Goth Polka? Weird Val Releases Darkly Delightful Compilation In Time For Halloween.

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(PressReleasePoint) Los Angeles, Monday 25, 2008 - Veronique Chevalier, the quirky, aristocratic French-American cabaret artist who won The Mad Music Archive's 2007 "Best New Halloween Song", is at it again this season with a full length album featuring a long-overlooked niche - Gothic Polka! Polka Haunt Us is meant as a foray into the untried history of its namesake. Every day is Halloween to Chevalier, putting a darkly amusing, supernatural twist on the traditionally happy music of Oktoberfest. Chevalier's own 2007 "Vampire Surprise" is the bonus track on the album, which is compounded by a myriad of respected artists singing this traditional Central European faire.

Polka Haunt Us is based on authentic folk tales from around the world, lyrics written by Chevalier. Less a novelty project and more an experiment in ethnomusicology, the album is reminiscent of Harry Smith's Folkways recordings for the Smithsonian Trust, or the compilation "Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Fred Rogers" with a Nick Cave "Murder Ballads" twist. Chevalier's new tracks show Polka's storytelling power and give Halloween's tired Monster Mash a run for its money.

Chevalier brings together artists such as: Japanese virtuoso of the Warr guitar, Kai Kurosawa, who is also a member of the Goth-Industrial ensemble Collide; 2007 Grammy nominee, composer and accordionist Alex Meixner; ARIA (Australian Grammy) nominee, Jann Castor; Comedy Central's Gary Shapiro; Disney vocalist Kerry Christensen; Afro-Brazilian percussionist, guest artist for Grammy-winners Olodum- Kirk Brundage; Peter Bing Drejer Sundt Award of Norway winner, soprano- Elisabeth Ekornes; the "Jimmy Hendrix of the Violin"- Lili Haydn; and more who help give new breath to this popular Central European dance music.

Polka, a traditional Bohemian dance music that is still played on the streets and in the pubs of Prague and other European cities, and often during the month of October in North America, has a history of being appropriated by popular composers. In the US, Polka has been turned into mainstream faire by artists such as "Weird Al" Yankovic, and "Alternative Polka" and "Punk/Ska Polka" has surfaced in addition to the Mexican variety "Conjunto-style" and the Mid-western US "Oompah" music which is well known during fall festivals across the states. With the release of Polka Haunt Us, Chevalier revamps the tradition and adds a pleasingly morbid touch, just in time for Halloween!

Polka Haunt Us producer/writer Veronique Chevalier is known as The "Weird Val" of Cabaret, for her hilarious parodies and side-splitting covers. (Imagine if Jim Morrison and Elvira had a twisted, Edith Piaf-like love child). She is the recipient of The Unanimous Choice Award for Best Independent Cabaret Artist by the Los Angeles Music Awards for her benefit recording Cabaret4Choice. Deemed "too extreme for Simon" she was gonged off the first season of America's Got Talent, after only 20 seconds, proving that her gifts are wasted on the masses. Why Spooky Polka? What better vehicle for a MADemoiselle of mixed heritage, (Polish/French/Lithuanian), who grew up attending 13 different schools, whilst traversing the globe?

WEBSITE
http://www.WeirdVal.com

MYSPACE
http://www.myspace.com/polkahauntus (listen to music sample tracks)

PHOTOS
Polka Haunt Us Album Cover Designed by Sammy Boy Designs
http://WeirdVal.com/PR/PHUcdcover.jpg