The Damn Choir‘s use of guitar, cello, vocals and drums, along with Gordon Robertson’s introspective lyrics, create songs that range from meandering and melancholic to pulsing and vengeful.

The Damn Choir began in January of 2009 on a freezing and fated night in Chicago. Gordon Robertson sat slumped at the bar, drowning his post-horrific-break-up dejected self in whiskey and happened to meet cellist Katy Myers. Although at first Myers rejected Robertson’s musical advances, eventually she gave in and agreed to give him a chance.

Within weeks the two were musically inseparable and involved in an (arguably unhealthy) co-dependant friendship. After playing for months under the name, “Gordon and Katy,” the two recorded an album, “Faithful Fools,” re-named the band, and began the journey that would lead them to eventually recruiting Ryan Farnham on drums, Otis Duffy on electric guitar, Brandon Stein on bass, and Jack McClain on percussion.

Recently, with the band in place, The Damn Choir has made the most of Chicago’s long winter by filming a labor-intensive stop motion music video for their song “Noah” and recording their second album entitled “You’re my Secret Called Fire.” This album continues where “Faithful Fools” left off, with similar themes and Roberston’s recognizable voice, but the fullness of a band whose members each contributed creatively in a big way.

They perform at 12:45 this Saturday at Arlene’s Grocery. RSVP at #LETSGETMESSY for a free mixtape.