Elemental, Matt DeBlass,
Veronique Chevalier, and Psyche Corp,

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(3) Saturday, May 15th-
11-11:30pm Veronique- Courtyard Tent

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(4) Sunday, May 16th, 5-530 pm -
Veronique -Embassy Suites Ballroom

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And there vous have it! I do so look forward to regaling vous, and
meeting and mingling as well!

With great eSTEAM,

MADemoiselle Veronique, Mad Sonictist

* An Evening Of Steampunkery, Sunday May 2nd

2010-04-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

Veronique Chevalier, GildedAgeRecords.com & Sepiachord.com Present:

A Red Velvet Evening of Steampunkery & Veronique's Natal Date Celebration
A Vaudeville Extravaganza in Two Acts

Who: All Ages!
Cover: $8
Date: Sunday, May 2nd
Time: 8 pm
Venue: Echo Curio
Address: 1519 Sunset Blvd, LA, CA 90029
URL: http://echocurio.com

For your edification and entertainment, I am proud to feature:

* Erica "Unwoman" Mulkey, Cellist, SF, who has toured with Votaire and Rusputina, among others
http://www.youtube.com/user/unwoman/

* Markham The Miracle Man, Sword Swallower & Vaudevillian Extraordinaire, LA
http://www.laffpro.com/video.html

* Weasels Exist, Marauding Lunatic Cabaret Music, LA
http://www.youtube.com/user/weaselsexist

* Dr. Steel's Toy Soldiers, screening The Doctor's short propaganda films & recruiting for his World Domination Campaign
http://www.worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html

* Vixen Magdelene - Steamy Burlesque to Dr. Steel's Theme Song- http://MySpace.com/vixen_magdalene

* Lavendar La Rue - Saucy Victorian Burlesque- http://MySpace.com/LillianLassen

* Tales Of The Extraordinary - Live In Studio Pulp Serial Dramatization- http://emptysea.net/tote/index.html

* Veronique Chevalier, AKA The "Weird Val" of Dark Cabaret, LA
http://www.youtube.com/user/VeroniqueChevalier

And, of course, moi! Oh and this will be my Official Natal Date Celebration, so there will be cake and bubbly (sparkling cider for non-imbibers and young folk) for all attendees!

* The Dance Master, a new Tango by Veronique, slated for the Sepiachord.com Passport compilation

2010-03-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sepiachord.com has invited moi to submit a track to their upcoming "Passport" compilation.

I am in the process of recording my contribution, a new tango that I created just for this project. It is the tale of a very wicked dance instructor who teaches unwary young women much more than they ever bargained for.

I wrote some of my most twisted, and darkest lyrics to date, for this, and even composed the melody- my first tango ever- yay!

In addition to my vocals, instrumentation consists of accordion, contrabass, and some gorgeous solo violin work by a wonderfully accomplished guest player, who shall remain nameless for the moment.

I won't say anything more, as I wish to tease and entice vous into frothing, lustful madness, so that vous will immediately acquire a copy of the recording when it is released later this Spring.

There will be tracks by a number of Sepiachord favorite artists included on the upcoming "Passport" compilation as well, including my dear sometime collaborator Seth Bedford. Other artists to be announced...

However, the first compilation volume, "The Sepiachord Companion" which was released last year, has the following track list (And it is sonic Heaven to listen, I might add, and copies are still available for purchase through Sepiachord.com):

1. Sepia Theme (Toy Box Trio)
2. The Industrial Revolution (Voltaire)
3. Heroin Pig (Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys)
4. Until the Day I Die (Abney Park)
5. Raymond Dog Boy (The Scarring Party)
6. Long Red Hair (Vermillion Lies)
7. The Keys (Unwoman)
8. Torture (Jill Tracy)
9. Just Four Weeks (The Bad Things)
10. Sweatshop Fire (Curtis Eller's American Circus)
11. Rivolta Silenziosa (HUMANWINE)
12. Unsought (Harlequin Jones)
13. Permission Withdrawn: Broken Time Machine Mix (The Fog People)
14. The Last Express (Vernian Process)
15. Hobo Girl Blues (One Beer Prophet)

* Veronique to be interviewed for the film GOTH:insideOUT!

2010-03-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Film maker David Sloma has invited La Veronique to be interviewed for his forthcoming documentary, "Goth:insideOUT". His blog entry on the subject is as follows:

Veronique Chevalier AKA The “Weird Val” of Cabaret has graciously agreed to be interviewed for the film GOTH:insideOUT!

She is very talented and unique in what she does, with her cabaret performances and also music (both on her own and with projects such as Polka Haunt Us). I’ve never seen or heard anything like it – and I like it!

Her work on “Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation” was an official selection on the 51st Annual Grammy ballot, and continues to gain more popularity and airplay every Halloween. She writes and performs original cabaret songs, and also covers of rock songs as Edith Piaf might have done them. In addition, “Weird Val” writes parodies of well-known songs, in the same spirit of “Weird Al” Yankovic.

From her bio: “Being gonged off the premiere season of America’s Got Talent was irrefutable proof her gifts are wasted on the masses.”

We’ll get her take on what she does, sample some of her live performances, and hear about her observations on Goth and its evolutions.

Her Website is http://weirdval.com and also check out http://polkahaunt.us

I’m very happy to have her aboard!
-David

Permalink: New interview to be added: Veronique Chevalier AKA The “Weird Val” of Cabaret!

* Rare sighting of "V" The Steampunk Gunslingeress!

2010-03-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

Hans Meier of PH Factor Designs created the one-of-a-kind bejeweled gun & Valkyrie goggles that give Veronique's elusive Doppelgänger, "V" The Steampunk Gunslingeress, her superhuman powers! March 5th, 2010, at the opening reception of the Group Show @ La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood. Photos © Carol Jahshan

Who IS that masked woman?

"V" takes her job as Protectress to The eSTEAMed Doll Artiste Sheri DeBow very seriously.

"V" with eSTEAMed Photographress Carol Jahnshan.

"V" can be a bit unpredictable at times. She's part of an series of experimental Steambots that sometimes tries shooting at things at inappropriate moments when they become over-stimulated, such as prolonged immersion within large gatherings . Luckily they have a built-in override circuit for such contingencies...

* Veronique's Music Featured on Internet Station Radio Riel Steampunk!

2010-03-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome Veronique Chevalie & the "Polka Haunt Us" Artistes
To Radio Riel Steampunk!

Radio Riel is pleased to welcome Mademoiselle Véronique Chevalier and her friends on their album "Polka Haunt Us" Chez Radio Riel! Here is Mlle Véronique's bio from her website:

"Veronique Chevalier is also known as The "Weird VAL" of Dark Cabaret. Being gonged off the premiere season of America's Got Talent was irrefutable proof her gifts are wasted on the masses."

"Polka Haunt Us" is now in rotation on Radio Riel Steampunk http://steampunk.radioriel.org

Enjoy!

