Vera Farmiga’s Band Releases Debut Album ‘Midnight Minuet’

Oscar-nominee actress showcases her musical talents.

By Poulami Nag Poulami Nag linkedin_icon

Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Vera Farmiga, widely known for her roles in horror films like “The Conjuring” series, has unveiled a surprising new artistic endeavor – her musical debut with the band The Yagas. The group has just released their first album, “Midnight Minuet.”

Creative Chaos Behind The Melodies

In a heartfelt Instagram announcement, Farmiga and her bandmates shared the creative process behind their debut album: “#MidnightMinuet is finally here! We had so much fun writing and recording our debut album. Every track is a spell, brewed in a cauldron of our melancholy and madness, spiked with a shot of haunted Catskills honey.”

The band describes their unconventional recording process, noting they “recorded parts of it everywhere – in basements, bathrooms, bedrooms, attics, and messy schools.” They even mention that listeners might catch unexpected background noises, including “offspring quoting Eric Cartman or squeaky stools in the verses” and contributions from “a rabid coyote” in the backing harmonies.

Signing the post as “Baba Yaga’s weird American cousins, The Yagas,” the band invites fans to “unravel” the emotions knitted into their songs.

From Silver Screen To Music Scene

Farmiga has built an impressive acting career spanning over two decades. Best known for portraying paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren in “The Conjuring” universe, she received an Academy Award nomination for “Up in the Air” and an Emmy nomination for “Bates Motel.”

This musical venture marks a significant artistic shift for the acclaimed actress, who has primarily been associated with dramatic and horror roles in Hollywood.

According to Metal Addicts, who reviewed the album, “Twelve years have passed since that first scream that left a mark on pop culture. Today, Vera Farmiga—widely acclaimed for her cinematic career—stuns the world by unveiling a bold new artistic dimension: her musical debut alongside the enigmatic band The Yagas.”

Live Performances And Collaborations

The Yagas have already begun performing live, making their New York City debut at the legendary Bowery Ballroom. In one particularly notable performance, they were joined on stage by Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello for a special rendition of “Chervona Ruta,” celebrating their shared Ukrainian heritage.

Farmiga herself shared footage from this performance on Instagram, writing: “I had a blast with my band @theyagas playing our #NYC debut at the legendary @boweryballroom with @casagogolrecords lineup. Joining us on stage, @eugene_hutz of @gogolbordello celebrating our Ukrainian heritage with this special song, #ChervonaRuta.”

Widow’s Lament: Lead Single Explores Grief

Ahead of the album release, The Yagas premiered their music video for “Life of a Widow” through Revolver Magazine. The dark, guitar-driven track deals with themes of grief and loss.

Speaking about the song’s meaning, Farmiga explained: “The song is aching to feel the presence of a deceased loved one. It’s a soul’s journey of yearning, pleading to crack the unbearable silence of solitude, that Vantablack void, just to hear your love’s voice once again, to feel your love’s touch again.”

She further elaborated on the protagonist’s emotional state: “She navigates through mad midnight moments of throbbing despair. She begs to feel less alone. She demands to feel the presence of her lost love. And she won’t stop wailing until he’s there.”

Building Momentum

In the days leading up to the album release, The Yagas shared several teasers on social media, including a live performance of their song “I Am” from the Bowery Ballroom and multiple posts promoting the “Life of a Widow” music video.

The band has been working with Casa Gogol Records and using various professional audio equipment from brands like Lewitt Audio and Fir Audio during their performances.

As The Yagas continue to establish their musical identity, Vera Farmiga appears to be embracing this new creative outlet with the same intensity and dedication she brings to her acting roles, offering fans a different glimpse into her artistic capabilities.

With “Midnight Minuet” now available on streaming platforms, listeners can experience Farmiga’s transition from screams on the big screen to haunting melodies in this unexpected but intriguing musical chapter of her career.

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Vera Farmiga made her directorial debut with the film 'Higher Ground' in 2011, which was well-received at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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