Hi, I’m Chris von Staats and I’m a singer-songwriter and independent multi-instrumental recording artist in Cambridge, MA.

“Life & Death” is my first ever album and is made up of 13 tracks of Halloween-themed music. All songs were written, performed, recorded, and produced by myself, and mixed and mastered by my brother Al.

The album came out of my love and fascination with horror movies and books, as well as thoughts and questions about life and death arising for me from the covid-19 pandemic.

As a film lover, I used the many sub-genres within the horror umbrella (creature features, ghost stories, sci-fi horror, etc.) as inspiration for the many genres of music represented on the album. It alternates between funny and scary, poignant and silly, minimalist and maximalist.

Throughout the album I played the following instruments: electric and acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, piano, keyboards and synthesizers, electric organ, pump organ, drums, drum machine, and glockenspiel, plus original sound effects.

This project was like a second job for me for some time – working nights, weekends, and on my vacation time. If you enjoy the album and want to support me please tell your friends and consider purchasing it on bandcamp.

Contact: cvonstaats@gmail.com