Aurelio Voltaire
Aurelio Voltaire | |
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death rock | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 1998–present |
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Website | www |
Aurelio Voltaire Hernández[2] (born January 25, 1967[3]), professionally known as Aurelio Voltaire or simply Voltaire, is a Cuban-American musician, singer, composer, author, and animator. Known for his gothic style of dress and music, Voltaire is considered a leading figure in the dark cabaret music genre.[4][5] He has released 13 studio albums,[4] including Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children (2011), BiTrektual (2012), and Raised by Bats (2014).[6] He has also created songs for the Cartoon Network animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2001–2007).[4]
In 1997, Voltaire wrote and illustrated the six-issue
Name
In the past, when asked about his real name, Voltaire avoided the question or implied that his real name is in fact Voltaire.[8]
Voltaire chose to use his middle name as his performance name because his namesake "saw through the hypocrisies of humanity and commented on them through satire. In essence, he was able to educate people about the world around them by making them laugh."[9]
According to the School of Visual Arts where he is employed as an instructor, Aurelio Voltaire's real name is Aurelio Voltaire Hernández.[1]
Starting with his 2011 album, Riding a Black Unicorn..., Voltaire added his first name to his stage name, changing it to "Aurelio Voltaire" for the following reason: "I got tired of there being other people releasing albums as Voltaire. There's an indie band in Germany and some American guy who makes instrumental hip hop. Like, do these people not do a fuckin' Google search before naming their bands? Anyway, it was just easier to distinguish myself from them by using my first name."[10]
Background
Aurelio Voltaire's father died when he was four months old. At ten months old, Voltaire emigrated to
Musical style and career
Voltaire's music has strong roots and connections to European folk as well as other influences such as the goth scene.[12] However, many listeners find his music hard to classify. Although it has a sound reminiscent of European folk music,[12] many people claim it to be dark wave; perhaps as this is a label often given to many other artists from Projekt Records, and a word often used to mean many things by the label themselves.[13] His music has also been linked to cabaret, with Lexicon Magazine using the term "goth cabaret", possibly referring to dark cabaret, a term often used to describe some bands Voltaire cites as his influences. Voltaire has also been linked to the steampunk scene with Victorian-era horror related subjects, and some of his visual and music styling, and in recent years he has become a favorite at major steampunk conventions such as the Steampunk World's Fair.[14] New wave has also been used to describe Voltaire's music by some reviewers.[15] Voltaire describes his own music as "Music for a parallel universe where electricity was never invented and Morrissey is the queen of England". He says that bands and artists who influenced his music are Rasputina, Morrissey, Tom Waits, Cab Calloway and Danny Elfman.[16]
The first band that Voltaire played in (during junior high school) was called "First Degree". At this age, he was a fan of Duran Duran, but then began listening to gothic music, most notably bands such as Bauhaus and The Cure. It was not until later that he began participating in the goth scene; it did not at first occur to him that there was a goth scene at all.[9]
As an adult, Voltaire formed a band which included a violin, a cello, drums, and himself as the vocalist and the
One of Voltaire's popular hits is "
As an avid fan of Star Trek, Aurelio Voltaire frequently attends science fiction conventions, and released a four track EP called Banned on Vulcan. It was a set of comedy recordings poking fun at characters from the show.[17]
On the side, Voltaire is also the lead vocalist of a New York City based new wave quintet known as The Oddz.[18]
Voltaire performed a musical special for Artix Entertainment in their MMO game AdventureQuest Worlds, altering some of his songs in To the Bottom of the Sea to suit their standards. Over 32,000 players attended. It was released at 8:00 pm on Friday the Thirteenth of March 2009.
On September 2, 2011, Voltaire released his eighth studio album: Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children. Participating musicians include Rasputina frontwoman Melora Creager on cellos, Brian Viglione on drums, former Bauhaus bassist David J on bass and Franz Nicolay on accordion.
On September 2, 2012, Voltaire released his ninth studio album, .
