"Gordon Robertson is that guy who could sing the menu at the corner deli an… Read Full Bio ↴"Gordon Robertson is that guy who could sing the menu at the corner deli and still move me."
- Independent Clauses
The Damn Choir’s Gordon Robertson has a saying that encapsulates his worldview. Laughing, he shares it: “I have no problem with God, but I don’t like his fan club.” Robertson grew up with a sincere fear of hell and damnation – he was home schooled in a fundamentalist household, the result of a brother who was cured of an inoperable brain tumor via faith healing. Despite his growing skepticism as a young boy, his fear of eternal flames kept him compliant until high school, when he found music. “I disliked the music in our church because it seemed insincere. I wanted to write a proper hymn about what really goes on.” Robertson’s quest resulted in 25 new songs, pared down to 13 for Creatures of Habit, out February 7th, 2014. Produced by Bryce Goggin (Antony and the Johnsons, Apples In Stereo, Swans, Dean & Britta), it was recorded live to tape at Trout Recording in Brooklyn during the fall of 2013.
Creatures of Habit was mastered by Fred Kevorkian (Willie Nelson, The Walkmen, The White Stripes, Iggy Pop). The album features sparkling tunes with off-kilter rhythms and warm guitar/cello accompaniment to Robertson’s rough-hewn vocals, delivered with a slight quaver that belies his heartache. Standout tracks include the title track, “Radiator,” and “Violet,” named for the producer’s daughter. “Radiator is about a cold, lonely Chicago winter. The song is based on me telling the story of a broken relationship to my broken radiator. The song also touches on the Carl Sandburg's poem ‘Chicago’ with a line I borrowed, ‘The City of Big Shoulders,’ explained Robertson. ‘Violet’ was originally written as a punk rock song—as punk rock as The Damn Choir can get. We were demoing all tracks and sending them to Bryce. He heard the song, and wanted us to change the lyrics and the melody. We changed the whole feel of the song thanks to our new drummer, Marty Kane.”
In addition to his production duties, Goggin also sang back-ups and played keyboards on the album. The band spent months doing pre-production with his guidance, polishing the songs and arrangements. Arriving at Trout, the band was greeted by a large open room (no control room or isolation booth for vocals) and recorded everything live, augmented by Goggin’s array of outstanding vintage gear.
The Damn Choir is Robertson on vocals and acoustic guitar, Katy Myers on cello, Otis “The Bearded Angel” Duffy on electric guitar, Brandon Stein on bass guitar, and Marty Kane on drums. Robertson formed the band in 2009, the year after moving to Chicago from Cleveland; after some early line-up changes, The Damn Choir has solidified into a cohesive unit whose players harbor genuine affection for each other. The band has attracted critical approval, with Chicago blog Gapers Block describing them thusly on the release of their first album You’re My Secret Called Fire: "Elegance. It's the overwhelming quality that’s present in the music of The Damn Choir.”
The son of a Scottish boxer, Robertson exceled at competitive BMX bike racing and soccer before music captured his imagination and the majority of his spare time. A self-taught guitarist, he began by writing songs and performing solo, inspired by artists like Pedro the Lion and Frightened Rabbit. These days he immerses himself in food and wine culture (and will take the sommelier exam soon) as well as being heavily involved in Pit Bull advocacy. The band supports the New Leash on Life foundation, donating $5 of every shirt they sell to the organization.
Guitarist Otis Duffy hails from Garland, TX; his inspirations include wine, Japanese food, and ‘60s psych music. Cellist Katy Myers is from Indianapolis; she has played in many bands, including Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Panoramic and True. Bassist Brandon Stein is from Minneapolis, and loves Fugazi, Squarepusher, Les Savy Fav, and his other band, the Minneapolis Henrys. Keyboardist Gwen Klemenz is the latest member of the band and is a Chicago native. She was classically trained at Loyola University Chicago and loves everything from female singer-songwriters to noise pop. Chicago drummer Marty Kane is also a member of national touring act Dot Dot Dot (who were finalists on Fox TV’s “The Next Great American Band”). He loves punk rock, jazz, and singer-songwriters.
- Independent Clauses
The Damn Choir’s Gordon Robertson has a saying that encapsulates his worldview. Laughing, he shares it: “I have no problem with God, but I don’t like his fan club.” Robertson grew up with a sincere fear of hell and damnation – he was home schooled in a fundamentalist household, the result of a brother who was cured of an inoperable brain tumor via faith healing. Despite his growing skepticism as a young boy, his fear of eternal flames kept him compliant until high school, when he found music. “I disliked the music in our church because it seemed insincere. I wanted to write a proper hymn about what really goes on.” Robertson’s quest resulted in 25 new songs, pared down to 13 for Creatures of Habit, out February 7th, 2014. Produced by Bryce Goggin (Antony and the Johnsons, Apples In Stereo, Swans, Dean & Britta), it was recorded live to tape at Trout Recording in Brooklyn during the fall of 2013.
