Voltaire – Artist Spotlight
Voltaire, not your old time French writer… This Voltaire happens to be none other than Aurelio Voltaire Hernández, singer, songwriter, cartoonist, writer, animator, television director,
Photograph of singer/author/animator/personality Voltaire, performing live at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco.
This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons ShareAlike 2.0
and professor at New York’s School of Visual Arts…. a jack of all trades if you will. Take a look at his website and check out all the books he has written, the films he has done, etc. In any case, this man is talented, and one of my favorite musicians, he deserves a spotlight. 🙂 Here is a great interview with Voltaire on Ego Driven.
I have enjoyed spreading the “Voltaire Addiction” as my friends call it, to the world as much as possible. I hope to accomplish that mission with this post even more so. Let’s continue, shall we?
Voltaire Genered
Some people have asked me numerous times what genre I would classify Voltaire into. That is not an easy answer. He has fans that include your average Goth and Steampunk. He is touted as being the genres of Dark Cabaret, dark wave, folk, Gothic, symphonic rock and soft rock. I think we should throw Steampunk into that mix, but that is mainly because of all the Steampunks that love him. He is actually played on a few Steampunk radio stations.
Voltaire’s Music
So now you would like a sample of his music, I am sure. It is hard for me to pick just a few songs to share with you, I love them all… I have his CDs (9 of them to be exact) and am looking forward to the new one Raised By Bats that will be released soon. Voltaire is a staple in my cd collection and will stay that way each cd he releases. 🙂 If you enjoy what you are hearing, please hit his website music page and pick up a cd or three. 🙂
From the 1998 album, The Devil’s Bris, my favorite song from the album… one that I still use now as a closer/theme song at certain sets.
From the 2000 album Almost Human… This is a live version.
From the 2002 album, Boo Hoo, I can’t pick one so you get four featured songs.
Ok so you are getting the Twilight Live Version… Very comical!! “You better not sparkle in my vampire club”. This version is actually from the 2010 album SPOOKY SONGS FOR CREEPY KIDS
I TOTALLY adore this song… Voltaire and Poe in one. This man is just GENIUS!!
Next up, the 2004 album Then And Again. The song I have decided to share here is “Good Night Demon Slayer”, a song he wrote for his son, and another song I often close a set with.
From 2007 album Ooky Spooky Another live version… I love him live!!
The greatest birthday song of all time, from the 2008 album To The Bottom Of The Sea
From 2010 album Hate Lives In A Small Town
From the 2011 album, Riding A Black Unicorn Down The Side Of An Erupting Volcano While Drinking From A Chalice Filled With The Laughter OF Small Children… I picked this song to show the hint of Steampunk. 🙂
Finally, from the 2012 album BiTrektual… I have picked this one because I am a HUGE Dr. Who fan… This whole album is geekily brilliant. He doesn’t have it on his website for sale yet, but if you would like to buy it….
In Conclusion
As you can see, Voltaire is multi talented and multi genered. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and listening to his music as much as I did putting it together. Now go forth… SPREAD THE ADDICTION!!
Niiice tunes! He totally went under my radar until now.
Had I known that, I would have spammed you with him sooner. I hope you enjoy his tunes!
Badass post he is an amazing artist
Always imagine frantic piano music and a damsel tied to a train track when i see him.
Also a fav of mine, though I still wonder about the typo in his one album and who these “other” Bri’s are… 😉
LOL… I like your analogy of him. If you don’t know what a bris is… look it up, I am not going to explain it to you. Thank you for your comment!
oh I knows just don’t not to think about it too much *winces*. Much prefer “The Devils Bri’s”.. Imagine it like a Charlies Angels kinda thing just more kick ass 😉
I became a fan of Voltaire also. He is a very talented artist!
He is, very much so. Not just at music. Did you take a look at all of his talents on his website? He awes me. Thank you for commenting!