First Single from Live & Unplugged, Sarah, Live Now!
The drop date for Live & Unplugged at the Club Cafe is coming closer and closer, and the first single and video are now available. Watch Sarah on VEVO and stream it on everything everywhere.
First Angel Media album Review
“I enjoyed how this album infused a lot of elements from diverse genres. I hope that Bonnie and the Mere Mortals can keep on experimenting with these as they create more nostalgic and colorful work!”
Debut Album Southern Gothic available now!
After 2 years of writing, quarantining, rewriting, and fretting, We finally have the Bonnie & the Mere Mortals debut album out and ready for your ears. Listen on all streaming platforms, and get your own copy over at our shop.
Call of the Void Single Release
The release date for second single from the upcoming album, Southern Gothic, is coming up quick. The call of the void is that inescapable voice that tells you to jump over the edge when you get just a liitle too close, but the song’s inescapable hook will have you feeling anything but. The video, directed by Zac Cageao, showcases Bonnie and her Mere Mortals performing in a void space while Bonnie slowly spirals out of control. Support the release by pre-saving the song on Spotify or setting a reminder on Youtube.
Spring Update.
As my 98' Jeep Cherokee Diane starts up a little easier and I begin to get a little envious of folks who've started planting their gardens, spring is coming. For bands right now, who knows what that means. We're all (well, those of us who aren't ding dang clown shoes) wondering if shows are coming back now as well, and it seems people are tentatively booking tours again. Mere Mortals has tried to keep busy. We have an entire new full length album ready for you all, we're working with new musicians, making new videos, designing merch, working on some other collaborative releases, and preparing the best live show I can think of.
This year has been incredibly difficult for me. As someone who identifies as a curvy woman, a goth, an Appalachian, a musician, a performer, and a tattoo artist, there are not many holes this form fits into, and that stage is where I get to make the rules. Art is essential, and I believe most have learned that more than ever during this. That being said, I am incredibly grateful for the support, reviews, podcasts, videos, comments, and love that has poured out. We have a lot of new media coming your way, and I can only hope y'all love what we're doing as much as I do.
412NES reacts to the "CURSES" video
Good Lord, I've never been more tickled. Watch the crew from 412NES gasses us up for our latest offering.
Queer PGH podcast interview
I sat down with QPGH a few weeks ago to talk queerness in Appalachia, our upcoming projects, and what gothic country even looks like. Genre is a box just like gender and sexuality, and you just can't keep us all in.
"CURSES" official Music Video
While all of the Mere Mortals can't even be in the same room together, I sought to make a video that shows who we are... without showing who we are. Obviously, that meant getting Pittsburgh's premiere drag artist, Scarlet Fairweather involved. Directed by Zac Cageao.
An interview with HughShows
Hugh was kind enough to invite us to his first/last series. View on Hugh's Website.
“It scares you to death chills your weary bones and the sight of her face turns you to stone“
Bonnie & the Mere Mortals combines Southern Gothic music while blending Appalachian folk with the gothic from the Paris of Appalachia. A juxtaposition of analog and digital showing that they have more in common than you might think. That description is none more evident than on the video premiering today for their song “CURSES”, the first single off their upcoming album entitled Call of the Void. I want to thank Bonnie Ramone (Rhythm Guitar/Banjo/Lead Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.
The first album you ever bought?
The first cassette I ever received was Meat Loaf’s Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell from my older sister. She wasn’t much into Mr. Loaf, but when she complains about my black-clad existence, I’d like to think it’s partially her fault.
Your last album bought?
I recently went on a vinyl spree in the half-priced books bargain bin and purchased a Dolly Parton Christmas album, a Disney Halloween sound effects album, a live album of Billie Holiday, and an album of Gregorian chanting. I don’t really think I can explain myself better than that.
Favorite album of all time?
That’s an impossible question. I think I can narrow it to a top 5 that I’m still unsure on. I think a perfect album has to have a flow where you’re already singing the melodies for the next song before it starts. I’ve listened to these hundreds of times on repeat on every porch I’ve had: Southeastern by Jason Isbell
American Football’s self-titled
Disintegration by the Cure
Violator by Depeche Mode
Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.
Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Picture it: Pennsyltucky, June 6th, 2006. A young mall goth who talks out of the side of her mouth is eagerly awaiting Davey Havok’s next offering from the local fye, only to receive December Underground. My favourite spooky punk band had traded 5 syllable words for fuse fame. The depression lasted until The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me would be released later that year.
First concert attended?
Discounting the number of Christian shows I was made to see, my first real show was Bob Dylan. He may have played all my favourites, but truly, who’s to say? That was also my first contact high. Thanks, Bob.
Last concert?
Pre-‘rona, I accompanied a friend to see King Dude in Columbus. He put on a fabulous show, and said friend had a big ‘ol crush on him, so we made sure to get to talk and take photos.
Favorite concert ever?
In 2015, I traveled out to Riot Fest in Chicago and had the absolute pleasure of seeing The Cure perform a 3 hour set. I was alone and smoking a clove while he played an extended version of “A Forest,” and I’m not sure anything else will ever live up to that moment. Sorry, husband.
Least favorite concert?
In my old metal band, Until we have Faces, we used to play the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois in July. One year we had a set that was going particularly well… until I decided to jump off stage for a guitar solo. I jumped and tripped over my mic stand (which traveled with me to the ground), unplugged my guitar, and landed on my face. It was like that scene at the beginning of School of Rock. On the upside, my stage fright has gone way down, because nothing that bad could ever happen again. I hope.
Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
To be honest, the community in Pittsburgh has been so loving during this whole pandemic. Between Mere Mortals and our livestream show, the Pittsburgh Creative Collective, I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with an award-winning drag queen, bullshit with a famous comedian, watch a number of firebreathers, and I’ve met and connected with so many incredible talented musicians who’ve kept me going in 2020.
Thanks, Bonnie. That falling off the stage story is actually amazing… not that I cherish in your utter embarrassment at the time but because that moment was the worst thing that can probably happen to you as a performer and yes, it probably went a long way to cure any stage fright you may ever have.
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