Augusta, GA natives, Veara, are currently working on their upcoming and third full-length, in between playing Warped Tour and multiple festivals in the UK. Having worked with Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember and signing to Epitaph Records are unquestionably huge achievements for such a young band. I'll leave you with an interview I conducted with the band's drummer, Brittany.
Can you start off by introducing yourself and your role in Veara?
Brittany: Hey I'm Brittany and I play drums in Veara.
So your sophomore full-length, What We Left Behind, has been out for just over a year and you've already made it overseas, including Europe and Australia - How do you feel about the band right now?
Brittany: I feel great about the band right now! I never would of thought we'd make it over to Europe twice and Australia once this soon. It's all so crazy. We're going back to Europe for our third time right after Warped Tour to play some festivals. I can't wait!
Going back some time, what was it like working with co-producers Jeremy McKinnon and Andrew Wade, and how did you initially get involved with Epitaph and Running Man Records?
Brittany: It was awesome. We knew both of them prior to recording so we already had a friendship. When it came to producing we clicked extremely well with both Jeremy and Andrew. We were all on the same page. We got involved with Running Man and Epitaph through Jeremy and Josh from ADTR. We had recorded some demos (a couple of years ago now) and we sent them over to Josh. He loved them and then showed them to Jeremy and then we started talking back and forth. Josh was telling us that Jeremy and him were starting a label called Running Man and that they really wanted to work with us. Jeremy wanted to produce the CD as well. Once we got linked up with them they asked us what label we were interested in because they wanted another label on with us as well. We told them that we've always been big fans of the label Epitaph. We happened to have Sue from Epitaph's contact. We gave it to Josh and then they started emailing back and forth. Sue flew out to watch us play in our hometown of Augusta, GA and then that's when we started talking more with Epitaph and soon after signing with them as well.
For those who don't know, can you tell us how the band name was chosen? Still no luck remembering why the extra a was added?
Brittany: We got the name from a local music store here in Augusta. There is a lady who owns/runs it. She is not a nice lady at all, haha. Patrick has actually been kicked out of that music store just for trying a guitar out. We were 15 years old when we started the band and we were looking for a name. For some reason I think Patrick suggested the name Veara out of spite. It just stuck. I'm really not sure why the extra a is there. We just put it there, haha.
I understand the band is currently writing and demoing new songs, how are they coming along? Do you have any plans for your next release yet?
Brittany: Yes we are currently writing and demoing out songs and they are coming along great! This is the first time that we've actually been able to write with recording software. So we can write a part, lay it down and then listen back and really be able to hear how the song will sound/feel. It's really awesome and we are very stoked with our progress so far! We have been talking with our management trying to figure out studio time. We will go back to Andrew Wade with Jeremy producing. We don't have set recording dates yet, but we are working on it.
How has working on the new songs compared to your previous full-lengths and can we expect a similar sound this time around?
Brittany: We have recording software for demoing this time around. We didn't have that with What We Left Behind. We couldn't sit back and listen to the song until we got in the actual studio. being able to lay parts/song ideas down has helped so much with writing. I love being able to hear how the songs are coming together. We're not a band that's gonna go completely in the opposite direction musically but we still want to push the envelope. I can't say how the whole new record sounds just yet (because we are still writing it) but so far I can't tell you that these songs have the catchy element and an aggressive edge. We'll see how it all pans out.
A few months ago you mentioned that Jeremy would be producing the new record as well - have you guys been working with him so far or just amongst yourselves for the time being?
Brittany: So far we've just been working amongst ourselves. We want to finish the songs to where we're happy and then have Jeremy come in and give his input.
As many know, the general idea behind What We Left Behind revolved around your response to all of the negativity that you received from some people who thought you wouldn't make it. Will the new record have a similar or central theme?
Brittany: As I said, we're still in the process of writing. This new record won't be about people thinking we wouldn't make it but we've all discussed things that have happened to us since the release of What We Left Behind. There's definitely no love songs in there, haha.
Recently you announced that you will be staring Warped Tour in late July in order to work on the record at home - can you explain the typical genesis of a Veara song? Do they generally start with a certain member playing a part or do lyrics come first?
Brittany: Generally it will start with a guitar part. But then sometimes it could start with a vocal melody or even a drum beat. It all just depends.
The band recently announced a set of European dates for late August - can we expect to hear any new material at the shows, or soon after?
Brittany: We won't be playing any new songs yet. We might wait until at least a song is released before we start playing it.
Earlier in the year you guys played Soundwave Festival down here in Australia, and despite being your first time down, the reception was quite lively. Do you have any plans on coming back? What was your favourite thing about the country?
Brittany: Australia was so awesome! It is definitely my favorite place to play. We have no plans as of now but I'm hoping we will be able to come back with a new record. Every city was awesome. The people were super nice and I loved the laid back attitude. It was so amazing and I can not wait to get back there again!
Thanks for your time, would you like to finish off with anything in particular?
Be sure to keep checking with us for updates on our new record as well as tour dates! Thank you to everyone who is supporting us!
Exclusive: Life On The Sideline EP announcement, music video premiere
Since releasing Honesty Is A Dying Breed two years ago, Life On The Sideline has remained active on the road and is now ready to unveil its upcoming EP, Never Settle. To kick things off, we're premiering the music video for the band's new single, "Echo", which tells the sad story of a young girl reminiscing times spent with her deceased partner. While not a pop punk song per se, it's as catchy as one with an infectious chorus that you'll inevitably get stuck in your head. The band's sound could be compared to that of Transit's and The Early November's. Fans can pre-order the EP on iTunes and CD here, before it's released on June 7th. […]
