By Desi Rubio, Jan. 29, 2015.
From the outside, this downtown Phoenix residence appears to be a quaint 1930s home in a once-charming neighborhood. Inside these four walls, there’s an entirely different story being told.
It is here that the music is composed and rehearsed, that the videos are filmed and that professional and personal relationships are forged. It may not be the most conventional setting for innovation, but to Chelsey Louise, Robert Ciuca, brothers Matt and Ben Foos – the four members of Fairy Bones – this is where they thrive.
In fact, it is in this sanctuary of creative inspiration that their collaborative efforts converged to birth the new wave/rock band’s first full-length album, Dramabot, which is scheduled for digital release Feb. 3.
While these four have only been together two years, they have already made a lot of noise within the local music scene: They’ve performed more than 150 shows, signed to 80/20 Records, released a four-track EP and recorded a full-length album.
“I love them all so much, they’re my family and we’re making our dreams come true together,” Louise said. “I can’t ask for much more than that.”
Making the Band
Louise, named one of “The 10 Best Frontmen and Frontwomen in Phoenix Right Now” by the Phoenix New Times earlier this month, brings her powerful pipes, songwriting superiority and piano prowess to the stage.
She’s known Ciuca, the guitarist, for six years, a friendship that dates back to a time where they both belonged to the now-disbanded Born Loser and the Hangers On.
According to Louise, once the duo realized how serious they were about making music they quickly formed Fairy Bones and their search for band members began.
Louise recalled placing an ad on Craigslist, to which Matt, a local drummer, responded. After the trio held their first jam session, they collectively knew it was meant to be. Shortly thereafter, Matt suggested his younger brother Ben, a bass player, as the fourth member, and according to Louise, “the rest is history.”
Sound
Today, a typical Fairy Bones performance involves a lot of energy, sweat and a strong theatrical flair. Louise’s voice and colorful hair demand the audience’s attention, and the fellas combine for an over-the-top stage performance that brings their grungy-rock melodies to life.
“When our fans leave our shows, I want them to know that we take this seriously,” Matt said. “The audience and performing mean something to us, it’s a whole experience.”
Fairy Bones has been compared to such bands as No Doubt and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, emphasizing the unmistakably strong female lead vocals with edgy hard-hitting sounds to back it up.
These four musicians-turned-friends admit to always putting the band first. While they’re not overly serious, they’re driven. They can be found rehearsing in their living room at all hours, until, as Ben said, “someone faints or vomits,” adding that the neighbors don’t mind the jam sessions one bit.
And, as they say, practice makes perfect. But don’t take our word for it; just watch the band’s music video for “Waiting,” which made azcentral’s “16 best music videos by metro Phoenix artists in 2014,” at fairybones.com/music/dramabot.
Dramabot
“I hope our fans see our passion and that it inspires them in some way or another,” Ciuca said, adding that he can’t wait for fans to hear it.
According to Louise, the contributions of each band member were also crucial in the creation of this album, adding that each member put their own signature touch on this project. Which, in some cases, involved them switching up instruments to create unique sounds.
The album, which was recorded, mixed and produced by a good friend of the band, Bob Hoag, in just two weeks, is a collection of music that spans all genres including reggae, grunge and pop. And, Louise added, that the lyrics draw from past relationships, dreams and “weird late-night thoughts on society.”
Louise, who does most of song writing for the group, said the typical Fairy Bones fan is between 18 and 25 years old. The band also has a strong LGBT following, she said, adding that it is important for her write in an inclusive way.
“I don’t want the listener to feel excluded just because I say a certain pronoun,” Louise said. “Love and heartbreak are genderless emotions that anyone can relate to, regardless of your orientation.”
As a self-described former outcast who has identified as lesbian most of her life, Louise does not enjoy labeling others or herself and wants fans of Fairy Bones to feel welcome.
Staging Success
Similarly, in support of the LGBT community, Fairy Bones played at the 2013 Rainbow Festival and hope to perform at this year’s Pride Festival.
Sharing the stage – and their home – with each other comes easy because these four love what they do. And soon, they’ll be sharing even tighter quarters as they pile into a Ford Expedition and hit the road for their first Midwest tour. The tour will run from Feb. 21 through March 9, and beyond that the band hopes to be on a tour of the east coast before the year’s end.
With their new album already generating a buzz and a new chapter of touring ahead it is clear that this band’s momentum is as dramatic as their stage presence. This will not be the last you hear of Fairy Bones.
