If It's Too Loud...

Our favorite goth-folk duo Charming Disaster are back with a new single off their upcoming album. "Trick of the Light" was inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula , and it sees the Brooklyn band playing with new sounds. Typically their songs are in more of a cabaret style, and while that is reflecting in "Trick of the Light," this one is a more rocking sound than we typically hear from them. It's filled with fuzzed out guitar and heavy drums alongside their trademark Edward Gorey meets Tim Burton style. It's great to hear a band we've loved for a while expand on their sound while staying true to what makes them great, and that's what Charming Disaster have nailed here. Charming Disaster say of their new single: “We are thrilled to share the first single from our upcoming album THE DOUBLE! We hope you enjoy "Trick of the Light," inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Who is the vampire and who is the victim? Don't you worry your pretty head ab...

It wouldn't be Halloween without new music from Charming Disaster, and it's extra exciting because we're getting three cover songs from the duo. Our favorite goth-folk duo have released a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love." It has that alt-cabaret sound we love from Charming Disaster and keeps all of the darkness of the original while adding a little fun to it. I don't think I've ever heard a Cohen cover sound this upbeat, but Charming Disaster are experts at finding the glee in darkness. Cohen purists may not enjoy this version of "Dance Me to the End of Love," but if you're open to a little fun, you're going to love this one. Charming Disaster say of their upcoming EP: “In honor of Halloween, we're getting ready to release a trio of stripped-down covers that pay tribute to a few of our musical inspirations: Leonard Cohen, Bauhaus, and The Cure. We recorded these tracks in Cologne, Germany this past April, dur...

Photo by Kyle Cassidy Our favorite gothic cabaret folk duo are back with a new single. For their latest single, Charming Disaster have decided to mix it up a bit. "Stockholm Syndrome" was inspired by Gang of Four, Bloc Party, and Bonnie & Clyde. (They explain they mean both the Gainsbourg/Bardot song and the real life Bonnie and Clyde.) With that explanation, you'd expect a new sound from Charming Disaster, and you would be correct. But what's weird is that even though it's a dance friendly post-punk song, it still sounds exactly like a Charming Disaster song. It's rare to be surprised that a band sounds like themselves, but when the style is this different from their norm, you can forgive us. Charming Disaster say of their new song: "'Stockholm Syndrome' refers to the phenomenon where a hostage begins to identify with their kidnapper. But who is the captor and who is the captive? Sometimes things get a little complicated." You can listen...

Can it really be Halloween without a new song from Charming Disaster? The goth-folk duo just released the single "Cherry Red." We've become accustomed to their dark and moody sound, but "Cherry Red" seems to kick up the atmospheric vibes up even more. The song features Don Godwin on drums and bass and Kate Wakefield of Lung (who we haven't listened to in far too long), and just builds and builds with the most delightful sense of dread imaginable. If you're the type of person that finds the macabre fun and intriguing, you're going to adore "Cherry Red." This new song fits perfectly in with Charming Disaster's entire catalog, and may just be one of their finest yet. Charming Disaster say of their new single: "This song is a ghost story about a haunted house…or possibly a cautionary tale about carbon monoxide poisoning, whose symptoms (disturbing hallucinations, waking nightmares, a feeling of dread) are very similar to the classic si...

There are just some bands you don't want to see in a standard rock club setting. Sure, it would be fine, but some bands might work best in an artist's space in a former coffin factory along with poetry and an aerialist. That was the setting where I finally got to see Charming Disaster. It was a weird, magical, and wonderful night. The evening was set up as two separate sets. Each set saw Peter Bufano playing a few songs on accordion to get started, a few poems read by traveling Austrian poet Rudolf Stueger, and then Charming Disaster. Their sets of songs about murder and the supernatural were selected by audience members choosing tarot cards (except for a couple that were pre-selected so the duo could be joined by Bufano on accordion. For their live show, Jeff Morris played guitar and Ellia Bisker was on ukulele and a cymbal/tambourine that was played with a foot pedal.  The level of theatricality for a small show was perfection. For "Ghost Story," both Bisker and Mor...