Creatures of Habit was mastered by Fred Kevorkian (Willie Nelson, The Walkmen, The White Stripes, Iggy Pop). The album features sparkling tunes with off-kilter rhythms and warm guitar/cello accompaniment to Robertson’s rough-hewn vocals, delivered with a slight quaver that belies his heartache. Standout tracks include the title track, “Radiator,” and “Violet,” named for the producer’s daughter. “Radiator is about a cold, lonely Chicago winter. The song is based on me telling the story of a broken relationship to my broken radiator. The song also touches on the Carl Sandburg's poem ‘Chicago’ with a line I borrowed, ‘The City of Big Shoulders,’ explained Robertson. ‘Violet’ was originally written as a punk rock song—as punk rock as The Damn Choir can get. We were demoing all tracks and sending them to Bryce. He heard the song, and wanted us to change the lyrics and the melody. We changed the whole feel of the song thanks to our new drummer, Marty Kane.”
In addition to his production duties, Goggin also sang back-ups and played keyboards on the album. The band spent months doing pre-production with his guidance, polishing the songs and arrangements. Arriving at Trout, the band was greeted by a large open room (no control room or isolation booth for vocals) and recorded everything live, augmented by Goggin’s array of outstanding vintage gear.
The Damn Choir is Robertson on vocals and acoustic guitar, Katy Myers on cello, Otis “The Bearded Angel” Duffy on electric guitar, Brandon Stein on bass guitar, and Marty Kane on drums. Robertson formed the band in 2009, the year after moving to Chicago from Cleveland; after some early line-up changes, The Damn Choir has solidified into a cohesive unit whose players harbor genuine affection for each other. The band has attracted critical approval, with Chicago blog Gapers Block describing them thusly on the release of their first album You’re My Secret Called Fire: "Elegance. It's the overwhelming quality that’s present in the music of The Damn Choir.”
The son of a Scottish boxer, Robertson exceled at competitive BMX bike racing and soccer before music captured his imagination and the majority of his spare time. A self-taught guitarist, he began by writing songs and performing solo, inspired by artists like Pedro the Lion and Frightened Rabbit. These days he immerses himself in food and wine culture (and will take the sommelier exam soon) as well as being heavily involved in Pit Bull advocacy. The band supports the New Leash on Life foundation, donating $5 of every shirt they sell to the organization.
Guitarist Otis Duffy hails from Garland, TX; his inspirations include wine, Japanese food, and ‘60s psych music. Cellist Katy Myers is from Indianapolis; she has played in many bands, including Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Panoramic and True. Bassist Brandon Stein is from Minneapolis, and loves Fugazi, Squarepusher, Les Savy Fav, and his other band, the Minneapolis Henrys. Keyboardist Gwen Klemenz is the latest member of the band and is a Chicago native. She was classically trained at Loyola University Chicago and loves everything from female singer-songwriters to noise pop. Chicago drummer Marty Kane is also a member of national touring act Dot Dot Dot (who were finalists on Fox TV’s “The Next Great American Band”). He loves punk rock, jazz, and singer-songwriters.
Virginia
The Damn Choir Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Virginia' by these artists:
A. J. LeGrand I can almost hear mama callin' out my name The smell…
Andy Suzuki & The Method When the blackest was the night And so ceased it was…
Anna Toledo Eu passo por ali várias vezes Nunca reparei no seu olhar Nun…
Backseat Goodbye well virginia came down the stairs said "i have something t…
Bazan Virginia I had a dream you invited us over You still…
Briston Maroney And so it goes So much faster than it did five…
Bruce Robison You said you'd go just for a year, and I watched…
Camila Pérez Bajo las hebras de su ropa fina Donde su imperio de…
Chantal Cuando sale de su casa Alguien se le acerca "Vamos niña, sub…
Chris Merritt Talking to the old man He says I done screwed up…
Clipse You ready to do this, nigga? You ready to come down…
Cowboy and Indian Un dann dräum ich vun Virginia Musik: Klaus Löhmer -…
Cutz No sé si eres nueva Nunca te he visto aquí Me refresca…
David Bazan Virginia I had a dream you invited us over You still…
Dutch Interior I will wait in West Virginia Where I know the sun…
Ed's Redeeming Qualities It was cold in the house so I slept in…
Elliott Yamin Every story has an ending Ours is just the same We can't…
Emily And The Woods I've been moving too fast, I need to go home I…