In 2014, his tenth album,
2022's The Black Labyrinth marked yet another musical departure, veering into a more David Bowie-inspired direction. It not only served as a tribute to the late singer, but also acted as a spiritual sequel to Labyrinth, with a plotline spread throughout its twenty songs. Many musicians who had worked with Bowie throughout his various eras also worked on the album.[19]
Band members
Although often credited and pictured as a soloist,[17] Voltaire has a band. His band occasionally performs in live acts,[20] but does not feature on his live album, Live!.[21] The current lineup is:
- Vocals/Guitar: Aurelio Voltaire
- Violin: Hannah Thiem
- Violin: Maxim Moston
- Violin: Ben Lively
- Cello: Melora Creager
- Drums: Brian Viglione
- Bass: David J
- Horns: The Red Hook Ramblers
- Accordion: Franz Nicolay
- Banjo: Smith Curry
- Tuba: Joe Tuba
Television
Voltaire was hired for his first directing job in 1988 with
After publishing a six-issue comic book series titled Chi-Chian through
He currently teaches stop motion animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, as well as animating, directing, and singing.[3][12]
Voltaire has written two of his songs especially for the TV show The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: "Brains!" and "Land of the Dead".[citation needed]
Appeared on the Discovery Channel series, Oddities, in 2012, buying a "slice of brain" for a music video prop.
On his YouTube channel The Lair of Voltaire, Voltaire publishes the video series Gothic Homemaking, a guide to gothic style.[24]
Film
Voltaire has acted in movies. One movie he appeared in as the character "Verrill", was Model Hunger (2016). He additionally contributed a cameo as the exorcist Altair in The VelociPastor in 2017.
Voltaire will be appearing in visual companion content for American Murder Song as Unwed Henry.[1] The first video featuring his character was released at the 2016 Steampunk World's Fair and later on YouTube.
Voltaire will be co-directing the upcoming horror film, The Demonatrix with co-director Jeff Ferrell. He is also playing the part of Father Veto opposite Hannah Fierman’s dominatrix, Lita.[25]
Art and writing career
In addition to Chi-Chian, Voltaire has also produced a comic book series called Oh My Goth!, also known as OMG!, which started as his own eight-page religious tracts inspired by Jack Chick. Stories include him being chased by minions of Satan as they try to prevent him from playing his next show. These short pieces often led to information about his next show. After two issues of the Chi-Chian series were published, he convinced Sirius Entertainment to publish Oh My Goth!, which included four issues that were later collected into a trade paperback. Voltaire has also made a sequel to the OMG series called Oh My Goth! Humans Suck![26]
Voltaire has also produced a DEADY series as well as releasing books such as What Is Goth? (2004), Paint It Black: A Guide to Gothic Homemaking (2005), and "Call of the Jersey Devil", a novelization of a script of the same name.[26]
In early 2004, for his DEADY comic book, Voltaire signed a deal with Toy2R. The first toy that was created was a 2-inch posable DEADY key chain for the company's "Qee Bear". It was released at
In mid-2013, Voltaire released the novel Call of the Jersey Devil. He is currently writing The Legend of Candy Claws, which is about a bat that steals candy from naughty children on Halloween and gives it to good children on Christmas.