Permalink Here:
http://radioriel.blogspot.com/2010/03/welcome-veronique-chevalier-and-polka.html

* The First Promo Video for The Steampunk World's Fair May 14th-16th, 2010

2010-03-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share with vous the first of six promotional videos for the upcoming Steampunk World's Fair, where Yours Truly & her collaborator Monsieur Seth, have been invited to perform on Saturday, May 15th & Sunday, May 16th.

More about our eSTEAMed presentation:

Imagine yourself transported to a mouldering basement boîte (club) in the heart Paris. Amidst the late-night, decaying splendor of tattered red velvet curtains, flickering limelights, and wisps of tobacco and opium smoke, one catches glimpses of Toulouse-Letrec intently sketching Amanda Palmer, as Tim Burton and Jules Verne quietly swap tales about sightings of the Green Faerie...The shadowy lull is suddenly lifted by the lively strains of Miss Gertrude The Accordion, as Veronique, swirling and swaying through the crowd, leads her merry musical accomplice Seth to the stage, where they proceed to regale all and sundry with ditties of engines, existentialism, etiquette, & (gag!) escargots.

Without further ado, Steampunk promo #1!

Brian Viglione vs. Brian Viglione Chess Match

* Veronique's Music Featured on Horror Addicts Podcast #036!

2010-02-25T22:12:00.000-08:00

Horror Addicts #036

URL: http://www.mevio.com/episode/216209/horror-addicts-036-henry-snider/

Horror Addicts Episode# 036
Horror Hostess: Emerian Rich
Intro Music by: Saints Of Ruin
----------------------------
Featured Author: Henry Snider
Featured Music: Veronique Chavalier
Featured Movie: Jeepers Creepers, 2001
----------------------------

Full show notes available at http://www.horroraddicts.net/
----------------------------
Emerian Rich: http://www.emzbox.com/
HA Forum: http://www.emzbox.ning.com/
Saints Of Ruin: http://www.saintsofruin.com/
Taping held live @ Quills, A Place For Writers on Second Life, 22 Gutenberg Alley, Book Island:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/240/192/37
Check out Costume winners ~ Llud & Ariel Check out pics:
http://emzbox.ning.com/photo/albums/horror-addicts-live-sl

THEME: FRANKENSTEIN!
***FILM: Jeepers Creepers, 2001 ~ Knightmist review
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/jeepers-creepers
***House of Frankenstein Museum! ~ Audrey
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/house-of-frankenstein-wax

FAVORITES!!!
FRANKENSTEIN novel by Mary Shelley
Real-life Frankenstein who inspired SF ~ Emz
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/reallife-frankenstein-who
BOOKS: Frankenstein Series Koontz/Anderson, The Last Nazi Life and Times of Joeseph Mengele by Gerald Astor
MOVIES: Young Frankenstein, Edward Scissorhands, Weird Science, Frankenstein, Frankenstein Unbound
ANIME: Frankenstein cartoon 1983, Scooby-Doo, Frankenberry!
TV: Lurch, Herman Munster, Van Helsing, Abbott & Costello version?
MANGA: Embalming: The other tale of Frankenstein

Frankenstein Full Text With Recording
http://publicliterature.org/books/frankenstein/xaa.php

PROMO
The Dreamer's Thread by Starla Hutchson
http://www.thedreamersthreadnovel.com/

EVENTS Audrey & Henry
http://emzbox.ning.com/events
Official Twilight Convention - Dates & Locations Vary
Triolgy of Blood - VA
The Dark Clan - WI
Alice in Wonderland- Burton style
DarkWoods Con - KY
Stellercon - NC
Gothla - CA
Skinnie Mag top 100 - CA
Club Sin - Malice in Wonderland - QC
Masquerade Ball - CT

CALL-INS
Rhonda- Podioracket.com Anthology
http://www.podiobooks.com/title/podioracket-presents-visionaries

SHARE YOUR WRITING
Poe ~ Romance Gothic Coven (FB Group)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=34006054513&ref=ts

FASHION:
Frankie Fashion ~Emz
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/frankie-fashion

SL LOCATIONS:
Walpurgis & Vampire Shop ~Soul Reaper
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Soul%20Reaper/215/158/24

MUSIC:
Veronique Chevalier ~ Vampire Surprise
http://www.veroniquechevalier.com/
***Grave Concerns
http://www.graveconcernsezine.com/

DEAD NEWS:
***David ~ Listener mail ~ Saints of Ruin praise
http://www.saintsofruin.com/
***Don't Fall Asleep! ~ Emz
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/dont-fall-asleep
***Best of Horror Vol. 2
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/the-best-horror-of-the-year
***I HEART Vampires
http://emzbox.ning.com/forum/topics/i-3-vampires-webseries
***Monster Poll - VOTE!
http://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/
***Night's Knights Iphone App!
http://www.apptism.com/apps/night-s-knights-a-vampire-tale-volume-1
***Keith Hughes book on Smashwords!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9495

INTERVIEWS:
13 Questions with Henry Snider~Sapphire
http://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/13-questions-with-henry-snider/
Thump by Henry Snider
http://www.henrysnider.com/
Read by Hollie Snider
http://www.holliesnider.com/
----------------------------

URL: http://www.mevio.com/episode/216209/horror-addicts-036-henry-snider/

* Seth's Musical Triumph w/ The Chelsea Symphony, NYC

2010-02-17T19:50:00.000-08:00

I had the honor of collaborating on a joint composition with Seth Bedford last year, and the result was a song entitled "Natal Date", which premiered in May 2009 @ The Triad Theatre, NYC, with moi on vocals accompanied by Seth on accordion, with his cabaret ensemble Huxley Vertical:

On February 13th & 14th, 2010 the Chelsea Symphony premiered our work as an instrumental- orchestrated and arranged by Seth- (entitled here "Waltz-Intermezzo") and inserted into a larger work he called "Three Songs for Chansonnier and Orchestra":

Here is an excerpt about his work in "Lucid Culture":

The Chelsea Symphony’s Valentine’s Day Concert 2010
February 16, 2010

"On the scale of holidays to avoid and stay home, Valentine’s Day ranks somewhere below New Year’s Eve but ahead of the Fourth of July. And the V-day concerts around town are a joke: which Holiday Inns in New Jersey do all these no-name performers retreat to after bringing their “Easy Listening for Lovers” shows to the West Village for a little extra pay? Happily, we have the Chelsea Symphony as an antidote to all that. Sunday’s program was a characteristically adventurous, stylistically puddle-jumping treat juxtaposing a world premiere with standards and a welcome rediscovery.

This particular show was front-loaded. Arrangers have been doing orchestral versions of cabaret songs for a century – on the other hand, the debut of Seth Bedford’s Three Songs for Chansonnier and Orchestra proved as notable for its shrewd, witty arrangement, making full use of the ensemble’s voices and textures, as for its tuneful lyricism. Part Brecht/Weill, part Al Jolson, the triptych sandwiched a playful overture between a somewhat noir tribute to dissolution and a ragtimish murder ballad sung from the point of view of the victim. In front of the orchestra, Brent Weldon Reno’s potent baritone resonated with wry, rakish defiance."

To that I add: I predict even greater musical triumphs for Seth in the future!

