Review: Vedera

Photos by Susan Pfannmuller/Special to The Star

If there's a band out there whose career trajectory exemplifies the rewards and vagaries of big-label existence, it's Kansas City's own Vedera, who are property of Epic Records.

The band has some components of a big-label band: well-crafted songs that fit into commercial radio formats and onto fashionable TV shows, like MTV's "The Hills"; a young and attractive lead singer, Kristen May, with a huge, arresting voice (who also plays guitar and keyboards); and a look and sound that gets it invited to tour with bands and performers like the Fray, Mat Kearney and Jack's Mannequin. The band has been working with Epic for more than four years on releasing its debut big-label record, "Stages." Apparently, that moment is arriving. In stages.

Saturday night, Vedera threw a homecoming/holiday show at the Beaumont Club. It looked like about 600 came to celebrate along with them. Many, it seemed, were relatives and long-time friends as well as fans. The age demographic was probably something like 8 to 60-plus years old. It looked more like the crowd at a huge graduation party or wedding reception than a pop concert. But the band's music has something to do with that, too. It's pan-generational. 

 

So the vibe in the room was warm all night. It crackled and erupted a few times, like when the band played familiar tracks like "Satisfy" and "Back to the Middle" -- songs with all the components of a radio hit: a lovely melody, hooky chorus, some catchy guitar riffs, lovelorn lyrics and major-league vocals from May, who can fill a place as big as the Beaumont with one long, loud, sustained  note.

Between the better-known songs, though, the mood in the room swung from low-key to indifferent. The sound had something to do with that. The mix felt off (too bright, drums way out in front), which was only magnified and aggravated in a room with rugged acoustics.  And though the  band has obviously honed its playing skills while touring hard over the past few years, it hasn't upgraded the rest of its presentation. Mays is the only one with access to a microphone, so she's the one who does all the bantering. She's sweet and funny, but she could use a little help. And it's a little odd that there's no mention or play off of her marriage to Brian Little, the band's lead guitarist and the brother of drummer Drew Little. A little live social networking can go a long way in building connections beyond just the songs. (It would be nice, too, if Brian Little could show off more of his guitar skills.)

 
The set lasted a few hairs beyond an hour and it included covers of "Last Christmas"by Wham! and "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. But most of the show was devoted to songs from the band's "Stages" album, which has been more than four years in the making: "Forgive You," "Loving Ghosts," "Even I," "Goodbye My Love" and "We Sing." The album also includes re-recorded versions of "Satisfy" and "In the Middle," which have been around for awhile. Hard copies of the album were available at the merchandise table, but according to Amazon.com, the official release isn't until February. (It's available in mp3 format in several places on the Web.)

By then, Vedera will be on tour with Jack's Mannequin. Before that, they will entertain guests at the Sundance Cafe during the film festival. Sometime in the summer, they'll jump on the Lilith Fair tour. So their label and handlers have aligned some solid opportunities for exposure to the right kinds of audiences. Here's hoping it all works out as planned for a band that has displayed as much patience as it has perseverance. And here's hoping that sometime next  year, they become more of a household name in their own hometown.

Audiovox: The crowd wasn't showing much love or interest, but the second of two openers showed why this smart and clever electronic-pop duo (guitar and drums with recorded backup) has impressed a lot of people in the local music scene. When I say they have a Pitchfork sound, I mean it as high praise.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Tim S]

Nice review Tim. I got to meet the band beforehand (thank you KC Star) and they seemed like really genuine, down to earth people. During the show I kind of got the sense that some of their newer tunes don't meet up with the band's potential. It seemed like they were better than the material they were playing. I hope they have continued success but I also hope their next album showcases their musical talents more.

[bath mateus]

nice posting....

[Robert Bruce]

Tim,
We were at the Vedera show Saturday and seem to have witnessed a slightly different performance. The sound was typically "Beaumont bad"-too loud and distorted if you were near the stage.
Vedera gave a show that indicates why they will break out and go beyond the local success of other regional bands in the recent past.
Kristen has an amazing voice and a genuinely nice personality that comes across in their show.
We read your review in Monday's paper and were happy to see the picture. When reading the review we got the ever present attitude about local bands common in your writing; they are pretty good, but probably not going to make it nationally.
Vedera is one of the best bands to break out of the local scene and has all the elements needed. The determiner of their success lies in how the label handles them in the next year. Unless they are really badly directed, my bet would be on them breaking out big.
The review would have been much more positive if you had just said that they were able to bring 600 attendees out on a cold night less than a week before Christmas.
We are lucky to have some good, local, live bands but the Kansas City area gets dismissed. The review would have been over the top in praise if Vedera were from Athens, GA.

[Honest In KC]

RE Audiovox-

Pitchfork sound = UNORIGINAL

This bands steals more beeps and bops than a Walmart checkout on black Friday. Speaking of stolen, they stole the name from the shittiest car audio company on earth, and even ripped off Weezer, and Van Halen logo's.

Do they do anything original?

[Dude]

I'm with Honest on Audiovox. They sucked royally. And I really enjoyed Vedera's performance, contrary to Mr. Finn.

[donny matthews]

yet another reason why kansas city bands dont do too much elsewhere; its reviews like this that make people think that they cant. ive kc cant get behind one of the best things it has to offer, it wont for anything else.... oh wait.... except for david cook... terrible review mr. finn.

[Tim S]

I thought this review was spot on. Especially after seeing how personable the band is in person I'd love to see some more mics on stage for some more interaction. The vibe in the room was warm and really did feel a bit like a family reunion, but the crowd was indifferent at times. The mix WAS a little painful although I've heard worse. I don't think there's anyone on here that doesn't wish the band success (Tim included) and I think his review reflects that.

[BobsUncle]

Putaforkinthem.com Audiovox is dead. Ever heard of owl city or death cab for cutie, or the postal service? if so Audiovox has nothing more to offer you

[Steve]

FYI, the Vedera song Satisfy is the free single of the week on itunes.