Fairy Bones

By Desi Rubio, Jan. 29, 2015.

Photo credit: Frank Cordova

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

Photo credit: Susan Jordan.

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

The excitement and anticipation surrounding an album release is always a highly anticipated moment. But for Fairy Bones, who funded the Dramabot by raising $5,000 with the help of the crowd funding website indiegogo.com, it’s the fans and friends who made the recording process possible – and for that they’re thankful.

“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

fairybones.com

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