Vaeda
Encyclopedia
Vaeda is an American three-piece alternative rock
band formed in Brooklyn, New York in 2003. In September–October 2005 Vaeda was the Number 1 unsigned artist on the Myspace music charts and has since been featured in films, television and national tours including the Vans Warped Tour and Rockstar Taste of Chaos.
The band was based in Long Island
, New York
. The name originates from an alternate spelling of the word Veda which are the original sacred texts for the Hindu
religion. The word itself means "knowledge" in Sanskrit
. Additionally, there is a backronym
derived from the name: Very Awesome Extra Double Awesome.
In 2006, Vaeda released their debut album State of Nature
with the independent label Playtyme Records. Songs from that album have been featured on CBS - NCIS
(All For You) and Fox Television promos for Prison Break
and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Battle Song).
In late 2008, Vaeda appeared in the MTV Games Rock Band 2
national television commercial.
They since parted with their former label and recorded an album titled Unsafe at Any Speed. Songs from the album can be heard on MTV's The Hills
(Breathe, Fake The Moment) and The Girls of Hedsor Hall
("Breathe").
Vaeda has performed with and toured with the following acts: 30 Seconds to Mars
, Flyleaf
, The Used
, Anberlin
, Framing Hanley
, Rev Theory
, Pop Evil
, Saosin
, Senses Fail
, Haste the Day
, and Chiodos
.
On June 21, 2009, Vaeda announced on their Myspace page that due to their current circumstance, they were on indefinite hiatus. However, they also revealed that the upcoming album Unsafe At Any Speed was still due to be released, and that although they had no plans for tours or shows, that "no-one knows what tomorrow will bring."
On November 3, 2009, Vaeda released Unsafe At Any Speed via itunes
for $9.99. The artwork for the album features a symbol of a man falling and a U-turn arrow, which had previously been unreleased. Also, Unsafe is the band's first album to use a different logo for the word Vaeda. As yet, a CD version of the album is unconfirmed.
. With Dreher on bass guitar, the foursome would soon form the band Vaeda and independently release their eponymous album in late 2003.
The band recorded a 7 song EP titled The Red Queen produced by Kyle Kelso in 2004.
Shortly thereafter, Gignoux left the band to complete his undergraduate degree in Biology and was replaced with Sam Kearney on lead guitar. After a brief stint and stylistic differences, Kearney left the band and went on tour with Fisherspooner. Vaeda, now a three-piece, had to adapt their style to accommodate for a lead guitarist. Along with Lear-Nickum's powerful vocals and Williams' unique drumming style, Dreher provided the ingenuity and creative edge that helped hone Vaeda's signature sound.
in early 2005 to work with Beau Dozier, son of Motown legend Lamont Dozier
. While living in LA, the band released an EP with tracks they had recorded with Kelso titled "Unreleased Songs From The Red Queen Sessions." Through performance, promotion and the popularity of the track "All For You," Vaeda was propelled to the #1 spot on the Myspace unsigned artist chart. They stayed at #1 for several weeks which grabbed the attention of record labels.
While in LA, Vaeda learned that there had been another band performing under the same name but a different spelling. Because Vaeda was established for longer and had the name trademarked, the other band (spelled Veda) made the decision to change their name and are now known as Vedera
. Both bands are on good terms with one another.
after touring up and down the west coast for most of 2005. They've reestablished their homebase on Long Island where Dreher was born and raised.
Playtyme Records signed Vaeda and released the album State of Nature
in August, 2006. This album was produced by Kyle Kelso and consists of the remixed and remastered recordings from the two previously released EPs (The Red Queen and Unreleased Songs From The Red Queen Sessions).
The band went on a 3 month national tour in support of this album.
The CD artwork (conceptualized and designed by Aristotle Dreher) is composed of 12 symbols, each representing a song title on the album and positioned around a doomsday clock
which is set at "3 minutes to Midnight."
