You might know her as the author of the racy, humorous novel, Nookietown, but V.C. Chickering has also made a name for herself fronting Tori Erstwhile & The Montys, a band comprised of SOMA residents who play original tunes and describe their sound as “Nellie McKay/Doris Day meets Jon Prine/Flight of the Conchords.”
The band is back, with a new gig, a new song — and a new Monty. Catch them on Saturday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 8) at the Elks Club in South Orange.
Get your tickets HERE. Check out more about the band on Facebook.
Montys include locals Dave Shields (piano), Nahum Kianovsky (guitar), Jon Ward (drums, uke, banjo) and Dave Mulewski (upright bass) with songwriter and singer, Tori O’Connell, at the snappy banter. Genres include: Alt. Bluegrass, indie pop, olde-tymey, Latin, gypsy jazz and slow funk.
It promised to be toe-tapping, babysitter-worthy fun, a cozy cabaret-seating evening of original songs with unpredictable lyrics, says Chickering. Tori Erstwhile & The Montys transforms the Elks Club into a “cozy magical fairyland”: relax, enjoy the music and a beverage or two.
“What’s better than good music that makes you laugh?” asks Chickering. Answer: not much.