Austin blues-folk band Monarchs perform a sultry version of ‘A Love Alive’ inside a church. [VOYEUR MUSIC VIDEO]

2010 November 11

tags: Celeste Griffin, Monarchs, music video, Stubb's

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Our “Voyeur Video” series is a lot like porn for music lovers. Shot in one take at locations around the city, the videos are intimate, stripped down and raw-nothing like traditional live performances. Enjoy!

Last summer, we caught up with Celeste Griffin from the Monarchs while they were recording their new album [Check out 'Take an enchanted hike with Austin chanteuse Celeste Griffin from blues-folk band Monarchs"]. Well, recording has finished, and now the band is working on mixing and mastering the album. Look for the final result early next year. In the meantime, fans of Celeste’s sultry voice can get their fix in today’s Voyeur Video.

There’s something gritty and soulful in Celeste’s voice. In the South, you might call it stank. Here’s how I described it back in July:

Celeste’s voice is an interesting one. There’s a sort of salty soul that carries you into the Deep South, like you’ve just had a batch of collard greens cooked in bacon. It’s got a hint of Janis Joplin, but without all the heartbreak and Jack Daniels; instead, Celeste’s voice fills you with light and hope. Plus, Celeste ain’t no East Texas coastal girl like Janis; just like the bacon in those collard greens, her saltiness comes from her Alabama upbringing.

LISTEN: “Move On Out” by Monarchs from “Those Words, Those Frames”
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It took a lot of searching to find a place that’d fit Celeste’s unique sound. In the end, we settled on the chapel at St. Davids Episcopal Church downtown. With its stained glass windows, rows of pews and giant organ, it helps set a soulful mood. It’s a little too clean, so when you watch the video, picture it crumbling in a swamp, covered in moss and vines, and you’ll pick up on the perfect vision.

In the video, Celeste sings ‘A Love Alive’ off the upcoming album. Produced by Mike McCarthy of Spoon and Heartless Bastards fame, the song starts off slow and soulful. For me, I picture a small one-bedroom cabin in the 1940′s. It’s a steamy summer night, and a young girl is waiting for her lover. She’s got some candles lit and a blues record on an old player. When her lover walks in, he gets excited because he thinks he’s gonna get some. As the song goes on, however, you realize this girl is ready to drop an ultimatum: We’re either together or we’re not. She needs full commitment-but is she ready?

This song has a great build to it. I love seeing the band break it down in the end: Celeste pounding on the Steinway, Van Hollingsworth ripping into his acoustic guitar and Josh Halpern shaking the tambourine like his hand’s on fire.

Monarchs - “A Love Alive”

Monarchs are playing TONIGHT at Stubb’s. You’ll also be graced with Frank Smith and Dana Falconberry both performing before Monarchs go on.

EXPERIENCE: “Monarchs w/ Frank Smith & Dana Falconberry” (Thursday, 11.11.10); Stubb’s Indoor (801 Red River St, 78701); 8P-MID; $5 w/DO512 RSVP, $7 at the door Facebook Event