Steampunk music is an oft-debated genre, full of bands playing all sorts of different sounds. While this can make it difficult to generalize about the genre as a whole, it means that the average person is bound to like at least some Steampunk bands.
That's why it's a great idea to support some independent Steampunk bands this holiday season by buying their music for yourself, or sharing it with someone else.
Toward that end, I've compiled a list of popular independent Steampunk bands, along with direct links to buy their music on either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp, or their official sites. Please share this list, and feel free to add any bands you feel are missing in the comments section!
Bands appearing below are ones that I've either listened to, or seen live. I felt that I couldn't recommend bands I hadn't at least heard! So here they are, in alphabetical order:
The Aeronauts
The Aeronauts describe themselves as "high-energy rock with circus and gypsy flares layered with intense melodic vocals". It's a pretty accurate description!
Eli August
Eli August is able to pluck the strings of not just guitars, but hearts. If crooning is your thing, check him out!
Beats Antique
Frankly, I don't know how to describe Beats Antique, except that they're amazing. Their songs have strong beats, electronic sounds, and a retro vibe. Give them a listen, and you'll understand.
BB Blackdog
This UK band puts the 'funk' in 'Steamfunk'. They have two bass guitars and a lot of funky rock!
Escape the Clouds
Escape the Clouds, the child of Mark Rossmore, creates soundscapes that merge with electronic music to form amazing songs. Many of them tell short Steampunk stories, and are experienced rather than heard.
The Extraordinary Contraptions
The Extraordinary Contraptions, based in Atlanta, GA, bring the feeling of prog rock to the Steampunk scene. Their songs, ranging from ballads to pop numbers, are must-hears!
Frenchy and the Punk
Frenchy and the Punk describe themselves as "an energetic hybrid of European Folk roots, Punk attitude, World Beat eclecticism and traveling player theatricality". All I know is that their music is lots of fun!
The Ghosts Project
The Ghosts Project takes cues from classical music to make haunting, electronic melodies. Paul Mercer plays one of the most expressive violins that I've heard outside of a concert hall.
The Hellblinki Sextet
I'm not sure how to describe Hellblinki, except to throw out words like crazy, cabaret, gypsy, folk, and circus, and hope that some of them stick. Give them a listen, and you'll see what I mean!
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing put the 'punk' in 'Steampunk'. They're everything you would expect from a punk Steampunk band!
Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer
Mr. B is the Chap Hop nemesis (and friend) of Professor Elemental, whose music has a more retro sound in its samples.
Professor Elemental
Professor Elemental is almost more of a personality than a musician, but his Chap Hop songs are legendary in the Steampunk scene!
Strange Artifact
Strange Artifact has the distinction of being the only Japanese Steampunk band! They bring the sound of Japanese rock music to their Steampunk scene, and their sound is extremely professional and polished.
Steam Powered Giraffe
Steam Powered Giraffe is a trio of clockwork robots who can only sing for a while longer before their gears wear out, or something of the sort. In real life, they're an extremely talented trio that plays retro-sounding music, and are a fan favorite among Steampunks!
This Way to the Egress
This Way to the Egress, whose name is a reference to a famous circus scam, describe themselves as a "gypsypunk cabaret". If those words sound appealing to you, then you should give them a listen!
Unwoman
Unwoman is a solo cellist/singer who creates beautiful, haunting, electronic melodies.
Unextraordinary Gentlemen
The Unextraordinary Gentlemen are a post-Goth band turned Steampunk, and bring with them the industrial, synth-heavy sound.
Vernian Process
Vernian Process is a darkwave, prog rock-ish band that incorporates Steampunk and cabaret themes in their music. The end result is an intense, emotional experience.
Voltaire
Aurelio Voltaire is well known in Gothic circles for his emotional, funny, and even insightful songs. However, his recent albums have fallen definitively under the Steampunk umbrella, particularly "To The Bottom of the Sea" and "Riding a Black Unicorn".
Victor Sierra
Victor Sierra is a French band from Paris. Their music is a synth-heavy rock with strong beats and beautiful melodies.
And More?
As I said, I only included bands that I was personally familiar with. If you have any other indie Steampunk band recommendations, please share them!
Also, this list at steampunk-music.com may help you in finding more Steampunk music if you just can't get enough!
Piano photo by TLC Trio
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16 Comments
I love this list. Listened to some of the music on steampunk-music.com. The ones that I listened to that I also enjoyed was Blue Rabbit and Sunday Driver
Great! I haven't listened to Blue Rabbit or Sunday Driver yet, but I'll give them a listen eventually!
Steam Powered Giraffe is hands down my favorite steampunk band.
They're great! They have a really polished sound, and are very professional. =)
I highly recommend 2 bands.
For a vaudeville meets jazz meets circus meets rock feel, check out Ford Theatre Reunion. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-Theatre-Reunion/37586341259?fref=ts
For a little industrial, check out V is for Villains: http://www.reverbnation.com/visforvillains
Thanks for the suggestions! I love the name of Ford Theatre Reunion. Hilarious!
vagabondage1.bandcamp.com is a bit of Tom Waits meets Gogol Bordello in a dusty saloon out west in a time that never was.
rhubarbwhiskey.bandcamp.com is haunting front porch dirge music that sounds as if Sid Vicious and Bill Monroe had a steampunk baby that wanted to sing about drinking and murder ballads.
oaklandwinedrinkersunion.bandcamp.com is stompy steamy folkpunk music for the proletariat complete with Oscar Wilde references.
I've heard good things about Vagabondage, but have yet to actually listen to them. The others I was entirely unfamiliar with, but I'll definitely give them a listen!
Should have linked to the Steam powered Giraffe official site store, not amazon's page.
Wow, somehow I totally managed to miss that they had a store on their site. I have no idea how I did that.
Thanks, I'll go correct the article now. =)
Thanks. They prefer to sell their stuff direct, rather than amazon so that they dont lose amazons fees and can include their amazing art and lyric books with the cds, which amazon's cd sale doesnt include.
Noted!
Pun intended. ;)
Ahem... There is also a certain MAD-emoiselle who comes to mind. :-)
I think this cinematique realm best illustrates her certain je ne sais quoi!
https://www.youtube.com/user/VeroniqueChevalier
She is the Inventrix of Gothic Polka and her "Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation" (or PHU for short) is an apt illustration of the maker spirit of steampunk. She's taken previously unrelated musical genres and merged them into a veritable "Sonic FrankenSteam". Mary Shelley's ears would surely be proud of this inspired cacophany!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/polka-haunt-us-spook-tacular/id293501182
Here is a video of The MAD-emoiselle One Herself performing her underground hit song, "Vampire Surprise", the bonus track on PHU:
Of course! How could I have forgotten?!
Probably because I think of you as more of a writer and a personality than a musician, because I met you outside of the context of music. =)
Thanks for rectifying that omission!
Awww...Merci Monsieur Austin! Vous are so sweet! xoxo
Hello guys.
I'm browsing this website for the first time, and I'd just like to share some music with you. I know it's not really steampunk, but it isn't far off some of the bands listed here, and it's really Waitsian.
Kaizers Orchestra is a norwegian band that, sadly, recently has gone on a hiatus. Their lyrics are performed in norwegian, but they do have a large international cult following. I think you should give them a listen. I recommend the first album "Ompa til du dør". Also, pay a visit to this website: http://kaizers.konzertjunkie.com/.
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