#theoverney

Sound Stalker talks to Theo Verney leading up to his appearance at Liverpool Sound City this week.

How would you describe your sound?

"Rock. Heavy Rock."

What influences your 'DIY' approach to making music?

"Seeing a lot of the American bands making music with their friends and having fun I wanted to do something like that."

What do you look for in a label to release your music?

"People I get on with personally, people who will let me have 100% creative control and a label with a good loyal following are the key things."

When are you next recording?

"After my tour in May I'm going into a proper studio for the first time. If it works out and I don't freak the fuck out I plan to record my album there. I have a lot of new songs written so I'm looking forward to getting some new stuff out."

You've recorded a cover of 'She' by 'The Misfits'. Why did you decide to record this particular song?

"To be honest with you it's a song I like and it wasn't too hard to work out the guitar parts so it was mainly simplicity which made me choose to cover in the first place."

Are there any other covers you'd like to put your mind to?

"I'd like to do some covers of some more classic rock but you can't really touch a lot of it you know? No one wants to hear Hendrix covers."

What’s your ideal setting for playing your music?

"In a loud, sweaty venue late at night where everyone's drunk and enjoying themselves."

What will you try to provide people with during your live performance at 'Liverpool Sound City'?

"It's the first time I've ever played Liverpool so I hope to provide some fun times and some energy."

Does Liverpool hold any memories for you?

"I've never even been there! I just think of the Beatles really, I'm sorry if that's a gross stereotype."

What's the most memorable gig you've played so far?

"Probably the Brighton show where I headbutted my guitar and broke my nose. I was pissing blood everywhere whilst still playing and then everyone bundled my bassist Joe. It was so good."

Do you have a favourite venue to play?

"I've played there so many times but I do love the green door store in Brighton. I like it's cobbled floor even though my drummer Alex broke his coxis whilst stage diving to Traams on those hard hard stones."

Where there any bands or artists, in particular, that inspired you growing up?

"At first it was the classics, Jimi Hendrix etc then people like the Black Lips really inspired me to make energetic guitar music."

Do you have any other creative outlets?

"Not really, I'm a terrible drawer. I like being in the mountains and being in nature as much as possible though."

What's your favourite record shop?

"Itunes"

What have you been listening to recently?

"Almost solely Neil Young. Also The Monks, the 70s band The Stawbs turned into. Its so funny how drastically different they are."

What are you looking forward to this year?

"Touring! My gig schedule is getting busier every day and I fucking love it. I'm really looking forward to playing End of the Road Festival and Liverpool Psyche Fest especially."

Theo Verney, hailing from Brighton, has been making waves underneath the surface. Influenced by the American garage DIY attitude he has sculpted his own brand of rock'n'roll.

If you're into Ty Segall, Fuzz (Ty Segall and Charlie Moonheart) and, in my mind, Kurt Vile and the Violators - be at The Kazimier Friday 2nd May 19:30PM to witness Theo's first Liverpool performance.

Although Theo's music seems to be easily compared to these American artists - he definitely has his own sound. He's able to switch from heavy fuzzed out riffs to optimistic melodies with ease. With his tour book filling it's sure his brilliance will spread.

He debuted on, Conan of Mazes label, Italian Beach Babes with a limited cassette tape T.V. E.P. 

Since 'T.V. E.P.' Theo has released on 'Hate Hate Hate Records' with his 'Heavy Sunn' 10". They are also responsible for releasing music from The Wytches, Loom and Fat White Family - all playing Sound City this week.

He is currently touring the UK. If you can't reach a gig, check out his shit and keep your eyes peeled as there's undoubtedly great things to come.

You can also catch Theo Verney at this years Liverpool Festival of Psychedelia. 

Check out all Theo's recordings so far here - all instruments played, recorded and mixed by the man himself.

Check out his website here.

Grab a copy of the limited 'Heavy Sunn' 10" here.

Grab a copy of the limited 'TV. EP' cassette here.

Dit jaar was ik voor het eerst op het Le Guess Who festival. Het is mij goed bevallen. Hieronder mijn top 6 optredens:

The Wytches Deze band heeft een vroege Nirvana-sound met een zanger die ook Jack White-achtige uithaaltjes heeft. Songtitles als Anal Dweller, Cumming Clown en Dicks & Dance doen denken dat de band tekstueel nog iets kan groeien. Jong, hard en gedreven en laten we deze gasten alsjeblieft vaker zien in Nederland.

Om Deze band volg ik al een poosje en was de reden waarom ik naar dit festival kwam. Het optreden is nóg dromeriger dan op plaat en de bas was zo hard dat het leek of je broek vol zat met telefoons op trilstand. Subliem. De band speelde heel Tivoli De Helling muisstil met hun lange trance.

Theo Verney Bij het inluisteren had ik deze artiest bijna overgeslagen omdat ik de aanname deed dat dit een Nederlandse singer-songwriter was. Gelukkig ben ik toch gegaan, want deze Engelsman brengt loodzware riffs, gepaard met psychedelica en garage. Het was zijn eerste optreden op Europees vasteland. Ik ben fan. Luister hier.

Thao and The Get Down Stay Down Dit verfrissende vrolijke bandje uit San Francisco is een kleine verrassing. Als opvuller liepen we even naar de Spiegelzaal in Tivoli en stonden ineens vooraan. Thao speelt verschillende snaarinstrumenten en laat zich lekker gaan op het podium. De meeste liedjes liggen niet voor de hand en door het wisselen van instrumenten is het nooit saai. De Ludacris-cover (What's Your Fantasy) van Thao is werkelijk briljant. 

Wooden Shjips Een favoriet voor velen op dit festival. Psychedelische muziek. Vooral de combinatie met de zaalvullende visuals maakte dit tot een geweldig optreden.

Crystal Stilts Sterk optreden in Tivoli. Ik had deze band nog nooit live gezien. De zanger deed mij qua houding een beetje denken aan Ian Brown. Maar ik schijn niet de eerste te zijn die dat opgevallen is. 

Verder heb ik gezien: Disappears, Black Angels, The Dodos, Linda Perhacs, Pins, Scout Niblett, Dump, The Thing, Traams, Hanni El Khatib, Damien Jurado.