Live Music London

Danse Macabre, a folk-rock-pop cabaret band from South-East England, formed in London, UK in October 2007 after vocalist Ash invited various friends to create a band with a strong visual image and a gothic rock sound. Ash was initially joined by bassist Steph and vocalist, guitarist and violinist Taylor (who also performs with Helen’s Evil Twin). The band’s very first performance was a short acoustic set at Blush, Stoke Newington on 25 May 2008 as part of the Girls Out Loud music festival. Ash, Taylor and Steph were briefly joined by drummer Julie (who plays on the first EP), reverted to a trio again in early 2009, before finally recruiting Helen (also of Helen’s Evil Twin) to fill the vacant drum stool. Danse Macabre have been performing regularly in London and beyond since 2008, including a set at both the 2008 and 2009 Worcester Music Festival.

Danse Macabre’s influences are wide. Ash came from a background of performing with hard rock acts, while songwriters Taylor and Steph are influenced by cabaret, musical theatre, pop and folk-rock. The band’s songs, characterised by bright tunes and bittersweet lyrics, have been described as folk-goth, quirky pop and even progressive rock. Danse Macabre released their first EP, The Golden Age of Ballooning, in October 2008 on their own Prozakville Records label.

The band have a website at www.dansemacabre.co.uk and have a MySpace page at www.myspace.com/dansemacabrelondon.