Join us for the official “Pre-Party” of the Key City Steampunk Festival on Friday, August 11 starting at 7:30 PM with Night Watch Paradox taking the stage at 9:30 PM.
A theatrically inspired music troupe, Night Watch Paradox is musically, lyrically and visually evocative and brings the sights and sounds of a world where steam powered airships roam the skies and time travel is a recreational activity. A place where both men and woman are equally capable, strong, intelligent and frequently mysterious. Imagine a talented collective of musicians, composers and artists who bring these visions to life in a unique steampunk inspired performance.
Night Watch Paradox lyrics pay homage to 19th Century Baltimore history, all while offering their own twists or alternative versions. Such examples are “The Admiral Fell” a song about a steam-powered airship that helps defeat the British Navy in the War of 1812, “Mobtown Riot” which tells the story of the Pratt Street Riots of 1861, and “Henry Clemm” which speculates about the mysterious death of Edgar Allen Poe’s young cousin.
The music itself draws from a wide variety of styles including rock, jazz, Americana, Appalachian and Klezmer. With a lineup of electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums, ukulele, flute, harmonica, accordion, cello and both female and male vocalists, Night Watch Paradox can easily evoke the proper mood from sombre to frenzied exuberance. The band has been compared to the Decemberists. Tap your toes, clap and sing along!
Night Watch Paradox has made their mark in the steampunk world since 2014 by performing every year at the Steampunk World’s Fair. Other notable performances have been Artscape, the Annapolis Fringe Fest, the Charm City Fringe Fest, the Atlas Intersections Festival in D.C. and the Arlington County Fair.
Whether you are fully initiated in the steampunk genre or are a complete novice to the concept, Night Watch Paradox is guaranteed to provide an evening of memorable entertainment and fun. If you play your cards right, may have experience a “more cowbell” moment. As always, steampunk attire is encouraged, but not required.
The Key City Steampunk Festival runs through the weekend and is hosted by Frederick’s own artist and maker-extraordinaire, Doc Stone. The Doc and his partner in shenanigans, Tobias McCurry from the Game Show Network’s reality show Steampunk’d, will be hobnobbing with the clientele along other local steampunk legends while Night Watch Paradox provides the musical entertainment for the evening.