Personal life
Voltaire married his long-time girlfriend, Jayme, on October 1, 2009, at the Angel Orensanz Center in New York City.[28] Voltaire has a son, Mars, from a previous relationship, born in 1998.[9]
On September 25, 2013, Voltaire announced on his official blog, that he and his wife were to be divorced. Saying, "On October 1st of this year, my wife and I would be celebrating our 4th year wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, it's not to be. After nearly four years of marriage and a couple more of dating, we are parting ways. It saddens me so deeply that things didn't work out. It's been a difficult process for both of us to come to this decision, one that I really don't wish upon anyone. Nothing is worse than seeing your best friend in pain."[29]
Books
- Voltaire (2002). Oh My Goth! Version 2.0. Sirius Entertainment. ISBN 1-57989-047-4
- Voltaire (2003). Oh My Goth!: Presents the Girlz of Goth!. Sirius Entertainment. ISBN 1-57989-061-X
- Voltaire, Chris Adams, David Fooden (2003). Chi-Chian: The Roleplaying Game. Aetherco/Dreamcatcher. ISBN 1-929312-03-2
- Voltaire (2004). Deady the Malevolent Teddy. Sirius Entertainment. ISBN 1-57989-083-0
- Voltaire (2004). Deady the Terrible Teddy. Sirius Entertainment. ISBN 1-57989-077-6
- Voltaire (2004). What Is Goth? – Music, Makeup, Attitude, Apparel, Dance, and General Skullduggery. Weiser Books. ISBN 1-57863-322-2
- Voltaire (2005). Deady the Evil Teddy. Sirius Entertainment. ISBN 1-57989-081-4
- Voltaire (2005). Paint It Black – A Guide to Gothic Homemaking. Weiser Books. ISBN 1-57863-361-3
- Voltaire (2007). Deady: Big in Japan. Sirius Entertainment. ISBN 1-57989-085-7[26]
- Aurelio Voltaire (2013). Call of the Jersey Devil. Spence City. ISBN 1-93939-200-4
- Aurelio Voltaire (2013 / 2014) The Legend of Candy Claws
Discography
- The Devil's Bris (1998)
- Almost Human (2000)
- Boo Hoo (2002)
- Then and Again (2004)
- Ooky Spooky (2007)
- To the Bottom of the Sea (2008)
- Hate Lives in a Small Town (2010)
- Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children (2011)
- BiTrektual (2012)
- Raised by Bats (2014)
- Heart-Shaped Wound (2017)
- What Are the Oddz? (2019)
- The Black Labyrinth / A Requiem For the Goblin King (2022)
- The Last Halloween Party (2023)
Compilations
Tracks by Voltaire also appeared on these compilation albums, sorted by year.
- Spooky Songs for Creepy Kids (2010)
1999
- Unquiet Grave #3 (Cleopatra Records)
- Featured a remix of the song "The Man Upstairs".[26]
2000
- Promo 11 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "Anastasia".[30]
2001
- Promo 12 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "Anastasia".[31]
- Tori Amos Tribute: Songs of a Goddess (Cleopatra Records)
- Featured the song "Caught a Lite Sneeze".[32]
2002
- Promo 17 (Projekt Records)
- Featured "The Vampire Club".[33]
- Projekt: Gothic (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "When You're Evil".[34]
2003
- Projekt: The New Face of Goth (Projekt Records)
- Featured the songs "Brains!" and "Goodnight Demon Slayer".[26]
- Promo 21 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "The Vampire Club".[35]
2004
- Strange as Angels: A Tribute to The Cure (Failure to Communicate Records)
- Featured the song "Lovesong".[36]
- Holiday Single 1 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "Peace in the Holy Land", by Voltaire, featuring Unto Ashes.[37]
- Promo 20 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "The Vampire Club"[38]
- Promo 23 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "The Vampire Club"[39]
2005
- A Dark Noel (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "Peace in the Holy Land", by Voltaire, featuring Unto Ashes.[40]
2006
- Dancing Ferret Discs)
- Featured the song "Come Sweet Death", by The Oddz, with Voltaire.[41]
- The Projekt Almost Free CD (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "Cannibal Buffet (Promo Mix)"[42]
- .2 CONTAMINATION: A Tribute to David Bowie (Failure to Communicate Records)
- Featured the song "China Girl".[43]
- Asleep By Dawn Magazine Presents: DJ Ferret's Underground Club Mix#2 (Dancing Ferret Discs)
- Featured the song "Day Of The Dead".
2007
- Almost Free CD 2007.1 (Projekt Records)
- Featured the song "Zombie Prostitute".[44]
2008
- To The Bottom of the Sea (Mars Needs Music)
- Voltaire's first wholly self-produced and self-released album.
- Songs from the album were performed by Voltaire through an avatar in the online game AdventureQuest Worlds.
2009
- Every Machine Makes A Mistake: A Tribute to Radiohead (Failure to Communicate Records)
- Featured the song "Wolf At The Door".