We're used to Charming Disaster's songs about "... death, crime, myth, magic, folklore, and the occult." For their upcoming album, they're changing things up a little bit. Our Lady of Radium is "... a concept album containing nine songs inspired by the life and work of scientist Marie Curie." The duo have released the title track, and despite changing the subject matter up a bit "Our Lady of Radium" sounds like what we love about Charming Disaster. It's a cabaret style folk song with plenty of the spooky vibes we've all come to love from them. It's a very quiet song dripping with intensity in Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris' vocals without them forcing anything. If there's one thing Charming Disaster know how to do it's making a quiet and spooky sounding song, and "Our Lady of Radium" keeps that vibe going. You can listen to "Our Lady of Radium" below. Our Lady of Radium is due out March 4 and can be pre...

Songs inspired by quarantine and lockdown are going to be a fact of life for the foreseeable future. It was (is?) such a massive part of everyone's lives for over a year, and it's impossible for art to not reflect that. Hopefully the rest of these songs is as good as Charming Disaster's. "Spooky Action" is one of Charming Disaster's cabaret meets folk that we've come to love from the duo. It's far more melancholy than their usual songs, and lacks the sense of humor and joy that permeates their music, but this wasn't exactly a fun time for most people so it's quite understandable. Instead, "Spooky Action" is a beautiful, sad ballad about loneliness and reuniting. Since it is still a Charming Disaster song, it does have more flair than other quarantine inspired songs. The band explains: "'Spooky action at a distance' is a quantum physics phenomenon where two particles that are physically separated affect each other as if th...

We've been loving everything Charming Disaster have been doing. Their gothic Americana cabaret sound is pretty much perfect around these parts. On their latest single, "Ouroboros," they stick with what works, but change it up just enough to surprise us. "Ouroboros" starts off like a Charming Disaster sonic template. It's dark and moody, and you can just sense the enthusiasm coming from Ellia Baker and Jeff Morris as they prepare to bring us their new story. But, in a surprise twist, this new song rocks. It's still a gothic cabaret song, but the addition of bass and drums adds a rock element not typically seen with this duo. It's a fun little dabble into a new sound. In a Facebook post, Charming Disaster explain the new song: "The ouroboros is the mythological snake that swallows its tail, evoking infinity, eternal return, cycles of reinvention and rebirth. This song is inspired by esoteric and mystic arts, by the wonders of the natural world, an...

Folk/noir/gothic/cabaret duo Charming Disaster have just released a new single, and shockingly it's not holiday related, or about the supernatural. No, "Driving to Idaho" is a crime ballad. As the band says, “Presenting a deliciously creepy road song for when plans go awry, things go dark, and your past is about to catch up with you. The Handsome Family meets the Manson Family in our latest single, 'Driving to Idaho.'” The song is about as creepy as you'd expect, encompassing both fairly mainstream folk and freak folk at the same time. It builds and builds in both intensity and paranoia, without the music changing all that much. Instead, Ellia Baker and Jeff Morris increase the intensity of the song with their vocals, while still trying to pretend they have their shit together. You can listen to "Driving to Idaho" below. The song is available on Charming Disaster's Bandcamp . For more on Charming Disaster, check out the band's website . Drivi...

It wouldn't be October without a new song from Charming Disaster. The gothic cabaret duo just have released "Houdini." It's a little more rockin' than their standard fare. It starts off with some heavy near-grunge guitars, but longtime fans need not be worried. There is plenty of the theatricality we've come to love from Charming Disaster. And while the song is about the famous magician Harry Houdini, "Houdini" isn't about one of his famous escapes. Instead, the song is a desperate plea from his afterlife (which fits perfectly into Charming Disaster's catalog). The band explains the song: "After WWI and the 1918 flu pandemic, the popularity of spiritualism and séances skyrocketed around the world, as nearly everyone had recently lost a loved one they longed to reach on the other side. The great stage magician Harry Houdini was no exception; he and his wife even had a pact that whoever died first would try to contact the other with a secr...

