First Official Press Release for Polka Haunt Us

Polka Haunt Us CD Cover layout by Sammy Boy Designs

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Polka Haunt Us Song Details & Liner Notes

Ok, just so everyone will know, Veronique Chevalier wrote the lyrics to every song on Polka Haunt Us. No need to toot her horn in this regard here. BTW, only one track left to record- Kalkajaka Polka about Black Mountain in Australia!

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After Wife Polka Tango (Argentina)

Based on the historical fact that deceased Argentinian First Lady Evita Peron's corpse was preserved and put on public view by her widower, dictator Juan Perone. (Pretty bizarre, eh?)

Composed by Mike Surratt- noted Polka accordionist/programmer -* State of Maryland Governor's Citation Recipient

Guest violinist- The "Jimmy Hendrix of the Violin"- Lili Haydn

Vocals- (Me) LAMA Unanimous Choice- Best Indie Cabaret Artist- Veronique Chevalier

Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) Nominee, producer- Jann Castor

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Ghost Train (Canada)

Based on a Canadian train legend about the Alberta Line that is faithfully recounted in this song.

Composed by Mike Surratt- noted Polka accordionist/programmer - State of Maryland Governor's Citation Recipient

Vocals- Mike Surratt

Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

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The Beer Hall In Hell (Alpine)

This is an over the top send up of all those Beer-glorifying polkas. A morality tale, for in the end, it is readily apparent that the free beer in Hell is overpriced.

Words & Music & Vocals by (Me) LAMA Unanimous Choice- Best Indie Cabaret Artist- Veronique Chevalier

Programming & Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

Yodeling by Kerry Christensen, Internationally regarded Master Yodeler and Disney Character Vocalist

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Blank Face Goblin (Japanese)

Based on the Japanese legendary Blank Face Goblins (Nopperabo) who trick unwary passersby who are foolish to go out alone at night.

Composition, Programming, Warr Guitar, Bass, Taiko Drums and who knows what else- Japanese Virtuoso of Warr and bass guitars & member of the Industrial Goth project Collide- Kai Kurosawa

Shakuhachi - California Institute of the Arts professor, woodwind expert- Vinny Golia

Vocals- Mica Bando She's a friend of Kai's, lives in Boston & attended Berklee School Of Music

Guitar- Japanese Fusion Guitar Virtuoso- Goh Kurosawa (Kai's big brother)

Mixing- Jann Castor

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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

Composing/Programming/Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

Vocals (Man & Bubbe)- Retired Cantor, Standup Comedian, Comedy Central Writer- Gary Shapiro

Dybbuk character voice- Jann Castor

There's a cool back story on this song. I Googled "Jewish Ghost Story" and it led me to a short story by writer Ted Roberts, who calls himself "Scribbler On The Roof". I wrote the lyrics and then contacted him in Huntsville, AL. Turns out, years ago, he was a professional lyricist in Nashville. The band Sawyer Brown did some of his stuff. He and I are now friends and he has become like a mentor to me. He even gifted me a bunch of lyrics that he wrote, but never published.

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Castle Leap (Irish Celtic)

Castle Leap (Irish Celtic) Gospel Version


This is based on the lore about Ireland's most haunted castle. There are a lot more scary doings there than I could ever have possibly mentioned in one song. This is an especially noteworthy song since the vocalist is black- Marion Ramsey AKA Sgt Laverne Hooks of the Police Academy films. The 2nd secret bonus track, in addition to Vampire Surprise, on the recording is a version of her singing this in a Gospel style. (Gives a whole new spin to the concept of "Black Irish").

Composing/Programming/Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

Vocals- Marion O'Ramsey (*wink*)

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Devil's Guitar (US)

Based on an American folktale about the preternatural powers of the guitar of a deceased old black Mississippi bluesman- that tale is called The Haunted Guitar.

Composer/Guitarist/Vocalist/Programming- Japanese Fusion Guitar Virtuoso- Goh Kurosawa

Bass- Japanese Virtuoso of Warr and bass guitars & member of the Industrial Goth project Collide- Kai Kurosawa (Goh's Baby Brother)

Mixing- Jann Castore

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Strange Faces In The Floor (Spain)

Based on Spain's most haunted house in Belmez. This song combines waltz with Flamenco guitar and palmas.

