conspiracy of venus
Conspiracy of Venus is a 30-woman vocal ensemble based in San Francisco that explores the creative frontiers of music under the artistic direction of Joyce Todd McBride. We interpret Joyce’s daring and inventive arrangements of beloved songs, ranging from popular classics (Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and David Bowie’s “Life On Mars”) to edgy contemporary pieces (Bjork’s “Possibly Maybe”), as well as original compositions by Joyce, with dazzling technical verve and tons of personality. Drawing inspiration from medieval music, jazz, funk, and new music, Conspiracy of Venus takes vocal music into territories not often explored by more traditional choirs or college-style a cappella groups (though we are inspired by them too!).
Our first album, Muse Ecology, will be released in February, 2016. The album was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley with producer Lolly Lewis. We conducted a successful crowdfunding campaign to finance the album, which showcases Joyce’s intricate arrangements and the group’s diverse voices.
Since our formation in 2007 as the sister group to the all-male Conspiracy of Beards, we have delighted sold out crowds at many San Francisco venues, including The Great American Music Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts, The Independent, The Swedish American Hall, The Rickshaw Stop, The Make-Out Room, and others, sharing bills with John Vanderslice, The Mountain Goats, The Mother Hips, Blame Sally, Emily Jane White, and Rupa and the April Fishes, to name a few. We have performed twice on the radio show West Coast Live, and we participated in Undercover Presents’ full album cover of The Pixies’ Doolittle in 2011. In spring of 2012, we participated in the San Francisco Music Video Race.
Conspiracy of Venus believes that creating and sharing music has social and political impact, and we are active in community service. We have performed at Dublin State Correctional Facility and played benefits for the Awamaki Peruvian Women’s Weaving Collective, The Gulabi Gang, The Ursa Freedom Project, In Search of Good Food, and the Fairmount Elementary FestiVal. We were awarded a grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission to perform on the street during the Mid-Market Two Blocks of Art ARTery Project Art Walk in 2013. Conspiracy of Venus speaks out through our music about political issues from feminism to environmentalism. We believe that there is meaning behind the music we make, and we strive to share that with the world.
Sometimes singing is like extreme spelunking, and sometimes it’s like outer space exploration. We take seriously the idea that change and growth happens through the process of meeting each week and working really hard. And we have been known to have some serious fun while we work, since, after all, isn’t singing about enjoyment? That’s what we seek to share with the world with our unique blend of wildness and grace.
For booking please contact Joyce McBride
Our first album, Muse Ecology, will be released in February, 2016. The album was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley with producer Lolly Lewis. We conducted a successful crowdfunding campaign to finance the album, which showcases Joyce’s intricate arrangements and the group’s diverse voices.
Since our formation in 2007 as the sister group to the all-male Conspiracy of Beards, we have delighted sold out crowds at many San Francisco venues, including The Great American Music Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts, The Independent, The Swedish American Hall, The Rickshaw Stop, The Make-Out Room, and others, sharing bills with John Vanderslice, The Mountain Goats, The Mother Hips, Blame Sally, Emily Jane White, and Rupa and the April Fishes, to name a few. We have performed twice on the radio show West Coast Live, and we participated in Undercover Presents’ full album cover of The Pixies’ Doolittle in 2011. In spring of 2012, we participated in the San Francisco Music Video Race.
Conspiracy of Venus believes that creating and sharing music has social and political impact, and we are active in community service. We have performed at Dublin State Correctional Facility and played benefits for the Awamaki Peruvian Women’s Weaving Collective, The Gulabi Gang, The Ursa Freedom Project, In Search of Good Food, and the Fairmount Elementary FestiVal. We were awarded a grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission to perform on the street during the Mid-Market Two Blocks of Art ARTery Project Art Walk in 2013. Conspiracy of Venus speaks out through our music about political issues from feminism to environmentalism. We believe that there is meaning behind the music we make, and we strive to share that with the world.
Sometimes singing is like extreme spelunking, and sometimes it’s like outer space exploration. We take seriously the idea that change and growth happens through the process of meeting each week and working really hard. And we have been known to have some serious fun while we work, since, after all, isn’t singing about enjoyment? That’s what we seek to share with the world with our unique blend of wildness and grace.
For booking please contact Joyce McBride
About the Director
Joyce Todd McBride, director, is a composer, vocalist and pianist from Berkeley, California. Her musical influences and performance experience span the early medieval art of the troubadours, early polyphony, balinese gamelan, middle eastern rhythms, jazz, art song, piano literature, punk and rock, and East Bay funk. She has taught voice and piano for nearly 25 years after studying composition and ethnomusicology at Mills College (M.A.) and the University of Pennsylvania (an all but done PhD). Compositions include three theatre works, one full length musical, dozens of songs, a string quartet, instrumental works, and over thirty arrangements. She is a devoted teacher and directs several ensembles. She performs frequently with local groups as a singer and/or pianist.
If you would like more information on Joyce’s Studio, her policy, fees, or scheduling questions, please email for a phone consultation.
If you would like more information on Joyce’s Studio, her policy, fees, or scheduling questions, please email for a phone consultation.