Lucid Culture: http://lucidculture.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/the-chelsea-symphonys-valentines-day-concert-2010/

* Women Bloggers - Join Moi on Blogher.com!

2010-01-21T02:11:00.000-08:00

I just discovered a community formed around women who blog. It seems to be a friendly and supportive place, so why not jump on in?

If you'd like to find me there, this is my link:

http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile/VeroniqueChevalier

* Join Veronique in Steampunk Empire!

2010-01-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Inviting vous to traverse the aethers to this lovely Steampunk Cyberian Community, and add moi as your 'fiend' there:

http://steampunk.ning.com/profile/VeroniqueChevalier

* Technorati Here I Come!

2010-01-17T00:46:00.000-08:00

YQ7GSSS62JZX

* The Beer Hall In Hell voted #1 Comedy Song Of 2009 on iFunnyRadio.com!

2010-01-01T01:18:00.001-08:00

w00t! w00t! My song The Beer Hall In Hell was voted the #1 Comedy Song of 2009 on iFunnyRadio.com. Kudos & Congrats to TV's Kyle for #3 song Freakazoid!

------------------Reposted from iFunnyRadio.com:

The iFunnyRadio Top 100 Demented Stuff of 2009

Note: The first number is the rank The second number is the number of votes for the song. All ties broken at random by computer An x indicates that due to DMCA limits, I can't play the song.

100 001 Power Salad - The Food Show 099 001 The Volume Brothers - Why Do...n't You Get a Job 098 001 Neil Innes - Imitation Song (Ron Nasty's Last Song) 097 001 Parry Gripp - Wiener Dog on a Minimoog 096 001 Judge Clarkie - XV535 Virago 095 001 MC Lars - Generic Crunk Rap 094 001 SuLu - The Octo Bunch x 093 001 Flight Of The Conchords - Friends 092 001 Lemon Demon - Toy Food 091 001 Medemia - Saving Hyrule x 090 001 John Mammoser - Michael Jackson's New Album x 089 001 John Mammoser - Michael Jackson Trial--McCauley Culkin on Peoples Court 088 001 John Mammoser - Michael Jackson Sperm Sample 087 001 Jeff Reuben feat. Emi Loca - A Horny Geek 086 001 Julia Ecklar - He's Dead, Jim 085 001 Nixon Lee - You Can Do It On The Wii x 084 001 Max DeGroot - Steve Jobs is Still Alive x 083 001 Flight Of The Conchords - We're Both In Love With A Sexy Lady x 082 001 Flight of the Conchords - Angels 081 001 The Volume Brothers - Oh No I'm High Again x 080 001 Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky 079 001 Steve Martin - Late For School 078 001 John Mammoser - Getting High with Michael Jackson x 077 001 Max DeGroot - Live on Stage 076 001 Tom Paxton - I'm Changing My Name To Fannie Mae 075 001 Christine Lavin - Cold Pizza For Breakfast Redux 074 001 John Mammoser - Killer Easter Rabbit 073 001 Marc Gunn - Beer Beer Beer 072 001 Ken Clark - The Spank Me Song 071 001 Mikey Squirrel - House of the Raisin Bran 070 001 Sun Baked Records - A Barnes and Barnes Tribute Gone Horribly Awry 069 001 Jonathan Coulton - Mr Fancy Pants 068 001 Jeff Dunham - Canine Companions 067 001 Volume Brothers - White Van Man 066 001 Rob Balder - Gamer Funk 065 001 Pete Berwick - Hello Hand 064 001 Evan Wecksel - 1945 063 001 Marc Gunn - Johnny Jump Up 062 001 Bob Ricci - Little Poop Scoop 061 001 The Chris Waffle Experience - All I Do Is Pretend To Work While I'm at Work 060 001 Uncle Vic - Little Blue Pill 059 001 Jibjab com - He's Barack Obama 058 001 King Kahn and the Shrines - Land of The Freak 057 001 Al's Band - Al's Band 056 001 Jeff Reuben - Rob Me, I'm A Tourist x 055 001 Flight of the Conchords - Carol Brown 054 001 Dead Dog in Black Bag - Tony Caeser 053 002 Tyrone Kahn (The Kahn Man) - Yogi Bear x 052 002 Max DeGroot - Campaign News 051 002 Flight of the Conchords - Demon Woman 050 002 Jonathan Coulton - I Feel Fantastic 049 002 The Volume Brothers - Numpty Talk x 048 002 Kobi LaCroix - Facial Hair 047 002 Seamonkey - Moo Moo Cow x 046 002 Max DeGroot - Paul McCartney x 045 002 Max DeGroot - I Am Not Cute 044 002 DJ Particle - V For Victory x 043 002 Max DeGroot - The Pickle Song 042 002 The Polka Floyd Show - Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 041 002 Insane Ian - House! 040 002 Flight of the Conchords - Hurt Feelings 039 002 Flight of the Conchords - Fashion is Danger 038 003 Jonathan Coulton - Tom Cruise Crazy x 037 003 Max DeGroot - The Site is a Lie x 036 003 Max DeGroot - Racc Rolled 035 003 Bob Guest - Twilight Zone (Part 1) 034 003 Bob Guest - Dead x 033 003 Weird Al Yankovic - Skipper Dan x 032 003 Max DeGroot - Second Life x 031 003 Max DeGroot - Lookatthat x 030 004 Max DeGroot - Really Chasing Cars x 029 004 Max DeGroot - My Mind Dwells In Strange Places x 028 004 Max DeGroot - If I Had A Million Fursuits 027 004 Weird Al Yankovic - CNR x 026 004 Kobi LaCroix - Brutomax! The Sequel! x 025 004 Max DeGroot - Conniption 024 004 Kobi LaCroix - Brett 023 005 Paul and Storm - Me Make Fire x 022 005 Max DeGroot - The Ferret National Anthem x 021 005 Max DeGroot - I Want a Loan x 020 005 Max DeGroot - Ballad of the Bulge x 019 005 Max DeGroot - Brady Quinn 018 005 Kobi LaCroix - IHOP x 017 005 Max DeGroot - Raccoon Man x 016 005 Max DeGroot - I'm A Big Beaver x 015 005 Max DeGroot - Ad World x 014 005 Max DeGroot - Halitosis 013 006 Max DeGroot - My Fursona 012 006 Kobi LaCroix - Brutomax! 011 006 Max DeGroot - Obama 010 006 Max DeGroot - Ode to Susan Boyle 009 007 Robert Miltenberg - Bakersfield Moves To Georgia 008 007 Robert Miltenberg - Louie Louie (cubed) 007 007 Young Stroke - Hogwarts Pimpin' 006 018 Weird Al Yankovic - Ringtone 005 019 Bill Zucker - I Want Some Tarp 004 025 Weird Al Yankovic - Craigslist 003 029 TVs Kyle - Freakazoid 002 030 Bill Zucker - Twitter Song 001 078 Veronique Chevalier - The Beer Hall In Hell

* Polka Haunt Us tracks featured on The UK's Eppy Gibbon Podcast

2009-12-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

I am most thrilled to report that Polka Haunt Us tracks are now enjoying international exposure.

