Large Fierce Mammal

The macabre has long held uneasy sway over the human condition. From ghost stories to creation myths, from CSI to Shakespeare, from cable news voyeurism to Edgar Allan Poe, subjects of death, murder and all things ghastly have fascinated and frightened for centuries. Songs are no exception. From Old World roots to more recent incarnations in America, the murder ballad has traversed, shapeshifted and persevered. Despite our collective desire to be good and virtuous, people do very bad things. And then we sing about them. ~ Vandaveer – Bio & Media

Source: Vandaveer – Bio & Media

Releasing their debut album in 2007, “Vandaveer is a musical project spearheaded by Mark Charles Heidinger, who also fronts the group the Apparitions and plays bass sporadically for These United States. Unlike his other groups, Vandaveer is primarily a solo project anchored by Heidinger’s voice and acoustic guitar, displaying the influence of such iconic singer/songwriters as Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, though both on-stage and in the recording studio Heidinger is assisted by a number of talented friends and colleagues. For Vandaveer’s debut album, 2007’s Grace & Speed, Heidinger’s accompanists included guitarist Justin Craig, percussionist Robby Cosenza, and Chris Sullivan on clarinet and ukulele, while Vandaveer’s live ensemble usually features vocalist Rose Guerin and drummer Robby Catholic.”  (Source: iTunes)

Vandaveer’s 2013 album Oh Willie Please is comprised entirely of murder ballads, which more than qualifies the Artist’s inclusion here. It was an interview for The Order of the Good Death titled Vandaveer Takes On the Dark, Luscious Murder Ballad “Pretty Polly that first brought this music to my attention.

I’m going to keep it short and anything but sweet by presenting two Vandaveer performances for your enjoyment. Only two here, but don’t let that stop you from pursuing things further on your own!

The first is the afore mentioned Pretty Polly complete with a Deadwood kind of vibe.

Next is a favourite of mine. From the 2011 album Dig Down Deep, here’s Spite; as black a worm as you’ll ever get in your ear.