Eric Johnson One thing I'll say I will always love you, Virginia…
Estelares Yo te vi asustada de verdad las olas ya no rompen…
Eutha SE TU CHEGASSE E DISSESSE: “PORRA CARA É FODA” METESSE O…
Facing the Gallows It's cold here And I can feel the wind There's nothing left…
Fat Daddy I had to let go and let god all them…
Fickle A toutes ces foules qui marchent sans prendre le temps Qui,…
Frank Palangi I could tell you, time just passed us by cnd those…
Gabriela Jung I cut my arms To kill the sadness And I trust in…
Gene Miller There was a time A time of splendor and grace When the…
Gin Blossoms It's like trying to light a cigarette When the matches you…
Guy Clark Gents to the middle said a young girl's fiddle And you…
Hinano まるで無垢な青空のように あんな無理な傷ついたことだって 何もなかったように 疾走れ まわれ 揺らせ 誰も起きてない街を…
I Said Yes Come to your senses Virginia The water is warm The wine was…
Jeevas Oh sweet Virginia, yeah she is a witch. I worship and…
Jeremy Days Hey rusty sky I've come to say goodbye I see…
John Popper & Friends Lights Out, Let's turn the radio up Because everybody's sing…
Kathryn Rose She wore a locket on a chain She smelled of hyancinth,…
Kevin T. Collins I sent a load to Virginia I took a boat to…
King Konga I know you so well I could make you from scratch My…
Marissa Nadler The waves rush against the folds of my face As I…
Marshall Tucker Band Toy Caldwell I met Virginia two summers ago Up in them m…
Marty Robbins How many roses have faded and died Virginia How many tears…
Mayday You & me love we're naked like two jaybirds Bathing just…
Medulla Virgínia, Bate ponto no conto de fada E as fadas de…
Model M.T. Nie mogę przestać kochać i zapomnieć Cię Ty znikłaś w samotn…
Moor Hound Virginia has a dog named Walter Four states away Six…
MORNING LIGHT Oh I once knew a girl from Virginia She had eyes…
Motel Motel Slowly creeping up on you Ever since I left New York I…
Mrs. Mills' On a cold and rainy morning All of seven years ago I…
MT Nie mogę przestać kochać i zapomnieć Cię Ty znikłaś w samotn…
Oliver Anthony Music I've been pickin' on the same back porch since I was…
Os Mutantes Go away and close the door, please I feel cold, aham Go…
Os Mutantes᠀ Vá embora e feche a porta, Tenho frio Vá embora antes qu…
Patricia Carli Virginia... Virginia... Non jamais, jamais, tu ne pourra…
Pg. 99 / Majority Rule Eighteen lights tore away your sweet eyes Knowing you will…
Pg.99 It's all building up, bottleneck backbreak, backstabbing ste…
Prism Summer leaves are gone and the time has come For the…
Ron Pope I grew up in the kind of place you have…
Roxx Gang It's been a year since I've seen Virginia Been a year…
Scott Matthews Home is where your heart is forever yearning Hope bears the…
Team Teamwork [Pharrell] You ready to do this, nigga? You ready to come do…
The Deep Dark Woods Oh Virginia she only wants me in the summer, In the…
The Head And Heart Virginia don't sound like she used to Walking home late Smok…
The Jeevas Oh sweet Virginia, yeah she is a witch. I worship and…
The March Divide When I see you smile, I get excited & Sure it's…
The Marcus King Band She like a shot of ginger in her whiskey Drink moonshine…
The Marshall Tucker Band Toy Caldwell I met Virginia two summers ago Up in them m…
The Morning Light Oh I once knew a girl from Virginia She had eyes…
The Nines Way back in '75 Packed my bags never making a plan Left…
The R.G. Morrison Ed è in questi momenti che mi manca una parola,…
Tori Amos In the lush Virginia hills They kept her as long…
various artists Home is where your heart is forever yearning Hope bears the…
Vic Chesnutt Virginia, Virginia, she's a beautiful queen She rules with …
Vuokko Hovatta Olen tullut tähän jäänyt jumiin näytösten väliin puiden ok…
Whiskey Myers Earthquakes and Hurricanes And slow movin' freight trains Gi…
Zé Felipe Chegou dando pedrada no retrovisor Meteu o canivete no pneu …
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The Damn Choir
Thank you very much Mason. We had a great time at that show
macapplecam
What a great song and video, keep it up!
Mason Hutchens
I saw you guys open for Grouplove last Friday and I gotta say, you were incredible
Sally Henderson
You guys are great!!!!
Ascended Meth Enjoyer
how tragic that this evocotive, stirring work of beauty has only a few thousand hits while the most lousy, most dettestable junk will see millions of hits. Keep this up. Its musicians like this that instill in me the hope to continue my search for new music.
PaulyVIPExperience
Blowing my mind brother! Patrick KICKASS Video!
fiberbeads
Beautiful :)
Steffanie Fuller
love the time lapses =D
The Damn Choir
Thank you very much
Patrick Brown
@PaulyVIPExperience Thanks man! We'll try to top it with the next one