Sweet Soubrette, the solo project of Ellia Bisker of Charming Disaster, has made a song that can only make sense in 2020. "Making Do" is a song about making masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, the song is hardly cheerful given the subject matter, but since it's Sweet Soubrette, that makes perfect sense. I can't think of anyone else that could make a song right now about making masks to help out the collective whole that trudges along like a conveyor belt, and still keeping a sense of optimism and community intact. We may never want to listen to "Making Do" once this is all over, but for right now this song has the charm and begrudging positivity we all need right now. You can listen to "Making Do" below. The song is available as a download on Sweet Soubrette's Bandcamp . There is also the option to purchase a mask with your download. For more on Sweet Soubrette, check out the artist's website . Making Do by Sweet Soubrette

We've grown to love the music of Charming Disaster and their "...  songs that tell stories about love, death, crime, ancient mythology, and the paranormal." It's definitely what we love about them. Their latest song goes in a (mostly) completely different direction. "I Am a Librarian" is exactly what it sounds like: an ode to librarians. It does make sense, since those of us that love "...  songs that tell stories about love, death, crime, ancient mythology, and the paranormal" are going to be the type that love books and librarians. According to Charming Disaster, "I Am a Librarian" "...  is an anthem, a love letter, a manifesto for the seekers, oddballs, and dreamers: a message of hope for all who are waiting to find their time and place. And of course a tribute to all of you librarians out there. We see you, and you're not alone." If you've ever wanted a cabaret style fight song done as a tribute to the librarian, y...

According to Charming Disaster 's Bandcamp bio, "...  they write songs that tell stories about love, death, crime, ancient mythology, and the paranormal." That's more than enough to make me a fan, but they've decided to add a new type of song to their repertoire: poisonous plants. It's a topic that comes up with people at their shows, so back in March they did some research and came up with a new song. "Hellebore" fits right in with what we love about Charming Disaster. It's a dark folk duo song, but since both members are currently under quarantine separately, they can only share it via online Zoom style video. Despite how dark the song's subject matter is, Charming Disaster are able to bring out the joy and enthusiasm for it in the way that only they can. You can watch the video for "Hellebore" below. For more on Charming Disaster, be sure to check out their website .

Photo via Facebook It's been a few years since we've heard from Sweet Soubrette, aka Ellia Bisker's (Charming Disaster) solo project. Her new single, "Typhoid Mary," is inspired by the coronavirus pandemic and is about Mary Mallon, who infected dozens of people with typhoid while showing no symptoms until she was imprisoned in quarantine. It's a two minute quickie song that fits with Charming Disaster's dark folk cabaret while being more pop, which is what we expect from Sweet Soubrette. Plus, the addition of "Ring Around the Rosie" added in the middle just adds to the creepy factor. You can listen to "Typhoid Mary" below. The song is available now on Sweet Soubrette's Bandcamp. For more on Sweet Soubrette, check out her website . Typhoid Mary by Sweet Soubrette

Seeing as Charming Disaster are more of a gothic cabaret/murder ballad band, it makes complete sense for them to make music for Halloween, but for Christmas? Well... kinda. Their latest single, "Longest Night of the Year," isn't really a Christmas song, but a "Winter Solstice-inspired song to celebrate the holiday season." The cheery, upbeat sound of the song masks the true meaning: Performing ritual sacrifice to make sure the sun comes back and winter actually ends. Plus, it involves lots of monsters which is always a bonus. You can listen to "Longest Night of the Year" below. The song is available now via Charming Disaster's Bandcamp . For more on Charming Disaster, check out their website . Longest Night of the Year by Charming Disaster