"Blank Face Goblins" was featured in Episode # 29 - http://epilepticgibbon.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/episode-29-hot-snow/

"Devil's Guitar" was featured in Episode # 36 - "http://epilepticgibbon.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/episode-36-nightmare/

The Epileptic Gibbon Blog & Podcast is the brainchild of Ian Fairholm, and here is more about him, as stated in the "About Me" section of his MySpace profile:

"...Check out my music podcast show, devoted to the best mixture of independent and small label prog rock, art rock, post rock, prog metal, jazz rock, folk rock, downtempo, chill-out, ambient electronica, IDM, chamber pop, and experimental/avant garde music. If you're an artist/band and would like your music to be featured on the show then let me know via the usual routes. If I like your music then I'd love to play it and help promote you. If you like my show then spread the word.

Reviewing policy: I'm a freelance music reviewer in my spare time and I write for the Progressive Ears website (http://www.progressiveears.com), and I've previously written for Organ music magazine (http://www.organart.demon.co.uk/neworgan.htm) and for www.the13th.org/, plus many of my reviews have ended up on artists' websites too. At the end of each year I send out a countdown of the best albums of the year (IMHO) to assorted friends, radio DJs, websites and musicians. If you'd like me to review your CD please drop me a message via any of the usual routes. To get an idea of the sort of things I like and I'm likely to review please look at my friends list and my list of favourite artists. I tend to review 'new' albums, i.e. those from the current year, but I will consider reviewing older albums."

Eppy Gibbon on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/62231831
Eppy Gibbon Group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9610769087
Eppy Gibbon Official Blog & Podcast Site: http://epilepticgibbon.wordpress.com/

* Elegant Portrait of Veronique, Seth & Miss Gertrude

2009-12-07T02:39:00.000-08:00

This lovely image of Seth, moi & Miss Gertrude The Accordion, was taken by Jerry A. @ Club Chrononaut in San Diego in September 2009.

* Please Vote For The Beer Hall In Hell as Best Comedy Song of 2009

2009-12-04T22:51:00.000-08:00

Subject: iFunny Radio Demented and Comedy Music Poll 2009.

Time for all funny music fans to vote for their favorite funny stuff of 2009.

There are well over 600 entries, enough for anybody.

Please limit your votes to 25 songs or sketches per ballot per day.
Vote once per day from the same computer.

Please include The Beer Hall In Hell by Veronique Chevalier every time you vote, once a day, every day til Dec. 24th!!!

The top 100 songs of the year will air on dfsxradio.com at a day and feed to be determined.

Thank you. Here's the link to the ballot. :-)

http://www.davidtanny.com/9600.htm

Deadline is Dec 24!!!

* Sepiachord.com Gives Veronique & Seth Seattle Cab Fest Performances A Thumbs Up

2009-11-23T22:56:00.000-08:00

11/15 Seattle International Cabaret Festival- Final Report

We made it! It was quite a trip... here's some thoughts on the last day of the first ever Seattle International Cabaret Festival.

The day started early at the Can Can with the Peculiar Pretzelmen playing live accompaniment for the short film "Widow's Walk" (and related other pieces).

After that Seth Bedford & Veronique Chevalier got in one last performance before the end of the Festival. The setting fit the duo like a glove.

The Castaways' performance was moved from the Can Can to the final blowout at the Moore so...

The Festival Finale Spectacular!

Not suprisingly the event was like the rest of the Festival... not so much writ small (this was the biggest stage after all) as writ compact.

Performances?
Almost too many to recall...
The Bad Things, The Castaways, Circus Contraption, The Heavenly Spies, Miss Mamie Lavona, Orkestar Zirkonium, The Peculiar Pretzelmen, Robert Rial's Bakelite 78, Scarlet Room, Toybox Trio, Vinsantos, Iva Handfull, Queen Shmooquan, Stella Rose, Waxie Moon... (I'm Sure I missed somebody...)

And a special appearance by Vince Mira!

The show ended with Orkestar Zirkonium leading a parade of performers & audience down to the Can Can for the closing party.

It's still a lot for me to take in.

But I have to consider any event that destroys lucidity a a success!
With a bit of luck I'll have my brain back on line by next year's festival.

Seattle International Cabaret Festival~
http://www.thecancan.com/cabaretfestival/cast.html

The Can Can~
http://www.thecancan.com/

The Peculiar Pretzelmen~
http://www.myspace.com/pretzelmen

Veronique Chevalier~
http://weirdval.com/

Seth Bedford~
http://www.myspace.com/sethbedford

Vince Mira~
http://www.vincemira.com/

Original URL: http://sepiachord.livejournal.com/557410.html
* * *

* Veronique's Cab Fest Performances Mentioned in Seattle Gay News

2009-11-21T13:21:00.000-08:00

Veronique Chevalier (Painting of Waxie Moon © Xavier Ortega)
(photo © E. Joyce Glasgow)

Seattle Cabaret festival overflowing with talent
by E. Joyce Glasgow -
SGN A&E Writer

The First Annual Seattle International Cabaret Festival

November 11-15
Can Can, Triple Door, Pensione Nichols, ACT, Moore Theatre

The ambitious Seattle International Cabaret Festival, organized by Can Can owner Chris Snell, showcased avant-garde cabaret acts from local artists and invited performers from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and New York City. I found myself going to many more of these enjoyable performances than I had planned to as I discovered new talents. The festival had an energetic atmosphere that combined elements of Victorian Gothic, vaudeville, burlesque, acrobatics, visual arts, poetry, film, music and dance parties with a community-oriented feel and enthusiasm.

Artist/dollmaker/filmmaker Miss Oblivious curated the acts at the cozy Pensione Nichols, a bed and breakfast on First Ave. She created an arts "salon" called Poe's Peculiar Parlor (after Edgar Allen Poe) in the public gathering room, which had a grand piano and a lovely, picturesque views of Elliott Bay. Low lamplights and candles created an intimate atmosphere where tarot card and palm readings took place, and tea was served with cucumber sandwiches and ginger snaps. Handmade dolls and paintings were on display and the acts here combined programs featuring filmmakers, writers and cabaret musical acts.

Of particular note was Veronique Chevalier, a wonderfully eccentric and comedic singer/songwriter from Los Angeles who looks like she just dove out of a painting by French Post-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. She also reminds one of a favorite, slightly crazy and extravagantly whimsical aunt, who lives in her own somewhat fantastical and a bit saucy universe. If Charles Dickens had written a Ghost of Mirth into his Christmas Carol, Veronique Chevalier would be she.

Chevalier loves to entertain and bring laughter and good cheer to her audiences, and isn't afraid of making fun of herself in the process. Accompanying her in her performances is her silent partner Napoleon, le corbeau (the raven), who, in true kooky Chevalier style, sits regularly upon her head.

Seth Bedford accompanied Chevalier on accordion. Bedford, from New York City and originally trained as a classical cellist, also played original material, as well as a few old standards from the Great American Songbook with his band, Huxley Vertical. The band was arranged for violin, viola, piano, bass and accordion in a chamber-like setting.

