An Organ Thing of The Day? Well there is always The Charmers, for artist Anne Robinson just said “It is here!!! The Charmers four track, EP Not to be Found, released today”

Today is April 17th. Four rich dark pieces of music, deliciously folk flavoured, some of it beautifully, hauntingly sung, some of it almost spoken, or whispered, all of it rather otherly – Pertaining to something or someone else; different – earthly, disturbing maybe? Spiritual, powerful, intriguing…

“The Charmers is an art project and band which draws on research by artist Anne Robinson into the Scottish ‘witch’ trials of the 17th century: known to be amongst the most brutal in the world. During archival investigations, she found scrolls recording seven accused ‘witches’ in Ayrshire, as ‘not to be found’ – apparently fugitives. From these fragments, using ‘critical fabulation’ and experimenting with songs, film, and performance, the work developed around a ‘sci-fi folk ballad’ and time-travel through queer history! The accused ‘witches’ abscond using the very conjuring they are accused of: transported away out of their cells to form a band, on tour with their familiars to historical moments of transformative rebellion – levellers’ meetings, molly houses, cabaret, disco protests… Coming soon.. The Charmers! is an art project in diverse forms: films, drawings, sound, broadside ballads, workshops and conversations”.   

You can find the EP via Dimple Discs, available from Bandcamp as a digital download or a 12” limited edition slice of wholesome vinyl, for it is rather wholesome.

“The Charmers are a (possibly fictional) band, formed by seven queer time-travelling, accused ’witches’ from 17th century Scotland who got away…”. They are, Debbie Smith: Electric Guitars and Arrangements, Tansy Spinks: Electric Violin/Violin, Maggie Nicols: Vocals and Piano, Jo Gate-Eastley: Bass, Lisa Lux: Drums and Anne Robinson: Vocals. All material composed by Anne Robinson.

The Vinyl will also be available with other merch at forthcoming gigs. The band touring in 2025 are: Debbie Smith: Electric Guitars, Tansy Spinks: Electric Violin, Debbie Armour: Vocals and shruti box, Lisa Lux: Drums, Anne Robinson: Vocals, lead visual artist and films.

Dates

Saturday 26th April : Messed Up Folk at Triangle LGBT Cultural Centre, London – sold out already though
Thursday 12th June: Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
Friday 13th June: Cutty Sark Centre, Ayr, Scotland
Thursday 3rd July: Beaconsfield Contemporary Art, London

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