For anyone that knows me, you know that "love, death, crime, ancient mythology, and the paranormal" are kind of my things, so it's safe to assume that I'm going to like any band that includes those things in their Bandcamp bio. Charming Disaster are that band, and they're back with a new single! "Blacksnake" is this hauntingly hypnotic folk adjacent song that is mysteriously catchy. It's a song about murder and death, but is remarkably upbeat. It might be the cabaret feel that Charming Disaster infuse into the song, but that's kinda their style. You can watch the video for "Blacksnake" below. For added fun, it was shot in the Kreischer Mansion on Staten Island, which is rumored to be haunted and the sight of a mafia murder! SPELLS + RITUALS, the new album from Charming Disaster, will be out June 7, and can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp . For more on Charming Disaster, check out their website .

It's October, which means it's now socially acceptable for there to be Halloween music! For some reason, very few bands actually make music for Halloween, which is why we're so excited about the new release from Charming Disaster. Although, it makes sense that Charming Disaster would release a Halloween song sinc according to their Bandcamp bio they " they write songs that tell stories about love, death, crime, ancient mythology, and the paranormal.""Be My Bride of Frankenstein" is a brilliant retro rock throwback to when novelty songs were embraced. It's a groovy and goth romp, will brilliant lyrics like "I'm gonna love you though you're not so smart / Say I do and I'll give you my monster heart" and "Fire bad / Fire bad / Put away your pitchfork baby don't be mad." I wish more bands would release fun and silly songs like this. You can listen to "Be My Bride of Frankenstein" below. It will be include...

A busy week! Album of the Week : Artist : Charly Bliss Album : Guppy Quick Description : Much-anticipated debut album. Why You Should Listen : You love that late-1990s indie alt-rock sound. Overall Thoughts : I’ve been obsessed with “Ruby” since it came out, so Guppy has been on my “most anticipated” list for quite some time now. My expectations for a debut album like this were probably higher than they should have been, but the reality? This is a really, really great record. I sent it over to Ken almost immediately, and he asked if they were a Letters to Cleo cover band which is a pretty appropriate comparison on a whole – the sort of female-led alternative rock of the 1990s is alive in Charly Bliss, and I’m very excited to spend more time with this one. Not a bad song on the album... Recommendation : ...and it’s absolutely one of the best releases of the year so far. Artist : Emily Bell Album : Kali Quick Description : Austin-area singer-songwriter's new EP. ...

Charming Disaster are a band, but there is this odd almost theatrical element to their music that gives them a touch of art project to their sound. Their songs are ..." stories about love, death, crime, ancient mythology, and the paranormal." Comprised of Jeff Morris and Ellia Bisker, the duo is about to release their new album, Cautionary Tales , next month. The album opener, "Sympathetic Magic," starts as a pretty standard folkish, Americana song, with Morris and Bisker trading off vocals, and then intertwining separate verses over each other. And then the orchestration and theatrics come in, much more than the usual Charming Disaster song. Lyrically, the song seems to be about falling in love at a seance, sung from both sides of the meeting. You can listen to "Sympathetic Magic" below. Cautionary Tales  will be released April 21. The album "... ." You can get your copy via Bandcamp in both standard and deluxe digital formats. There is ...

The first line describing Charming Disaster on their Bandcamp is " Murder ballads and love songs involving death, crime, and the supernatural." For me, that's kind of my dream description for just about anything. Their new single, "What Remains," fits that description perfectly, and is absolutely haunting in how sparse it is. What is truly interesting is how much dissonance they muster using traditional instruments. It evokes the feelings of not just a song but an old fashioned radio play, with some of the instruments so far in the background that they almost feel like sound effects and are ingrained in the story itself.  "What Remains" will be officially released on April 1. Between now and then, you can download a copy for free (or name your own price) through their Bandcamp . For more information on Charming Disaster, check out their website . Listen to "What Remains" below, and check out their upcoming tour dates below that. What Rem...