The song, "Battle Song" is featured on the DVD extras documentary of the major motion picture First Descent
. "Battle Song" is also featured in a 2008 Fox Fall Preview promo spot for Prison Break and the Sarah Connor Chronicles.
In late 2007 Vaeda petitioned for release from Playtyme and ended their contract in early 2008.
Several tracks off of the album have been played on Siruis XM satellite radio. Breathe also received airplay on 94.3 WMJC.
Responsible for all of the band's artwork, Aristotle Dreher created an ambiguous image depicting a heart surrounded by a ribcage in a wing formation. The artwork represents the first phase in Vaeda's three part motto which goes as follows:
"Music has the power to change hearts,
Hearts can change minds,
Minds can change the world."
However, this image was not used for the albums final artwork, and was replaced by a logo representing a man falling in a U-turn, but the heart design is found on some of the bands merchandise and apparel.
The band believes strongly that the arts are what help define each generation and inspiring others to do good can help positively influence the zeitgeist
. The imagery of hearts and positivity is consistent in their message as they have been known to say that they are "inspired by the power of music and thrive on making positive changes in the world one song at a time… one heart at a time.”
Vaeda can also be seen in the MTV Games Rock Band 2 national TV commercial.
Each week they played music from the local Long Island scene and had in studio interviews with other bands with whom they were friends. They ended each show with the declaration of their motto.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in Brooklyn, New York in 2003. In September–October 2005 Vaeda was the Number 1 unsigned artist on the Myspace music charts and has since been featured in films, television and national tours including the Vans Warped Tour and Rockstar Taste of Chaos.
The band was based in Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The name originates from an alternate spelling of the word Veda which are the original sacred texts for the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion. The word itself means "knowledge" in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
. Additionally, there is a backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
derived from the name: Very Awesome Extra Double Awesome.
In 2006, Vaeda released their debut album State of Nature
State of nature
State of nature is a term in political philosophy used in social contract theories to describe the hypothetical condition that preceded governments...
with the independent label Playtyme Records. Songs from that album have been featured on CBS - NCIS
NCIS (TV series)
NCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
(All For You) and Fox Television promos for Prison Break
Prison Break
Prison Break is an American television serial drama created by Paul Scheuring, that was broadcast on the Fox Broadcasting Company for four seasons, from 2005 until 2009. The series revolves around two brothers; one has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an...
and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Battle Song).
In late 2008, Vaeda appeared in the MTV Games Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
national television commercial.
They since parted with their former label and recorded an album titled Unsafe at Any Speed. Songs from the album can be heard on MTV's The Hills
The Hills
The Hills is a reality television series which originally aired on MTV from May 31, 2006 until July 13, 2010. The show uses a reality television format, following the personal lives of several young adults living in Los Angeles, California, but tends towards a narrative format more commonly found...
(Breathe, Fake The Moment) and The Girls of Hedsor Hall
The Girls of Hedsor Hall
The Girls of Hedsor Hall is an MTV reality TV series similar to Ladette to Lady and VH1's Charm School. The series takes 12 out of control American girls to England's Hedsor House, a filming, wedding, conference and events venue . There a finishing school called Hedsor Hall was created where they...
("Breathe").
Vaeda has performed with and toured with the following acts: 30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević...
, Flyleaf
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is an American alternative metal band, formed in the Belton and Temple, Texas regions in 2000. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop and Christian metal genres. They performed around the United States in 2003 until releasing their eponymous debut album, Flyleaf, in 2005....
, The Used
The Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah. The band was founded in 2001 and signed to Reprise Records the same year. They rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third...
, Anberlin
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
, Framing Hanley
Framing Hanley
Framing Hanley is an American rock band from White House, Tennessee, formed in 2005. They released their first studio album in August 2007 entitled The Moment. They are best known for their song "Hear Me Now" and their cover of "Lollipop", originally by Lil Wayne...
, Rev Theory
Rev Theory
Rev Theory is an American hard rock band formed in 2002 in North Andover, Massachusetts. The band has released three studio albums: Truth Is Currency , Light It Up , and Justice . The song "Voices" is currently being used for World Wrestling Entertainment star Randy Orton...
