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First Official Polka Haunt Us Press Release
Got(h) Polka? Weird Val releases darkly delightful compilation in time for Halloween.
(Los
Angeles, CA - Monday August 25, 2008) - Veronique Chevalier, the
quirky, aristocratic French-American cabaret artist who won The Mad
Music Archive's 2007 "Best New Halloween Song", is at it again this
season with a full length album featuring a long-overlooked niche -
Gothic Polka!
Polka Haunt Us is meant as a foray into the
untried history of its namesake. Every day is Halloween to Chevalier,
putting a darkly amusing, supernatural twist on the traditionally happy
music of Oktoberfest. Chevalier's own 2007 "Vampire Surprise" is the
bonus track on the album, which is compounded by a myriad of respected
artists singing this traditional Central European faire.
Polka
Haunt Us is based on authentic folk tales from around the world, lyrics
written by Chevalier. Less a novelty project and more an experiment in
ethnomusicology, the album is reminiscent of Harry Smith's Folkways
recordings for the Smithsonian Trust, or the compilation "Songs from
the Neighborhood: The Music of Fred Rogers" with a Nick Cave "Murder
Ballads" twist. Chevalier's new tracks show Polka's storytelling power
and give Halloween's tired Monster Mash a run for its money.
Chevalier
brings together artists such as: Japanese virtuoso of the Warr guitar,
Kai Kurosawa, who is also a member of the Goth-Industrial ensemble
Collide; 2007 Grammy nominee, composer and accordionist Alex Meixner;
ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, Jann Castor; Comedy Central's Gary
Shapiro; Disney vocalist Kerry Christensen.
Other notable
performers include: Woodwind expert & Cal Arts Professor Vinny
Golia; Afro-Brazilian percussionist, guest artist for Grammy-winners
Olodum- Kirk Brundage; Peter Bing Drejer Sundt Award of Norway winner,
soprano- Elisabeth Ekornes; the "Jimmy Hendrix of the Violin"- Lili
Haydn; Accordion virtuoso Gee Rabe, and more, who help give new breath
to this popular Central European dance music.
Polka, a
traditional Bohemian dance music that is still played on the streets
and in the pubs of Prague and other European cities, and often during
the month of October in North America, has a history of being
appropriated by popular composers. The tradition includes Johann
Strauss I and his son Johann Strauss II; a couple well-known Polkas
were written by Czech national anthem composer Bedřich Smetana, and
Czech artist Jaromír Vejvoda was the author of "Škoda lásky" ("Roll Out
the Barrel").
In the US, Polka has been turned into mainstream
faire by artists such as "Weird Al" Yankovic, and "Alternative Polka"
and "Punk/Ska Polka" has surfaced in addition to the Mexican variety
"Conjunto-style" and the Mid-western US "Oompah" music which is well
known during fall festivals across the states. With the release of
Polka Haunt Us, Chevalier revamps the tradition and adds a pleasingly
morbid touch, just in time for Halloween!
Polka Haunt Us is a
compilation recording, containing 13 NEW spooky songs, each based upon
famous ghost legends from different regions around the world. Tracks
include:
After Wife Polka Tango (Argentina), based on a the
historical fact that Eva Peron's Corpse was preserved and put on public
display by her widower, dictator Juan Peron.
Ghost Train (Canada), based on a Canadian train legend about the Alberta Line that is faithfully recounted in this song.
The
Beer Hall In Hell (Alpine), a morality tale, for in the end, it is
readily apparent that the free beer in Hell is overpriced.
Blank
Face Goblin (Japanese), based on the Japanese legendary Blank Face
Goblins (Nopperabo) who trick unwary passersby who are foolish enough
to go out alone at night.
Bubbe's Dybbuk Polka (Eastern European
Jewish), Dybbuks are mischeivous spirits in Jewish lore, that are used
as an explanation of bad or odd human behavior.
Castle Leap
(Irish Celtic), about Ireland's most haunted castle, sung by Marion
Ramsey a.k.a. Sgt Laverne Hooks of the Police Academy films.
Devil's
Guitar (US), Based on an American folktale about the preternatural
powers of the guitar belonging to a deceased old black Mississippi
bluesman (a.k.a. "The Haunted Guitar").
Strange Faces In The
Floor (Spain), Based on Spain's most haunted house in Belmez. This song
combines waltz with Flamenco guitar and palmas.
The Fisher
Bird Girl (Norway), This waltz is based on a traditional Norwegian
folktale of a strange girl who seems to change into a Fisher Bird
(cormorant).
Full Moon Face Off, based on werewolf lore and composed by Grammy Award nominee, Alex Meixner.
White
Witch Of Jamaica Polka Reggae (Jamaica), about Annie Palmer, a white
woman familiar with the Dark Arts, whose idea of fun was seducing, and
then killing her slave boys after she's had her fun with them.
Closing with Chevalier's popular Vampire Surprise (Transylvania), turning the tables on those pesky bloodsuckers!
Polka
Haunt Us producer/writer 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.
Why Spooky Polka? What better vehicle for a MADemoiselle of mixed
heritage, (Polish/French/Lithuanian), who grew up attending 13
different schools, whilst traversing the globe?
WEBSITE
http://www.WeirdVal.com
MYSPACE
http://www.myspace.com/veronique
http://www.myspace.com/polkahauntus (listen to music sample tracks)
PHOTOS
Veronique Chevalier as "Hell-ga The Devil's Beer Maid" Photo by Justice Howard
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/BeerMaidinHell-final.jpg
Veronique Chevalier on Couch Photo by Justice Howard
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/VeroBeerMaidCouch.jpg
Polka Haunt Us Album Cover Designed by Sammy Boy Designs
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/PHUcdcover.jpg
Polka Haunt Us Logo Designed by Veronique Chevalier
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/PHUCoatOfArmsFull.jpg
Veronique Chevalier at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Photo by Charley Gallay
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/VeroHollywoodForever.jpg
Veronique Chevalier The Undead Photo by Justice Howard (lo-res)
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/VeroJusticeDark72.jpg
Veronique Chevalier Red Velvet Curtains Photo by Justice Howard
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/VeroRedVelvetNOcrosses.jpg
CONTACT:
Bil Brown, Publicist
bil.brown@gmail.com
(502) 821-3215
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