Vera Deirdre

Vera Deirdre was a three-piece band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The name translates to ?truth and sorrow? and their music exudes this feeling through slow, atmospheric and often melancholic folk songs. The group consisted of Rebecca Schoenecker on vocals and guitar (now making music as Laughing Eye Weeping Eye), Dan Fischer on woodwinds and harmonium and Ken Zanowski on drums. The uncommon mixture of Rebecca's resonant vocal harmonies contrasted by the raspy and gutteral tone of Fischer's...

The band formed in August of 2002 and immediately got to work on their first album, 'Became Flesh' which was released in 2003 on Bottlefed Recordings. Their second full-length, 'Before Morning Arrived' was released in the spring of 2005 and expanded the band's weathered and ethereal sound. The album was recorded over the course of a year and a half and utilized the talents of many in Milwaukee's DIY music community. Initial sketches for the album were recorded with Bill Curtis, who is known for his amazing self-designed preamps. The remaining majority of the album was then recorded and assembled at Milwaukee's own WMSE by the station's lead sound engineer, Billy Cicerelli. Various local musicians contributed to Before Morning Arrived: singer/songwriters Heidi Spencer and Dana Pasko lent vocals; Eric Goznell played bass; and former members of Crime and Judy, Cathy Kolb and India Lathan, added violin and cello. The resulting album displays a southern gothic sensibility as the band surveys the dark and dirty landscape of human frailty, death and hope.
Vera Deirdre was prominent in Milwaukee's local scene for three years. They shared the stage with nationally recognized bands including Rasputina, Clem Snide and Cub Country.