The Courtesans

The Courtesans are a London based Baroque Pop band that combine elements of Gypsy with Glam Rock, formed by British cult Horror actress Eileen Daly (former vocalist of Jezebel) in 1998. Eileen is a former glamor model, actress, presenter, columnist, writer, entrepreneur and cult icon. "Eileen provides the lead vocals and Co-band member, Ben Thirkettle (formally of Goodbye Planet) produces all the music for the band. Ben Thirkettle has also composed musical scores for film."
The band take inspiration from musicians such as T.Rex, The Cramps and Alex Harvey, they are also heavily influenced by classical music. The Courtesans sound is colorful, fun and organic, the band have a do-it-yourself attitude and a punk spirit. Racks & Razors said "They specialize in dark tales in waltz time, sleazy tales set to deadly swing beats and swampy arabesque stomps". Eileen's instinctive vocals have been compared to Kate Bush and Marianne Faithfull. An online review described Eileen's persona as "a kind of Eastenders version of Marianne Faithfull - is spikily good-humoured".
The band has toured for several years often appearing in support of major artists and at a variety of events and film premiers. The band is heavily theatrical and takes a deal of its visual inspiration from Italian Horror films and the theatrical stylings of Kurt Weill. All of the band's songs are the basis of short films and are often acted out as short narratives in a variety of differing styles which showcase Eileen Daly and her experience garnered from a career in film and television.
The Courtesans have been playing live since 2006 at various well known London venues including Dingwalls (2011), The 100 Club (2010), 12 Bar Club, Marquee Club and The Slimelight (2007). They have also played festivals including the Dark Mills Gothic Festival in South London (2010) (where they were the headlining act) and an Amphitheater in Italy in (2009).
Metal Discovery said "the band deliver a great performance, and are certainly worth checking out again in the future".
The band have played with many musicians including Angie Bowie, David McAlmont, Theatres des Vampires, Inkubus Sukkubus and .
Band members
*Eileen Daly - Vocals, percussion, lyricist
*Ben Thirkettle - Guitar, Composer
*Sindi Dumanowska - Backing Vocals, percussion
TV and film
Before The Courtesans Eileen Daly was previously involved in a band called Jezebel who released an album called "Forbidden Fruit". A track off Forbidden Fruit, entitled "Plastic Surgery" was featured on the Cradle of Fear movie soundtrack CD. Before the Forbidden Fruit CD in 1998, but also under the name Jezebel, Eileen released a single entitled "Persuasion". Eileen performed on Eurotrash and was interviewed about her career to date. Eileen worked with producer and musician Steven Severin who had provided music for the film Visions of Ecstasy for Nigel Wingrove.
Eileen showed her band The Courtesans for the first time on ITV's 'London Nightlife' in 1998.
The band have had their music featured in a variety of TV and Film. Eileen performed 'Brute of Cute' in All About Anna 2005 a film from Innocent Pictures under the direction of the controversial filmmaker Lars Von Trier as a subsidiary of his parent company Zentropa.
The Courtesans recorded the theme tune for Timo Rose's film 'Beast' in 2008.
They also provided the title & trailer track to the 2012 film 'Rose'.
They have also had further credits in short films such as Teddy Says. The track 'Burnout' is to be used for the end credits of Andrew Jones' horror film 'The Amityville Asylum', which had theatrical release in Europe and the USA in 2013.
The Courtesans songs 'Burnout', 'Webcam' and 'Doll' among others will be featuring on the TV series 'Daly Does'. A six episode series, hosted by Eileen Daly, made buy her production company 'Gipsyphilia Productions. Ben Thirkettle will be producing the score for the series soundtrack.
Discography
==="Webcam Girl" single===
"Webcam Girl" was the first single to be released on Nigel Wingrove's Triple Silence Records in 2007.
It was released on limited edition pink 7" vinyl. A video for 'Webcam Girl' was release in March 2013 along with a free download of the song. The video was shot entirely on mobile phone cameras.
Elfing Around EP
The EP Elfing Around was release in 2009 and featured, as an extra, the music video for 'Peckham Rolex'.
'The Courtesans'
The band will be releasing their first album ‘The Courtesans’ one song at a time for digital download throughout 2013 & 2014. Each song will have an accompanying video. They will be promoting the album live from September 2013 and throughout 2014.
The video of the single ‘Webcam Girl’ will be featuring on Loaded TV.
Videography
*Peckham Rolex - Directed by Jack Doyle (2009)
*Doll - Directed by Jack Doyle (2009)
*Mazeltof - Directed by Jack Doyle (2009)
*Burnout - Directed by Tracer7Films (2013)
*Webcam Girl - Directed by Lindsey S (2013)
*Doll - In Pre-Production (2013)

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