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With the release of their debut album The White Apple, indie rock group of Verona, instantly had us wanting more. Their ageless take on alternative pop has put them on the map, and we can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for this breakout act.
GroundSounds recently had the chance to catch up with Mandy and Dillon to talk about inspirations, upcoming projects, and more, checkout the exclusive interview below.
For those just discovering of Verona, can you tell us how you guys came together and formed the band?
Mandi: We formed in mid 2010 when I met Dillon at a writing session for another artist. We hit it off and decided to form the band. We met Jeff a few months later and started working on new music. The band name comes from the play ‘Two Gentleman of Verona,’ which is the smallest of any of Shakespeare’s plays. It survived against the bigger plays such as “Macbeth and “Taming of the Shrew” on the sheer virtue of the story. I was an English Lit major at UC Berkeley and I always thought if I had a band, it would survive on the talents of its members as opposed to any sort of trickery or fake buzz.
Can you tell us about working on your debut album The White Apple and bringing it to fruition?
Mandi: It was created over a year and half. I would usually have an idea of something I wanted to say and sometimes some lyrics or a melody in mind too. I would then go to Dillon and he would start creating this world for the lyrics. Some songs like The White Apple were written over several months, while others like They Will Fall Like Roses were written in real time; Dillon and I sitting together in the studio and just creating it on the spot. They Will Fall Like Roses is about 7 minutes long and that’s how long it took to write. After we have a song recorded, we’ll all listen to it several times and go back and do any tweaks, then Dillon and Jeff will usually mix it.
What do you guys enjoy most when performing live?
Our songs are rather epic and even a bit cinematic, so we really enjoy bringing them to life in the live show setting. We were definitely inspired by bands and artists like Bowie and Pink Floyd who revolutionized the visual experience in their live shows and we strive to do the same (although obviously on a much lower scale at the moment.).
Beyond that, we really enjoy meeting our fans and seeing their reaction when we perform. There is nothing else quite like it.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the track “Dark In My Imagination”?
This song is about one of those times when you’re in a relationship and you keep picturing that person hooking up with someone else when you’re not around. Even if it’s not happening, you still think it is- and what goes on inside your mind is usually much worse then the reality of the situation.
What people, places, and books have inspired you guys?
Mandi: We’re definitely influenced by the 60’s and 70’s … acts like Bowie, The Who, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin… We also love some of the great 90’s artists like Massive Attack, Garbage, Bjork and Radiohead. We dig artists who are slightly left of center while still being melodic. And then there is also something exciting about the pulse of today’s music. There are some amazing DJ’s and electro soundscapes that are energetic and make you feel alive.
Dillon: As you can tell from what Mandi mentioned, we are heavily influenced by a lot of bands from the UK. Even more modern bands like Oasis, Florence + Machine and Kasabian. Kasabian’s first album is one of the best albums in the past ten years. It was really ahead of its time.
Mandi: As for things outside of music … everything magical is definitely inspiring. Game of Thrones. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have all lent their mysticism to our sound. We’re also really digging the current YA novelists, including John Green. We basically love books, art and movies that can transport you to another dimension.
Since everyone was a startup once, can you give any smaller or local bands looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
No matter what anyone says, keep going. You really need a lot of tenacity in this industry. Always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will. Don’t get caught up on your age or how you look because in the end, the music will speak for itself. I have a tattoo on my arm that says: “Res Ipsa Loquitur – If I don’t believe, then nobody will” … and it basically means, what I’m doing speaks for itself and I have nothing to prove to anyone. I use to sharpie it on my arm before shows and then one day, I tattooed it on so I wouldn’t ever forget. Confidence is really important in the music industry. It’s so easy to believe a bad review, but opinions on art are so subjective that you can’t take what one person says to heart. The other key is to surround yourself with people you trust that can actually help make things happen. Don’t ever settle.
Who would you guys like to collaborate with in the future?
On the production side, guys like Ariel Rechtshaid, Jeff Bhasker and Paul Epworth are all helping to push boundaries these days, so they would be on the list. On the artist side, we would love to work with powerful vocalists like Hannah from London Grammar or Christina Perri.
Can you tell us about one of your most memorable performances to date?
I think our shows in the UK were pretty special. We did a week-long tour out there and they are really open to new music and new sounds. We also had a great time at the Henry Fonda Theater opening for Moby and playing with Roger Daltrey in Washington.
We’re loving your latest track “Is It Any Wonder”, what was it like working on this song?
That’s actually a B-Side to the deluxe edition of ‘The White Apple’ album. So in a way, it’s a B side to a B side. We felt that it didn’t quite fit with the other bonus material on that album, so we held it back. Giving it away during the Holidays for free seemed like a good way to put it out there.
What are you guys currently working? What can fans look forward to?
We are just starting to get ideas down for album two. We are also doing a bit of a record label dance at the moment as well. Should be a very exciting year.
