Faith and the Muse

Faith and the Muse is an underground band composed of two musicians, Monica Richards and William Faith. They are well-regarded in the gothic music scene as innovators and icons. Their music encompasses many gen

Faith and the Muse is an underground band composed of two musicians, Monica Richards and William Faith. They are well-regarded in the gothic music scene as innovators and icons. Their music encompasses many genres, from folk-style songs to darker compositions. Richards is the primary singer, although Faith sings one or two tracks on each album. The band is hard to place in any single genre. Their influences include Dark Alternative, Gothic Rock, Celtic, and other folk influences. Welsh and Irish mythology have often served as inspiration to many of the band's songs.

Monica Richards, a native of Washington, DC, is a musician/artist/poet/scholar. She met William Faith in October 1992 when her band, Strange Boutique, opened for Shadow Project in Norfolk, VA. Before starting Faith and the Muse, both had had experience in the gothic rock and post-punk culture of the '80s. Richards had sung for the band Strange Boutique, while Faith had performed with gothic rock icons Shadow Project, Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, and Sex Gang Children. Faith and the Muse was started in March 1993 with Richards and Faith exchanging tapes while Richards was still living on the east coast. Shortly thereafter she moved to Los Angeles where the duo is still based.