Even though she resides in Chicago these days, Hope Arthur is and always will be a part of Fort Wayne. 

The classical pianist, accordion player, songwriter, composer, and linguist has had her hands in the Fort Wayne Ballet, Mikautadze Dance Theatre, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and Pyroscope Entertainment, and she continues to work with local musicians. Plus, who could forget about The Hope Arthur Orchestra that created stellar music for film and dance released an album and had a breathtaking performance at Down the Line 8 in 2004, covering the music of David Bowie? 

In any event, she has made her mark in The Fort, and she’s not finished. 

Arthur’s latest endeavor is with her alter-ego Serepta, named after her great-great-great-great-grandmother. It was created as an outlet for a more specific artistic and musical vision and draws from influences such as Bjork, FKA Twigs, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, and J-rock legend Gakuto Kamui. 

On June 30, Serepta is set to release a new album, Wayward Vessel, at a release party for herself and Tom Harts, plus a set by Funayūrei, at The Brass Rail. A few weeks later, she will be joined by her bandmates Mucca Pazza and The Hooten Hallers at The Rail.

Doing it herself

Serepta’s upcoming release features 10 tracks that were recorded in a handcrafted way. 

“It was honestly all recorded DIY style in my bedroom and my rehearsal studio in Chicago,” Arthur said. “I think some vocals were recorded in my car, too. There are three songs that feature other artists including Teri Quinn from Kansas City, Missouri; U.kustik from Vienna, Austria; and Kurt Roembke of Fort Wayne. I believe they also recorded all their parts at home.” 

She produced the entire thing by herself. The album was mixed and mastered by the very busy Dan Kinnaley of Chipped Tooth Audio here in town.

Instaworthy

This particular collection of songs and album artwork started as part of a music challenge she took on four years ago called Jamuary. The idea was that during the month of January, musicians from all over the world would take to Instagram to challenge themselves by sharing a new musical idea every day of the month. They needed visuals to go along with the daily posts since you cannot post on Instagram without an image or video. 

“It’s pretty ambitious, but it’s become an entire season for me every year,” Arthur said. “At this point, I essentially have 124 musical ideas to work with in regards to releasing future music. I also started incorporating makeup challenges and wearable challenges to go along with the music in hopes of generating my own album work as well. 

“One of my makeup looks not only became the album artwork but the aesthetic for my show. Another makeup look is becoming a mask that I’m going to wear at the release show.” 

Seeing the makeup and headpieces might very well be worth the price of admission on their own. The set will also see Kinnaley and Roembke joining Serepta on stage, which should make for one incredible evening. Furthermore, the show will act as a double record release show as Chicago’s Harts will release his album The Perfect Stranger.

Annual tradition

Four years ago, she wasn’t sure if this work would pay off, but it looks to be going in the right direction. Plus, even though this is Arthur’s first solo album in 10 years, we should not have to wait that long the next time around. 

“I’m very interested in the idea of creating entire worlds and storylines,” she said. “Now that I have literally hundreds of music ideas, I’m hoping to get in a yearly groove of working with Chipped Tooth Audio and regularly releasing music.” 

Let’s hope that’s the case as one can never get too much of Arthur’s work. Wayward Vessel will be available on all streaming platforms and a physical cassette release. The first single, “Fragrance of My Blood,” will hit all platforms June 23. 

Marching band

Along with her work as Serepta, Arthur has also been involved in another project, Mucca Pazza, since 2018, the Chicago-based interdisciplinary instrumental music and performance ensemble — or as some would call it, the punk absurdist marching band. 

Arthur plays accordion and is one of 30 active members of the band. The band also includes Rachel Mossburg of Fort Wayne and Dominic Gaietto of Auburn. 

Mucca Pazza recently released Get Pumped!, their first album in nine years, and will embark on an East Coast tour soon that includes a stop at The Brass Rail on Thursday, July 13, along with The Hooten Hallers. 

But how is this band going to fit on The Rail stage? I guess we’ll have to show up to find out.