Composer/Guitarist/Programming- Japanese Fusion Guitar Virtuoso- Goh Kurosawa

Bass- Japanese Virtuoso of Warr and bass guitars & member of the Industrial Goth project Collide- Kai Kurosawa (Goh's Baby Brother)

Vocals- (Me) LAMA Unanimous Choice- Best Indie Cabaret Artist- Veronique Chevalier

Mixing- Jann Castor

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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).

Composer/vocalist- Peter Bing Drejer Sundt Award of Norway Recipient, soprano- Elisabeth Ekornes

Programming/mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

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Full Moon Face Off

Plays with werewolf lore and what can happen when someone is out alone during the wrong night of the Lunar cycle.

Composer/Accordionist- 2007 Grammy nominee, Alex Meixner

Violin- The "Jimmy Hendrix of the Violin"- Lili Haydn

Guitar & bass- Jon Asbath (Alex's cousin)

Vocals/proramming/Sound FX- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

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Vampire Surprise (Transylvania)

Turning the tables on those pesky blood suckers!

Composer/Programming/Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

Vocals- (Me) LAMA Unanimous Choice- Best Indie Cabaret Artist- Veronique Chevalier

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White Witch Of Jamaica Polka Reggae

Jamaica's most famous spooky legend, which is 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.

Composer/Accordion/Steel Pan- Accordion Federation of North America Award Recipient- Gigi Rabe, PhD in Ethnomusicology from UCLA

Vocals- (Me) LAMA Unanimous Choice- Best Indie Cabaret Artist- Veronique Chevalier

Drums- Afro-Brazilian percussion expert, guest artist for Grammy-winners Olodum- Kirk Brundage

Bass- Brian Netzley, LA based player

Programming/Sound FX/Character Voices/Mixing- ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, producer- Jann Castor

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Veronique To Perform @ First Annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival, May 30-June 1
Category: Music

Veronique Chevalier is pleased to announce that she has been invited to perform at The First Annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival, which kicks off on Friday, May 30th through Sunday, June 1st, 2008. (This occasion will also serve as the Official Prequel To The Eventual World Premiere of some of the tracks from the Polka Haunt Us recording.)

The Festival will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagle's Hall, Aerie 2188, 1596 Yosemite Drive in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. Zip Code is 90041.

Tickets are $10 at the door or you can purchase a three day pass for $25 at http://www.myspace.com/294131488 or by calling 323-246-8998.

BBQ dinners will be available for $8.75. There will be a no-host bar featuring cocktails, beer and wine. Street parking near Eagle Rock High School and Metro Bus Line 181 are conveniently located near the venue.

The three day festival will feature 15 accordion players and their bands showcasing accordion music with diverse styles such as Cajun, Irish, Rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Zydeco, Alternative and Experimental.

On Saturday, May 31, an Accordion Workshop will be held for those interested in learning more about the accordion. Otono Lujan of Conjunto Los Pochos and accordion instructor at the Eagle Rock Music Studio will conduct the workshop demonstrating the Three Button Row Accordion that is used in traditional Cajun, Tex-Mex and Zydeco music. Cost is $10 per person. Reserve your place by calling 323-246-8998 or by visiting http://www.myspace.com/294131488.

Festival Schedule:

Friday, May 30:
6:00 pm Count Smokula,
7:00 pm Vagabond Opera
8:00 pm Cinderella Motel
9:00 pm Hurricajuns
10:00 pm Humble Hooligans

Saturday, May 31
6:00 pm Veronique Chevalier
7:00 pm Sam Mellon & the Skylarks
8:00 pm Jessica Fichot
9:00 pm Conjunto Los Pochos
10:00 pm Phil Parlapiano

Sunday, June 1
4:00 pm Mrs. Hobbs
5:00 pm Mrs. Brown's Lovely Daughter
6:00 pm La Santa Cecilia
7:00 pm Doug Legacy & the Zydeco Party Band
8:00 pm Ollin

For more information about this event, please call 323-246-8998 or you may also contact event organizers Pat & Robert Talamantez at losangelesaccordionfestival@yahoo.com.

NEW! Polka Haunt Us Recording Progess Report No. 2

Polka Haunt Us Progress Report No. 2, April 2008

Greetings Dear Fiends and Fans!