References
- ^ a b "Our Faculty: Aurelio Voltaire Hernandez". School of Visual Arts. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ^ "Voltaire – Biography – IMDb". The Internet Movie Database.
- ^ a b c Hernández, Aurelio Voltaire. "Aurelio Voltaire | The official website of musician, author and Gothic personality, | Biography". NEWS.
- ^ a b c d Fitzpatrick, Molly (October 26, 2022). "It's a Goth Thing: Meet the Martha Stewart for Macabre Homemakers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "David Bowie musicians and producer join Aurelio Voltaire for 'The Black Labyrinth' based on 1986 film 'Labyrinth'". Side-Line Magazine. December 19, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Kendrick, Monica (August 3, 2017). "Aurelio Voltaire gives gothic cabaret the jolt of over-the-top silliness we all knew it needed". Chicago Reader. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ ISSN 1481-1103.
- ^ Johnson, Josh. "An EgoDriven Interview with Voltaire". EgoDriven.net. Retrieved February 13, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e BlackOrpheus. "Salon de Voltaire: An Intimate Dialogue". StarVox music zine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Hey Voltaire, I got a question... – Quentin Mitchell". Facebook. August 18, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ^ Gothic Youtubers VS Depression and Suicide - Gothic Homemaking Presents, retrieved October 5, 2021
- ^ a b c d "Projekt Artist: 'Voltaire'". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on October 20, 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: Darkwave lobby". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on June 11, 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Aurelio Voltaire - FanCons.com". FanCons.com. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ezines. Archived from the originalon March 22, 2002. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ Voltaire. "Voltaire's official MySpace". Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Welcome to Dragon*Con! – Dragon*Con Biography: [ Voltaire]". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on September 5, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "The Oddz' official MySpace". Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "The Black Labyrinth for Media". voltaire.net. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ "Eternal Vigilance – Voltaire and the Skeletal Orchestra Tour Dates 2009". Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – 'Live!'". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Interactive documentary – ‘Hieronymus Bosch: The Garden of Earthly Delights’ Archived September 21, 2020, at the Wayback Machine," European Design. Retrieved December 15, 2016
- ^ "Chi-Chian at Scifi.com". Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ^ "Gothic cabaret mastermind Aurelio Voltaire plays a solo show at Soundbar this weekend". Orlando Weekly. March 29, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ "'The Demonatrix' – Horror Legend Doug Bradley Joins the Cast of Upcoming Horror Movie". Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Voltaire. "Books" (Flash). Archived from the original on March 6, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Newborn Dead: Brooklyn embraces Horror". Fangoria. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ Doe Deere. "Voltaire & Jayme's Goth Wedding". Doe Deere Blogazine. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
- ^ "Aurelio Voltaire | The official website of musician, author and Gothic personality, | Blog : Unhappy Anniversary". September 25, 2013. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – VA – Projekt Promo: PROMO11 / Winter 2000". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – VA – Projekt Promo: PROMO12 / Spring 2001". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: Tori Amos Tribute: Songs of a Goddess". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – VA – Projekt Promo: PROMO17 | 2002.2 ~ SALE $3.98". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: Projekt: Gothic ~ SALE $5". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – VA – Projekt Promo: PROMO21 | 2003.2". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – The Cure: Various Artists – Strange as Angels: A Tribute to the Cure ~ SALE $7.98". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: Holiday Single 1 (in the Excelsis Series)". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on March 27, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – VA – Projekt Promo: PROMO20 | 2003.1". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – VA – Projekt Promo: PROMO23 | 2004.1". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: a dark noel – edition#2 (with Voltaire)". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: Neil Gaiman: Where's Neil When You Need Him?". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: The Projekt Almost Free CD ~ SALE $7.98". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Projekt: darkwave – Various Artists: .2 CONTAMINATION: A Tribute To David Bowie (2-CD)". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^ "projekt.com almost free cd". Projekt Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
External links
- Official website
- Aurelio Voltaire at IMDb
- Aurelio Voltaire at AllMusic
- interview with Sepiachord.com