Vinsantos
(Photo © by E. Joyce Glasgow)

Vinsantos, a self-described "glam-cabaret" performer from San Francisco, entertained with an expressively painted white face and facial glitter and a hat cocked mysteriously over one eye. Under the soft light of a candelabra, Vinsantos sang original, darkly emotional songs at the piano and was joined intermittently by the otherworldly blues singer Agness Twin, who was also up from San Francisco.

A short film of particular note shown at the Parlor was California artist Christy Kane's moral tale of the importance of having patience and not letting your temper get the best of you. Called Callalily, it was an animated film, starring one of her many unique handmade dolls named Callalily.

Singer/songwriter and guitarist Zoe Boekbinder, who has an unusual, rich voice with a country twang, performed original material at the Parlor and Triple Door, deftly using multiple electronic loops to round out her sound with layered rhythms and harmonies.

Vagabond Opera, a wonderful group from Portland which combines opera, original songs and music from different countries in their native languages, performed a lively show at the Triple Door on November 11. The late, great Circus Contraption celebrated their new CD The Show to End All Shows with two entertaining shows of music and circus arts on November 12 at the Triple Door.

The Can Can Castaways, a modern dance/burlesque dance troupe who are all graduates of the Cornish College dance department, brought a lot of energy and their distinctive, funky choreography to the Can Can and in performances with raucous band The Bad Things at ACT and at the Moore Theatre for the big finale on Sunday, November 15.

Baby Gramps was as wonderfully funny and entertaining as always in his ACT performance, and was joined by the fabulous acrobatic duo of Dr. Calamari and Acrophelia, formerly of Circus Contraption, as part of the "Cabaret Macabre" on lucky Friday the 13th. On November 11, Arnaldo! the Drag Chanteuse performed his tribute to Eartha Kitt at ACT.

The finale at the Moore on November 15 also featured aerialist Michelle Francis; The Circus Contraption Band; a steamy performance by "boylesque" burlesque artist (and documentary star) Waxie Moon; wild, wacky, non-sequitorial, creative performance artist Queen Shmooquan; Betty Boop-like singer Stella Rose; and the grand finale with Orkestar Zirkonium, playing energizing Klezmer music and leading a parade from the Moore Theatre to the Can Can for a big, festive closing dance party with visuals and music by Global Ruckus with Steve Kamke.

It was a rich festival with lots of great and unusual talent, and was impressive for a first outing as it gave a lot of local and visiting artists a forum for their artistry.

For more information, visit www.thecancan.com/cabaretfestival.

Original article URL: http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews37_47/page25.cfm

* Seattle Times Review of The International Cabaret Festival

2009-11-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

The Seattle International Cabaret Festival spans language, gender, genres and venues

By Michael Upchurch

Seattle Times arts writer

Dozens of acts, several stages beckon at first Seattle cabaret festival

Seattle International Cabaret Festival

Additional performances

Varying times today-Sunday at Seattle venues: ACT Theatre, 700 Union St.; Can Can, 94 Pike St.; Pensione Nichols, 1923 First Ave.; and the Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave.; event prices vary (206-652-0832 or cabaretfestival.com).

Performance review |

You might not have known it if you were wandering the streets of downtown Seattle on Wednesday night, but the inaugural edition of the Seattle International Cabaret Festival was going on all around you.

In the Dorothy Bullitt Cabaret space of ACT Theatre, drag chanteuse Arnaldo! — in a slinky red dress with spaghetti straps — paid tribute to Eartha Kitt, lovingly nailing Kitt's eccentric phrasing and intonation, albeit with a voice a bit more robust than hers.

Familiar Kitt classics — "C'est si Bon," "I Wanna Be Evil" — were on the set list. But the finest moments came with tunes less familiar. "Waray Waray" — in Tagalog, Arnaldo!'s first language — was a special treat, prompting a fond reminiscence of the sense of connection he felt with the language-hopping Kitt upon his first encounter with her work.

At Can Can, the hub of the festival, the Castaways did energetic lip-sync in "The Bolly Horror Picture Show": "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" given a Bollywood twist. (Think: "Time Warp" to a tabla-driven beat.) Continually switching roles — at one point there were three Dr. Frank-N-Furters onstage — they bent gender to the max while filling the cramped stage with silly dance routines. The show culminated in a frenzied tribute to elephant god Ganesh. The troupe plays different items from their repertoire tonight, Saturday and Sunday.

Over at Pensione Nichols, where I stopped in briefly, performers big on persona and smaller on genuine talent haunted the piano room. The most winningly eccentric: Veronique Chevalier, supposedly fresh in from Paris on the Concorde. In her feathered headdress sat a stuffed bird named Napoleon who all but accompanied her as she sang a twitchy, off-color song about birthdays. Activities continue at the Pensione Nichols through Sunday, including a Kurt Weill evening at 7 tonight.

At the Triple Door, Vagabond Opera ("from faraway exotic sunny Portland") was the indisputable crowning glory of the night. This sextet has fine voices, unbelievable musical chops and a huge and humorous stage presence. They know how to dress, how to make an entrance and how to craft an instantly hummable tune. Their ravishing closing number, "Goodnight Moon," was, they said, "born in Seattle" after gigs they'd played here at Northwest Folklife Festival and the Blue Moon Tavern.

The festival continues for three more days. At 8 p.m. Sunday, it shifts over to the Moore Theatre, where a Subterranean Cabaret Collective will perform. A Grand Finale March from the Moore to Can Can, featuring Orkestar Zirkonium, follows at 10 p.m.

For a full schedule, see www.cabaretfestival.com.

Michael Upchurch: mupchurch@seattletimes.com

Original URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2010263538_cabaret13.html?prmid=obnetwork

* Veronique To Appear @ The First Annual Seattle International Cabaret Festival

2009-10-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Can Can Presents: The First Annual Seattle Cabaret Festival

The First Annual Seattle Cabaret Festival, which at the kicks off on November 6th, with honored UK Dark Cabaret icons, The Tiger Lillies at the Moore.

The Festival then picks up again on November 11th - 15th and features numerous other acclaimed cabaret, drag and physical performance artists and ensembles over the course of its five-day run. Participating venues include The Moore Theatre, ACT Theatre, The Triple Door, The Can Can and Pensione Nichols.

