Tales of insect love affairs and murder most foul, parties with the dead and romances played out in foggy London streets. The music of Mark Alder and The Baudelaires is a curiosity; is it big band jazz? Vaudeville? Or perhaps that old well-worn chestnut, ‘indie’? Might there even be the merest hint of...*whisper it*....music theatre...lurking in its darker corners? Perhaps a little history will help. The story begins with our hero traipsing around the Brighton circuit, acoustic guitar in hand; peddling his Buckley-esque wares to whomever will listen. He is well received, it is true, with support slots for Nemo Jones, The Hat, and Lamb raising his profile along the South Coast. But young Alder is not content. An epiphany comes one evening at a show. Mark is second of four young crooners, all pushing the same story; love, heartbreak, redemption. Love heartbreak redemption. Loveheartbreakredemption round and round and round until the words lose all meaning. Mark is aghast. He races home with two thoughts; firstly, to write songs of a style he has never before tried and secondly, to write songs about subjects he has never before touched on. First up comes Moth, a swing jazz tune telling of passion between man and insect! Next, Dawn of the Dead, a party in hell with a Vaudeville stomp! The ideas and songs keep coming and soon it is time to release them to the public... But to do so a band is needed. A relocation to London is made and long-time writing partner Sam Clemens is called in as occasional guitarist, drawing the riffs out of the melodies Mark has pulled together. An early demo of ‘Stars’ wins the band ‘Single of the Week’ award at BBC Berkshire’s ‘Session Introducing’ and Mark continues to develop his vocal style to fit the new genres he is toying with. Thomas Cartwright is recruited on bass. His jazz knowledge and quirky stage presence make him a must and an instant hit on the live circuit. Then, finally, comes Ben Wren, a drummer able to shape and shift Mark’s tunes into creatures even the songwriter himself doesn’t recognise, thus throwing an unexpected twist into the whole affair. The band progresses, supporting Chas and Dave, Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band and playing many of London’s most popular venues; The Monto Water Rats, Cafe 1001, 93 Feet East, The Hope and Anchor, The Betsy Trotwood and many more. Now though, it is time for Mark Alder and The Baudelaires to present their first album, Fiasco. Recorded at randomcolours studio, one time home of Stolen Records, this long-player pulls together the sounds of a band beginning to find their voice. With influences including Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Clash and Tom Waits, plus Mark Alder’s idiosyncratic writing style, the result is an astounding blend of genres and ideas. Exciting, ambitious and occasionally bonkers, we hope you find something to enjoy in this little selection. If you do, please do let us know. Mark Alder and The Baudelaires info@markalder.com