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MRS DANVERS

"You have something to say and people wanna hear it." - Meshell Ndegeocello March 13, 2009, Berklee College of Music Performance Clinic


"MRS DANVERS is a delightful primo like al dente, buttery powerpop pasta with juicy lyrics and plump musicianship." - Cheap Thrills Boston


“Contrary to our sweaters, we hope to rock out tonight,” announced Mrs Danvers frontwoman Ann Driscoll as the cardigan-clad 5-piece launched into a set of sexed-up pop rock at Church on Friday. The irony of a band of women playing their songs about undressing other women at a venue of such faux-holy nature was not lost on the ladies (“How many times has that joke been made at this venue?”). Mrs Danvers is a self-identified queer band, and unapologetically so, but rely on their music rather than gimmicks to garner attention. They back up their powerful hooks with harmonies that are at once a throw back to retro girl groups and a loving reference to their more modern favorites, Tegan and Sara. A one-woman horn section and a capable synth player/programmer enable them to stray from within the confines of more straightforward dance rock, exemplified by songs like the sultry, calypso-infused “Wicked One” as well as the various tracks in their catalog that lean a little more disco than rock and roll.


Regardless of their stance on organized religion, it was easy to see that that Mrs Danvers has a bit of a cult following, with fans yelling out song names (“Honey Brown” was a favorite among requesters) and ardently dancing along. The band paid their respects by offering up both new material and old favorites, and even incorporating an audience member’s name into a song (I was unfortunately too slow in raising my hand when they asked who had a two syllable name).

- TeaParty | boston


MRS DANVERS, “[one] of Boston’s favorite indie bands” (The Weekly Dig) formed in 2009 and has been packing storied clubs like the Paradise and the Middle East with a steadily growing and devoted fan-base. Borrowing their moniker from the sinister maid in Hitchcock’s Rebecca, the indie dance/rock buzz band (Ann Driscoll, Steph Barker, and Dhy Berry) win over diverse crowds of music listeners with their blend of 60’s-inspired melodies, funk-electro dance grooves, and rich keyboard and vocal arrangements – all performed with infectious onstage energy and the musicianship you’d expect from three music school grads. Earning comparisons to The Strokes and Metric, MRS DANVERS write and arrange impeccably crafted pop that veer from dark and emotional disco-rock (“What Did I Do”; “Nicol”) to tongue-in-cheek funk (“Club Manderley” and “Honey Brown”) to jangly 60′s pop (“Jamie” “Can’t Help It”).

MRS DANVERS began as a band name idea scrawled in a notebook during a college film course on Hitchcock. “It struck me as a great name for an all-girl band and I became obsessed with the idea of it years before it actually happened,” front-woman and guitarist, Ann Driscoll explains. Inspired by the attitude of riot grrl bands and the pop sensibilities of groups like Beatles, The Strokes, and Metric, Ann Driscoll’s dream became a reality two years later while studying at Berklee College of Music, where she befriended a close-knit group of fellow female musicians and asked them to join MRS DANVERS: Steph Barker (drums), and Dhy Berry (bass).

Immediately, MRS DANVERS’ high-energy live show clicked with audiences, and they earned opportunities to perform in front of hundreds at Boston Pride Festival main stage and the Boston Dyke March, eventually opening for national acts like Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) and The Cliks. The band was invited to play at Harvard, Emerson, Wellesley, and Simmons Colleges and has begun to develop a following in New York City, where the band splits their time. Their music and following has garnered MRS DANVERS buzz from blogs and publications such as The Weekly Dig, TeaParty | boston, Boston Band Crush, Cheap Thrills Boston, Bay Windows and Metro. Mer+ge clothing, a t-shirt company, which specializes in graphic tees with a message, responded to the band’s empowering music and diverse lineup, and sponsored the band. In the fall of 2009, MRS DANVERS released their debut EP, “WHAT DID I DO.” This past winter, MRS DANVERS released their second EP, a self-titled sampler from their forthcoming full-length LP. Their CD’s are available for purchase at MRS DANVERS shows and digitally on iTunes and other online retailers.


Members:

Annie D: Lead Vocals, Guitar

Dhy: Bass, Synth, Vocals

Steph aka The Italian Stallion: Drums



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General Info

  • Genre: Indie / New Wave / Pop

    Location BOSTON, Massachusetts, Un

    Profile Views: 52088

    Last Login: 2/24/2012

    Member Since 12/22/2008

    Website www.mrsdanvers.com

    Record Label unsigned

    Type of Label Unsigned

  • Bio

  • Members

    Annie D: Lead Vocals, Guitar Dhy: Bass, Synth, Vocals Steph: Drums
  • Influences

    New Wave, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Tegan and Sara, The Strokes, Bikini Kill, Of Montreal, Radiohead, Me'shell Ndegeocello ..
  • Sounds Like

    Metric, The Beatles, Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand

Contact

Booking: booking@mrsdanvers.com

Press: press@mrsdanvers.com

All other inquiries: contact@mrsdanvers.com

Stream

  1. MRS DANVERS

    I posted a new photo to Facebook http://t.co/h4ddIeie

  2. MRS DANVERS

    Boston Youth Pride ! http://t.co/dOZbxHjd

  3. MRS DANVERS

    is NOT playing tonight at Cameo w/ MRS DANVERS. Had to cancel because of scheduling conflicts/life circumstances.... http://t.co/DCEw1aZI

  4. MRS DANVERS

    Pre- - Traveled by plane, car and bus to get to Texas and back for SXSW. We drove through Ohio, Kentucky,... http://t.co/PEm7rQLW

  5. MRS DANVERS

    We've been driving for 35 hours on 3 hours of sleep. Almost home!

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