Appearances by:

* Agness Twin * AKAK * An Magi Tarot of the Pomegranate * Armitage Shanks * Arnaldo * Baby Gramps * The Bad Things * The Castaways * Christy Kane * Circus Contraption Band * Crystal Fosnaugh * Danbert Nobacon * Dame Darcy * Darek Mazzone * Diva Le Deviant * DJ Global Ruckus * Dr. Calamari and Acrophelia * Emerald City Soul Club * Funi Daniels * God's Favorite Beefcake * Gypsy Sound System * The Heavenly Spies * Huxley Vertical * I (heart) Shiva * Iva Handfull * Jennybird * jONNI R Synic * Javier Ortega * Lonesome Shack * Luna Nocturna * Maureen O'Donnell * Michele Frances * Miss Oblivious * Miss Mamie Lavona * Orkestar Zirkonium * The Peculiar Pretzelmen * Queen Shmooquan * Robert Rial's Bakelite 78 * Ronald McFondle * Scarlet Foundry * Scarlet Room * Shmootzie the Clod * Seth Bedford * Spirit Board (Gargoyles) * Stella Rose * The Tiger Lillies * Throbosho * Toybox Trio * Vagabond Opera * Veronique Chevalier * Victor Janusz * Vinsantos * Waxie Moon * Zoe Boekbinder

Official Website for dates, times, venues and ticket information: http://cabaretfestival.com

* What: Poe's Peculiar Parlour
* Dates: Wed., Nov. 11th - Sun., Nov. 15th
* Start time: 7pm
* Location- Pensione Nichols
* Street- 1923 First Avenue
* City/Town- Seattle, WA 98101
* Phone: 206.441.7125
* Event Type: all ages, public entertainment, film, literature, music
* Website(s)- http://www.pensionenichols.com & http://www.thecancan.com/cabaretfestival/

Seattle International Cabaret Festival Presents

Join Seattle Art Maven Miss Oblivious who has curated a Series of Fortunate Events at the elegant & cozy landmark Pensione Nichols Bed & Breakfast for five consecutive evenings, each commencing with Tarot and tea- followed by film, literature and live musical performances! Victorian Parlour style... dress-up recommended but not necessary.

Programmes are as follows:

* Wednesday Nov 11th - Hosted by Miss Oblivious

- Huxley Verical Kabarett Nouveau (NYC)
- Schmootzi The Clod (music + murder ballads)
- Plus short films by Miss Oblivious

* Thursday Nov 12th - Hosted by Miss Oblivious

- Veronique Chevalier (Paris + LA) & Seth Bedford (NYC)
- Agness Twin (LA + SF)
- Jonni R Synic
- Short animated film of Huxley Verical Kabarett Nouveau
- Meet the visual artists with work on display in The Parlour:
Sara Devout,AKAK,Javier Ortega,Crystal Fosnaugh

* Friday Nov 13th - Armitage Shanks hosts Kurt Weill Night

- Doppleganger
- Stella Rose Saint Clair (Helen Kanesque)
- Book reading and films by Christy Kane (New Orleans)

* Saturday Nov 14th - Hosted by: Diva Le Deviant

- 7 pm Palm Readings by Dame Darcy
- Vinsantos (SF)
- Dame Darcy Films & Book Signing
- Funi Book reading
- Short film by Miss Oblivious

* Sunday Nov 15th - Hosted by Miss Oblivious

- Lonesome Shack (Seattle)
- Death BY Doll (LA + NY)
- Maureen O'Donnell (Author of "Scar Flowers")
- Short surprise film screenings

Just Added: Veronique Chevalier & Seth Bedford will also be performing at The Can Can on Sunday, November 15th, as part of the concluding festivities of the Cabaret Festival!

* Miss Oblivious Presents An Evening of Cabaresque in Seattle

2009-10-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Can Can
Street: 94 Pike Street
City/Town: Seattle, WA
Website: http://www.myspace.com/cancanseattle

Description:
Join in the spirit of Weimar era Berlin at Seattle's Can Can cabaret.
All Ages Welcome!

* Veronique Chevalier & Seth Bedford, Musical Vaudevillians
* Stella Rose, Burlesque
* Esmerelda Strange, Lady Squeezeboxer
* Short films by Miss Oblivious!

Do not miss this extraordinary night for an alarmingly affordable admittance fee of only $5!

Can Can Reservations: 206-652-0832

Flier Designed by Seth Bedford

* Captain's bLog: Club Chrononaut, 9/18/09

2009-10-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

Ah, another wonderful night at the Chrononaut. This time around we had Eli August and Veronique Chevalier with Mr. Seth Bedford of Huxley Vertical performing. And what a wonderful show it was! Got to snap a couple of real nice photos and a capture a few videos of the performances. (Scroll down the page for photos & videos of Veronique & Seth's performance).

- Captain Wong Wei -

Read the Captain's entire bLog here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=484502923&blogId=511783237

Photo by: Jerry

Photo by: Jerry

Photo by: Jerry

* Polka Haunt Us Mentioned In Suburban Vampire!

2009-10-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

Below is the full post from Suburban Vampire

Music Monday: Polka Haunt Us

I was alerted to a highly unique take on Halloween music: the songs of Veronique Chevalier. According to her website, WeirdVal.com, "Veronique is known as The "Weird Val" of Dark Cabaret, for her hilarious parodies and side-splitting covers. (Imagine if Jim Morrison and Elvira had a twisted, Edith Piaf-like love child.)"

Below is the video for her song "Vampire Surprise" from her Halloween compilation album, Polka Haunt Us.

Journey below the video, and you can preview other Polka Haunt Us songs on an MP3 sampler.

iTunes:

Posted by Catherine Karp at
http://suburbanvampire.blogspot.com/2009/10/music-monday-polka-haunt-us.html
Labels:
music

* Polka Haunt Us Featured in SCARS Magazine!

2009-09-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

Two words: Gothic. Polka.

Gothic, spooky-old, polka. You might not have known it even existed. Today, I am ashamed I didn’t know. Polka occasionally makes its way to our consciences around this time of year, mostly diluted by distractions at Oktoberfests, but Veronique Chevalier…aka the “Weird Val” of Dark Cabaret…is changing how we think of the accordion with her compilation, “Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation.”

POLKA HAUNT US!!! The name alone is enough to kill me, and from the moment I listened to the first track – “The Beer Hall In Hell” – I couldn’t stop smiling. Honestly. Polka Haunt Us. Weird Val may have been gonged off the first season of America’s Got Talent, but all I know is, this is the stuff for me. And I’m not alone. “Polka Haunt Us” was an official selection for Best Polka in the 51st Grammy’s Ballot.

Veronique acted as Executive Producer and lyricist on the compilation, bringing together talent from the polka (and greater) sphere to perform on each track. Really, “Polka Haunt Us” is a concept album, filled with stories from mythology and folklore from across the globe. While it’s definitely the season for gothic polka, these creepy narratives transcend Halloween. There’s an obvious labor of mad love behind Veronique’s research, lyrics, and song titles.

There’s no way to argue this isn’t without its hokiness. (Polka-hokey-ness.) But it’s rooted in cabaret! If we can’t be campy here, where can we? Plus, there’s talent behind the strange. Check out the video for my personal favorite, “Fisher Bird Girl,” based on a Norwegian folktale.

And if that was more seriously surreal than you expected, check out more light-hearted polka fare with “Vampire Surprise,” which tells the tale of an enterprising cook “turning the tables” on bothersome vamps.

Like any concept album, “Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation” is best heard in full. Experienced is probably the better word than “heard,” because even after a total listen, my brain still can’t quite process the awesome oddity of this album. Stream it at Reverbnation or buy it at PolkaHaunt.Us.

