The Three Mothers

Dani Mari & Johnny Butler

released October 31, 2016

1. Sighs (Mater Suspiriorum) 04:52

2. Darkness (Mater Tenebrarum) 02:26

3. Tears (Mater Lachrymarum) 05:04

Johnny Butler & Dani Mari have united to create a series of songs inspired by Dario Argento's movie trilogy about three witches called The Three Mothers (Le Tre Madri), (Suspiria, Inferno, Mother of Tears). Johnny Butler combines sultry saxophone and other woodwind instrument melodies with Dani Mari's haunting witchy vocals. With the help of Todd Reynolds (Steve Reich, Bang on a Can) on violin, Rose Rutledge on flute, and Will Hanza on mandolin and acoustic guitar, the result is eerily akin to an otherworldly chamber orchestra.

Dani Mari (lyrics, vocals)
Johnny Butler (production, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, organ)
Todd Reynolds (violin)
Rose Rutledge (flute)
Will Hanza (mandolin, acoustic guitar)
Mixed by Robert Lux
Mastered by Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves

Photo by Crystal Clear Waters
Artwork by Dani Mari

"Philly singer-songwriter Dani Mari recently teamed up with composer and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Butler for a trio of songs and music videos inspired by horror film director Dario Argento. Today we have the premiere of the first song, “Sighs (Mater Suspiriorum)” and its accompanying video. The concepts for “Sighs” and its forthcoming companions were inspired by Argento’s Le Tre Madri triology, which chronicles the titular characters’ creation of witchcraft in the 11th century. "Sighs” ties in the witch element with an experimental art quality that elevates the video beyond pure shock value. It’s haunting, evocative and unsettling. The gilmpses of action you get through the pulsing light leave a feeling of uncertainty: what is this place? who are these people? what are they doing? The song is equally eerie, with exquisite strings, dub-step percussion and Mari’s vocals seemingly casting a spell. Luckily for us, the team has more spookiness up their sleeves; go here “to see the secrets of the house” and get exclusive downloads and behind the scenes footage."

-WXPN, The Key

"BV is pleased to present the Friday the 13th premiere of the new horror short film Darkness, the second part of a three-part trilogy by Philadelphia singer-songwriter Dani Mari, composer and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Butler and filmmaker Arielle Apfel. The series is based on the “Three Mothers” trilogy of films by Italian horror master Dario Argento, and Darkness specifically is an homage to Argento’s film Inferno. Featuring music composed by Butler and Mari and starring I Am Snow Angel, Darkness is an example of the sweet spot where homage meets invention. Indebted to Argento’s unique vision of horror (specifically his rich, detailed use of color) but managing to create a unique cinematic world, the video conjures a profound sense of fear and unease. This is coupled also with an almost involuntary wonder at the cleanliness and precision of the compositions. It all works beautifully with the music as well, which is legitimately eerie and haunting, aided immensely by Dani Mari’s ethereal vocal work. Simply put, it’s a rare, cool thing to see something executed this carefully, especially if you’re a horror fan."

-Brooklyn Vegan