, Pop Evil
Pop Evil
Pop Evil is an American rock band that was formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2001 by Leigh Kakaty, Dave Grahs, Jamie Nummer, and Dylan Allison. Lead guitarist Tony Greve was originally added as a temporary studio musician for the band but was invited to become a full-time member in early 2007...
, Saosin
Saosin
Saosin is an American rock band originally hailing from Newport Beach, California. The band was formed in 2003 and recorded its first EP, Translating the Name, that same year with original singer Anthony Green. Green left Saosin following the band's decision to sign with a commercial label,...
, Senses Fail
Senses Fail
Senses Fail is an American post-hardcore band from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Formed in 2002, the line up initially consisted of vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Dave Miller and Garrett Zablocki and being completed by bassist Mike Glita. The band quickly issued their debut EP, From...
, Haste the Day
Haste the Day
Haste the Day was an American Christian metalcore band signed with Solid State Records that was formed in Carmel, Indiana 2001. Their band is named after a lyric in the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul." The band released their debut release, an extended play titled That They May Know You, in 2002,...
, and Chiodos
Chiodos
Chiodos is an American post hardcore band from Davison, Michigan. Formed in 2001, the group was originally known as "The Chiodos Bros," the band's name was a tribute to filmmakers Stephen, Charles, and Edward Chiodo, responsible for the film Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Chiodos released their...
.
On June 21, 2009, Vaeda announced on their Myspace page that due to their current circumstance, they were on indefinite hiatus. However, they also revealed that the upcoming album Unsafe At Any Speed was still due to be released, and that although they had no plans for tours or shows, that "no-one knows what tomorrow will bring."
On November 3, 2009, Vaeda released Unsafe At Any Speed via itunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
for $9.99. The artwork for the album features a symbol of a man falling and a U-turn arrow, which had previously been unreleased. Also, Unsafe is the band's first album to use a different logo for the word Vaeda. As yet, a CD version of the album is unconfirmed.
Formation
Drummer Oliver Williams, singer/guitarist Ian Lear-Nickum and former lead guitarist Chris Gignoux grew up together in the suburbs of Washington D.C. After college, they moved to Brooklyn, NY together, where they met the multi-instrumentalist Aristotle DreherAristotle Dreher
Aristotle Dreher is an American artist, songwriter, musician, and occasional actor from Bay Shore, New York. He is known as a founding member and bass player of the band Vaeda. His unique musical techniques stem from his artistic ingenuity...
. With Dreher on bass guitar, the foursome would soon form the band Vaeda and independently release their eponymous album in late 2003.
The band recorded a 7 song EP titled The Red Queen produced by Kyle Kelso in 2004.
Shortly thereafter, Gignoux left the band to complete his undergraduate degree in Biology and was replaced with Sam Kearney on lead guitar. After a brief stint and stylistic differences, Kearney left the band and went on tour with Fisherspooner. Vaeda, now a three-piece, had to adapt their style to accommodate for a lead guitarist. Along with Lear-Nickum's powerful vocals and Williams' unique drumming style, Dreher provided the ingenuity and creative edge that helped hone Vaeda's signature sound.
Early career
Vaeda moved to Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in early 2005 to work with Beau Dozier, son of Motown legend Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier
Lamont Herbert Dozier is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.-Career:...
. While living in LA, the band released an EP with tracks they had recorded with Kelso titled "Unreleased Songs From The Red Queen Sessions." Through performance, promotion and the popularity of the track "All For You," Vaeda was propelled to the #1 spot on the Myspace unsigned artist chart. They stayed at #1 for several weeks which grabbed the attention of record labels.
While in LA, Vaeda learned that there had been another band performing under the same name but a different spelling. Because Vaeda was established for longer and had the name trademarked, the other band (spelled Veda) made the decision to change their name and are now known as Vedera
Vedera
Vedera is a pop/rock band from Kansas City, Missouri.- History :Kristen May grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Blue Springs, as did the rest of her bandmates. Her entire family was musical; her mother was a singer who loved Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Jim Croce. “I listened to those artists,...