Dramabot album release show
7 p.m. Jan. 31
The Rogue Bar
423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Tickets: $7
Meet The Band
Chelsey Louise, 24
Band Role: Singer, piano and “everything else”
Echo: How would others describe your stage personality?
Louise: Dramatic.
Echo: What was the craziest thing you experienced on stage?
Louise: The crowd singing the lyrics to our song “Waiting” so loud that I didn’t even sing into the microphone. Second craziest: falling straight into the drum set while wearing high heels (which I very rarely do, and don’t do anymore).
Echo: Who were your personal musical influences?
Louise: Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain and musicals.
Echo: Why was it important to create Fairy Bones?
Louise: Robert and I started Fairy Bones after the breakup of our previous band. Personally, I grew up with musicals and learned to express my feelings/emotions that way, so I find it almost essential to my mental health to sing and write music.
Echo: What are your personal goals as a member of Fairy Bones?
Louise: Become better at handling money, increase my range and learn how to fix my own instruments.
Echo: What is your favorite track on Dramabot and why?
Louise: It’s a tie between “You and You Again” and “Jack.” They changed pretty dramatically in the studio, so they’re really exciting for me to play live and listen to.
Echo: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Louise: In a mirror.
Echo: Any New Years resolutions?
Louise: Quit smoking and do that thing where people go outside. I heard it’s nice out there.
Robert Ciuca, 24
Band Role: Guitar, bass, synth
Echo: How would others describe your stage personality?
Robert: Well, I like to wear a lot of colors, patterns, and shiny stuff, and I switch between three instruments, so I guess my stage personality is all over place?
Echo: What was the craziest thing you experienced on stage?
Robert: I completely lost my balance playing bass at Rogue the other night and fell backwards in the middle of the song … while wearing a dress.
Echo: Who were your personal musical influences?
Robert: Dave Matthews, Kurt Cobain and Michael Jackson.
Echo: Why was it important to join Fairy Bones?
Robert: Previous bands didn’t work out and it was important to start a new project that I could put more of myself into.
Echo: What are your personal goals as a member of Fairy Bones?
Robert: To make noises no one’s ever heard before and to be the best dressed human in every room I walk in.
Echo: What is your favorite track on Dramabot and why?
Robert: While I think “Butchery” is the best song as far as catchy parts, instrumental arrangements and structure, “Notes from Wonderland” is my personal favorite because it’s such a huge, evil sounding song. It’s great.
Echo: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Robert: Hopefully alive. That’d be nice.
Echo: Any New Year resolutions?
Robert: Be awesome-er.
Matthew Foos, 29
Band Role: Drummer, spiritual leader, constant antagonist
Echo: How would others describe your stage personality?
Matt: Focused, uptight, shirtless, sweaty and loud.
Echo: What was the craziest thing you experienced on stage?
Matt: Watching Robert slowly lose his balance and fall back on his ass, all while in a dress. It was like a slow-motion drag show disaster. I was moved.
Echo: Who were your personal musical influences?
Matt: Everything from ABBA to Zappa.
Echo: Why was it important to join Fairy Bones?
Matt: Because eventually you get to a point in life where you either notice the signs and go for it whole-heartedly or you don’t, and you settle. I chose the former.
Echo: What are your personal goals as a member of Fairy Bones?
Matt: To continue working on myself, and therefore cause less grief to the other members of this band, all while trying to conduct myself in a manner I feel mirrors those who have inspired me.
Echo: What is your favorite track on Dramabot and why?
Matt: Artistically? “Jack” and “You and You Again.” Emotionally? “Demons and Dogs” gets me every time. And, as a narcissistic asshole, “Heat on the Lips,” the one I wrote, obviously.
Echo: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Matt: Still being this, albeit a little more seasoned, with a bit more Clooney magnetism.
Ben Foos, 24
Band Role: Keeping everyone sane (bass/synth)
Echo: How would others describe your stage personality?
Ben: Chef Boyardee.
Echo: What was the craziest thing you experienced on stage?
Ben: Total enlightenment.
Echo: Who were your personal musical influences?
Ben: Bon Jovi and Jesus.
Echo: Why was it important to join Fairy Bones?
Ben: To kick my crack addiction.
Echo: What are your personal goals as a member of Fairy Bones?
Ben: World domination and a bitch’ Jacuzzi.
Echo: What is your favorite track on Dramabot and why?
Ben: “Trinkets” because it makes me moist.
Echo: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Ben: Being the President.
Echo: Any New Year resolutions?
Ben: Take more bubble baths.
