From the opening chord of Bonnie and the Bang Bang’s debut album, Ode to Darkness, the listener is transported to a campfire in rural America at the turn of the century, where the ghost stories are that much more chilling—because they just might be real.
The lo-fi, stark recording adds to the rustic quality, but aside from the obvious Americana influence of the music—the banjo and mandolin help in that regard—the music is infused with a gospel edge, at least in terms of the emotional depth.
There is no doubt that Bonnie and the Bang Bang are a part of the indie-folk fusion movement. The bluegrass instrumentation and old timey spiritual sound are tempered with a subtly lush layering. On top of the plucking of each guitar string is the rich tone of the long sustaining keyboard and the eerie, macabre vocal harmonies, creating a dark, gothic-indie folk sound that is like a surreal artifact of a long-forgotten era—something like reading an alternative reality history book.
Bonnie and the Bang Bang play the Blank Club on Wednesday September 26th at 9pm. There is no cover charge. 21 and over.
.Bonnie and the Bang Bang Bring Their Campfire Revival to the Blank Club
