Vashon’s Venus Verse (VVV!) Offers Free EP Download
June 18th, 2008
To be sure, I have a certain affection for local DIY bands. I love my town, I’ve always pulled for the little dude, and having a medium to exponentially reach others only heightens the sentiment (thanks, Al Gore!). Maybe it’s because I spent a significant portion of my childhood over on Vashon Island, or maybe I’m secretly a sucker for the new wave, but the isle’s Venus Verse has quickly roped me in with their debut self-released 5-song EP, Phazes.
As misterlevitan has once again pointed out, bands and musicians are finding more and more ways to cut out the middle-man (i.e. labels) and exploit the mass of tools readily at their disposal. Venus Verse, for example, has offered Phazes to their fans through the myspace music player. Honestly, I don’t know much about the band other than what’s on their space, but after listening to the EP, I’m more than willing to spread the word.
The threesome—made up of Kevin, Stephanie, and Fausto—draw from (somewhat) equal parts 80s British icons The Cure and Echo & The Bunnymen (”Dreaming Again”, “Loving Arms”), contemporary Swedish pop invaders such as Shout Out Louds and Lykke Li (”Not Quite Juliet”, “Whisper”), as well as trip-hop pioneers Portishead (”Paris”). Some impressive names, indeed, for a small band from the corner of the Evergreen State to be compared to. And while the band still has the fresh sound of wide-eyed shoegazers, the poppy, ambient, even jazzy excursions their songs take off on make for a charming and captivating listen. You’ll find plenty of synths, machine-like drumming, and precise post-punk guitar work, embellished by wistful and tender lyricism. Lead vocals provided by both male and female, too; that’s always a plus in my book.
I did say that you could download from their page, but I’ve done the leg work for you (individual files below). You can also buy the record at the West Seattle Easy Street and the Ballard and Capitol Hill Sonic Booms if that sort of thing tickles your fancy. If you like it, make sure you donate for their second EP (which you’ll receive), to be recorded this summer. Five bucks is all they ask to cover recording costs and they’ll even put you on their guest list!
The band next plays July 11th at the Comet with Black Night Crash and Dulce Sky.
-UPDATE- The show is on July 10th
Venus Verse - Phazes
June 18th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Kevin leDoux said:
I think your deep rooted hippie connection to Vashon is easily trumped by the fact that this EP is genuinely baaad aaasssss!
So, when is New Wave going to just become Wave?
June 18th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
LB said:
Dunno, probably when post-punk becomes…just punk?
Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised at it’s bad assery, as well. And, to be clear, I’m not a hippy, though I do side with them sometimes.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:24 am
lawrence said:
venus verse is by far some of the most unique sounds to emerge from the lush wonders of Vashon beauty. Venus Verse are a testament to the DIY ethos of the Seattle scene. If you pass up a Venus Verse show, you might as well miss out on the second coming of Christ. peace.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:52 am
Venus Verse said:
That is Lawrence (above) our friend from LA
He’s like a cross between a Kimono dragon and a mountain Lion.