Tags: Polka Haunt Us, Veronique Chevalier

This entry was originally posted by fallon on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at 9:20 am and is filed under News.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Original URL: http://scarsmagazine.com/blog/2009/09/29/two-words-gothic-polka/

* LA Weekly Article: An Evening of Steampunkery

2009-09-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

Journalist Liz Ohanesian wrote a lovely follow-up article in the LA Weekly Blog, about our Evening of Steampunkery on Sunday, September 20th @ Echo Curio:

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/synthful/scenes-from-an-evening-of-stea/
Scenes from An Evening of Steampunkery
By Liz Ohanesian in Last Night, Synthful

Photo by Liz Ohanesian
Veronique Chevalier and Seth Bedford

Several years ago, LA-based performer Veronique Chevalier launched Red Velvet Vaudeville Variety Show. During its existence, the performances won acclaim for bringing together an eclectic cross-section of performers linked together through the singer's witty MC stylings. Last night's event A Red Velvet & Sepiachord Evening of Steampunkery, held at Echo Curio, relied primarily on music, but still conveyed traces of vaudevillian presentation.

The evening was divided into halves, with each artist playing two short sets. Mixing together sentimental pop (Eli August), performance art (April Hava Shenkman), accordion-based comedy (Seth Bedford) and Victorian synthpop (Unextraordinary Gentlemen) is tricky, but the night moved quickly and cohesively. Chevalier performed one number with accordionist Seth Bedford in between each set.

Chevalier's character is the rumored "long lost granddaughter" of Maurice Chevalier, a French ballerina whose career was cut short when a crazed cowboy shot out the lights in a theater, causing her to fall into the orchestra pit. She has turned to cabaret as a creative outlet and, like all good cabaret artists, mixes randy tunes with dramatic cover songs sung in a very thick accent. The clip below is a cover of "People Are Strange" that has become a staple of her sets.

Veronique Chevalier "People Are Strange"

Photo by Liz Ohanesian
Malcom Schreek of UXG

Unextraordinary Gentlemen were one of the evening's guests. Their sets reminded us alternately of Nick Cave, Virgin Prunes and Monty Python, the latter of which the band discussed in our interview from last Friday. Below is a clip of the trio performing "Black Iron Road."

* An Evening Of Steampunkery @ Echo Curio, 9/20/09

2009-09-01T03:11:00.001-07:00

* Time: September 20, 2009 from 8pm to 11pm
* Location- Echo Curio
* Street- 1519 Sunset Blvd.
* City/Town- Echo Park, Ca 90026
* Website- http://EchoCurio.com
* Cost- 8 Bux ($8)
* Event Type: all ages, public entertainment & music
* Organized By: Veronique Chevalier

Sepiachord.com & Veronique's Red Velvet Present!

Join MADcap Mistress of Ceremonies MADemoiselle Veronique http://WeirdVal.com as she presents another evening of guerrilla vaudeville at Echo Curio.

Guests artists include:

* Seth Bedford (of New York City) - Composer/Accordionist/Vocalist & Veronique's Official Accompanist http://MySpace.com/SethBedford

* Unextraordinary Gentlement (UXG) - Los Angeles-based Purveyors of Otherworldly Sonic Excellence- http://UnextraordinaryGentlemen.com

* Eli August (of Madison, WI) - Droll Outsider Folk Trio featuring Uke, Standup Bass & Percussion http://MySpace.com/EliAugust

* April Hava Shenkan - Presenting the World Premiere of her new performance piece set to "Blank Face Goblins" (a track from Veronique's Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation CD)- http://AprilHavaShenkman.com

* HELLga @Vampire Con/Hollywood

2009-08-26T23:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings dear Fiends & FANgs!

On August 16th, I attended The First Annual Vamp Con in Hollywood, garbed as HELLga, The Devil's Beermaid, with copies of Polka Haunt Us in hand.

I am pleased to say that I garnered some great press, photo and video coverage along with some of the other characters in attendance.

Here are some highlights:

* The Vampire Convention Fangoria.com article:
http://www.fangoria.com/features/21-fearful-features/3653-the-vampire-convention-.html

* 10 Fangtastic Vampire Con Photos on Mania.com website:
http://www.mania.com/10-fangtastic-vampire-con-photos_article_117064.html

* The Younger Statesmen Comedy Troupe Blog:
http://theyoungerstatesmen.blogspot.com/2009/08/younger-statesmen-visit-vampire-con.html

* The Younger Statesmen Comedy Troupe Attend Vamp Con Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-C09Mg3t5w

* Renners Hollywood: Bis(s) die Kasse klingelt - Video (in German):
http://www.focus.de/kultur/videos/renners-hollywood/renners-hollywood-biss-die-kasse-klingelt_vid_12420.html

HELLga Photo on Wire Image

* Veronique @ Chrononaut, Friday, September 18th, San Diego, CA

2009-08-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

* Time: September 18, 2009 from 7pm to 11pm
* Location: Queen Bee's (formerly the 8teen Center)
* Street: 3925 Ohio Street
* City/Town: San Diego, CA 92104
* Website: http://ChrononautClub.com
* Event Type: all ages, public entertainment & music
* Organized By: Professor J. S. Greyshade

Ladies, Gentlemen, Harlots, and Scoundrels,

The Machina Fatalis Steampunk Social Club presents an evening’s entertainment unlike any the fair city of San Diego has seen. Chrononaut: a night for temporal adventurers of all ages.

Your host, Prof. J. S. Greyshade, selects sounds from eclectic destinations throughout the space-time continuum such as steampunk, alternative folk, gypsy punk, dark cabaret, gothic, middle eastern, circus punk, and extremely mutated hip-hop.

There shall also be visions of monochromatic beauty from the amazing cinematagraph and a variety of special guests and entertainments.

Steampunk, neo-Victorian, dark cabaret and anachronistic dress is most warmly welcomed.

Friday, September 18th, 2double-ought9:
* Veronique Chevalier & Seth Bedford
* Eli August
Doors open at 7:00. Club closes at 11:00
(one block east of 30th Street and 1/2 block north of University Avenue)

Here is the write-up from the Chrononaut website (http://www.mindspring.com/~eandic/chrononaut/parties.htm):

Veronique Chevalier accompanied by Seth Bedford: In a class of her own, MADemoiselle Chevalier is a madly eccentric chanteuse known as the "Weird VAL" of Dark Cabaret, and has been described by some as a campy incarnation of Edith Piaf from a parallel universe.

A cross-section of her repertoire reveals such gems as her parody of "La Vie En Rose" re-imagined as "Escargots", bemoaning her challenged relationship with the tiny French mollusks. Her unforgettable cover of Jim Morrison's "People Are Strange" does solemn honor to a man who, "had the good taste to die and be buried in Paris." She has also co-written and performs a number of originals with Seth.

Seth Bedford is a New York-based composer, arranger, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and visual artist Seth blends the musical idioms of Weimar kabarett, American jazz, Tin Pan Alley, French chanson, tango, New Wave and a variety of other musical sources to create a sound that defies categorization. As a composer, he's written music for cabaret, theater, film and the symphonic concert hall, and he is also the artistic director and vocalist for Huxley Vertical Cabaret Nouveau, an 8-piece acoustic cabaret orchestra performing primarily in New York's Greenwich and East Village

* Visit Veronique's YouTube Page

2009-08-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

Veronique Chevalier is the eccentric Françican (Français-American) Chanteuse (Songstress)known as The "Weird VAL" of Dark Cabaret.