. Both bands are on good terms with one another.
State of Nature (Debut)
The band moved back to Long IslandLong Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
after touring up and down the west coast for most of 2005. They've reestablished their homebase on Long Island where Dreher was born and raised.
Playtyme Records signed Vaeda and released the album State of Nature
State of nature
State of nature is a term in political philosophy used in social contract theories to describe the hypothetical condition that preceded governments...
in August, 2006. This album was produced by Kyle Kelso and consists of the remixed and remastered recordings from the two previously released EPs (The Red Queen and Unreleased Songs From The Red Queen Sessions).
The band went on a 3 month national tour in support of this album.
The CD artwork (conceptualized and designed by Aristotle Dreher) is composed of 12 symbols, each representing a song title on the album and positioned around a doomsday clock
Doomsday Clock
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock face, maintained since 1947 by the board of directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago. The closer the clock is to midnight, the closer the world is estimated to be to global disaster. , the Doomsday Clock now stands at six...
which is set at "3 minutes to Midnight."
The song, "Battle Song" is featured on the DVD extras documentary of the major motion picture First Descent
First Descent
First Descent is a 2005 documentary film about snowboarding and its beginning in the 1980s.The snowboarders featured in this movie represent three generations of snowboarders and the progress this young sport has made over the past two decades...
. "Battle Song" is also featured in a 2008 Fox Fall Preview promo spot for Prison Break and the Sarah Connor Chronicles.
In late 2007 Vaeda petitioned for release from Playtyme and ended their contract in early 2008.
Unsafe at any Speed
Vaeda went on to record a 12 song album titled Unsafe at any Speed which was released on Tuesday 3 November 2009. The tracks "Fake The Moment" and "Breathe" from this album were featured on MTV's The Hills and The Girls of Hedsor Hall.Several tracks off of the album have been played on Siruis XM satellite radio. Breathe also received airplay on 94.3 WMJC.
Responsible for all of the band's artwork, Aristotle Dreher created an ambiguous image depicting a heart surrounded by a ribcage in a wing formation. The artwork represents the first phase in Vaeda's three part motto which goes as follows:
"Music has the power to change hearts,
Hearts can change minds,
Minds can change the world."
However, this image was not used for the albums final artwork, and was replaced by a logo representing a man falling in a U-turn, but the heart design is found on some of the bands merchandise and apparel.
The band believes strongly that the arts are what help define each generation and inspiring others to do good can help positively influence the zeitgeist
Zeitgeist
Zeitgeist is "the spirit of the times" or "the spirit of the age."Zeitgeist is the general cultural, intellectual, ethical, spiritual or political climate within a nation or even specific groups, along with the general ambiance, morals, sociocultural direction, and mood associated with an era.The...
. The imagery of hearts and positivity is consistent in their message as they have been known to say that they are "inspired by the power of music and thrive on making positive changes in the world one song at a time… one heart at a time.”
Vaeda can also be seen in the MTV Games Rock Band 2 national TV commercial.
Internet Radio Show
In 2008 Vaeda began hosting their own live internet radio show/podcast called Vaeda Radio. They are known for their boisterous personalities and irreverent sense of humor.Each week they played music from the local Long Island scene and had in studio interviews with other bands with whom they were friends. They ended each show with the declaration of their motto.
Discography
- Vaeda (2003)
- The Red Queen EP (2004)
- Unreleased Songs From The Red Queen Sessions (2005)
- State of Nature (2006)
- Asleep at the Wheel EP (2008)
- Unsafe at any SpeedUnsafe at any Speed (album)Unsafe At Any Speed is an album by Long Island, New York rock band Vaeda. It was recorded by the band during the time they were part of the Playtyme record label, but the band petitioned release from them before the album could be released. Almost one whole year later, the album was released via...
(2009)