Chiffon Magnifique is the darkwave project of Brisbane artist Jed A. Walters, now evolved into a full five-piece live band. What began with the debut album ‘Anxietika’ has transformed on stage into a fusion of live drums (Lachy Shirley), bass (Adam Shay), saxophone (Courtz Lovell), ethereal vocal harmonies (Lyra), guitar, and layered synths, drawing from post-punk, goth rock, and minimal wave to create a truly twisted live show.

This new era pushes further into experimental territory, reworking ‘Anxietika’ material with unreleased tracks that explore darker textures and extended improvisation, combining monochromatic bleakness with heartfelt new wave passion.

THE HISTORY

Chiffon Magnifique started in the depths of COVID-19, where songwriter and musician Jed A. Walters, lockdown-bound, started tinkering with heavily modulated guitar tones, 80’s synth and sampling production and drum machine programming.

After a long career writing music in the Gold Coast based industrial synth and drums duo Tesla Cøils (2012-2020), and an unceremonious firing from Brisbane blues band The Blackwater Fever (2010-2022), Jed saw an opportunity to nurture his own self-expression and personal interests in late 70s/early 80s coldwave music, post-punk, darkwave and gothic rock.

The debut single “Abomination” (2021) unleashed a tirade of chorused punk bass, layered Linndrum beats and glassy synth textures, all peppered by strangly guitar arpeggios and his theatrical baritone drawl.

Soon after, “Ice Witch” (2022) experimented with synth arpeggios, squealing saxophone, industrial textures and plenty of gated reverb snare drum. It was at this point that Jed launched his live solo show - a presentation of live guitar and synths, alongside his carefully constructed backing tracks. The melancholic yet bright and hopefully new-wave sound was matched with his personal presentation of trad-goth makeup styles and layered gothic fashion.

The upbeat and twangy post-punk single “Cyanide” (2023) found success on Brisbane’s community radio station, as well as goth and darkwave playlists globally. As each single emerged, novel accompanying music videos became a favourite staple of Chiffon Magnifique’s growing fanbase.

“Witches Falls” (2024) saw Jed approach slower and moodier themes, along with layering synths with acoustic guitars and drawling storytelling of a fateful mental health day in the Tambourine Mountain rainforest. His self-directed and semi-autobiographical fantasy music video was picked up on RAGE ABC.

Late 2024 saw Jed finally release his debut full length on limited addition cassette - a collection named “Anxietika”. A concept album, each track explores his tumultuous 20s, and a struggle with generalised anxiety disorder. Alienation and seclusion in his beachy hometown of Gold Coast weaves its way through the album’s themes, as well as severe heartbreak and abandonment.

The album’s title track received a beautifully edited studio music video, crafted by Clint Lewis (The Church, Tim Rogers), starring guest vocalist June Gray of Sacred Hearts, also receiving RAGE ABC’s “WILD ONE” honour.

Walters suffered personal issues throughout 2025, including losing his voice from thyroid surgery, yet still managed to compose original instrumental music inspired by pagan imagery and medieval sounds, used for a local Winter Solstice event.

It was through this witchy outing that Jed met Courtz Lovell (saxophone and guitar - Clover Love, Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra) and Lachy Shirley (drums - KRAVE, Foul Face) who would ultimately become the Statler-And-Waldorf morale backbone of a new live show, developed by Jed in early 2026.

Securing an impeccably dressed and talented bassist Adam Shay (AP0//0), and finding harmony with the ethereal mononymous vocalist Lyra (former choir vocalist found at the goth club), Jed had put together a five piece ensemble that could finally express an unhinged and organic presentation of his own music.

Whilst cutting their teeth at local Brisbane venues (Netherworld Arcade, The Cave Inn, PFR Lounge, Mirrorball Ministries) and a Melbourne trip to perform at Black Planet Festival, the new Magnifique ensemble developed a fond camaraderie with each other and local alternative music lovers alike, proudly maintaining safe gig spaces and friendly community.

“Marionette” is the new single by Chiffon Magnifique. This 808-driven synth jaunt, peppered with detuned guitar, growling saxophone and toy piano, is an ode to a sensual and playful world of kink and roleplay.

This also marks the premiere of the "Marionette" music video. Co-conceived and directed by Jed A. Walters and local multidisciplinary artist Erik Oddly, the film marks Jed's first exploration into miniature filmmaking and silent cinema aesthetics. Starring burlesque performer Red Devotchkin as a marionette dancer inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis, the surreal visual follows her hypnotic performance before an audience of eager suited men and an equally animated conductor (all played by Jed).

Jed now hones his new material in his home studio in Brisbane, working on a sophomore album entitled “Agatha”.