In ancient Greek mythology, the naïve goddess Persephone is ensnared by Hades and spirited to the Underworld. As Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, mourns her daughter’s departure, Earth languishes, signaling winter’s grip. The seeds of the pomegranate—six gleaming jewels of fate—are consumed by the naive Persephone, tethering her to the realm of the shadows for half the year, but she is granted permission to leave the Underworld and bring with her Spring’s growth. The luscious, crimson stain of the pomegranate seeds speaks to nature’s cyclical bondage: a dance between life and death; rebirth and decay. Persephone’s plight and the pomegranate’s potent symbolism serve as poignant reminders of the delicate balance of mortal existence.
The new single “Pomegranate Wine,” from Northeast Ohio alt-rock outfit Baroque Monody, fuses elements of goth, industrial, and whatever else catches their fancy. The song is off their latest EP, ‘Persephone Returns,’ out today.
“‘Pomegranate Wine‘ touches on accepting one’s fate while using that knowledge for their own growth, rather than demise,’ muses Jennifer Rose.
The single also delves deeply into its mythological resonance. Its evocative guitar work and fervent vocals bear echoes of the gothic allure reminiscent of Concrete Blonde, yet they also conjure the 90s alt-rock spirit of Veruca Salt, Hole, Babes In Toyland, and Sleater-Kinney. The narrative of “Pomegranate Wine” finds its roots in a storied past, yet gleams with a contemporary edge, connecting an age-old legend to modern musical inspirations…like Charon the Ferryman himself.
Listen to “Pomegranate Wine” below:
Persephone Returns was recorded and produced by Brooks Farris, who also played drums on the EP.
As Persephone dwelled in Hades during Winter 2013, Baroque Monody formed out of the creative nexus of Jennifer Rose—a multifaceted singer, guitarist, and songwriter—and Rick Polo, a dexterous multi-instrumentalist. Their inaugural album, “Empress(III)/Emperor(IV),” graced the musical landscape in early 2014. Two years later, Aphrodite Laughs emerged—a poignant homage to overlooked female luminaries. The Four Loves EP further embellished their discography in 2018. As years passed, a series of singles unfurled, culminating in the 2023 “Lost Things” compilation. Notably, the track ‘Plan 2021‘ sparkled, enriched by the percussive prowess of Kellii Scott from Failure.
“These new songs feel like a culmination of the last 10 years of writing music together,” says Rick Polo. “All of the trials and tribulations, along with all of the various sonic directions we’ve flirted with over the years. Much like the overall theme of the EP, this feels like a new beginning.”
Watch Baroque Monody perform live below:
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