When an unusual subculture actually has an underground favorite band, what do you say about those people? When we invited these musico-maniacs to our first year’s event, did we have any idea that they’d start marching through the halls and parking lots, creating sweet sonics which swept pretty much every damn person out of chairs and away from tables and into a mad dancing frolic that stormed through two hotels and a parking lot before finally culminating in a mad jam with several of our other performers, right under the Radisson awning? (And that the Radisson staff, being as awesome as they are, would come out and dance with us?)
By the seven-headed brass-articulated hydra head of the Great Colossus of Imaginary Nineteenth Century Greece, we are pleased as punch to (re)-announce that Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band will be joining us again – they have been featured at past SPWF events, as well as our second Anachronism at Webster Hall.
Formed from the most talented deadbeats and drifters that could be rounded up, this group of raucous and rambunctious musicians will honk, wail, blow, beat, bounce, scream and serenade their way into your hearts. Playing anything that won’t break from vigiourous use, their instrumentation is a unique blend of brass, winds, violin, accordion and an eclectic rhythm section.
Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band combines the rich musical history of the circus and the vagabond peoples of Europe with the raw energy of avant-garde jazz and the irreverence and fun of today’s Vaudeville for a sound that is somehow familiar yet like no other.
Emperor Norton’s is about as stationary as the reincarnated dancing Tesla-powered cyborg of Gene Kelly, and they always have the audience up and dancing. I highly recommend that you check out their music, transfer it onto your Victrola or steam-powered music contraption of choice, and keep it around for those moments your life needs small figurative explosions of musical awesome!
Rumour has it that they may be among those who take part in the Goblin Market & VIP Meet-And-Greet, but this is not yet totally confirmed…so do check back.
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Agnes Delaney
Victorian Fashion for Modern Times
Proud Sponsor for Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band