Orpheum Bell

Oct. 11, 2009

Orpheum Bell
Rings in a Big Night in Boyne City

By Kristi Kates 10/12/09

If you’ve seen their name on a poster or marquee, then you’ve probably wondered about the unusual name bedecking this Michigan band. Orpheum Bell essentially means “theater bell” - which perfectly fits the band’s theatrical songs and retrofied stage personas. That doesn’t limit them to mere theaters, though - this multifaceted group gets around town - and well beyond.
“We’ve played all types of venues, from theaters to cellars,” Orpheum Bell’s Serge van der Voo explains, “and the songs and ideas we began collaborating on in Chicago eventually led to forming Orpheum Bell a few years ago. Aaron (Klein) is now the primary lyricist and songwriter for the band; he collaborates with the rest of us as songs are being written.”
Klein (vocals, banjo, ukelele, guitar) is joined in the band by not only the aforementioned van der Voo on bass and percussion, but also Annie Crawford on violin and vocals; Michael Billmire on accordian, trumpet, harp, and mandolin; Laurel Premo on banjo, dobro, cittern, violin, and vocals; and Merrill Hodnefield on violin, autoharp, saw, and vocals.
The term “multi-instrumentalists” may be an understatement.

VINTAGE LOOK AND SOUND
Orpheum Bell bring a complex mix of instruments and arrangements to their songs that’s very unlike most folk-pop music of today, due in no small part to their many talented band members.
“We rely on that breadth in our band lineup to develop a vocabulary that works for our songs and propels the music,” explains Serge van der Voo. Self-describing their sound as “Country and Eastern,” Orpheum Bell also wear vintage clothing onstage that is very unique and authentic in its appearance, complementing the band’s layered sound well.
They continue this look and feel on the packaging for their CDs and other promo materials.
“We like to look and sound our best with an appreciation for our current situation, and for what was done well in the past,” van der Voo says.
Speaking of that past, van der Voo and bandmate Aaron Klein first started the roots of the Orpheum Bell project in Chicago, where they collaborated on some musical projects; and they continued playing music together when they both moved back to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the band is now based.
BELL OF THE BALL
Orpheum Bell are at a Cinderella-like time in their band career, having just completed a new CD which was recorded with co-producer/mixer Jim Roll. Van der Voo says that a three-song connected narrative on the new album especially pushed the band’s musical boundaries, as did the printing of the album itself, which the band did on their own on an old cylinder letterpress using copper plates, power-driven ink, and recycled paper.
In the meantime, their recent trio of shows Up North garnered them plenty of attention
“Carl and Cornelia hosted us at the Dhaseleer Events Barn in Charlevoix for a night of music and potluck dinners,” van der Voo says, “the next morning, several of us got a workout cycling from the barn to Lake Street Market in Boyne City, which was unforgettable - the biking, the scenery, and the lunch. At Farm Fest, the stage had a great turnout this year, and the rain held out through most of the evening. And our very first performance on the Aten Place stage in Boyne was truly stunning. Bill and Maxine hosted a turnout of 230 people. Between the audience’s energy and the stage objects, our sound and presence could not have been any better - it was our best show to date.”

LOCAL HIGHLIGHT
These local performances also snagged Orpheum Bell an invite that will bring them right back to Northern Michigan thanks to a couple of local legends.
Musicians Robin Lee Berry and Tony Williams were so impressed by the band that they invited them to participate in their own special event - a record release performance at Berry and Williams’ Freshwater Studio location in Boyne City on Saturday, October 17, complete with gourmet refreshments provided by popular local spot Lake Street Market.
“We’ll be performing at 8 p.m., and there are so many things to look forward to about that show,” van der Voo enthuses, “cooler temps, Northern fall color, hanging with our newfound friends, the amazing sandwiches at Lake Street Market (I’ve only tried half of them), of course performing that evening - and last but not least, releasing a CD that we’ve worked on for two consecutive years into the wild.”

For more info on Orpheum Bell, visit their official website at www.orpheumbell.com.