Well, we are happy to report to you that things are really coming along nicely. We laid down our inaugural track, "The White Witch Of Jamaica" on Tuesday, March 11th, and the happy result is the rough mix/demo (music composed by Gee Rabe, and lyrics by Veronique) that is now posted on this profile's music player. We will be adding a few more embellishments, but it is mostly close to finished as it is.


PHU Song States of Readiness:

A)"Bubbe's Dybbuk Polka" based on a short story by journalist and nationally syndicated columnist Ted Roberts (music composed by Jann Castor) is awaiting vocals by noted Cantor (and very funny man), Gary Shapiro.

B)Guitar virtuoso/Grammy Nominee Goh Kurosawa has just given us the completed tracks for "The Devil's Guitar" for which he composed the music to Veronique's lyrics. Not only is he a great player, but he's also quite an expressive vocalist. This piece is sure to appeal to everyone's inner Rock Star! (Or is that "Polka Star"?)

C)The most infamous haunted hot spot in all of Ireland, "Castle Leap", is the subject of a composition of the same name, by Jann Castor. At last, there will be a worthy Halloween anthem polka for citizens of the Emerald Isle the world over. But you'll need a green pumpkin to go with your beer!

D)"Full Moon Face-Off" is the title of the track that Polka Grammy Nominee Alex Meixner has been so gracious as to create for the project. It holds the promise of becoming the "Dueling Banjos" of the accordion world.

E) And speaking of great women, noted soprano Elisabeth Ekornes is fast at work on her composition of "The Fisher Bird Girl", based on the spooky folktale "The Cormorants of Andver" from her native Norway. She will be also adding her gorgeous vocals for great atmospheric effect.

F) "Kalkajaka Polka" based on one of Australia's most haunted natural formations, Black Mountain, is the subject of another composition by Jann Castor. (An interesting aside about Jann is that in 1981, he was the first rock artist to incorporate indigenous musical instruments into mainstream pop music with his song "My Digeridu". See his clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RV8dP8howY.

That's all for now. Please stay tuned for more!

4:33 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Polka Haunt Us Recording Progess Report No. 1
Category: Music

Polka Haunt Us Progress Report No. 1, March 2008

Greetings Dear Fiends and Fans!

Well, we are happy to report to you that we are now in full-on production mode. We will be laying down our inaugural track, "The White Witch Of Jamaica" on Tuesday, March 11th, at Addison Sound (The Official Recording Studio of Polka Haunt Us), with owner/engineer Robert Tepper.

It is an original ditty, lyrics by Veronique Chevalier & music by "Gee" Rabe, based on a legend about the infamous 18th Century serial murderess Annie Palmer, and is one of the most well-known horror tales from that fair Caribbean nation.

Our rendition marries Polka with Reggae, and showcases Gee's unparalleled accordion playing, as well as her kickass steel pan prowess. Rounding out this particular session will be Kirk Brundage- drums & percussion, and Brian Netzley- bass.

Noted engineer Joe Chiccarelli (AKA THE "Joe" of Frank Zappa's "Joe's Garage"), has agreed to do our mixing, and Jann Castor will be our mastering engineer.

We will post the finished sound file of "White Witch" as soon as possible for your listening pleasure! Currently in various stages of completion, are compositions based on Japanese, Norwegian, Gypsy, Canadian, Spanish, Argentinian, German, Australian, and more so that gives us most of the lucky 13 songs that will be included on this compilation, to be released in plenty of time for Halloween this year.

If you have any favorite ghost or spooky stories from a region not listed above, that you'd like to see included, feel free to let us know. If we like it, we'll do it!

Stay tuned for updates...

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Newest: Vampire Surprise Number 22 Top Most Requested Demented Song of 2007!

Thank you to all who voted for and requested Vamp Surp @ The Mad Music Archive. My song got more requests than Weird Al's song!!! I am so happy and grateful for your support!

I take this as a sign that I am destined to keep creating demented music along this, ahem, vein.

;-)

Here is a link to the Top 25 Countdown Podcast @ TMMA (cut & paste):
http://www.themadmusicarchive.com/playlist.aspx?Show=MMDT20_07-51

Here's a screen shot:

Recent News: Bubbe’s Hannah Cat (Hanukkat) Voted Best New Demented Holiday Song of 2007!!!

