We Say…
Based out of Queens, New York, Majorette is the performance moniker of, “twee-extraordinaire”, Danielle Salomon. Promising a project that’s, “sappy but snappy”, Danielle began Majorette as a Bedroom Pop project, recording demos on a 1986 Yamaha PSS 270, but has subsequently expanded with various collaborators serving to bring her hazy musical memories to life. With a new EP, Forever Starts Tuesday, arriving at the end of January, today, with a show tonight in her native Queens, Majorette shared the first taster of the project, in the shape of the new single, One Glove.
The first new Majorette material this year, One Glove is the latest example of Danielle’s ability to bring back indie-pop in its truest form, the track simultaneously channelling the spirit of noughties heavyweights like Tilly & The Wall or The New Pornographers alongside the genre’s trailblazers Tallulah Gosh and The Field Mice. Starting with a skittering almost militaristic beat, the track slowly builds via layers of vocals, string flourishes and bell-like guitar chimes in what Danielle describes as, “a reverse strip tease”. It’s something of a reverse on the song’s themes, which find Danielle selling off her clothes to make ends meet, before concluding, after a lost mitten and, “an ill-fated water park incident”, with the cheekily crushing final line, “looks like this year, I’ll be completely nude”. A stunning reminder of the timeless quality of indie-pop, Majorette drag the genre back into the limelight and reminds us all that when it’s given this much care and attention it’s a sound that still can’t be beat.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who is Majorette?
Majorette is the project of Danielle Salomon elevated by the collaboration of Eli Recht-Appel on guitar (Diamond Grinder), David Ball on percussion (Red Bud, Reclining Nude, Fair Visions), Bianca Butler on bass, and Chris Williams (destroy me.!), on violin.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
The first ever show I played of my own songs was in 2015, before I was going by Majorette. I was still doing classical music so I was super worried about being prepared and on time and I had no idea how to do a sound check or use a microphone really. I was equally terrified and excited and I wore a little velvet suit with shorts and a floppy bow tie- I think I was in a vaudeville phase, that’s probably still going on. In spite of all of this, I survived the set and some total strangers were even complimentary. I felt so happy and fulfilled that I thought- “I can die now!”
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
I am definitely interested in other art forms, but my love of music has always been at the top! I studied opera and other kinds of performance in college and grad school, but there is nothing better than crafting your own song out of thin air and then hearing it transformed by other musicians. I make my costumes for the shows and I also really love making music videos, like One Glove! Videos are amazing because I can create a visual world as well as a sonic one, and the collaborative aspect is totally thrilling.
I worked with the same creative team on Crockpot and One Glove; Paul DeSilva directing, Martin Parsekian as the cinematographer filming on 16mm, Mike Culhane doing lighting and building the sets, and scenic design by the incredible Elizabeth Chaney. I am so inspired by these artists and I have never been more proud to be a part of something.
FTR: What can people expect from the Majorette live show?
Short catchy songs, jokes, hand made costumes, and a stellar five piece band that will hopefully leave you wanting more and wondering what happened to your wallet!*
*Majorette does not support pickpocketing.
FTR: What’s next for Majorette?
Our debut EP; Forever Starts Tuesday, comes out on January 23rd! The release show will be at the Knitting Factory with Strawberry Runners and Trace Mountains on January 25th. We are also playing the Favorite Friends Holiday Show on December 16th at Our Wicked Lady! After that we have plans to record more songs in the spring and shoot another video in the summer.
They Listen To…
Roger Miller – Lou’s Got The Flu
Roger Miller is my ultimate songwriting inspiration. He is so funny and clever and also heartfelt and I feel like he is my friend. I picked this particular song because the line “Good ain’t forever and bad ain’t for good” inspired the title for the EP; “tomorrow is forever and forever starts Tuesday”
Joe Meek – Don’t Wanna Know
I love Joe Meek’s space age pop sounds and definitely wanted the EP to have a bit of a retro futuristic feel to it.
Magnetic Fields – Why I Cry
Stephen Merritt is also a huge inspiration to me- I love his lyrics, I love his arrangements and melodies. I have listened to this song too many times to count.
Diamond Grinder – Skeleton
I love Diamond Grinder, not just because Eli Recht-Appel also plays guitar in Majorette! Great songs! This track even has a lyric about a winter glove, so I had to include it!
Katie Von Schleicher – Montagnard People
Totally honored to have had Katie von Schleicher record our EP and her cockatiel Ursula lay down some vocals on One Glove. I love the lyrics and arrangements on her new album; A Little Touch of Schleicher in the Night.
Forever Starts Tuesday is out January 23rd. For more information on Majorette visit https://campsite.bio/majoretteband.
For The Rabbits 
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