Borderville

Borderville are a four-piece cabaret rock group from Oxford. Their current line-up forms in early 2008 with the aim of combining theatrical performance, glamour and classically influenced arrangements with heavy noise.

Line-up and background

The band features a former drag queen on vocals, an electronica player and member of Keyboard Choir on keys, a conceptual artist who makes creatures from bones and skin on bass, and a drummer taken from the orchestra pit of a production of West Side Story. The act presents itself as coming from the semi-fictional town of Borderville.

Style and performances

Their music is described as cabaret rock with gothic, punk and glam elements, built around intricate arrangements and dense layers of sound. Their live performances are noted for theatricality and for drawing comparisons with Jacques Brel, The Birthday Party and David Bowie. They play shows around the country and appear at Oxford’s Truck Festival, and they also support acts such as Guillemots.

Recording

Their debut album, Joy Through Work, is recorded and produced by pianist Tom Woodhouse. It is a concept album and is described as wide-ranging in sound, with a heavy, layered approach.