Song Spotlight: Allegra Ondine's Museum of Houses (a night at Harvard & Stone)

Allegra Ondine's soprano vocals that take on operatic qualities hit the Harvard & Stone stage during a Swyndle LA showcase. I ran across Ondine previously back in 2023. I first ran across her in July when she was a back-up vocalist for Gaia Calista. Then in August, I happened to catch a Paradise Lovers set, which is a duo with Maybellene Ryder. In regards to Ryder, I happened to mention her in a US Rocker Music when she was playing violin for Oh, Rose (you can read that article here). Paradise Lovers is an interesting pairing. Ondine has classical vocals while Ryder has alternative pop / folk vocals. 

Allegra Ondine at Harvard & Stone

When it comes to the local music scene, Ondine really reminds me of Claire McKeown. My interactions with McKeown goes back well over a decade when she was in her project Dirt Bird and then joined the operatic rock band Afternoons. After Dirt Bird, she formed Honey Child.  

Per her Spotify bio, Ondine says the following about her songs, "evoke a few feelings in particular - loneliness, euphoria, longing, and heartbreak." I do believe that her set was mainly focused on unreleased material that will be part of an upcoming EP release that maybe titled Black Dress (if I heard correctly). 

Allegra Ondine at Harvard & Stone

When talking with the audience, her voice was demure, but once she started to sing her vocals took on an assured confidence. The set had the backing of a full band (guitar, bass, drums) while she took to the keys. She may one day have a career as a  music conductor. A handful of times, she would lift up one arm while still playing the keys with the other. She would swing it around as if she were giving her band musical instructions (or maybe she was). Along with that, there were moments when I'm sure she would have gotten a glass cup to shatter. 

Allegra Ondine at Harvard & Stone

Let's go with "Museum of Houses" as the song spotlight. On an Instagram post, she wrote, "Inspired by the feeling of being an outsider looking in." The lyrics imply someone frustrated with being that outsider and a touch violent.  

I'll break your window panes

Tie a rock to all your dreams

Amusing moment after the set was when Ondine started to pack up her keyboard. The keyboardist for Belle and Chain (the next band up -- you can read a review I wrote last year about the band here) rushed over to remind her that they were sharing the same keyboard.