She's an unparalleled Parodist; Purveyor of Over The Top Lunacy, and Spooky Polkanista, who has been described as a campy incarnation of Edith Piaf from a parallel universe - the one in which her parents are Jim Morrison, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and her godparents are Lucille Ball and Weird Al.

http://www.youtube.com/user/VeroniqueChevalier

* Wonderful Review of Polka Haunt Us!

2009-07-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Polka Haunt Us Recording Delivers Spook-tacularly
by Frank DiCostanzo

After listening to Veronique Chevalier's "Polka Haunt Us," one wonders how something so devilish can indeed sound so heavenly. My mortal ears were scintillated in ways I never could have imagined. Supported by the elegant production work of Jann Castor, this single-themed compilation is just oozing with originality and sophistication.

It all works to compliment the creative lyrics and showmanship of the mastermind behind the songs themselves. Chevalier weaves together her imaginative lyrics with thirteen spooky folktales and fables from around the world, giving each song a unique historio-cultural orientation.

Of course, one can just sit back and listen to this Wonka-esque boat-ride of musical delights, oblivious to any folkloric inspiration. The music's impact alone is enough to keep you at the edge of your coffin.

A quirky yet dynamic concept album, both Halloween- and polka-inspired, "Polka Haunt Us" brings together a talented menagerie of world-renowned musicians, from Lili Haydn (the Jimi Hendrix of violin), to UCLA percussion instructor, Kirk Brundage, to Norwegian soprano, Elisabeth Ekornes.

And the list hardly stops here. Also featured are 2007 Polka Grammy Nominee Alex Meixner; virtuoso accordionist, Gee Rabe, vocalist/actress Marion Ramsey (Sgt. Laverne Hooks of Police Academy film lore), and accomplished "world" guitarist, Goh Kurosawa, to name just a few of the sixteen artists brought together by chaunteuse extraordinaire, Veronique Chevalier.

Even those familiar with Chevalier's penchant for the outrageous will be impressed with the generosity—and grandiosity—of this truly potent witch's brew of a record. Take the Afterwife Polka Tango, a track inspired by Eva Peron's publicly displayed corpse (with music composed by Mike Surratt):

"Evita's husband that Juan Peron Embalmed her in a fancy tomb of her own So he was prepared in the afterlife To have himself a trophy after-wife"

This sets up Eva as the perfect contrast to dead wives who now haunt their cheap, ungrateful husbands from beyond—and at times out of—the grave: "If you hadn't buried me in that cheap casket, I'd still have all of my original skin left."

Then there's Devil's Guitar, based on a purely American myth about a young man called Lazy Billy who discovers a guitar (possibly belonging to legendary bluesman, Robert Johnson). However, the guitar is a snare set by the Devil as Billy ultimately, and comically, plays himself to death: "On and on poor Billy played, his fingers bloody stumps / Then he knew he'd been betrayed, the Devil always trumps."

This sort of pointed satire is typical of Chevalier's vaudevillian style and slapstick candor, but "Polka Haunt Us" moves beyond the boundaries of satirical lyric-based music.

Tracks like Blank Face Goblins and Strange Faces in the Floor launch the listener almost without warning into the realm of the experimental. Yet it is experimental in the traditional sense, artfully combining styles of music seemingly disparate, while calling on themes and soundscapes of more popular music forms.

Add to this subtle, interspersed vocal arrangements (notably Strange Faces and Kalkajaka Polka) along with highly-crafted sampling and noise manipulation (Polka Haunt Us), and the album truly paints Chevalier as a 21st-century iconoclast at her best.

I look forward to whatever future achievements lie in store for the ambitious Chevalier. "Polka Haunt Us" has a robust, if not grotesque charm, making it a true masterpiece of the bizarre. I find it a consummate compilation, worth cherishing for many full moons to come.

Frank DiCostanzo is a writer, musician, and entrepreneur. His company, Messina Editorial Group, specializes in book editing, writer coaching, and multimedia consulting. Visit him at: http://MessinaEditorialGroup.com

.

* Veronique To Appear @ The First Annual Seattle Steam Con!

2009-06-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

Excitement is afoot. I will keep vous posted about updates pertaining to my appearance at The First Annual Seattle Steam Con, Oct. 23- 25, where I have the honor to perform with Seth Bedford @ Mr. Bodewell's Cabaret.

http://Steam-Con.com

Chrononaughts, aviators, tinkerers, scientists and steampunk enthusiasts! You are invited to a wondrous event. A weekend of science, fantasy, romance and adventure of the future past. Tea, robots and cabaret await you. The honour of your presence is requested at this humble steamposium.

The organizers are working hard on creating a steampunk symposium of the highest caliber in the resplendent Pacific Northwest October 23-25 2009 at the Seattle Airport Marriott.

Author Guest of Honor: Tim Powers
Artist Guest of Honor: Paul Guinan
Musical Guests of Honor: Abney Park

So, to what can you look forward?
• A Vendor’s Bazaar packed with exotic wares
• An Art Exhibition
• The Perpetual Teatime and Hospitality suite
• The Magic Lantern Theater
• Talks and discussions on all matters steampunk
• Gun modification demonstrations
• Lessons in etiquette
• Steam technology exhibitions
• Games and diversions of a role playing nature
• Cabaret acts presented by the esteemed Mr. Bodewell
• And much more to be announced…

Including several limited capacity events such as High Tea with a Fashion Show, and a special concert!

More details as things are finalized!

http://Steam-Con.com

* Veronique Compared to a cross between Nina Hagen & Tiger Lillies!

2009-06-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Merci beaucouop to Russian filmmaker Taras Popov (Experimentum Crucis) for comparing moi to a cross between Tiger Lillies & Nina Hagen!

He is interested in possibly making a video some of my music! Please stop by his YouTube page and show him some love and encourage him to work with moi.

xoxo,

~V~

http://www.youtube.com/user/kotmarsik

* NEW! Archived Stream of Veronique's Interview on Flat Cat Radio Here!

2009-03-13T00:08:00.001-07:00

Hear the fascinating and intricate back story about Veronique's Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation, which was an Official Entry on the 51st Annual Grammy Ballot, and unlike any other collaborative recording you've experienced!

Join Host & DJ Dave Strauss and co-host Brooke Trout as they delve into the depths of the inner workings of Veronique's psyche, on this episode of Flat Cat Radio LIVE!

Here's the link to the show:

http://www.flatcatrecords.net/podcasts/Veronique_Chevalier.mp3

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

xox,

~V~

Tags:
Alex Meixner, Mike Surratt, Kerry Christensen, Lili Haydn, Jann Castor, Marion Ramsey, Goh Kurosawa, Elisabeth Ekornes, Kai Kurosawa, Gee Rabe, Vinny Golia, Veronique Chevalier, Mica Bando, Gary Shapiro, Kirk Brundage, Jon Asbath, Brian Netzley