Arcadian Clockwork brought truly excellent Steampunk vocalists together from both coasts and the heart of Texas all presented in one of our favorite Goth Clubs and live venues, Elysium in Austin, Texas. From the East Coast came a Steampunk/Cyberpunk Siren, Psyche Chimere, blending an opera trained voice with a unique and masterful synth-electro soundtrack and lyrics that blend science fiction with madness and gothic horror with Adams Family styles of humor. From the West Coast came a superb cellist and vocalist, Unwoman, (well known for touring with Voltaire) singing songs of the trials and tribulations of life, love, and loss from very unusual perspectives. From Texas came Darwin Prophet, veteran of Pagan Festivals (as vocalist with Velvet Hammer), professional session work, and now performances at Steampunk Festivals and concert events singing about topics from her own bizarre imagination and occasional odes to the great poet and extreme radical Oscar Wilde.
Each performed for about a 45 minute set with excellent dance music and videos from DJ Russ Argo before, between, and after each with a dance to round off the evening. Elysium is a very unusual structure so the acoustics can get a little strange in pool table and sitting areas at the furthest remote corners, but in areas of the club that can clearly view the stage, the sound system was as excellent as the vocals delivered through it. This made for an excellent performance, yet many chose to stay at tables around the floor before the stage , so others took advantage of this to dance in ecstasy to the music presented on the dance floor which forms the space in front of the stage. This included Psyche Chimere and Darwin Prophet (along with support staff) who gave an entertaining bit of floor burning while their opposite number was performing.
The Vendors were set up in the back area where pool tables turned into mesas of hot Steampunk and tables around the edge presented leatherwork, hats, goggles, weapons, and magazines full of glamorous Steampunk pinup models. Ben Hamby and friends presented items so attractive, even this writer fell prey to their allure. A Steampunk hatter seemed to be putting out fine wares as were others with excellent pouches, bracers, and other beautiful offerings.
The vendors listed on the event site included (but I don’t think were limited to)
Skybourne Presents:Gearhearts Steampunk Glamor Revue
Caveat Emptor Costume Emporium
Overall it was a great concert with really interesting vendors and a great DJ. If you missed it, all I can say is, you should have found a way to drop in for this… really!
It appears that Psych Chimere and Unwoman performed the very next weekend at the Watch City Festival and are both scheduled next to perform at Steampunk World’s Fair on May 17th – 19th, 2013. Darwin Prophet is currently scheduled to perform at The Time Traveler’s Ball on June 15th, 2013.
