Faith and the Muse

Faith and the Muse
Origin United States
Genres Gothic rock, dark wave
Years active 1994–present
Labels Metropolis Records, Danse Macabre Records
Associated acts The Eden House, Shadow Project, Strange Boutique, Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, Anima Mundi, Conflict
Members William Faith and Monica Richards

Faith and the Muse is an American gothic rock/darkwave band composed of two musicians, Monica Richards and William Faith. Their music encompasses many genres, from folk-style songs to darker compositions, drawing on many sources and influences, notably Dead Can Dance. The band's name was inspired by Faith & Disease, upon formation of the band William Coulter adopted the pseudonym William Faith to correlate with the band name. Richards is the primary singer, although Faith sings one or two tracks on each album. Their influences include dark alternative, gothic rock, Celtic, and other folk influences. Welsh and Irish mythology have often served as inspiration to many of the band's songs.

Biography

Monica Richards, a native of Washington, D.C., is a musician/artist/poet/scholar. She met William Faith in 1993 when her band, Strange Boutique, opened for Shadow Project in Norfolk, VA. Before starting Faith and the Muse, both had had experience in the gothic rock and post-punk culture of the 1980s. Richards had sung for the band Strange Boutique, while Faith had performed with gothic/death rock icons Masquerade, Shadow Project, Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, and Sex Gang Children. Faith and the Muse was started in 1993 with Richards and Faith exchanging tapes while Richards was still living on the east coast. Shortly thereafter she moved to Los Angeles where the duo is still based.[1][2]

They recorded their debut album Elyria in March 1994, following it in 1995 with the concept album Annwyn, Beneath the Waves, based around Welsh mythology. The band followed this up with an extensive touring schedule, playing with both guest musicians as a full line-up and as an acoustic duo - the latter tour documented on the Vera Causa album in 2001.

Their third album, Evidence of Heaven (1999), marked the end of the first creative phase of Faith and the Muse. They then modernised both their image and their overall sound, the result appearing on their 2003 album The Burning Season - their first on Metropolis Records.

They have toured extensively in North America and Europe, and performed at major alternative events such as the 13th Convergence festival and several Whitby Gothic Weekends. Their live performances feature a full band with a rotating line-up of live musicians.

Outside of the band, Faith and Richards are permaculture designers who are actively working to retrofit their home into a practical example of a sustainable suburban homestead.

Richards has also recently been active contributing vocals to The Eden House - a collaborative musical project initiated by Tony Pettitt (formerly of Fields of the Nephilim and Rubicon) and Steve Carey (formerly of This Burning Effigy) and involving a varied collection of guest musicians and vocalists.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Faith and the Muse, bio at Allmusic. Accessed on line December 4, 2007.
  2. ↑ Faith and the Muse, bio at Metropolis Records. Accessed on line December 4, 2007.

External links

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