Shadowmerge is the latest music project from veteran Boston guitarist Doug Vargas and singer/poet Marlene Tholl. This ambient darkwave collaboration explores dimensions of ethereal alternative rock, poetry and song. The project is a moody mix of Vargas’ atmospheric guitar, and Tholl’s haunting vocals and emotionally charged spoken word. Shadowmerge delivers elements of dream pop, goth, and new wave -- with a shadowy heart of darkness.
Following up on last year’s introductory EP burn night, Shadowmerge has just released its sophomore recording Weight of Forever. All songs are written by Doug and Marlene and produced by Doug. From the guitar-driven “Different in your Dream” to the noir electronic “Learning to Self-soothe,” Shadowmerge is the dark, insistent fusion of their unique personalities.
Doug first made his name as the guitarist for Young Snakes, a Boston band with collaborator Aimee Mann. He later worked with bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing) and Marydee Reynolds (Chainsuck). His bands have shared the stage with such luminaries as Killing Joke and King Missile and he has added his dark lyricism to a variety of projects, including the darkwave Death in Venice, industrial powerhouse Cxema, power-pop quartet Happy Bunny, euro-trance rock trio Auto 66, and post-punk trio Deception Bay.
Marlene is a writer, singer and theatrical performer/producer. As a vocalist she has appeared on stages as disparate as CBGB and Lincoln Center Out of Doors and has worked with as varied a company of artists, including Joey Pesce (Til Tuesday), Joshua Fried (They Might Be Giants) and Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing). Kore, her solo album of music, poetry and toy camera images, was co-produced with Vargas and received national radio attention when it released. Marlene's distinctive voice will endear her to fans of such singers as Elizabeth Fraser, Beth Gibbons, Natasha Khan and Lisa Gerrard.
Show announcements coming soon!
https://www.shadowmerge.com
https://www.bandcamp.com/shadowmerge/