"Bubbe's Hannah Cat (Hanukkat)" was voted the Best New Holiday Song of 2007 @ TMMA.

Find out more about it here: http://www.themadmusicarchive.com/readblog.aspx?id=1026

I also posted the song to the Internet Archive and you can listen to, and download it here:
http://www.archive.org/details/BubbesHannahCathanukkat

Description: Exhilarating new Hanukkah filk tale about matzo balls, a little boy, his Bubbe (Granny), and her special Kitty, Hannah Cat (Hanukkat).

WARNING: Not suitable for small children. I am serious- please listen to this away from tiny ears. Trust me, it's spooky!

Veronique Chevalier: Voice of Child, & Hannah Cat
Billy Baker: Keyboards, Producer, Engineer, FX, Voice of Bubbe

Bubbe's Hannah Cat (Hanukkat)
Music & Lyrics by Veronique Chevalier

Child sings:
Bubbe's angel she can't fly
Her looks would not win any prize
Her favorite kids are me, myself and I
She's Bubbe's Hannah Cat

Child sings:
If you got a pet you're lucky coz
A fuzzy-wuzz with tiny paws
Beats any gift from the in-laws
Like Bubbe's Hannah Cat
(Tiny "meow" sound)

Chorus- Child sings:
This is my favorite time of year
To be with friends and family
With yamikas and lots of cheer
And Hannah Cat the cute kitty
(purrrrrrrrrrrr)

Child sings:
It's kinda tough on old Bubbe
Cooking for our family
I hate her matzo balls, you see
So I sneak 'em to Hannah Cat
(louder "meow" sounds)

Chorus- Child sings carelessly:
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la something
Something la la whateveah
So have a Happy Hanaukah

Child sings nicely again:
Animal angels have flippers or fins
And they love you through thick and thin
Some grow horns and hairless skin?

Child whimpers:
B-bubbe What's happening to Hannah Cat?
(CACKLE CACKLE)
And B-b-b-b-ubbe What's happening to you????

Bubbe:
That's BEEZLE-Bubbe to you, little brat!
Don't you think I noticed
You haven't been eating
My matzo balls?
I'll teach you! Ungrateful schwein kind!
Hannah Cat- ATTACK!

(A melee ensues)

Child's singsong:
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, etc.

Veronique Chevalier ©2007



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9:12 PM - 2 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Past News: I Really Won the Mad Music Archive Halloween Song Contest!
Current mood: ecstatic

Wow! I am so in shock. I actually came in at the 11th hour and took first place in the Mad Music Archive Halloween Song Contest! OMG! Deepest thanks to every one who voted for Vampire Surprise!

Much as the shoemaker's children have no shoes, the entertainer does not go out and get entertained.

Not complaining though. I made myself a batch of non-fat, no-sugar chocolate mousse (or curdled bat blood, for you more imaginative types) sprinkled with full-on real fat, real sugar chocolate chips (or bat turds, if you prefer). Savoring that was my treat. Yum!!!!

http://www.themadmusicarchive.com/halloween-contest.aspx?cmd=results

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Past News: Vampire Surprise Coverage in LA Daily News Music!

Boo-jour my dear Fiends!

Wishing you all a Boo-tiful day. May all your fondest nightmares come true...As for moi, I am very happy and pleasantly surprised that the editor of the LA Daily News Music blog found enough merit in Vampire Surprise to give me a bit of ink... Merci boo-coup everyone for all your support!

xox,

~V~

http://www.insidesocal.com/music/2007/10/halloween_treat.html

Recent News: My First Hand-written Fan Letter for Vampire Surprise- From a Radio Station!

When I went to check my mailbox today, the only thing there was a letter with a Massachusetts return address. My first thought was that perhaps that someone at one of the radio stations to which I'd sent a promo copy of Vampire Surprise was writing to say "Thanks but no thanks..."

Imagine the pleasant shock I had after I read it! Now I feel certain that the Polka Haunt Us project is going to be well-received, and kudos coming from the land of the Salem Witches is just the sort of fuel to inspire me further! Thank you Annie!

1:12 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment