Agent Ribbons - Chateau Crone (2022)

Reconciling far-flung influences from the slinky vocals of Eartha Kitt to the whimsical post-punk of Dolly Mixture, Agent Ribbons makes its mark with “Victorian punk,” a minimalist take on garage pop with a nostalgic wink. Guitarist/vocalist Natalie Gordon co-founded the group in Sacramento, California in 2006 with drummer/vocalist Lauren Hess. Employing '60s-influenced guitar with cave-stomping drums, Gordon’s bewitching vocals take center stage, delicately layered with Hess’ harmonies. Full-length debut On Time Travel and Romance, self-released in 2006, showcased the band’s unique knack for playfully delivering tongue-planted-sharply-in-cheek lyrics. The following year found the band opening for campy alt-rockers Cake, attracting attention for its raw, theatrical live performances and paving the way for 7”s Agent Ribbons and the Star-Crossed Doppelganger and Your Love Is the Smallest Doll in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Violinist/cellist/vocalist Naomi Cherie rounded out the lineup in 2009, adding elegant flourishes to the musical mélange until her departure in fall 2010. That year found the band touring with Scottish twee pop purveyors Camera Obscura, relocating to Austin, Texas and releasing follow-up LP Chateau Crone. Recorded with Manny Nieto (the Breeders, HEALTH), Chateau Crone thematically took the perspective of different types of women as they navigated romantic journeys, with opening track “I’m Alright” being featured in an episode of hit fantasy TV series The Vampire Diaries in early 2011.