The Shroud’s story began in Fresno, California, when a local independent filmmaker needed a band for a club scene in his movie. Lydia Fortner, who had already started putting a band together, volunteered for the shoot. She wrote a song during her geology class, the band rehearsed it a few times, and then performed it for the club scene. The film was originally titled The Bionaut but was later released as Beasties.

The Shroudettes kept rehearsing and writing new material and eventually began playing shows at local clubs, most notably the Olympic Tavern, which became a regular booking. The original Shroudettes were purposely a bit campy in their presentation and songwriting. Over time, some of the original members graduated from college and moved out of town to pursue their careers. Once replacements were found, Lydia and the band decided to take the music in a more serious direction, and with that transformation came a new name: the Shroud.

With the new members, the band began landing better bookings and building a bigger local following. As was typical in Fresno at the time, many musicians played in multiple bands, and lineup changes were frequent. Between the early Shroudettes days and the final recordings for their second album, Long Ago and Far Away, the Shroud went through thirteen lineup changes. The band finally settled into a steady five-piece that continued through their third and fourth albums, Dark Moon Night and In the Garden.

Over the years, the Shroud contributed many original songs and covers to various compilation releases, mostly for Cleopatra Records.

Recently, the Shroud has partnered with our friends at La Sacramental Records for a new vinyl release of our first album, Drowning Dreams.

Check back later as we add more of the Shroud’s history and other info.