The Claudettes

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Timothy Hiatt

The Claudettes (left to right): Michael Caskey, Zach Verdoom, Berit Ulseth, Johnny Iguana.

press release: The Claudettes fuse Chicago piano blues with the full-throttle energy of rockabilly and punk and the sultriness of '60s soul to write a thrilling new chapter in American roots music. Johnny Iguana pounds the piano alongside seductive singer Berit Ulseth, bassist/guitarist/singer Zach Verdoorn and drummer Michael Caskey. Johnny, who toured for years with his cult-favorite rock band oh my god, is also in the Grammy-nominated groups Chicago Blues: A Living History and the Muddy Waters 100 Band. He has toured/recorded with Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and more and played piano on the new "Chicago Plays the Stones" album featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Buddy Guy. The Claudettes recorded their 2018 album DANCE SCANDAL AT THE GYMNASIUM! (Yellow Dog Records) with Grammy-winning producer Mark Neill (Black Keys, Old 97's, J. Roddy Walston, J.D. McPherson). The Claudettes have recorded a new album with Grammy- winning producer Ted Hutt (Violent Femmes, Lucero, Old Crow Medicine Show, Gaslight Anthem, The Devil Makes Three). Titled "High Times in the Dark," it was released April 3, 2020 on Forty Below Records.

Praise for "HIGH TIMES IN THE DARK," the new album by…

NPR MUSIC                          Chicago's original recipe band…The Claudettes' sonic playing field is the blues and everything after, all tastefully and artfully blended together….Perhaps the band's greatest super power: songwriting.

LA WEEKLY (ALBUM OF THE WEEK)          An absolute gem. The key is the punk-blues piano of Johnny Iguana blended with the gorgeous vocals of future breakout star Berit Ulseth…The band is composed of super talented musicians…But damn, Ulseth’s voice…her work here is captivating…There’s no filler here…enthralling.

STEPHEN THOMAS ERLEWINE, ALLMUSIC             Clever, soulful rock & roll that's rooted in blues, jazz and R&B but veers toward classic pop: music that's designed to be played in the heart of the night but is snappy and catchy enough to shine brightly during the day. A vibrant listening experience that feels fresh even as it flirts with the past. (4 stars; Editor's Choice; one of AllMusic's Favorite Rock Albums of 2020)

NO DEPRESSION                 An ambitious, elegant record, the likes of which are in short supply…what these four have done is no small feat…if (it) doesn't grab you, then I don't know what will.

POP MATTERS                     A particularly potent batch of compositions that highlight the quartet's undeniable chemistry….The Claudettes have stepped comfortably into their finest moment yet.

LOUDER THAN WAR (UK)               Eleven prime fresh cuts of glorious attitude-packed musicianship, with vocals delivered by an angel. Berit's voice is simultaneously formidable and serene & heavenly…superb…achingly beautiful.

BLOG CRITICS       Their challenging, exhilarating sound profits substantially from the piano work and adventurous compositions of Johnny Iguana. But their biggest asset is singer Berit Ulseth, whose captivating vocals variously recall Julie London, Ruby & the Romantics and Blondie’s Deborah Harry…Their inventive fifth album is arguably their best.

BILL KOPP, MUSOSCRIBE               What the Claudettes do is truly special: their music can’t be described in a few words, and it’s so damn good that one doesn’t even want to try. Let the music speak for itself…You’ll hear echoes of blues, R&B, punk and postwar jazz…and it all rocks with an undeniably sophisticated, sexy swagger.

THE ALTERNATE ROOT     Gypsy accents…majestic theatrics…soul-saving boogie…carnival cabaret…'High Times in the Dark' sets up as main stage, big tent, taking the audience away from the troubles of day-to-day life with the merry melodrama of the Claudettes….The band put the bomp into pomp…(A) beautiful mash-up of coordinated chaos.

GLIDE MAGAZINE              A coming-out party for vocalist Berit Ulseth…it's blues-jazz-soul with a vocalist that sings rather than shouts…exceptionally strong and musically rich…the band's fifth release and by far the best yet.

FOLK/TUMBLE (IRELAND)            The unique sound of the Claudettes really finds its feet…a classic noir-infused rock-and-roll record that is full of eccentricity and emotion.

ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER    Chicago's baffling, delightful and utterly unique band…its crowning achievement is packed with memorable melodies, stunning performances, and stories that are witty and wise…a sophisticated, satisfying and quixotically cohesive sound. The Claudettes are grand champions leading a genre of precisely one band.

 NEUFUTUR MAGAZINE    A beautifully bastardized child of cabaret, pop, punk and rock, "High Times in the Dark" is the band’s strongest offering to date.