Folk + Metal = ?

It’s goth, yes. Church bells, rain sounds, moaning, drone. But Chelsea Wolfe’s music manages to avoid the pitfalls of her particularly cliché-ridden genre, making her sonically more kindred to Bat for Lashes than Sisters of Mercy. As influences, she claims Lhasa de Sela, an unconventional (to the point of going unrecognized, mostly) goth if ever there were one; ditto Hank Williams. Looping, chanting, sampling, and other traditions of the pale set serve Wolfe well, but in truth, it’s her fine singing, guitar playing, and songwriting that resonate. A deep experimental curiosity sets her apart from other kids with guitars: Her song “Movie Screen” has a trancey, raga undertone that completely unfits it for the mainstream.

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More About

• Chelsea Wolfe
• Ora Corgan
• Hank Williams
• Bat For Lashes

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Extra Life, Ora Corgan, and Neighbors join Chelsea Wolfe.
Tue., March 9, 9 p.m., 2010