In lieu of the review of Hellblinki’s “These Bubbles Come from Ants” that I was asked to write, it seemed worthwhile to discuss the bonds that exist within the steampunk community.

Back at June’s Polyphonic Panorama at Chicago’s Abbey Pub, we were graced by the presence of Hellblinki and the midway marvel Sanjula Vamana. In the dim light of the dance floor, he discreetly introduced his manhood (i.e. whipped out his pierced tallywhacker). He fastened it to a chair and spun about like a dervish. A veritable chair-nado of the crotch.

But this would not be quite so wond’rous if the very same Hellblinki did not have a song called “Sanjula’s Junk” on the album that appears on this very aether-page! It’s a bouncy little ditty with some old-timey, voh-de-oh-doh vocals.

The dance at the show was an example of mutual benefit. Artists supporting artists! The object of affection and tribute offered his own tribute to the merry-makers.

As a community, let us celebrate each other and our talents. Support independent artists like Hellblinki, Sanjula and the Chicagoans who made their dance possible.

I’m not complaining though.  If things like this bring new people and fans to the movement, I’m all for it.  Of course, we at Steampunk Chicago (full disclosure here) are event producers so we do have a potential financial gain here.  Yet, after watching the music video, I’d be concerned that those expecting the steampunk movement to be in-line with what is seen in ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ may be a little disappointed.

You may view the video on YouTube if you wish.

So I’m going to get blunt now.

I don’t get it – I really – honestly – don’t get it.  Perhaps it’s because I’m a 30 something who’s given up on irony or perhaps it’s because I stopped trying to break dance when I was 19, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest in the animated family film Arthur Christmas.  Either way, there is a whole host of things I just don’t get here.

Sure the beginning is pretty “steampunky” I mean they have people with bowler hats with goggles on them, a woman with striped tights and a turn key coming out her back, people in vests, big gears, etc etc  (these are things I see often at SP events).  But then the music begins.

What immediately strikes me is that the choosing a steampunk theme for the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” is just… bizarre… but it gets even more bizarre as we see a guy dressed as Santa clear off some random desk and start break dancing on it.  To exponentially confuse things Justin Bieber proceeds to start touching the other workers, which in turns seems to turn them into pop and lock back-up dancers.  Also – why are the back up dancing guys with the vests on having their suspenders/bracers hang down?  I get that this is a fashion trend, but it really just looks stupid if you ask me.  Also, at various points in the music video Justin Bieber plays the drums.  Why?  I don’t know why.

But what is most startlingly off-putting is that the music video is inter-cut with scenes from the newly released film “Arthur Christmas”.  The cuts have no relevance to the video, the theme of the video, the break dancing people in the video, the robo-woman who does nothing but also pop and lock in the video or really anything at all.  And why Arthur Christmas?  Wouldn’t a movie like Hugo been more appropirate?

Or was it that Hugo just had better sense than to be a part of this.

Go figure.

-The Lord Baron

The Clockwork Vaudeville’s Carnivale Delirium II – This Friday!

A year ago this Friday, we here at Steampunk Chicago, decided to take a chance and produce the biggest show we’ve put together to date.  We brought in talent such as The Squidling Brothers, The Show Devils, Hayley Jane and local Chicago brass band Environmental Encroachment for a show that became truly something to remember.

A year later, we’ve returned to do it again!  This time we wanted to work more of a vaudeville angle, and thus we’ve booked Portland’s own Vagabond Opera to headline!  On top of that we’ll also be featuring Veronique Chevalier of Los Angeles, Eerie Twilight of DC, the Dead Man’s Carnival of Milwaukee and local acts Candy Town, White City Rippers, Lula Houp Garou and our own Lords & Ladies DJs!  To top it off we’ll have Glitter Guts to do photos and even a mustache contest with Jeremy of Do312.com and Ken of WeirdChicago.com!

The show promises to be a steampunk circus vaudeville extravaganza in the truest sense.  As always, many in the crowd will be dressed in their steampunk finest, as being part of the show is always part of the fun!   But don’t fear if you can’t think what to wear, we by no means is it require it, come as you are is the first rule of our events!

For more info or to buy tickets (highly suggested) check out our events page!

Theatre Bizarre – The Initiation – This Saturday!

One of the midwest’s great secrets, Theatre Bizarre (I believe now well over ten years running) a costume masquerade unlike any other, returns!  Though they have, unfortunately, not yet been able to return to their own space on Detroit’s north side.  They have taken over, and are poised to transform the Masonic Lodge of Detroit into something truly out of this world.

The gargantuan production features hours upon hours of every type of classic entertainment you can imagine.  From wandering brass bands to circus sideshow feats to burlesque to DJs to… just about everything!  What’s even more exciting than this?  The Lords & Ladies DJs are performing!

Though what will probably actually excite you are some of the acts, including our friends, The Squidling Brothers, Hayley Jane and Mary Fuego.   There will also be Nine Pound Hammer, DEADBOLT, Jawbone, Black Jack and the Carnies, Weird Sisters Circus and SO Much more!

The show is 21+, costumes are MANDATORY (yup) tickets are $65 – but well worth it!

Hope to see you Friday AND Saturday!  This is a weekend not to be missed!

San Francisco cellist, singer-songer writer and performer, Unwoman, has proven to be a long standing staple of the steampunk music movement.  Having performed at a variety of festivals, events and conventions, and having found solidly consistent airtime on any number of DJ playlists, she’s made a name for herself as being both progressive and anachronistic.

With her newest endeavor, Uncovered (Volume One), released just this September, the prolific song writer ventures into a territory that few, if any, sepia-tuned performers choose to traverse.  Namely that of the cover, and we’re not talking covers of Victorian love songs, pirate drinking ballads, Roma favorites, klezmer staples or hot jazz hits, this is much more contemporary stuff.  We’re talking 80′s (and a bit of early 90s) here.

And it works.  I’m particularly fond of her cover of Real Life’s “Send Me an Angel”, as it remains explicitly genuine to the original track while imparting both modern energetic electronic sensibility and a whimsically clever string production.  I also found myself attracted to her cover of Shannon’s “The The Music Play” which takes the diva-esque song in a much moodier direction and her both uplifting yet brooding cover of Nine Inch Nails seminal “Hurt”.

On her website she tells that these songs were ones she connected to as a youth, and it shows, as she is honest through and through with the material, but doesn’t seem to fear adding her own sound and style.  It should also be noted that this effort was a fan funded affair which is something that’s always neat to see.

There are moments that those of an ardently anachronistic bent may not find to his or her liking.  There is a lot of vocal filtering, especially on the cover of Madonna’s “Open Your Heart”, the cover of which could easily pass as an electroclash anthem from 2001.  But for someone with a diverse pallet in music though, this is far more refreshing than frustrating and I applaud her willingness to go in such directions.

You can purchase the digital album, physical CD or a limited edition “Tiny Golden USB (with CD)” on her Bandcamp website.

You can also see Unwoman live at Tesla-Con in Madison, Wisconsin this November!

Watch Chains and Lace greets the steamy summer next weekend! This is an all ages steampunk event in Oak Park, IL. Come one, come all and experience high tea, music, fashion, dancing, art, vendors, acts and more! Tickets are still available!

July 24 at Pleasant Home in Oak Park, just $5!

More information on the Watch Chains and Lace promo page.