Dalton Deschain & The Traveling Show preview new Roberta EP with animated chapbook
Colorful NYC circus punk antifolk outfit Dalton Deschain & The Traveling Show will be releasing their forthcoming Roberta EP, based around a circus-inspired tale and accompanied by a 30+ page animated chapbook about the circus character Roberta, written by Dalton Deschain himself, along with album credits, lyrics, and illustrations and music video stills by the band's bassist and video animator David Warpaint. The download for the EP will also include an ebook and PDF copy of the book. Ahead of the EP's October 28 release date, the band has released their highly colourful burning single Freakshow, along with an interesting new video, featuring a mixture of animation with live footage.
Dalton Deschain & The Traveling Show are a time-traveling, universe-hopping collective of musicians, nuclear techs, and carnival freaks, who have been performing art-theater-circus-punk events in NYC and Detroit areas since 1947. They weave a complex sci-fi/ horror story into an ever-expanding set of catchy and intricately composed songs, ranging stylistically from furious punk to beautiful spacey ballads.
The opening track and single Freakshow is an anthem of defiance with aggressive vocals shouted over distorted bass and a heavy dance beat. This then transitions to Different Constellations, a softer B-side, performing as a guitar-and-accordion-based duet between vocalists Dalton Deschain and Jo Kroger. The Roberta EP tells the story of a transwoman living in the 1940s, who finds love with a stagehand for a traveling sideshow. The band's sound falls in suit with several other punk cabaret outfits such as Dresden Dolls, The Tiger Lillies, Vermillion Lies and The Urban Voodoo Machine.
Following The Collateral Vignettes EP released in 2014, this new EP highlights the band’s flair for the dramatic, as well as their ability to create catchy melodies in a variety of genres. The band has grown a cult following locally through their off-kilter shows, including their annual Devil’s Night party. Hooks, dance beats, ugly riffs, and sci-fi lyrics promise a show and a listening experience that is wholly unique and infectious.
